Revealed, by Tamera Alexander

Setting

1870

Colorado Territory

Synopsis

Annabelle Grayson was rescued from a brothel by a wonderfully understanding man.  However, she cannot remain in Willow Springs with everyone knowing what she used to be.  Her new husband dies soon after their journey to Idaho begins, and the pregnant young widow decides to advertise for someone else to take her there.  Her late husband's brother, a man on the run, takes the job, though he hates everything about her and wishes she and his brother had never met, let alone wed.  Annabelle insists on stopping in every town and refuses to tell Matthew why or let him accompany her, which only causes his distrust for her to escalate. All the while, he wishes to avoid these interruptions for reasons of his own.  As Annabelle and Matthew get to know one another on the trail, he must face his prejudice and own up to mistakes of the past.  Will they come to terms with their emotions in time to build a life together out West?

Review

This book was touching on so many levels.  Annabelle struggles with guilt and being unable to truly love a man, after all she's been through.  Matthew is so full of hate and resentment that he can hardly stand the sight of her.  Yet, as he slowly starts to realize that his perceptions are grossly inaccurate, he is left in even greater agony.  Amid these tumultuous emotions, is a growing attraction and a love that he does not expect, and is hesitant to embrace.  The conflict and tension between these too well developed characters is very moving.  There is so much depth to this story.  I feel that characters who have sinned are so much deeper, believable, and enjoyable to read about than perfect ones.  If you like a book with plenty of romantic tension as well as some suspense, you will probably love this one.  In fact, anything by Tamera Alexander is sure to please.

Edgy Content

1) Prostitution is a prominent theme in this story, though approached in an eventual redemptive, uplifting manner
2) Romances scenes are more heated than many of this genre, but were handled well and added a great element to the story.

Love on the Line, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1904

Brenham, Texas

Synopsis

Luke Palmer is a handsome Texas Ranger, sent to work with local switchboard operator, Georgie Gail, undercover as a telephone repairman. The two have a love/hate relationship from the start.  Sparks fly and tempers flare.  Georgie is very independent, and proud of making her own way in a man's world.  Luke has no patience for a spunky bird watcher who doesn't know her place. However, once she spies him, armed and acting suspiciously when he's supposed to be working, he is forced to tell her what he's up to.  When she is put in danger as a result, his job and his life get a great deal more complicated.  Will he jeopardize everything to protect her?

Review

What a quirky, humorous, unique and charming story!  Georgie's obsession with birds and her fight against women using bird parts in their gawdy hats was certainly unexpected.  Luke's character was endearing.  He's so gruff and determined.  He has no desire to work with this woman or to fall in love.  This job is just a means to an end, a way to roam the countryside unnoticed, while he searches for a notorious gang.  Yet he can't seem to prevent himself from thinking about Georgie.  There is such wonderful tension between the two of them, as they fight their attraction for one another.  My favorite scene is when she has to pull a multitude of splinters from his body after he falls down a telephone pole.  It is so awkward and sensual.  It could read that part over and over again and still enjoy it immensely!  I totally recommend this book if you like a story with plenty of sparks and humor, and a bit of suspense mixed in.

Edgy Content

1) Romance scenes are sure to make your pulse pick up a notch.  This is definitely not a story that white-washes human emotion. However, as always, this author finds a way of including these things in perfect measure, without going over the top.

Maid to Match, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1898

Asheville, North Carolina

Synopsis

Tillie Reese is instructed to teach Mack Danvers proper etiquette and turn him into a well mannered footman at the elite Biltmore estate.  However, this is not who he is, and sparks fly as she tries her best to tame him this unrefined yet distractingly handsome mountain man.  There are further problems as they try to deal with issues at the town orphanage, and other problems with his family.  Tillie aspires to become Edith Vanderbuilt's lady's maid, but her interactions with Mack are constantly bordering on inappropriate since romance between servants is strictly forbidden.  If they are caught, they will both be out on their backsides, and all will be lost, though their hearts are already lost... to each other.

Review

Oh my, oh my!  Sparks fly between Tillie and Mack to an extend that is sure to please even the most romantic of readers.  The connection between these too is simply beautiful, and the other background conflicts are riveting.  As always, Deeanne wove a tale that felt original and lighthearted, while keeping us on the edge of our seats.  Well done!

Edgy Content

1) Captivating romance scenes push the envelope, without crossing any lines which would cast it out of the Christian genre.

A Bride in the Bargain, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1865

Seattle, Washington Territory

Synopsis

Joe Denton is a brawny lumberjack, whose land lies deep in a forest of redwoods.  Men are entitled to 640 acres of land in that region at no charge... if they have a wife.  However, before his was able to meet him there, she died.  Now his thriving logging business is in jeopardy and he could lose his land.  Therefore, though he does not wish to remarry, he must find a new wife immediately.  With few options since women are scarce, he opts to purchase a bride from back East, one of a group of women called Mercer Brides, sight unseen.  What he gets is Anna Ivey, a spunky young woman who has been led to believe she is only to his cook, not his wife.  When she refuses to marry a stranger, Joe falls back on the only other option he has left: a marriage of convenience to an elderly, toothless woman whose purchaser refused to wed her.  When an unexpected turn of events causes even this last desperate option to be impossible, he convinces Anna to come out to his remote forest and cook for his men, hoping to win her over to the idea of marriage.  Will she find within her the desire to agree to his terms, before it's too late and he loses everything?

