The Steeplechase by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Reviewed by Betti Mace

The Steeplechase by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Steeplechase (Forget Me Not Romances, February 2016)

By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Blurb: Martha Osborne fears for her six-year-old brother, who was shuffled off to boarding school when his British mother departed to England. Set in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in the build-up to the War of 1812, expert rider Martha plans to substitute for her older brother in a “race to the steeple” to win the prize—and a bet with Phillip Paulson, equestrian trainer at Yorkview Academy, to help have her little brother returned home. When Phillip stumbles upon the real reasons behind the secret race he finds he may not be able to keep his end of the bargain. Can he save Martha and her brother? And will his heart be lost in the process? 

Five Stars *****

Are the British Returning?

Review by Betti Mace

Fall 1810 – a beautiful season in Virginia. A wonderful time for a long carriage ride, or perhaps a race on horseback. The Commonwealth was still young, but thriving. Unfortunately there still were those who sympathized with the British. Martha Osborne found herself in such an awkward place. Since her mother had passed away, her father had remarried a British lady, who seemed to think spending time in England was preferred to being with her family, especially her young son, Johnny. Did this mean the Osborne family were British sympathizers?

How do a steeplechase, a horse breeder, an academy for boys and the militia figure into this wonderful story? Read on to discover all.

Giveaway: Three Kindle copies of The Steeplechase. Answer this question - Have you read any stories leading up to the War of 1812? Do you like Early American fiction?

Diana's Corner: Review of Surrender the Dawn by MaryLu Tyndall

Surrender the Dawn : Surrender to Destiny

by MaryLu Tyndall 

(Barbour, August 2011)

5 stars~ *****
Patriots and Privateers!

MaryLu Tyndall takes the reader away on a fantastic historical journey to Baltimore, Maryland, amidst the War of 1812. Cassandra Channing has lost her father, and both brothers to the war and must find a way to take care of her mother and the rest of her siblings. Her attempts at investing her money for a privateer is met with ridicule for the simple fact that she is a female, and therefore considered "bad luck" as a business partner. Out of desperation she offers a partnership to Luke Heaton, who having won a rotten, rusty ship in a card game, is in serious need of funding to make it seaworthy.

Cassandra knows Luke's reputation as a womanizer, gambler, and a drunk, but also knows he is a good privateer. Luke, having lost both of his missionary parents in a fire, feels bitter and worthless, and certainly has no use for God...but something about the beautiful, auburn-haired Cassandra stirs him as no woman ever has, and he finds himself wanting to become a better person because of her.


Cassandra is unwillingly drawn to the handsome, charming Luke, but knows she must guard her heart against this womanizing rogue. Cassandra also feels that God has forsaken her and hears not her prayers, for didn't He allow her father to die and her brothers to go missing? As Cassandra finally finds herself trusting and falling in love with Luke, what terrible discovery does she make about him - that rips them apart; perhaps forever.


As Cassandra, foolishly places her life in danger with the British, will she learn to trust God and His sovereignty? Will Luke? And what historical figure does Cassandra meet on the ship, and what song does he pen, when overcome with emotion he sees the American flag still flying over the fort after one of the most terrible battles in our country's history?


I found myself tearing up at the end; so proud was I of this great country in which we live, and of the men and women who fought and gave their lives that we might enjoy the freedoms we now oftimes take for granted. The storyline was very realistic...ML Tyndall's research was impeccable, the romance was exciting, and the conclusion was spectacular!


Note: This review was previously posted on Colonial Quills as a guest review.


MaryLu Tyndall's books are available for purchase through Amazon, as well as Christian Book Distributors, Barnes and Noble, and other bookstores.


GIVEAWAY:  One of our followers who is also a member of the ACFW BookClub is eligible to win a copy of this book.  Put BC on your comment.  (This is in addition to our giveaways this week of a Cathy Gohlke book and a MaryLu Tyndall book of your choice.)

Diana's Corner: Prize of My Heart review

Prize of My Heart 
by Lisa Norato
(Bethany House, 2012)

4 stars ****

A Heartwarming Historical!

In Prize of My Heart, Lisa Norato has penned a heartwarming tale in the aftermath of the War of 1812; a tale of deceit, betrayal, honor, and love. After searching relentlessly, Captain Brogan Talvis, one of the bravest privateer captains during the war has his heart set on but one goal; to retrieve the son his late wife abandoned several years before. He discovers that his son was adopted by a wealthy shipbuilder, and is being lovingly taken care of by the man and his lovely daughter, Lorena Huntley, and intends to spirit his son away from them no matter what the cost.

