Review: The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

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The Governess of Highland Hall

Edwardian Brides, Book #1

Carrie Turansky

Multnomah Books

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

 About the book:

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?
 
Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

My review:

I spent a pleasant day reading The Governess of  Highland Hall,  book #1 in the Edwardian Brides Series by Carrie Turansky.  Julia Foster is a character that has a great faith in God and a very caring nature.  Having spent 12 years in India as a missionary with her parents has allowed God to mold Julia into a women who can be used by Him to minister to others. Upon her arrival at Highland Hall she soon has Sir William Ramsey's children, Andrew and Millie happy to have her as their governess. Sir Williams cousins who Julia is to also teach are not so quickly won over. Being a governess is a sometimes confusing roll, because Julia is not upstairs family nor downstairs help. Sir William is drawn to Julia and finds it hard to trust because of his deceased wife's behavior, but he finds Julia very easy to confide in. God is no respecter of persons or social class and when he puts love in a heart, it is a love worth fighting for.

Clark Dalton and Sarah, Sir Williams sister are two of my favorite characters in

this book. I would have loved for them to have their own book, but their romance was an added bonus to this book.

If you like Downton Abbey you are sure to love The Governess of Highland Hall.

I look forward to the next book in this series. I give this book a high 4.

I received my review copy from Multnomah Books and Blogging For Book for my honest review.

I was not paid in any way for this review.

You may purchase The Governess of Highland Hall at the links below.

B/N

Amazon

Christianbook

You can find our more about 

Carrie on her Website.

About the author:

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of ten novels and novellas, including Snowflake Sweethearts and Along Came Love. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award and the International Digital Award. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, counselor and the author of several parenting books. They have five adult children and three grandchildren. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=174914#sthash.jOumQkaj.dpuf

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of eleven inspirational romance novels and novellas. She has been a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Crystal Globe Award.

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of ten novels and novellas, including Snowflake Sweethearts and Along Came Love. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award and the International Digital Award. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, counselor and the author of several parenting books. They have five adult children and three grandchildren. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=174914#sthash.jOumQkaj.dpuf

She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, author, speaker and counselor. They have five young adult children. Carrie leads women’s ministry at her church, and when she is not writing she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging, and cooking healthy meals for friends and Family.

Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of ten novels and novellas, including Snowflake Sweethearts and Along Came Love. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award and the International Digital Award. She lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott, who is a pastor, counselor and the author of several parenting books. They have five adult children and three grandchildren. - See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/author-spotlight.php?authorid=174914#sthash.jOumQkaj.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?
- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

About This Book

Worlds lie between the marketplaces of India and the halls of a magnificent country estate like Highland Hall. Will Julia be able to find her place when a governess is neither upstairs family nor downstairs help?

Missionary Julia Foster loves working alongside her parents, ministering and caring for young girls in India. But when the family must return to England due to illness, she readily accepts the burden for her parents’ financial support. Taking on a job at Highland Hall as governess, she quickly finds that teaching her four privileged, ill-mannered charges at a grand estate is more challenging than expected, and she isn’t sure what to make of the estate’s preoccupied master, Sir William Ramsey.

Widowed and left to care for his two young children and his deceased cousin Randolph’s two teenage girls, William is consumed with saving the estate from the financial ruin. The last thing he needs is any distraction coming from the kindhearted-yet-determined governess who seems to be quietly transforming his household with her persuasive personality, vibrant prayer life, and strong faith.

While both are tending past wounds and guarding fragile secrets, Julia and William are determined to do what it takes to save their families—common ground that proves fertile for unexpected feelings. But will William choose Julia’s steadfast heart and faith over the wealth and power he needs to secure Highland Hall’s future?

- See more at: http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/catalog.php?work=226884#sthash.igdH4Hiz.dpuf

Review: Though My Heart Is Torn by JoAnne Bischof

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About the book:
Settling into a simple life in the majestic Blue Ridge mountains, Lonnie and Gideon O’Riley have finally found happiness after the rocky start to their marriage. The roguish bluegrass musician has fallen in love with his gentle wife and the God she serves, and Lonnie rests secure in his tenderness for her and their young son. A heartless ruse interrupts their peace, bringing them back to Rocky Knob—and forces them to face the claims of Cassie Allan, a woman who says she is Gideon’s rightful wife.

