My Daughter's Legacy

A thrilling tale of two women longing to follow God’s leading, make the most of second chances, and find true love at last

Virginia, 1864

Therese Jennings cannot abide the thought of owning slaves. When her widowed mother inherits a plantation, Therese flees to Civil War Richmond, where she works as a governess by day and tends to wounded soldiers at night. But when trouble befalls her family, can she reconcile her obligations with her beliefs? And will love—whether with an old beau or a handsome new suitor—ever fit in her broken world?

Virginia, present day

Nicole Talbot’s life is back on track after years of substance abuse. Home from college for the summer, she’s finally ready to share a shocking secret, one that raises new questions about a traumatic childhood experience. But when facts she uncovers cast doubt on her family’s legacy, she must risk all that she’s gained—her fresh start, her family’s trust, and her growing relationship with a new man—to unlock the secrets of the past.

My thoughts: I love stories like this that go back and forth between the present and past! While I haven't read the previous books in this series, I want to go back to read them since they do have a common thread between the modern day cousins going through a traumatic event together and then the historical characters all being from their family tree. That said, the books does a fairly good job of standing alone. There were just a few reference to family heirlooms and some clues that had been uncovered in the modern day mystery.
I loved the historical aspect of this story, since it showed how it must of been like to live in the South during the war as a abolitionist. I loved that both women were strong characters. I highly recommend this one!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Pursuing Gold

With his father dead and his business partner incapacitated, Peter Chandler inherits the leadership of a bank in economic crisis.

With only a newly-minted college degree and little experience, Peter joins his partner’s daughter, Mary Beth Roper, in a struggle to keep C&R Bank afloat while the Civil War rages around Chattanooga. Political pressure for unsecured loans of gold to the government stirs up trouble as tempers and prices rise. Their problems multiply when Mary Beth discovers counterfeit money with Peter’s forged signature. Can they find the forger before the bank fails? The two friends must pursue gold on behalf of their business, as they learn to pursue their heavenly Father to find hope and peace.

My thoughts: This story was so interesting! I loved the historical depth to it. While there is a lot of interesting historical details, the characters don't get lost in the story. I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing how their story intertwined. I find Civil war era history and stories fascinating, so I am thrilled to add this to my bookshelf.;) I had fun with this one and seeing how banking has changed over the years.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Loyal Heart

Robert came to Galveston to fulfill his promise to a dying man and look after his widow. He didn’t expect to find love in the unlikeliest of places.


Robert Truax, former Second Lieutenant and Confederate officer in the Civil War, made a promise to his comrade Phillip Markham. If anything happened to Phillip, Robert would look after his beloved wife, Miranda. She was his life, his world, his everything.


After the war, Robert is left to pick up the pieces and fulfill his pact. When he arrives at Miranda's home in Galveston, Texas, things are worse than he imagined. Phillip's name has been dragged through the mud, everyone in town believes him to be a traitor, and his widow is treated as an outcast. Even more disturbing is her emotional well-being. Miranda seems hopeless, lost, and so very alone.


Robert had thought his duty would be simple. He would help Miranda as quickly as possible in order to honor a promise. But the moment Robert laid eyes on her, his plans changed. He's mesmerized by her beauty and yearns to help her in any way he can.


He makes it his duty to protect Miranda, turn her reputation around, and to find some way to help her smile again. But it doesn't prove to be an easy task—Robert knows something about Phillip that could shake Miranda to the core and alter her view of the man she thought she knew so well.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this story and the uniqueness of the characters and their predicament. The story is an interesting look at life for a war widow, especially one who is thought to have been married to a traitor, is like. The story is interesting and I thought the characters were well written and come to life! I look froward to the next book in the series!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

A thousand Shall Fall

A story of love, hope, and healing set in the midst of the Civil War

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off–only to find she’s fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they’re all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally–and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

Set against the backdrop of the American Civil War, A Thousand Shall Fall is framed around compelling characters and a very romantic setting in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. Andrea Boeshaar’s extensive research guarantees historical accuracy and romance genre enthusiasts and Civil War buffs alike will enjoy the Christian perspectives on actual historical events.

My thoughts: I didn't know what I would find when I started this book, since I had not had the privilege of reading any of Andrea's other novels. What I found was a wonderful story, filled with likable main characters, some fun secondary characters (I especially liked Aunt Ruth and her spunk!), and a lot of rich historical details. I think it is neat that this series focuses on the battles fought in the Shenandoah Valley in late 1864.
If you are looking for a neat historical series, then I highly recommend the first book of this one! I eagerly await the second story in the series.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Hearts Made Whole

After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper–even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s been given the post as lighthouse keeper, and the isolation where he can drown in drink and hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s none-too-pleased to be giving up her position. They both quickly realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but Ryan’s unwilling to let anyone close, ravaged by memories and guilt. Caroline’s drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

My thoughts: I really like that Jody puts a lot of research and detail into her stories, bringing to life the period of history she is writing about. I found this story to be an interesting and unique look at the role which light keepers played on some of the Great Lakes. It was also interesting to have one of the main characters be a Civil War veteran, showing how hard it was for him to get back to work after being injured in the war and having to deal with memories of unjust acts committed during the war. And, also for it to show the adjustment of the women who had to work during the war, to cover for the shortage of men to fill jobs. I enjoyed the historical aspect, but I didn't care for one of the characters, who was just not a kind person. Over all though, the story is an interesting one, full of depth. I enjoyed getting to know most of the characters!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.