Love's Pursuit, by Siri Mitchell

Setting

1640s
Stoneybrooke Towne, Massachusetts Bay Colony

Synopsis

So much is expected of Susannah in her Puritan village.  She must be very careful to adhere to the principles of her simple faith, and she feels as though eyes are constantly upon her, assuring that she does just that. She does not know who to trust. Her thoughts are in complete opposition to what she knows they should be, yet she tries so hard to act appropriately. There is more than one man vying for her affections, one of whom is her betrothed.  However, he is not the one who stands out above the rest.  The military captain, who is sent to protect their village from Indian attack, is an outsider, and thus is strictly off-limits. However, her heart knows no such boundaries, and she falls in love with him anyway.  The results are more far reaching than she ever could have imagined.

Review

I absolutely love this book.  The Puritan faith is so fascinating, and the author did an exquisite job of making me feel like I was back there in that time and place.  Her use of words and the way that she wrote in the first person was very effective.  The forbidden yet undeniable connection between Susannah and Captain Daniel Holcombe is riveting.  I found myself pulling for them, all the while fearful that something tragic was going to happen.  The suspense was tangible.  The danger, coming from the wealthiest member of the community, bordered on terrifying. There is a grave evil about the man that sets her senses reeling.  I wish that things had turned out differently than they did, but the author did a good job of pacifying my emotions.  I would say that it was a very realistic ending, heart wrenching though it was. Don't even hesitate in reading this book!  Just buy it right now, and enjoy!

Edgy Content

1) Very compelling attraction between the two main characters sure to get your heart racing, though it is tastefully written.

2) Intrigue and danger, and a very real sense of evil about one of the men. 
3) Abuse and murder.  There is suspicion of physical abuse, an episode of intended sexual abuse, as well as a murder scene.

Mercy's Heart (The Christ Keepers), by Grace Walton

Setting
12th Century
England and Scotland

Synopsis

Titus is a knight who has seen and done unspeakable things.  He walks a thin line between honoring his new-found Christian faith and doing whatever he must to provide for his poverty stricken clansmen.  The time has come for him to take a wife, and what better woman to wed than the king's own daughter, whose hand he aims to win at the upcoming tournament.  However, he will soon be reminded that some people are not above using cruel trickery to get what they want.  

Mercy was raised at a convent, cruelly treated and constantly reminded of her disgrace in being the king's base born daughter. When Titan rescues her at a bear baiting, the strong bond that forms between them is undeniable.  Will they be able to wed?  Or will intrigue destroy their plans and their very lives?

Review

First of all, I have to say that the mysterious cover caught my attention from the start, as did the unique series title, The Christ Keepers.  Secondly, the story itself proved to be very riveting.  I tend to be quite critical of grammatical errors, and there were many in this book.  Most were simple punctuation mistakes, but they were still rather aggravating at first.  However, I was quickly lost in the plot, to the point that I didn't really care about the inadequate editing anymore.  The characters, even the supporting ones, were well developed and believable, and played very integral rolls.  The setting felt real and authentic, and the fascinating historical elements were interesting and used in ways that added depth to the story.  I felt like I was there, caught up in events of the day, the good with the bad.  The chemistry between Mercy and Titus was touching and powerful, born out of genuine caring rather than lust.  I longed for things to work out between them, against all odds, never quite knowing for sure how things would actually play out.  The story line was fresh and new, and wonderfully unpredictable. I didn't want the tale to end, and was on the edge of my seat from the first page to the last.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes a Christian story with an edge to it, or one that is faith-building without being preachy.

Edgy Content

1) Murder and violence, appropriate for the era, but not described in overly gory detail

2) Displaying of bloody bed sheet from the marriage bed, in keeping with customs of the time period

3) On camera nudity in one scene, although the man in question quickly covers himself and no private body parts are described. There is no actual sexual content, only great chemistry, kissing, hand holding, etc and very carefully handled discussion of consummation, attraction and reference to previous promiscuity.

The Unveiling, by Tamara Leigh

Setting

1153 AD

England

Synopsis

When Lady Annyn's brother is brought to her doorstep, dead, the story of his demise does not ring true.  Why would a man who died of a chest wound have the marks of a hangman's noose about his neck?  Annyn suspects murder, and the culprit could be none other than the man who delivered the corpse and lied about her brother's cause of death.  

Baron Wulfrith is a respected and feared trainer of knights.  Annyn trains for four long years, with a mysterious but fatherly man of her family's household, to attain the strength and skill needed to visit her murderous revenge upon Wulfrith.  After cutting her hair, binding her womanly curves and donning a squire's garb, she appears at his castle, on the pretense of seeking his renowned training. However, when the opportunity finally presents itself for her to kill him, doubts as to his guilt and her right to exact vengeance prick her conscience.  Can she follow through with her plan?  

