Counterfeit Faith by Crystal Caudill

Counterfeit Faith
by Crystal Caudill

ISBN-13: 9780825447426
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: May 16, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
As matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison has dedicated her life to serving the children deemed delinquents by society. She'll protect them with everything she has. So when she suspects someone is using Final Chance for criminal deeds, she's determined to investigate and put a stop to it. But villains don't like to be crossed--and they're willing to kill to get their way.

Gwendolyn knows she can't quit fighting. More than her own life is on the line if counterfeiters go free. She must find someone she can trust to help her expose the criminals and protect the children under her care.

Charming and chivalrous Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs has never been able to turn his back on a woman in trouble--and capturing counterfeiters is his job, after all. The danger he's truly worried about is his growing attraction to Gwendolyn when his heart wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife. As both peril and interest grow, he begins to consider whether a second love may be possible--if they can live through this case. At the same time, he's put off by her faith in a God he no longer trusts. How can a future together even be possible when their beliefs are at odds?


My Review:
Counterfeit Faith is a Christian romance with a mystery set in 1885 Pennsylvania. Though the third in a series, it worked as a standalone. Josiah's always ready to rush in to save a woman in distress. Paired with his charm, he has a reputation of a rake, yet the reality is that he still loves his long-dead wife. When his nieces and nephew end up in Final Chance, he's determined to get them out only to discover Gwendolyn needs his help because abuse is occurring on the boy's side. He has a lead that a counterfeiting con is being run out of the male side, too, so they work together to find proof.

The main characters were engaging, acted realistically, and grew as people throughout the story. Josiah tended to rush relationships while Gwendolyn felt they should take their time and get to know one another. They were a good match in personalities and shared values. Historical details about counterfeiting were woven into the story. The very real danger to Gwendolyn and anyone working to uncover the scheme kept the suspense high after a slight lull near the beginning.

Josiah questioned why a good God would allow his wife to die and felt that he couldn't be a Christian if he had any doubts. Both Gwendolyn and her uncle explained that believers have doubts, it's what you do with them that matter. Gwendolyn's Christian faith was why she valued the children even though society didn't. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical romance.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson

The Keys to Gramercy Park
by Candice Sue Patterson

ISBN-13: 9781636095332
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Fiction
Released: May 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.

Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for NYC governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.

Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson joins the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems.


My Review:
The Keys to Gramercy Park is both a contemporary romance and a historical that began during the Civil War. The past story was a rather horrifying tale of Edward, a counterfeiter who cared for no one except himself and who wanted the life of his twin brother, Franklin. This was not a happy tale.

The current day romance started out well: Andrea wanted an interesting story to earn a better writing position with Smithsonian Magazine. She found some interesting counterfeit money, and Beau helped her get information she otherwise wouldn't get. When she linked it to Beau's ancestors, she promised she'd never use it to harm his reputation. She liked him and felt he'd be a good governor, but she didn't want to be a politician's wife. And so, perhaps subconsciously, she started sabotaging the relationship by threatening his reputation. I did not like her. In the end, she let him think he'd misjudged her intentions when he really hadn't. This is a case of: she didn't support him. She intended to destroy his dreams while justifying it to herself. Horrible match.

The stories weren't realistic, either. It's unfathomable that Edward managed to pretend to be Frank for even an hour. Strangers could identify that Frank was not Edward, so how come the people who knew him well and should have seen the very obvious differences did not do so?

Also, Andrea's research into the past provided clues as to what happened in the other timeline. However, she couldn't even prove Edward was born (among other things). A respectable magazine would not have printed the guesswork story that she came up with, especially when it would make a powerful family sue them. Beau asked her not to write it, and she intended to anyway. If she was a good enough writer to earn the position she wanted, she'd easily be able to write another good story rather than pin all her hopes on this one. Andrea's desire to write the story was unrealistic as it would never earn her the desired position in reality.

