Spy of Richmond by Jocelyn Green

★★★★★

Trust none. Risk all.

Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone.

Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.

As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.

Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything – and everyone – she holds dear?

Finally, I had the chance to read Spy of Richmond - and I absolutely loved it. As the fourth book in the Heroines Behind the Lines series, it explores another female perspective of the Civil War, and it is wholly fascinating and vivid and wonderful. Sophie Kent takes the female lead in this story as a Southern set against slavery and takes the risks to secure freedom from her Richmond home. She interacts with familiar characters, like former slave Bella Jamison and journalist Harrison Caldwell, and her story is engaging, compelling, and inspiring. It’s a perfect addition to the series, but can easily be read on its own. I highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction and now, look forward to reading more from Jocelyn Green in the future.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Spy of Richmond and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

End of the Trail by Vickie McDonough

★★★★★
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He won a ranch in a card game. She claims the ranch is her inheritance. He's not leaving – and neither is she.

Brooks Morgan is quick on the draw, but his weapon of choice is his smile. He’s smart and witty and has charmed his way through much of life, but now that he’s growing older – and a bit wiser. He wants to stop drifting and settle down. He sees his chance when he wins Raven Creek Ranch in a poker game, but when he goes to claim his prize, a pretty woman with a shotgun says the ranch belongs to her. Brooks isn’t leaving his one and only chance to make something of his life – but neither is she. Can they reach an agreement? Or will a greedy neighbor force a showdown, causing them both to lose they want most in life?

In the final novel of the Texas Trails series, Vickie McDonough offers readers one last look into the Morgan family. End of the Trail follows Brooks Morgan, the son of Riley and Annie of Long Trail Home, as he decides to mature, settle down, and claim a ranch he won in a poker game - yet faces a bit of a challenge in the form of Keri Langston. As the two stubbornly determine how to move forward, their story fills with wonderful things: drama, action, intrigue, humor, romance. It’s a great read that I could not put down and fits very well at the end of the series. Fans of the Texas Trails series will not be disappointed with this last one.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of End of the Trail and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis

★★★★★

In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen? 

Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?

The fifth in the Texas Trails series, Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis continues the story of the Morgan family with Alex Bright, the son of Billie and Ned of Captive Trail. He works on the Rocking P Ranch, where Maggie Porter has just returned, desperate to save it. With these two great, interesting characters taking the lead, Cowgirl Trail offers an enjoyable read full of adventure, hardship, emotion and romance. I think fans of Texas Trails will not be disappointed, and now, I’m eager to see how the series ends with End of the Trail.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Cowgirl Trail and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

A Ranger's Trail by Darlene Franklin

★★★★★

In 1875 Buck Morgan rode into Mason County with the Texas Rangers to quell the violence stirred up by the actions a vigilantly mob. The Hoo Doo (or bad luck) War erupted as suspected cattle rustlers were murdered by an angry mob.  Former Ranger, Scott Cooley, gathers a gang to seek vengeance for the murders. 

Suspected of cattle rustling, Leta Derrick's husband was murdered by the mob a year earlier. Now she is siding with the rogue ranger, Scott Cooley and refuses to help Buck Morgan stem the tide of violence.

Will their actions fuel the fire of vengeance? Or will Buck and Leta strike an accord that leads to more than just peace?

The fourth Texas Trails novel, A Ranger’s Trail by Darlene Franklin takes an interesting look at Texas’ Mason County range war. At the center of all the action stand Texas Ranger Buck Morgan, who is the son of Jud and Wande of Lone Star Trail, and Leta Denning, a widow because of the range war. As they deal with the challenges set before them - prejudice and hatred, doubt and faith, the past and the future - Buck and Leta develop a heartwarming romance. The combination of history and romance in A Ranger’s Trail is done well and interestingly, and I enjoyed this addition to the series. Fans of the series will want to be sure to pick up this novel.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of A Ranger’s Trail and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Long Trail Home by Vickie McDonough

★★★★★

When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancée again. But he soon learns that his parents are dead and the woman he loved is married. He takes a job at the Wilcox School for the blind just to get by. He keeps his heart closed off but a pretty blind woman, Annie, threatens to steal it. When a greedy man tries to close the school, Riley and Annie band together to fight him and fall in love. But when Riley learns the truth about Annie, he packs and prepares to leave the school that has become his home and the woman who has thawed his heart. Will he change his mind and find the love he craves? Or will stubbornness deprive him from the woman he needs? Through painful circumstances, Riley and Annie learn that the loving and sovereign hand of God cannot be thwarted.