As Gideon wades into the depths of his past choices, Lonnie is stunned by the revelations. She has no choice but to navigate this new path, knowing that surviving the devastating blow will take every ounce of strength  she has.

While Gideon’s guilt  and his bitterness towards Cassie threatens to burn up his fledgling faith, Lonnie wrestles to find the courage to trust the God who brought them together in the first place. Will their hard-earned love be able to conquer all? 

Lonnie only wanted her husband’s love. Now that he belongs to another, can she surrender Gideon to a God with a bigger plan?

My Review

I loved Be Still My Soul,  book #1 in The Cadence of Grace Series. by Joanne Bischof and was excited to also review book #2, Though My Heart Is Torn.  Once again I was drawn quickly into the  story of Lonnie and Gideon.  I'll admit that at first I did not like the way the story continued but soon realized that God had a plan for this book and He used Joanne's talent as a writer to lead us "through the valley" He chose for the unforgettable  characters of Lonnie and Gideon.  It is always a joy to stand back and watch God work in the heart of a author to show us our way is not always His way.  I look forward to where God lead Joanne in the next book in this series.  This one is a keeper that I will read again. I give Though My Heart Is Torn 5 out of 5 stars. 

I received this book through Blogging For Book and Waterbrook/Multnomah for my honest review.

I was not paid for my review in any way. 

You can read the first chapter of Though My Heart Is Torn 

You can read my review of Be Still My Soul, book #1 in The Cadence of Grace Series here.

About the Author

Married to her first sweetheart, Joanne Bischof lives in the mountains of Southern California where she keeps busy making messes with their home-schooled children. When she’s not weaving Appalachian romance, she’s blogging about faith, writing, and the adventures of country living that bring her stories to life. Be Still My Soul is her first novel.
Joanne's website

You can purchase the book at the below links.
 B/N
Christianbook
Amazon

Waterbrook/Multnomah

Reveiw: The Widow of Saunder Creek by Tracey Bateman

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The Widow of Saunders Creek

by Tracey Bateman

Releases May 8, 2012
(first chapter excerpt is up on Amazon.com)
Corrie Saunders grew up in a life of privilege. But she gave it all up for Jarrod, her Army husband, a man she knew was a hero when she vowed to spend her life with him. She just didn’t expect her hero to sacrifice his life taking on an Iraqi suicide bomber.

Six months after Jarrod’s death, Corrie retreats to the family home her husband inherited deep in the Missouri Ozarks. She doesn’t know how to live without Jarrod—she doesn’t want to. By moving to Saunders Creek and living in a house beloved by him, she hopes that somehow her Jarrod will come back to her.

Something about the house suggests maybe he has. Corrie begins to wonder if she can feel Jarrod’s presence.

Jarrod’s cousin Eli is helping Corrie with the house’s restoration and he knows his dead cousin is not what Corrie senses. Eli, as a believing man and at odds with his mystically-oriented family members, thinks friendly visits from beyond are hogwash. But he takes spirits with dark intentions seriously. Can he convince Corrie that letting go of Jarrod will lead to finding her footing again— and to the One she can truly put her faith into?

My review:
 The Widow of Saunders by Tracey Bateman is a heart touching book. I was a young widow also
so I could really identify with Corrie and some of the things she was feeling.  I liked how this book
delved into the good and evil spirits and how the characters dealt with them. I could have easily fallen
in love with Eli as his character was develop in the book.  He was gentle and kind and stood strong in his faith and beliefs, but he gave Corrie the space she needed to heal.
Tracey deserves high praise for The Widow of Saunders Creek, so I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.
The story line was unique and well thought out and all the character made for a perfect read.
I look forward to reading more from this author.

 I received this book from Blogging for Books and WaterBrook Multnomah for my honest review.



Tracey Bateman website

You can listen to Tracey talking about The Widow of Sauders Creek here.