There were no sex scenes or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Tracking the Tiny Target by Connie Queen

Tracking the Tiny Target
by Connie Queen

ISBN-13: 9780369729163
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: May 23, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
When a three-year-old boy is kidnapped, deputy sheriff Chandler Murphy and his search-and-rescue K-9 partner are on the case. And when the child’s mother, Bristol Delaney, insists on helping, he can’t turn her away. But someone is dead set on stopping the investigation. Can Chandler guarantee Bristol’s safety and rescue the missing child before the trail goes cold?


My Review:
Tracking the Tiny Target is a suspense novel. This read like an action movie, so everything was a little over the top and not very realistic. For example, Chandler was so injured that he could barely walk but then was in yet another truck crash, hopped out, and was just fine from that point on. Previously stated information sometimes changed to make things more dramatic, like a hole described as 2 foot deep suddenly became at least 3 or 4 foot deep. Some things were never explained, like how Bristol ended up in that hole or where the specialized vehicle and supplies came from for the bad guy to use. It's not like the bad guy knew she'd find him while he was in that area and valuable supplies wouldn't have just been abandoned there. Anyway.

Bristol got out of an abusive marriage and was very independent. She was going to find her son, not just wait for the police to find him. She told Chandler this, but he kept being surprised to find that she wouldn't do as told (stay home and rest) thus making protecting her harder. Bristol thought it sweet that he wanted to protect her (rather than abuse her) and was considerate, but they had no romantic thoughts until about two-thirds of the way in. Suddenly, at the very end, both decided that they were in love after 48 hours together. It felt like the "romance" was shoved in at the end. I liked both characters, but they didn't even work together very well as a team so I wasn't rooting for them to get together.

Chandler wasn't a serious Christian but liked that Bristol was a Christian. The main characters prayed for help on occasion. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Montana Cold Case Conspiracy by Sharon Dunn

Montana Cold Case Conspiracy
by Sharon Dunn

ISBN-13: 9781335587763
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Released: May 23, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
New evidence tied to a ten-year-old robbery sends Lila Christie running to her ex-fiancé, Sheriff Stewart Duncan, for support—and right into a gunman’s crosshairs. Reopening the case that left his father dead and hers missing is the last thing Stewart wants, especially now that Lila’s a target. But could uncovering old mysteries give them a second chance?


My Review:
Montana Cold Case Conspiracy is a Christian romantic suspense. Ten years ago, Lila's father disappeared after Stewart's no-good father held up his bank then was found murdered without the stolen goods. Stewart moved on by working hard to prove he's not his father. Lila can't believe her father killed anyone or voluntarily helped rob his bank. She left town, disillusioned that so many people believed her father a crook. New evidence has turned up, and she came back hoping Stewart will help her prove her father's innocence. He's not interested, but someone clearly doesn't want her poking around and repeatedly tried to kill her.

The main characters were likable but didn't seem like the brightest bulbs in the pack. After Stewart's convinced that Lila's in danger, he didn't even carry a gun when off duty. He's repeatedly lured away from Lila, who's then attacked. And Lila did things like wander off alone after a frightened dog, not telling anyone what she was doing. When asked once why she did something foolish, she said she wasn't thinking. Uh-huh. It didn't feel like they reacted realistically to the danger they knew they were in, which made them that much easier to target. I liked the relationship tensions between Lila and Stewart caused by their engagement being broken by their fathers' actions. Since they had that romantic past, their quick attraction (after getting back in sync about investigating the past) at least made sense.

There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Swindler's Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee

The Swindler's Daughter
by Stephenia H. McGee

ISBN-13: 9780800740245
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: May 1, 2023

Source: Review copy from the publisher.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lillian Doyle has lived her entire high-society life with her widowed mother, believing her father died long ago. But when news arrives that her estranged father only recently passed away--in jail--Lillian is startled to find that the man has left a business and all of his possessions to her, making her a rather unusual heiress.

When she goes to take possession of her father's house in a backwoods Georgia town, the dilapidated structure is already occupied by another woman who claims it was promised to her son, Jonah, the dusty and unrefined cowboy who has secret aspirations of his own. In her attempts to untangle the mess, Lillian will discover not only a family she never knew she had but a family business that is more than meets the eye.