Following Darlene Franklin’s and Susan Page Davis’ contributions to the Texas Trails series (respectively, Lone Star Trail and Captive Trail), Vickie McDonough successfully adds Long Trail Home. Telling the story of Riley Morgan as he returns from war and changing the scenery a bit by taking place in the town of Waco, Texas, this novel is equally as enjoyable as the previous two novels. As the characters learn to embrace the possibilities of the future, despite the hardships of the past, the story proves to be romantic and encouraging with a touch of suspense. It’s a great read for fans of the Texas Trails series (though could easily be read on its own), and now, I look forward to reading the next novel, A Ranger’s Trail.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Long Trail Home and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

★★★★★

Taabe Waipu has run away from her Comanche village and is fleeing south in Texas on a horse she stole from a dowry left outside her family's teepee. The horse has an accident and she is left on foot, injured and exhausted. She staggers onto a road near Fort Chadbourne and collapses.

On one of the first runs through Texas, Butterfield Overland Mail Company driver Ned Bright carries two Ursuline nuns returning to their mission station. They come across a woman who is nearly dead from exposure and dehydration and take her to the mission. With some detective work, Ned discovers Taabe Waipu is Billie Morgan. He plans to unite her with her family, but the Comanche have other ideas, and the two end up defending the mission station.

Through Taabe (Billie) and Ned we learn the true meaning of healing and restoration amid seemingly powerless situations.

Following Darlene Franklin’s Lone Star Trail, Susan Page Davis’ Captive Trail continues the Texas Trails series with Billie Morgan’s story. Billie returns to her family after years in Comanche captivity and faces many challenges in relearning the ways of her old lifestyle. In many ways, this novel reminded me of Lori Benton’s Burning Sky and tells an equally captivating and heartfelt tale. With adventure, romance and self-discovery, Captive Trail is highly entertaining - I really enjoyed it and now look forward to reading the third book in the series, Long Trail Home. Fans of the series and historical fiction in general will want to be sure to pick up Captive Trail - it’s a great, page-turning read.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Captive Trail and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

In the Field of Grace by Tessa Afshar

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Destitute, grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with nothing to recommend her but Naomi's, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation. But God has other plans for her life.

While everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor. Long since a widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his Cousin Naomi's chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from harm, but his heart knows better.

Based on the biblical account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace is the story of a love that ultimately changes the course of Israel's destiny and the future of the whole world.

The Book of Ruth is one of my favorite parts of the Bible, so I love when I have the chance to read novelized versions of it - and after reading Harvest of Rubies and Harvest of Gold, I knew that Tessa Afshar would do a fantastic job in bringing the story and its characters to life. In In the Field of Grace, Afshar beautifully tells the familiar story with fresh perspective, highlighting themes and historical details I hadn’t before considered. I loved this retelling and would certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys biblical fiction. It is an enjoyable, emotional and entertaining read.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of In the Field of Grace and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Yankee in Atlanta by Jocelyn Green

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

When soldier Caitlin McKae woke up in Atlanta after being wounded in battle, the Georgian doctor who treated her believed Caitlin's only secret was that she had been fighting for the Confederacy disguised as a man. In order to avoid arrest or worse, Caitlin hides her true identity and makes a new life for herself in Atlanta.