Lorena finds herself intensely drawn to Brogan, quite unaware of what he is after and that he is also a man of many dark secrets. Brogan, in return, is oblivious of the fact that Lorena fosters her own deep, dark secret, and finds himself falling for this sweet, Godly, young woman. Will their secrets destroy the sparks of love igniting the two of them?...and when Lorena is in danger will Brogan choose to save her in exchange for the son he has so longed for, all these many years? Will he ever submit his tormented soul to the loving God Lorena serves? 

This was truly a lovely story of forgiveness, redemption, and second chances; with characters who wrapped themselves around my heart from pg. one! Lisa is a marvelous writer, and her research for the setting in this novel was impeccable. I love that there was a deep spiritual thread throughout, and though the conclusion was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed the journey there. Very nicely written, Lisa, and I am expecting great things from this author in the future!


Prize of My Heart is available for purchase on Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and other book stores.


GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest to win a copy of Lisa's novel.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of format.

Diana Flowers Reviews Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes

Heart's Safe Passage 
by Laurie Alice Eakes
(Revell, 2012)

4.5 stars~
Romance On The High Seas!

In Heart's Safe Passage, Laurie Alice Eakes has weaved an exciting tale of intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, and romance on the high seas!

It is the year 1813, and our lovely heroine, Phoebe Lee wishes only to practice midwifery in Virginia, amidst the turmoil of the War of 1812. Her pregnant sister in law, Belinda, arranges for Phoebe to be kidnapped and thrust aboard a British privateer, in order to accompany her to rescue her husband from an English prison. The captain of the ship, Rafe Docherty, has agreed to do this for Belinda, in exchange for information from her husband, that he might exact revenge on the man who has destroyed his family.

Rafe has had but one thing on his mind in nine years, to find and kill the man who has perpetrated such horrific crimes on his wife, and parents. Although, not British nor American, he and his twelve year old child have sailed the wild seas in search of the elusive James Brock, the man responsible. 


Although fiercely attracted to the lovely Phoebe, Rafe will let nothing stand in the way of his quest for vengeance, but will he lose his own soul in the process? What horrendous secrets is he hiding, and can Phoebe break through the tremendous wall of bitterness he has built around himself? And what of Phoebe? What gut-wrenching secrets is she concealing, causing a canker of bitterness to grow deep within her as well, although she is a Christian? Can the two find peace with God and love again, or will their bitterness destroy them?

Laurie Alice Eakes is a brilliant author...face it, anyone that can make a story exciting with a ship as the setting throughout...has to be! Her characters are very realistic and endearing, her research and knowledge of ships is astounding, her storyline exceptional. With a strong spiritual thread of forgiveness and redemption throughout, and a satisfying conclusion, this is a must read! My reason for giving this book a 4.5 rating instead of a five is very small...I don't care for shipboard settings, but it didn't ruin the book for me. Nicely done, Ms. Eakes!

I was sent an ARC of this novel from Revell Publishing Co. and was not required to write a positive review.

Laurie Alice's books can be found on Amazon, as well as CBD, and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Laurie Alice's books, choice of format.

Guest Review by Debbie Lynne Costello of Laurie Alice Eakes's A Necessary Deception

Review of Laurie Alice Eakes's

A Necessary Deception

(Revell, 2011)

By Debbie Lynne Costello

The year is 1812. England and France are at war. Lady Lydia Gale is a young confident widow of a military man. In order to honor her dead husband’s wishes, Lady Lydia arranges parole for a French prisoner. Believing she will never see the man again, she feels she has fulfilled her duty and heads to her family’s home to help her ailing mother with her youngest sister, Honore’s, entrée into London Society and her other sister Cassandra’s wedding.

Before she makes it to London she is interrupted walking her cat at night by a man of mystery who keeps his identity hidden other than a name. He claims she is a traitor and has freed a French Prisoner and he has proof. He blackmails her into playing a dangerous game.

As if Lydia’s troubles aren’t enough the French prisoner she helped obtain parole, Christien de Meuse, shows up in her home wanting entrance into society. Lady Lydia finds herself having to make hard decisions to keep her family safe from harm and ruin.

As Lady Lydia is pulled deeper into the intrigue of spies, her two younger sisters are forever causing her trouble. But they aren’t the only troubling things in her life, Christien de Meuse has worked his way into her heart, but the question is can she trust him?

I love Laurie Alice Eakes’ unique ability to sweep you away into another world. Every historical aspect of her stories read true to time. You can be sure she’s done all of her homework. As she takes you from Dartmoor Prison, to Society in London, to balls and masquerades you can taste a bit of England history.