My Review:
The Swindler's Daughter is a Christian historical set in 1912 Georgia. Except, there was no swindler (someone who cheats others) or questions about what to do with inherited illegally-earned money. The title was just the beginning. None of the characters acted logically or realistically, either. This was primarily a home renovation story. Lillian inherited a house only to discover that a woman already lived in it who's convinced God told her to start a commercial bakery on the bottom floor. Lillian's new-found family was incredibly welcoming, but they're the ones who promised to sell the house cheaply to the woman since her family just lost everything in a fire. Then the will was read, and the unknown Lillian inherited.

Even though she's told by the lawyer to come back to transfer everything into her name, she put that off for two weeks and started the reconstruction before legally owning the house. (sigh) Everyone (except the bad guy) pushed Lillian to keep possession of the house while allowing the current family to stay there and use lots of her inherited money to convert the house into a business. And they acted like this made perfect sense despite the fact Lillian never intended to stay, let alone start a bakery.

Jonah was a bitter, rude jerk. He viewed everything negatively, assumed the worst of Lillian for no good reason, and blamed God and others for all of his misfortunes. His plans never seemed to work out the way he wanted, and he resented that. He never really trusted Lillian and wouldn't even defend her near the end against false accusations. But they shared One Amazing Kiss (which quickly turned into many), so he decided he wanted to marry her. Even though Lillian would let him think she was going to take his advice, then she'd sneak off to do that unwise action behind his back. But Lillian liked his kisses and loved his mother, so she ended up agreeing to marry him because no one's perfect. True, and yet...you'd be better off as friends.

While Lillian also came to see how God can use bad events to bring about good results, the main focus was on Jonah's conviction that God was actively thwarting his every good plan. His mother, a strong believer, gave him a talking to about it. There was no sex or bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Counter Attack by Patricia Bradley

Counter Attack
by Patricia Bradley

ISBN-13: 9780800741624
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 16, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
No sooner has Alexis Stone been sworn in as the interim sheriff for Russell County, Tennessee, when a serial killer dubbed the Queen's Gambit Killer strikes again--this time in her hometown. Pearl Springs is just supposed to be a temporary stop along the way to Alex's real dream: becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. But the killer's calling card--a white pawn and a note with a chess move printed on it--cannot be ignored. The murdered women all look strikingly like Alex, suggesting a connection to her past.

Pearl Springs chief of police Nathan Landry can't believe that his high school sweetheart Alexis (he refuses to call her Alex) is back in town, and he can't help wanting to protect the woman he never stopped loving. But as the danger mounts and the killer closes in, can they bring the killer to justice before it's too late?


My Review:
Counter Attack is a Christian romantic suspense. Alexis left small town life for the big city and her dream of one day becoming the first female police chief of Chattanooga. When her sheriff grandfather has health issues preventing him from working, she agrees to run the department as his chief deputy. Not everyone likes that she got the job, though. Even Nathan thought he might get the job, but he's needed in his current position as chief of police. He's tracking down drug dealers, but he works with Alexis to stop the serial killer who's followed her to Pearl Springs. Alexis and Nathan learned to work together as a team. They already cared for each other, but Alexis has to decide if she can be content with small town life and potentially becoming the next sheriff.

The main characters were likable, complex, and reacted realistically to events. The high level of suspense came from several attacks on Alexis, her need to get her deputies working smoothly under her, and trying to stop the serial killer from murdering yet another woman that looks just like her. However, I wondered why Alexis so easily believed the distress call at the end since the caller was previously pointed out as a possible suspect and also didn't fit the profile of the killer's previous targets. She could have been portrayed as slightly suspicious.

Alexis didn't like to ask anyone for help, even God. She felt that God knew what was needed and could stop evil, so He ought to just do it. She finally realized she should have been asking for God's guidance and help all along. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable suspense.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

In the Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

In the Shadow of the River
by Ann H. Gabhart

ISBN-13: 9780800741723
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: May 9, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci's actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.

Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci's mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life--and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past--is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.

When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it's clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily.