Review

This book was so refreshing.  Not only is there plenty of romance, but it is charming, original and witty.  There are several spots that are likely to make you laugh right out loud.  I love a good marriage of convenience story, but sometimes they can get repetitive. This one is a priceless gem that is full of twists and turns.  You really, really, really, really... okay, you get the picture... need to read this one!

Edgy Content

1) Romantic tension is tangible and pleasing even to the most romantic of hearts. 

2) A single woman lives out in the middle of nowhere with a single man, without a suitable chaperon.  Call me crazy but, though some might be disturbed by it, I just thought it was great, and would allow for some wonderfully awkward and romantic situations.

The Measure of a Lady, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1849

San Francisco, California

Synopsis

Rachel's father caught the gold fever, but never made it to his destination, leaving her to care for her two younger teenage siblings. When the ship docks at San Francisco, Rachel discovers that the place is not at all what she expect.  Yet, since she cannot book passage any time soon to go back East, she is forced to find a home for herself and her siblings for the time being.  Housing is scarce and she negotiates with a shocking yet charming and handsome gambling establishment owner, Johnnie Parker, and he reluctantly agrees that she may work for him in exchange for room and board.  Rachel struggles to maintain proper decorum in a place that is anything but proper.  Her siblings soon run wild and get into a mess of trouble in this rough mining town.  As romance builds, Rachel must search her heart and learn to put aside her prejudices, and Johnnie must decide if there is any way that a woman can fit into his well laid plans.

Review

This book is utterly priceless.  It is witty and fascinating, with plenty of romantic tension. I love the humorous elements.  Right from the start she had me chuckling, from the moment they arrive in San Francisco and discover mucky streets and a comically disturbing sign that reads "This Street Is Impassable, Not Even Jackassable"!!  How can you not love that?  Deeanne Gist is a gutsy author who is not afraid to stretch past the limits of conventional Christian fiction, and that is one of the reasons I love reading her books.  Johnnie's character is charming and shocking, not at all the type of person Rachel would have expected to fall in love with, yet the sparks between them cannot be ignored.  This story is lovable from start to finish.  I highly recommend it.

Edgy Content

1) Steamier romantic scenes.  The author doesn't tip-toe around physical attractions and such.  Breathtakingly moving!

2) Immoral activities involving some background characters, although implied rather than explicitly described.

3) Gambling and the inclusion of a nude statue.  Johnnie is a bit rough and has a less than upstanding occupation, as well as one particular possession which he treasures.  This actually made for some rather comical scenes.  

A Bride Most Begrudging, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1643

Detford, England

Virginia Colony

Synopsis

Lady Constance Morrow boards a ship, intent on bidding her beloved uncle farewell before he is transported as a convict.  However, she is barred from leaving the ship and ends up getting transported to America as well, and sold as a tobacco bride.  A Virginia planter then wins her from her original purchaser in a game of chance.  Drew O'Conner has no wish for a wife.  Not only is he is still pining over his first wife's death, but he is repelled by Constance's red hair and freckles.  Yet the church elders will not allow an eligible woman to remain unmarried since there is a shortage of "breeders" in the colony.  Thus, Drew is forced to marry her, though they secretly agree that it will only be a marriage of convenience, and Constance is still determined to return to England posthaste.  Conflicts follow as this prideful, independent lady refuses to buckle to Drew's domineering commands, and also insists on continuing with the forbidden mathematical pursuits that she had learned from her dear uncle.  Can these two very different people find a compromise... and  perhaps even love?

Review

I have a fascination with colonial era America, and this story just really grabbed me from the start.  I loved the idea of the tobacco brides.  What a romantic and original idea for a story!  Deeanne Gist worded things in such a way that I could easily envision the setting, and I was quickly endeared to the characters and their humorous situations as well.  She also stayed true to what I think the men of that era might have been like, expecting strict obedience of those they considered to be their inferiors.  I loved everything about this book.  This is the first one that I read from this author, and her books are now some of my all time favorites.  When I think of Edgy Christian Fiction, I automatically think of this author.  Her stories have a wonderful amount of fire in the romance scenes, really causing the reader to be enthralled, without going too far.  The connections within the couples are so real and so full of emotion, and her humor and originality is refreshing.

Edgy Content

1) Kidnapping and selling of a woman into marriage
2) Gambling.  The purchased bride is lost in a game of chance.

2) Romance scenes are more in depth and emotional than many others of this genre.
3) Domineering male character, which felt very authentic for the time period.

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.