Wulfrith does not have any use for women beyond the relief of his needs at the hands of prostitutes on occasion, and eventually a cold, indifferent marriage in order to produce an heir.  He has no desire to fall in love, as love produces weakness.  Weakness causes one to become distracted, and distraction causes death.  How will he react when Annyn's disguise is unveiled, revealing the strong, beautiful woman beneath?  Which will he lose first, his life or his heart?

Review

First of all, who wouldn't absolutely love the cover!  It is so well done!  We have all heard it is unwise to judge a book by its cover, but I admit that one of the reasons I bought this book was because the cover was so striking, grabbing my attention instantly, just as the interior soon did.  This is the first novel I have read by Tamara Leigh.  From what I understand, she used to write mainstream novels and this was her first of several written for the Christian fiction genre.  This might be why the book was on the edgy side.  I thought it was refreshingly well written and well edited.  The old English made for a slower read, requiring greater concentration, but it also served to make the Medieval setting feel authentic.  I really felt like I was there at that old castle, hearing the din of the blacksmith's hammer and seeing the sleeping forms of those seeking lodging for the night within the walls of the great hall.  It's been a while since I've read a story that felt this real.  The emotions were also quite tangible - the fierce loyalty, the struggles of conscience, the thirst for revenge, the mistrust, and of course my personal favorite - the newly born and barely understood feelings of true love.  It was almost painful how long Annyn and Wilfrith fought their feelings for each other, but there was enough intrigue and mystery to hold my interest and it was well worth the wait.  Their connection was beautiful and breathtaking.  There is a good, uplifting theme to this story, of trying to follow God's laws no matter how badly they sometimes failed, and seeking to be loyal to those they loved.  The characters made mistakes, as we all do, and forgiveness was sought and granted.  This was a wonderfully realistic story that I highly recommend.  I am excited to read more from this author.

Edgy Content

1)  Reference to previous, unrepentant, off camera visits to prostitutes, as was evidently typical of the era

2)  On camera nudity and bathing scenes, though private body parts are not inappropriately described

3)  Bedroom scenes are somewhat detailed, but not explicit and there is no on camera sex.

4) References to sexual arousal and physical attraction, though non-specific, such as that Wulfrith's body stirred

5)  Evidence of loss of innocence publicly displayed, in accordance with customs of the era

6)  Violence, murder and intrigue, common to the time period though not excessively gory

The Shape of Mercy, by Susan Meissner

Setting

Modern day

Santa Barbara, California

1692

Salem, Massachusetts

Synopsis

Lauren gets a part-time job with an elderly librarian, transcribing the journals of Mercy Hayworth, who had fallen victim to the Salem Witch Trials centuries before. She quickly finds herself enthralled by this young woman's life and the long ago time in which she lived, one wrought with superstition, fear, and betrayal.  Lauren finds that her connection with Mercy has transcended time, and she finds herself questioning things in her own life and among her own acquaintances, including her relationship with a certain young man named Raul.

Review

This story is so compelling that I found myself riveted and unable to set it aside. This author has a way of layering the story and holding the reader's interest.  The characters are so well developed that they stick with you, long after you close the book and continue on with your life.  I really felt like I was there with Mercy Hayworth, not knowing who to trust, feeling her pain and her fears.  This story was creepier than the books that I normally read, due to the situations involved with the witch trials, but I couldn't help but be drawn to read more and more.  The characters felt so real, and so connected to each other, that I just had to know what happened to them.  This is a very well written book that I highly recommend.

Edgy Content

1) Reference to people being killed, since many were hung because of false suspicions.
2) Underlying feeling of evil, reference to witchcraft and bad spirits.  This is rather spooky if you are not used to reading these types of stories.  However, it was necessary in order to make the plot and characters realistic.  That really was a terrifying time for those people.

Here Burns My Candle, by Liz Curtis Higgs

Setting

1745
Scotland

Synopsis

Elisabeth marries a Lowlander, Lord Donald Kerr.  She struggles with keeping her old Highland ways, and also with the lack of acceptance shown by her mother-in-law.  Her new husband harbors secrets that the villagers speak of in whispers.  He struggles to change his ways, even as Elisabeth is determined to love him as he is.

Review

This story is just utterly gripping.  It is packed full of fear, intrigue, mystery, betrayal and pain.  Along with this is a good, healthy dose of deep, stirring romance.  The emotional scene when Lord Donald Kerr tries to come to grips with his own issues, which very directly effect Elisabeth, is so touching.  Her depth of patience, understanding, and loyalty are mind boggling. I highly recommend this book!