 I love her characters. It doesn’t matter if it is the hero, heroine, parents, sisters or one of the much lesser characters in the story, you will always find them well thought out and developed. You won’t find a cardboard character in one of Laurie Alice books. When you finish the book you’ll feel you are saying good-bye to an old friend.

Her ability to start a story out and hook you from page one and continue to keep you glued to the pages as you flip them frantically to find out what happens next is a true art. I can’t wait to read her upcoming Regency, Flight of Fancy due out October of 2012 in which Cassandra pursues her interest in balloon flight, her fiancé gets entangled with the Luddites, and they both pay what might be too high a price for their intemperate behavior.

Laurie Alice's books can be found on Amazon, as well as on Christian Book Distributors, and other book stores.

 Bio: Debbie Lynne Costello's tagline is Southern-Kissed Historical Romance. She is a member of ACFW and  HisWriters and writes Christian historical romance. She chairs the CROWN promotional group and is a member of HEWN which promotes Christian historical fiction in European settings. Debbie Lynne lives in South Carolina with her family. Debbie Lynne is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. You can learn more about her at her websites www.debbielynnecostello.com and www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com.  Debbie Lynne also is co-hostess of www.fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Laurie Alice Eakes’s books, choice of format.

Review of MaryLu Tyndall's Surrender the Dawn

Surrender the Dawn Surrender to Destiny Series #3. By MaryLu Tyndall  Published by Barbour Publishing Available through Christian Book Distributors   Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels Five Stars ***** What a Pleasure! Cassandra Channing has known affluence and comfort, both of which are rapidly slipping away. When she is refused the opportunity to invest in a privateer, and what she feels is her last chance to obtain a return on her money (and support for her widowed mother and her siblings) she turns to the town rake. Cassandra resists God’s pull at her heart, angry that she has been loaded with burdens that are not of her own making. Luke Heaton struggles with a desire to prove himself worthy as he also tries to kick his reliance upon alcohol to solve his troubles.  He has provided for his younger brother and refuses to give God the credit for any of his successes. But an error in judgment endangers those he holds most dear. Against the backdrop of the War of 1812, these two all-too-human characters find that they must surrender to God and His will for their lives before their love can be realized. Luke is a very appealing hero.  I loved his dry wit. This may be MaryLu’s best hero yet (once he kicked his bad habits!) We had such fun in our Colonial Quills Tea Party  recently chatting about what a great heart-throb Luke was! This is MaryLu's best book yet! It is a MUST READ!! Disability Friendliness: I read Surrender the Dawn on Kindle. It is also available in paperback. No audio version. Giveaway:  Leave your comments and email address for a chance to win a copy of MaryLu’s latest book, your choice of format. And MaryLu is having a contest with Jamie Carie, too, stop by Talk Like A Pirate Day on her blog!

Book Review


Surrender the Heart

(Surrender to Destiny Series)

By MaryLu Tyndall,
http://www.mltyndall.com/

Barbour Publishing
2010


Marianne Denton and Captain Noah were childhood playmates, now engaged, but neither of them truly wishes the match. Set at the build up to the War of 1812, all aboard ship, Ms. Tyndall delivers a tight plot, wonderful romance, and intriguing characters. She has a fantastic grasp on the terms associated with ships and is good at including the information without overwhelming the reader with it. Her secondary characters are some of the best I have seen in some time. This book is a page turner. Which is fine, since I was sick with the flu when I read the entire book in bed over a couple of days. I think if I had to set it aside as I was reading, I would have been irritated because it is a book that demands to be read in its entirety in a short time. That is great for some people but not for me, not usually, but we all need books for those times when we DO have the time to devote only to our reading. And I would much rather have a great brisk plot with wonderful characters than a boring one. Personal preference, however, is for the savoring kinds of books, normally. The kind I can read in chunks and not lose anything.

I give this book a 5 start rating ***** because it is extremely well done, nice wrap-up at the ending, solid from the beginning through to the end, fascinating plot and characters. Would suggest it for either a summer read or a time when the reader can focus just on this book from start to finish. MaryLu Tyndall does a great job of putting emotion and action on every page.

Bibliotherapy points: Unworthiness, self-recrimination, forgiveness, trust, alcoholism, inner character vs. outward appearance, and to some extent co-dependence but it is never really addressed as such.

Disability friendliness: Only available in paperback and on Kindle. This is text-to-speech enabled, per Amazon.

Leave me a comment with your email address for a chance to win my gently used (and signed) copy of Surrender the Heart. May God bless you and yours’.