My Review:
In the Shadow of the River is a Christian historical romance with a mystery. The first part was set in 1881, when Jacci's five years old and her mother prevented an unknown man from kidnapping her. No one's quite sure who the man was or what he intended to do with Jacci, but her mother hid her with Jacci's grandfather on a showboat. The story jumped to 1896, when Jacci's twenty years old and an actress on the showboat. Her best friend, a man whom she's long thought of as a brother, wanted her to see him as a possible husband. He's always been there to help cheer her up, protect her, or make her feel cared for and loved. When another actress made a move on him, Jacci finally started seeing him as a man. The threat from the past isn't completely gone, though. As Jacci learned more about her complex past, she felt confused about who she is. And someone wants to harm her, but who, exactly?

The main characters were engaging, complex, well-developed, and acted realistically. Historical details about the time and life on a showboat were woven into the story and brought it alive in my imagination. The main characters prayed and grew in their faith in God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Heart's Choice by Tracie Peterson; Kimberley Woodhouse

The Heart's Choice
by Tracie Peterson;
Kimberley Woodhouse

ISBN-13: 9780764238970
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: May 1, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
After witnessing a wrongful conviction as a young girl, Rebecca McCutcheon--the first female court reporter in Montana--hopes to someday be a lawyer and defend the innocent. During a murder trial, some of the evidence indicates the accused is innocent, but the man's lawyer doesn't bring it up in his defense. When Rebecca tells her thoughts to the judge, he rebukes her, saying they need to remain impartial and not influence the case.

But the handsome new Carnegie librarian supports her efforts to determine the truth. Librarian Mark Andrews's father sent him off to college hoping he would someday take over the business side of the family ranch. Mark refuses, sure that his older sister and her new husband can run the ranch fine without him. Little does he know that the new husband only wants to make a quick profit off his family and is a threat to everyone he cares for.


My Review:
The Heart's Choice is a Christian romance set in 1904 in Montana. The main characters were engaging, complex, and reacted realistically to events. This was not a detective novel: Rebecca had a good eye for bringing up things that would cast doubt in the case, but she didn't really try to prove who the real murderer was--though she suspected. The judge, a good man who was also a friend and mentor, felt that they needed to remain impartial, so anything she did to help the defendant potentially threatened her job. Historical details about the time (especially the legal system and the library) were woven into the story, providing a distinct feel of the time and place. Rebecca and Mark quickly became friends through shared interests and spending time together. They supported each other through difficult events and came to care for each other. They were a good match and worked well together.

Rebecca had been to church occasionally, but her boss's wife was appalled to learn she didn't have a personal relationship with Christ. A good chunk of the story was about Rebecca coming to a saving faith in Christ after reading the Bible and asking questions. Mark was a Christian and helped answer Rebecca's questions about faith. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable story.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.

26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse

26 Below
by Kimberley Woodhouse

ISBN-13: 9780825447723
Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: April 4, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
In her new role as Emergency Operations Center director for Fairbanks, Alaska, Darcie Phillips coordinates emergency services during disasters. But none of her training can prepare her for the terror that's coming. As a cybersecurity specialist, Jason Myers is determined to ferret out any threats to the town he now calls home--and that includes his reckless brother and his ecoterrorist friends. Then an old woman publicly predicts widespread destruction as soon as the Fairbanks temperature falls to 26 below. No one's sure if she should be taken seriously, but it's making people nervous.

Then the bodies start dropping. Darcie is relying on her skills to stop a killer; Jason is relying on God to guide the way. They'll have to work together to find the truth and prevent their Alaskan town from becoming a city of nightmares.


My Review:
26 Below is a Christian romantic suspense. The Emergency Operations Center has just been started, with a timeline of a year before it's expected to be fully up and running. Darcie had to field questions about what they do, hire staff, and get secure computer systems going (among other tasks). Then an old woman publicly warned of an attack on the power system when it reached 26 below zero. There's simply not enough time to get ready, but her team pushed hard to complete their part: coordinating things in an emergency.

The bad guys targeted Darcie through hostile meetings and press conferences, which shook her confidence, but she loves to organize things and is a good leader. Jason's weak point is his drug-addicted brother, who worked to undermine him. When the temperatures hit 26 below, the crisis hit, and they had to determine how the sabotage was done and get communications back online.