Edgy Content

1) Very real, touching romance scenes which dig deeper than many books of this genre.

2) Adultery.  I loved this element of the story.  The way the author portrayed it, with the man in question fighting his desires so fiercely and still losing the battle, just made me hurt for him and his wife.

Grace in Thine Eyes, by Liz Curtis Higgs

Setting

1808
Scotland

Synopsis

This fascinating story tells of the protectiveness of family and the power of forgiveness.  Davina spends the summer with relatives, and is asked to entertain guests with her fiddle.  She puts so much emotion into her music, that it leaves her audience spellbound. One man, in particular, takes notice of her from the start. Thinking that she is a lass who is experienced in the ways of men and trying to encourage his advances, he ends up stealing her innocence.  She has been mute since childhood, and her silent attempts to tell him to stop went unheeded.  He is grieved to discover that things were not as he had thought, and is determined to make things right by marrying her.  She eventually finds within herself the willingness to forgive him, and even falls deeply in love.  However, her family thinks that he is the enemy.  Will they find a means to be together?  Or will her protective family have their way?

Review

Wow.  Where do I even start in stating how much I love this book?  The whole series, Lowlands of Scotland, is well worth taking the time to read, but this one is my favorite. Davina being mute just changes the whole atmosphere of the story. There is such a pureness to her emotions because she cannot express herself in the same way as others can.  She feels things so deeply, yet lives in a silent world all her own.  She has been fiercely protected all her life, and when a man takes notice of her she is still so innocent, and does not understand what he intends to do.  The scene when he rapes her, not yet knowing she is mute and thinking she is giving her consent by not saying otherwise, is heart wrenching, as is his reaction afterward and the sincere path he takes to right the unthinkable crime he has committed against her.  Their love for each grows as they each try to understand what the other is thinking and feeling.  The ending broke my heart, but I'll not spoil it by telling you what happens.  I prefer happy endings.  Yet, even so, this book holds a special place in my heart. Hats off to the author!  She did an amazing job of grabbing my attention from the start, and holding it all the way through.  Well done!

Edgy Content

1) On camera rape.  It made me ache for the characters as they struggled to make things right in the aftermath. 

2) Compelling romance scenes, after they begin to fall in love. 

3) Intent to commit murder.

Diamond of the Rockies Series, by Kristen Heitzmann

Setting

1880s
Sonoma, California and Crystal, Colorado

Synopsis

The Rose Legacy ~

Carina is a determined, independent woman who leaves her Italian family's California vineyard, bound for a rough mining town in Colorado in an effort to break ties with her fiance.  She quickly learns the backwoods rules of travel in a rather unpleasant way, and finds more than she bargains for when she finally arrives at the house for which she has obtained a deed. Though two of the local men garner her attention, only one has her best interests in mind and will protect her when violence breaks loose.

Sweet Boundless ~

Carina's new husband, the mysterious freighter Quillan Shepherd, is allusive and unwilling to accept her love and affection.  She becomes well acquainted with seeing his back, as he walks away from her.  His inner demons from a hurtful childhood cause him to wish and expect that she will leave him.  Determined to make the best of difficult circumstances, she opens an Italian restaurant which becomes wildly successful among the miners and townspeople, sparking jealously in her husband.  Carina is brutally attacked in his absence.  Will Quillan come to his senses in time to save her and their marriage?

The Tender Vine ~

Carina decides that things might get better between her and Quillan if they return to her childhood vineyard home in California.  However, her family is less than accepting of him, and disaster threatens.  Will they finally have the marriage that they both long for?  Or will things go from bad to worse?

Review

This series is very emotional and compelling.  I found Quillan's character to be especially riveting.  Kristen wove the tale in such a way as to make me want him to come through for Carina, while not allowing me to trust him enough to be sure that he will.  He has his own demons to fight, and it haunts him at every turn.  Carina is a strong women, determined to stand by his side, no matter how much rejection she must suffer to accomplish to reach him.  This series is one of my all time favorites.  There's plenty of romance and fire, but not in a way that I would call inappropriate.  Their relationship is so emotional and fueled by love, that I longed for things to be resolved, while thoroughly enjoying their conflicts.  Highly recommended!

Edgy Content

1) Violence, which was believable for a rough mining town in the 1880s.  
2) Graphic mental images.  The descriptions of Quillan's parents, particularly his father, and how they'd died are disturbing. 

3) Marital rape.  That sounds really bad, but seemed so realistic since I got to know Quillan and his struggles with trusting others and believing that he is capable of properly loving a woman.  His raw emotion is so moving, stemming from a deep, enduring love that he cannot yet begin to face or understand.