 You may purchase this book at the below links:

B/N

Amazon

Christianbook

Random House

Review: SisterChicks in Gondolas

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Sisterchicks® in Gondolas!

by Robin Jones Gunn 

A Christy Award Winner

 Description:

Jenna and Sue have been sisters-in-law for nearly thirty years but inseparable friends for only the last five. When Jenna is invited to a week’s stay at a fifteenth century restored palace on a quiet canal in Venice, Sue is her travel companion of choice. The catch? They must cook for a group that is staying at the palace for a retreat. With about six words of Italian between them, a map, and a keen appetite for gelato, Jenna and Sue enter into the lilting gondola-paced Italian lifestyle. Together they discovering corners of Venice most tourists never see and over boiling pots of pasta they dare each other to dream again. These two Sisterchicks realize that sometimes when serving God, the most important thing to do is just show up…and watch for goodness and mercy to follow close behind.

My Review:

Totally fun book! I love it!

SisterChicks In Gondolas by Robin Jones Gunn took me totally by surprise, in a very good way.  I was hooked from page two of the Prologue. At times it could have been written about me. (mid-life crisis, memory loss) Sue tells Jenna to keep a notepad by her bed and one in her purse at all times, 

so she can write down things as she thinks or dreams about them so she won't forget.

I laughed out load so many times it put a smile on my face. Oh to be able to go on a real SisterChick retreat. 

I was blown away by how much this book also "talked" to my soul.

Here is an example from the book. All the new experiences, tastes, encounters and small challenges were displays of how God could care for Sue more than I ever could. My job wasn't to diagnose her or counsel her or try to teach her anything. We were students together. Equals in every way.  Sue and I were victims of grace.

I felt as if I'd just been shown my place---a clarification of my role in our friendship. I had places deep inside me that I needed to examine and that needed healing, too, but Sue was not trying to fix those in me. All I had to do was be here and receive the grace that fell on me.

Wow, that says it all. 

I give this book a 5+ out of 5. SisterChick In Gondolas is book full of truth that I won't forget. 

I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah and Blogging for Book for my honest opinion.

ROBIN JONES GUNN is the best-selling and award-winning author of more than seventy books, with over 4 million copies of her titles sold worldwide. Best known among them are the Christy Miller, Sierra Jensen, and Christy and Todd: College Years teen series. A Christy Award winner and a two-time finalist for excellence in fiction, Robin has also been a Gold Medallion finalist. She and her husband have a grown son and daughter and live in Hawaii.

Authors website 

You can purchase it at these links:

Robin's website

B/N

Amazon

Christianbook

Review: A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs

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I finished reading A Wreath of Snow (A Victorian Christmas Novella) by Liz Curtis Higgs this past week.

                
Christmas Eve 1894

All Margaret Campbell wants for Christmas is a safe journey home. When her plans for a festive holiday with her family in Stirling crumble beneath the weight of her brother’s bitterness, the young schoolteacher wants nothing more than to return to the students she loves and the town house she calls home.

Then an unexpected detour places her in the path of Gordon Shaw, a handsome newspaperman from Glasgow, who struggles under a burden of remorse and shame.

When the secret of their shared history is revealed, will it leave them tangled in a knot of regret? Or might their past hold the threads that will bind their future together?

As warm as a woolen scarf on a cold winter’s eve, A Wreath of Snow is a tender story of love and forgiveness, wrapped in a celebration of all things Scottish, all things Victorian, and, especially, all things Christmas.

My Review:
A Wreath of Snow: A Victorian Christmas Novella by Liz Curtis Higgs was my first Liz reading experience. I enjoyed this book about the healing power of our loving God.  The book was a pleasant surprise for me and took a few twist that I did not except at the start of the book. I will be reading more books by Liz in the future. If you are looking for a short (it's a novella) and sweet read then,
A Wreath of Snow is the Christmas read for you. I finished this one with a smile on my face.

I received this book from WaterBrook Multnomah (through Blogging for Books) for my honest review.  I was not paid in any way for this review.

  Liz Curtis Higgs website
Liz's blog

 You may purchase A Wreath of Snow at the below links:
Hard copy:
B/N
Amazon
Christianbook
WaterBrook Multnomah 

ebook copy:
B/N
Amazon
Christianbook
WaterBrook Multnomah