Beauty for Ashes, Dorothy Love

Book Description

She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.

After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie Daly has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.

Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He’s determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.

Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to trade beauty for ashes.

From Angie – I really enjoyed this book!  I read it on the iPod in 2 days, finding time between home duties. The book is so rich in characters. I felt that I met the whole entire town!  I understand that this is a Book 2 of her Ridge series, but I had not read the first one, and I had no idea until the end that this was a book 2.  I am at the edge of my seat to see what happens in Book 3. I enjoyed the weave of horses, farming, town life, the late 1800’s setting, without it being “Amish” or about religion. She does have her grandmothers quotes readily in her mind to urge her back to the Lord, it was a balanced mixture of family, friendships, hardships, and love.  I recommend this book.

I received this book for free from BookSneeze in exchange for reading it and sharing it with you!

An Unlikely Suitor, Nancy Moser

This book will draw you in, and hold your interest, until the last page. A historical fiction – with a bit of romance towards the end of the book – but unlike most Historical Fiction writers, Nancy made sure that you would feel like you were walking the streets – going to work with our characters, walking around their small apartment. She made sure you would want to protect the characters from the villains and heave a heavy sigh when rescues came. She gave the heroines wisdom, intelligence and a voice. The shy shamed heroin that has no idea what to do with her life until the gentleman shows up and rescues here will not be found in these pages. There is mystery – love – and detailed accounts of being in a dress shop in the gilded age.  A wonderful read for sure!

From the Publisher – Bethany House -

Spend a season in glamorous 1895 Newport in this compelling tale of friendship, devotion, and sacrificial love.

New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family?

Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?

And Lucy's teenage sister, Sofia, falls for a man well above her social class--but is he willing to give up everything to marry a woman below his station?

As the lives of three young woman--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?

I received An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser from the Bethany House for free in exchange for writing an honest review upon completion of reading the book.