Darcie and Jason worked well together as a team, supported each other, and built each other up. They had to work through triggered emotional issues as well as deal with the public emergency. The main characters were likable and acted realistically. Darcie came to accept Christ through the example of Jason and her assistant, plus God working through events to reach her when she hit rock bottom tired, sad, and stressed. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd highly recommend this interesting and suspenseful novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan; J'nell Ciesielski; Rachel McMillan

The Castle Keepers by Aimie K. Runyan; J'nell Ciesielski; Rachel McMillan

ISBN-13: 9780785265320
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Harper Muse
Released: May 2, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Leedswick Castle has housed the Alnwick family in the English countryside for generations, despite a family curse determined to destroy their legacy and erase them from history.

1870. After a disastrous dinner at the Astor mansion forces her to flee New York in disgrace, socialite Beatrice Holbrook knows her performance in London must be a triumph. When she catches the eye of Charles Alnwick, one of the town’s most enviably-titled bachelors, she prepares to attempt a social coup and become the future Marchioness of Northridge. When tragedy and scandal strike the Alnwick family, Beatrice must assume the role of a lifetime: that of her true, brave self.

1917. Artist Elena Hamilton arrives in Northumberland determined to transform a soldier’s wounds into something beautiful. Tobias Alnwick’s parents have commissioned a lifelike mask to help their son return to his former self after battle wounds partially destroyed his face. But Elena doesn’t see a man who needs fixing—she sees a man who needn’t hide. Yet secrets from their past threaten to chase away the peace they’ve found in each other and destroy the future they’re creating.

1945. Alec Alnwick returns home from the war haunted but determined to leave death and destruction behind. With the help of Brigitta Mayr, the brilliant young psychoanalyst whose correspondence was a lifeline during his time on the Western Front, he reconstructs his family’s large estate into a rehabilitation center for similarly wounded soldiers. Now Alec’s efforts may be the only chance to redeem his family legacy—and break the curse on the Alnwick name—once and for all.


My Review:
The Castle Keepers is a series of three short stories where the actions of the first pair affected their future descendants. In each case: there was a bit of interesting historical information as the basis of the story (an American heiresses marrying a cash-poor English title, detailed masks to hide war wounds, and methods of dealing with war wounds of the mind). The characters were developed and acted in realistic ways. And each romantic pair became better people after knowing each other. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this collection.

In 1870, Beatrice felt like Charles was kind and thoughtful, and his title satisfied her mother. Only, his family was determined to make his younger brother the heir. When his father was murdered, Charles was the obvious suspect and asked Beatrice to secure his title/authority at home while he's being questioned. I liked the characters but was a little thrown when Beatrice figured out whodunit only to discover she didn't need to.

In 1917, Elena arrived to "fix" Tobias by making a lifelike mask to cover his scars. In the process, she worked to restore his belief that he's still a whole, handsome man. Only, her father's determined to force her to marry the man he wants to inherit his successful business.

In 1945, Alec wrestled with nightmares of the war so wanted to help himself and other soldiers by using techniques suggested by psychoanalyst Brigitta. She listened to them talk (especially about their dreams) while they got used to peaceful, normal living again while at the castle. Only, Alec's arrogant cousin pressured him to sell the castle instead. Brigitta seemed so intent on treating everything as war-induced that it took a while for her to see what was happening (which the reader can guess from the clues before she figured it out).


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Return to Satterthwaite Court by Mimi Matthews

Return to Satterthwaite Court
by Mimi Matthews

ISBN-13: 9781736080238
Paperback: 285 pages
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Lieutenant Charles Heywood has had his fill of adventure. Battle-weary and disillusioned, he returns to England, resolved to settle down to a quiet, uneventful life on an estate of his own. But the owner of the property he desires--one connected to his mother's family--mysterously refuses to sell it to him.

At only twenty, Lady Katherine Beresford has already earned a scandalous reputation. As skilled with pistols as she is on horseback, she’s never met an obstacle she can’t surmount—or a man she can’t win. That is, until she encounters the infuriatingly somber Lieutenant Heywood. But Kate refuses to be deterred by the raven-haired soldier’s strong, silent facade. After all, faint heart never won handsome gentleman. Kate pursues Charles from rural Somersetshire to the glittering ballrooms of early-Victorian London.