Trained as a teacher, she accepts a job as a governess to the daughter of Noah Becker, a German immigrant lawyer, who is about to enlist with the Rebel army. Then in the spring of 1864, Sherman's troops edge closer to Atlanta. Caitlin tries to escape north with the girl, but is arrested on charges of being a spy. Will honor dictate that Caitlin follow the rules, or love demand that she break them?

Yankee in Atlanta is another fantastic historical novel from Jocelyn Green. As the third installment of her Heroines Behind the Battlelines series, it easily maintains the standard Green has established in the previous two novels (Wedded to War and Widow of Gettysburg). Still delving into the history of the Civil War, Green yet again captures expresses a specific and unique female experience. Yankee in Atlanta’s heroine, Caitlin McKae disguises herself as a man to fight in the war, but then finds herself exposed and across enemy lines in Atlanta after being wounded. As she determines how to protect her identity, Green fills her story with vivid and detailed history, and I loved reading this intriguing and gripping story. I would recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction. Now, bring on Spy of Richmond - I simply cannot wait.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Yankee in Atlanta and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Lone Star Trail by Darlene Franklin

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

The six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896 begins with Lone Star Trail. Although a series, each book can be read on its own.

Judson "Jud" Morgan's father died for Texas' freedom during the war for independence. So when the Society for the Protection of German Immigrants in Texas (the Verein) attempts to colonize a New Germany in his country, he takes a stand against them.

After Wande Fleischers' fiancé marries someone else, the young fraulein determines to make a new life for herself in Texas. With the help of Jud's sister Marion, Wande learns English and becomes a trusted friend to the entire Morgan family.

As much as Jud dislikes the immigrant invasion, he can't help admiring Wande's character. She is sweet and cheerful as she serves the Lord and all those around her. Can the rancher put aside his prejudice to forge a new future?  Through Jud and Wande, we learn the powerful lessons of forgiveness and reconciliation among a diverse community of believers.

I really enjoyed Darlene Franklin’s Lone Star Trail, the start to her Texas Trails series. Franklin fills her storyline with a lot of great Texas history (with some aspects completely new to me), as several cultures come together with adventure and romance. Overall, Lone Star Trail is wholesome and pleasant to read and I think fans of inspirational historical fiction will enjoy it. I would recommend it for readers looking for a quick and fun historical read – but beware that it may hook you, since now, I’m interested to see where the series will go in the following novels and can’t wait to read more of Darlene Franklin’s Texas Trails.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Lone Star Trail and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green

★★★★★
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It's April 1861, and the Union Army's Medical Department is a disaster, completely unprepared for the magnitude of war. A small group of New York City women, including 28-year-old Charlotte Waverly, decide to do something about it, and end up changing the course of the war, despite criticism, ridicule and social ostracism. Charlotte leaves a life of privilege, wealth-and confining expectations – to be one of the first female nurses for the Union Army. She quickly discovers that she's fighting more than just the Rebellion by working in the hospitals. Corruption, harassment, and opposition from Northern doctors threaten to push her out of her new role. At the same time, her sweetheart disapproves of her shocking strength and independence, forcing her to make an impossible decision: Will she choose love and marriage, or duty to a cause that seems to be losing? An Irish immigrant named Ruby O'Flannery, who turns to the unthinkable in the face of starvation, holds the secret that will unlock the door to Charlotte's future. But will the rich and poor confide in each other in time?

Wedded to War is a work of fiction, but the story is inspired by the true life of Civil War nurse Georgeanna Woolsey. Woolsey's letters and journals, written over 150 years ago, offer a thorough look of what pioneering nurses endured.

Jocelyn Green's debut novel is endorsed by historians and professors for its historical accuracy and detail, by award-winning novelists for its spell-binding storytelling, and by entertainment journalists and book club leaders for its deep and complex content, perfect to share and discuss with others.

