Postmark From the Past by Vickie Phelps

Disclaimer:  I received a copy of Postmark from the Past from Vickie Phelps for an honest review.

What’s not to love about mysterious letters from the past, song dedications by a friend you haven’t seen in twenty-one years and a mysterious abandoned little girl?

Nothing.  You are right there with Emily as her past comes rushing back with each letter she receives.  The emotions she feels at each new revelation of betrayal are real and easily identified with.  Plus, they are well written.  Not once did I feel like rolling my eyes and saying ‘grow up’. (From me, that’s high praise.)

Postmark from the Past is. . . .  Sweet is not the right word, too gooey.  Neither is nice, too bland.  Warm and cuddly doesn’t do it, either.  Good (overused, I know) but it is just that; a good book that leaves you satisfied.  An easy read that leaves you smiling.  

Available on Amazon.com

Frontier Engagement by Regina Scott Review

I received Frontier Engagement from Regina Scott for the promise of an honest review.

As I’ve said before, I like Regina Scott.  Her stories are populated with believable characters that face real life situations.  With Frontier Engagement, we are once again part of the Wallin Family (Would be Wilderness Wife) and the story does not disappoint.

Believing himself responsible for his father’s death, James Wallin has joked his way through life.  But, he is determined to do one thing right in his family’s eyes; bring back the best school teacher for Wallin Landing.  Yet once again, his choices puts the new teacher and himself in danger.  Will he every do anything right?

Alexandrina (Rina) Fosgrave’s past makes her distrust people who wear fancy clothing and speak flowery prose.  The man standing in front of her certainly embodies both.  But, what choice does she have?  James Wallin is the only person to offer her a teaching position.  She has to take it or risk everything she came to Seattle seeking.

It is an easy read about two people who lack confidence in themselves and how James’ confidence in and respect for Rina changes her view of herself.  And how Rina’s confidence in and respect for James changes his view of himself.

Well worth reading.

The Bride Ship by Regina Scott

I just finished reading The Bride Ship; book one in the Frontier Bachelors series by Regina Scott.  I do like her writing.  She is good at using our fears as the drama that moves the story forward. The fears are always confronted and if not overcome, the main characters always make a strong start on overcoming them.  The Bride Ship is no exception.

Allegra Banks Howard’s life had always been controlled by someone else.  First her mother: what to wear, how to act, who to be seen with.  Then her husband, Frank, treated her like fine porcelain; fragile and unable to think for herself.  After his death, her mother-in-law took over her and her daughter’s life; what they would wear, how they would act and who she would marry.  Something had to be done and Asa Mercer’s ad in the paper asking for women to sail to Seattle to help build a thriving city sounded like the answer to her prayers.

Clay Howard had left home at eighteen to escape the controlling ways of his family and their Boston society lifestyle and had promptly been disowned.  After years in the West, he had come home to try and make peace.  His father and brother were dead and his mother refused to see him until she decided he could be used to bring Allegra home.  He had every intention of doing just that because Allegra wouldn't survive in the rugged, rustic town of Seattle.  He knew because he lived there.

She refuses to return home and he refuses to leave her unprotected.  So the journey begins and it is a good one.  Well worth reading.

Check it out at:The Bride Ship by Regina Scott

Accidental Fiancee by Mary Moore

Lady Grace Endicott has an independent streak and is of a practical bent.  She has no desire to marry and is quite content to run her father’s estate.  Her only thought is to attend her sister’s come-out, see her safely married and return home.  But her attempt to rescue an unknown man from the heartless plot to compromise him, leaves her in a compromising position of her own.

Brandon Roth, Lord Weston is used to the machinations of husband hunting women.  That one would try to warn him about a plot to put him in a compromising situation was unusual, to say the least.  Are was it?  Since the Lady had so brazenly approached him in a public setting, she had done the very thing she had set out to warn him about.

So starts the journey of Grace and Brandon.  Of course, they must announce a betrothal even though it is a sham.  In acting out the part of a couple, they learn things about each other that they don’t show to the world. A true friendship grows.

Her practicality and his penchant for teasing just to get a rise out of her definitely move the story forward.

Ms. Moore did an excellent job of bringing the story to life.  It is well written and always moving forward.  You are there in Regency times walking the journey with them.

Accidental Fiancée is a good read.

Review: Would-Be Wilderness Wife by Regina Scott

With the promise of an honest review, Regina Scott sent me Would-Be Wilderness Wife; the second book in the Frontier Bachelors series.  I do like Ms. Scott’s writing and was eagerly looking forward to reading this book.  Then, I realized this was the second book in the series and the first book was not yet available in stores.L  Now, I’m looking forward to the first and third books.

Ms. Scott’s heroines tend to be a bit on the independent side with a healthy dose of common sense.  Just like I like them.  Miss Catherine Stanway is no exception.  She lost her physician father and brother in the Civil War and has traveled to Seattle to start fresh.  Her wish to never again experience the depth of pain that comes from losing someone she loves leads her to dedicating her life to helping others as a nurse.  That leads to her being kidnapped.  And the journey begins.

Drew Willins has his hands full with a sick mother, siblings to keep whole and healthy and his father’s dream to carve out of the wilderness.  He doesn't need anything else to take care of.  His need for a doctor leads him to Catherine but he’s not sure she’s what his mother needs.  Then his youngest brother, Levi, kidnaps Catherine and…

You can see where this is leading.  I’m smiling as I write this.  The journey is fun, poignant and inspirational.  We walk with Catherine (who never wants to hurt again) and Drew (who is unwilling to take on any more responsibility) as the everyday trials of life bring them to the decision to let go and trust God.

Now, to go research more about these Mercer Belles.