My Review:
Return to Satterthwaite Court is a romance set in 1843 in England. Though the 3rd in a series, it can be read as a stand alone. I didn't really care for the characters and didn't really feel convinced they were a good match (or even a love match).

Katherine's intrigued by Charles mainly because he's not interested in her. He's a challenge. He's also "heroic" because he rescued a mongrel from the London streets. (I have a hard time seeing that as heroic, though it is compassionate.) She pushed her way, unasked, into his life. She even took a four hour round trip for an unannounced visit to him without being formally introduced first and with no idea if he was literally or socially "at home" for the visit. She sneaked away to do unchaperoned things with him--it's only a scandal if they're caught, right? And he had a mystery to solve, so she tried to lead the investigation so she could have some adventure in her life.

Charles was used to being in command and having people obey him. Katherine most defiantly didn't and wanted to be the one to lead. He oddly jumped to bad conclusions about her because two letters with different handwriting came at the same time, one from her and another with a "threatening" letter (and I still don't see how it was threatening). He started to tolerate her behavior because she's kind to his shy sister. At the end, he's suddenly determined to marry her.

Katherine just didn't seem realistic for the time period. The "romance" seemed more based on looks and the challenge of it than a lasting match in personality and interests. It's just not my type of story. There was no sex. There were a few uses of bad language.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.

Dawn's Untrodden Green by Carolyn Miller

Dawn's Untrodden Green
by Carolyn Miller

ISBN-13: 9780825446559
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Released: April 11, 2023

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Not much happens in Theodosia Stapleton's tiny Northumberland village. Certainly not to her. She has resigned herself to spinsterhood, caring for her ailing mother in the home of her grandfather, known to the locals as "General Contrary." When her dear friend dies and leaves behind a daughter, it's simple enough to take the child into her own quiet world. That is, until her ward's famous uncle unexpectedly arrives and throws Theo's tidy orbit completely off-kilter.

Fame was the last thing Daniel Balfour sought when he fought in the Peninsular War. But his brave exploits caught the attention of the King, and now the honors he was given hound him everywhere . . . even on his rushed trip to rescue his orphaned niece.

Theo's quick wit and warm smile reassure him that Rebecca is in good hands, and he should soon be free to return to London and his responsibilities. But those caring hands are beginning to look like they could also safely hold his heart, and he's tempted to linger. But the army is all he knows and is spouse enough for him.

Then an accident leads both Theo and Daniel to discover that their best-laid plans may not have been what God designed for them after all.


My Review:
Dawn's Untrodden Green is a Christian romance set in 1812. I liked this story up until the end. Theo and Daniel had a similar sense of humor and quickly fell into a friendship full of banter. Both were likable characters, and the romance grew as they spent time together and got to know each other. Daniel intended to remain single and focused on his army career, partly because he didn't know what else he'd do and didn't feel a Captain could support a family (despite having enough money saved up to completely renovate a decrepit house). Theo felt she had a duty to care for her mother, who was often ill, and who would want a woman with a small birthmark on her face (though she had a local suitor)?

Daniel wanted to grieve his sister and deal with her affairs quickly without being entertained by everyone in the neighborhood due to his hero status. He could have just claimed mourning status, but he instead mislead the squire's wife into thinking he was his steward. She expected someone tall and handsome, and he's rather plain. Theo and her family agreed to keep his identity private and mislead their neighbors. This became a problem, threatening sandal and turning the neighborhood against Theo. When Daniel finally admitted the truth, Theo and Daniel sincerely asked forgiveness and resolved to never mislead again. But some didn't actually learn the lesson. Daniel promptly agreed to a scheme by her grandfather (involving the very people who supposedly love her) to deliberately mislead Theo to pressure her into quickly marrying Daniel. Also, the end left so many things undecided--will he return to the army? Where will they live and who will live with them?

The Christian theme was trusting God with your future rather than trying to make your own plans work out. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd like to recommend this sweet romance, but the ending was too manipulative for me; you don't act like that toward someone you genuinely love and respect.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.