After reading Widow of Gettysburg (the second novel in Jocelyn Green’s Heroines Behind the Lines series) last fall, I knew I had to read Wedded to War, too. Tackling the era of the U.S. Civil War, Green represents the (often overlooked) female role, experience and perspective authentically, hauntingly, vividly in captivating and fascinating storylines. Charlotte Waverly, the admirable and resolute heroine of Wedded to War, serves as one of the first female nurses in the war effort, and the sights she sees and the challenges she encounters are gruesome, tragic and heartbreaking. Knowing that Green based Charlotte’s character on the real-life experiences of Georgeanna Woolsey increased and enhanced the incredible realism of the historically-based, yet fictitious plot. I have read several novels dealing with the Civil War in the past, yet Green still provided me with a new perspective of the infamous and bloody conflict, as well as much insight into the poor medical state of the day. I highly recommend reading Wedded to War (as well as Widow of Gettysburg) for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, and I cannot wait to read Yankee in Atlanta, the next in the series, and see what else Jocelyn Green has in store for her readers.

Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a copy of Wedded to War and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

A hidden message, treachery, opposition, and a God-given success, will lead to an unlikely bounty.

The scribe, Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage - Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband's love still seems unattainable.

Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother's people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life - and even in his marriage?

Oh my goodness. What a beautiful read… I absolutely loved it. Recently, I have not been in the mood for multi-book series containing the same main characters (generally I opt instead for fresh characters with excitingly new locations), but Tessa Afshar’s follow-up to Harvest of Rubies, Harvest of Gold, is well-worth the return trip to Sarah and Darius in ancient Persia. In this novel, Afshar explores the perspectives of Darius and Nehemiah, in addition to Sarah’s. This variety of perspective alone helps to uniquely distinguish Harvest of Gold from the previous novel, allowing readers to gain an even more intimate understanding of these now beloved characters, and sucked me right in from the very first page. Add in the expected imaginative depictions of history and setting, thought-provoking spiritual ruminations and gripping storylines – Afshar’s Harvest of Gold is a compelling and worthwhile read. Again, I found myself debating late into the night between reading and sleeping. Such a difficult decision… I definitely recommend this novel, (However, I do not recommend reading this novel without reading Harvest of Rubies first.) and I cannot wait to read more enticing novels from Tessa Afshar. Thanks to Moody Publishers, I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. 

Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar

★★★★★
Goodreads | Amazon

Remarkable talent threatens to cloud a life.

The prophet Nehemiah’s cousin has been catapulted into the center of Persian court – working long hours, rubbing elbows with royalty, and becoming the queen’s favorite scribe.

Not bad, for a woman living in a man’s world. But a devastating past has left Sarah believing that God doesn’t love her and her achievements are the measure of her worth – a measure she can never quite live up to.

Darius Passargadae is accustomed to having his way. A wealthy and admired aristocrat, the last thing he expects is an arranged marriage to the queen’s scribe, an intelligent woman who scorns him.

Can two such different people help one another overcome the idols that bind them?

Tessa Afshar’s Harvest of Rubies is another one of those books that sat on my “To Read” list for ages, and now, I cannot imagine why I waited so long to pick it up. Within the context of life in the Persian Empire, Afshar takes her readers on a page-turning journey with Sarah, as she attempts to understand from where her worth truly comes. Most of the night I spent debating whether to go to sleep or keep reading – in most cases, reading won. Afshar’s beautiful writing and storytelling make the book hard to put down.

While reading, I found Sarah to be a highly relatable character. She is witty, smart, respected, extraordinary for her time, and yet she still feels unsure, insecure and anxious. At many points, she believes she only has value because of the skills she offers as a scribe. But the spiritual growth she experiences from different events and conversations over the course of the novel serves as a great reminder of God’s faithfulness and goodness despite suffering and pain. Very encouraging.  

All in all, I loved reading Harvest of Rubies – with its endearing characters, fascinating history and setting, clever (and many times, laughter-inducing) dialogue and situations, thoughtful spiritual exploration. A fantastic example of biblical fiction, I think it definitely worth a read. Without a doubt, I plan on reading Harvest of Gold, Afshar’s sequel to Harvest of Rubies, as soon as I possibly can. Of course, I want to thank Moody Publishers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.