Heart of Gold

For those who enjoy reading historical romances, you will love this book. Set in the old west, it's rich with information on gold fever, Wells Fargo and the struggles endured by those loyal to the north and south during the civil war era.

The characters in Robin Hatcher’s book grow spiritually as they develop friendships with people they would not have under different circumstances. The story is full of details and descriptions that bring it to life. I would suggest this book to anyone looking for a love story that you don’t want to put down until you’ve reached the happy ending.

Book Description

Against Shannon's wishes, love stakes its claim in her heart. Will she discover treasure or treachery?

When Shannon Adair accompanies her minister father to the western gold rush town of Grand Coeur, she's certain she'll never be happy away from her beloved Virginia, even though the South is still gripped in civil war.

Wells Fargo driver Matthew Dubois isn't sure the lovely Shannon belongs in Idaho Territory either, but he is a desperate man. His widowed sister is dying and leaving her young son, Todd, in his care. Matthew wants to return to driving coach for the express company soon—so he'll have to find a wife to look after the boy when he's away.

Shannon is determined not to lose her heart to a man who is neither a Southerner nor a gentleman. But love stakes its claim. Now, will her heart survive learning the truth behind the courtship?

Summer of Promise

"Summer of Promise is a riveting romance filled with mystery and a sweet love story. The setting of Amanda Cabot’s newest novel takes us back to Wyoming Territory in 1885. When Abigail Harding travels to Fort Laramie to see her sister she finds more adventure than she expected. I found life on an army post out on the frontier to be fascinating and the love story one of the best I’ve read this year.

From the back of the book:

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?

Smitten

When the small town of Smitten's mill closes the town may have no choice but to shut down. Four friends come up with a plan to save the town. Using the towns name, Smitten, they convince the residence to change it to a romantic retreat. Each of the four girls has their own romance written by a different author. Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, and Denise Hunter do an incredible job of working together to produce an excellent romance. I'm already looking forward to book two.

Book Description

Four friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country's premier romantic getaway-and each finds her own true love along the way.

With Smitten Lumber closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners-Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese--decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They'll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

As Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese work to save the town, each discovers romance in her own life. Meanwhile, the faith of a little child reminds the whole town what it means to have real faith in the God who is the always and forever Love.

Discover a novel written by four of Christian fiction's most popular romance novelists- friends in real life who've drawn an amazing story of four friends! Includes a Reading Group Guide as well as "Conversation over Coffee with the Authors".

The Christmas Witness

Susan Sleeman's The Christmas Witness is a suspense filled book that will bring you to the edge of your seat. When Megan Cash is threatened by the man she helped put behind bars, her only help comes from former FBI agent, Reid Morgan. Book three of the Morgan brother's series, the twist and turns kept me turning the page. Definitely a five star book you don't want to put down. It was like watching a movie at the theater (only the book is always better). Next time I open a Susan Sleeman book I'm going to make sure to have the popcorn ready.

From the back cover:

DON’T SAY A WORD!

When a criminal threatened to kill Megan Cash if she testified against him, she didn’t back down. Years later, he’s out of jail and ready for revenge against Megan and her daughter. The only one who can protect them is the former FBI agent who broke Megan’s heart.

But Reid Morgan isn’t the same man—he’s now a widowed father with a harrowing past. . .and a heart more guarded than ever. Still, he’s the only one who believes Megan when she says she’s in danger. Because someone wants to make this a Christmas she won’t live long enough to forget.

Love Finds You In Annapolis Maryland

Roseanna M. White's Love Finds You book is set in colonial times. The setting is well written, taking the reader back to a time in our history when life was very different. I enjoyed the authentic characters she created and the informational facts dealing with that time and the experiences our ancestors experienced shortly after the American Revolution.

The love story was unique and compelling. I love a story where you see the hero and heroine both grow to understand themselves and each others motives better. Roseanne White is a talented writer and I look forward to reading more of her historical romances in the future.

From the back of the book:
In 1783 peace has been declared, but
war still rages in the heart of Lark
Benton.
Never did Lark think she’d want to escape Emerson
Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life, but then
he betrays her with her cousin. She flees to
Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital, and
throws herself into a new circle of friends who force
her to examine all she believes.
Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his bride.
Surprised when she refuses to return with him, he
realizes that in this new country he has come to call
his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to
open his heart and soul to something greater…
before he loses all he should have been fighting to
hold

An Amish Wedding

Three Amish Novellas come together in An Amish Wedding. Like many American's I have a strange fascination about the world of Plain People. I enjoy reading books that give us a glimpse into the unique lifestyle of the Amish.

Three well-known authors, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller and Kelly Long have banded together to create this exceptional novel about three Amish girls that fall in love and prepare to marry. As I read the book it just kept getting better and better. If you're a fan of Amish stories this book will give you three stories to enjoy.

Overview posted on B&N:

Three Amish women yearn for the perfect wedding.

"A Perfect Plan" by Beth Wiseman

Priscilla King has been planning to marry Chester Lapp since she was sixteen years old, and when Chester proposes on Priscilla's nineteenth birthday, wedding plans begin immediately. What wasn't planned was all the problems the couple encounters as their big day approaches. A house disaster, a ruined wedding dress, and a sick attendant all make the couple wonder if God's sending them signs to call things off.

"The Perfect Match" by Kathleen Fuller

Naomi Fisher has had great success at matchmaking her family members and friends. Now with her sister's wedding right around the corner, Naomi wonders why she's able to find husbands for her friends and family, but not one for herself.

"The Perfect Secret" by Kelly Long

Rose Bender has recently become engaged to handsome but somber Luke Raber. She agrees out of a sense of duty and a willingness to settle for solid friendship as a basis for the engagement. But as she watches her friend's excitement over her soon-to-be wedding, Rose wonders if there shouldn't be more to her relationship with Luke. She begins to examine Luke and his life more closely and is amazed when she stumbles upon an exciting, secret side of him that engages her mind and heart.

As a bonus (like three stories isn't enough!) they've included Old Order Amish recipes in the back.

Marrying Miss Marshall

Lacy Williams debut novel, Marrying Miss Marshal, is a five star historical romance with believable characters the reader can identify with. Filled with action and a heroine like none other, Marrying Miss Marshal is fast paced and well written.

Lacy’s descriptive writing paints a realistic picture of the old west. A unique plot with unexpected twist and turns keeps you wanting to read more. Without giving anything away I will say that my favorite part (well one of many favorite parts) had me cheering … out loud... in a public place.

From the back of the book:

Filling the shoes of her late husband as town marshal hasn't been easy for Danna Carpenter. She's not only fighting criminals, she's also fighting to earn the respect of the townspeople. So crossing paths with tenderfoot detective Chas O'Grady is the last thing she needs. He's hunting a band of cattle rustlers and isn't used to the rugged Wyoming landscape. Teaming up is their only option, but when circumstances place them in a compromising situation, the town forces a more permanent partnership—marriage. If they can let down their guards with each other they might find that love is the greatest catch of all.

I’m happy to share that Lacy Williams next book, THE HOMESTEADER'S SWEETHEART will be out in May 2012 as well as another book (untitled for now) in December 2012. I know I’m looking forward to reading both of them. Available right now she has an ebook novella HEART OF GOLD out and its free on Amazon and Barns and Nobel!

I loved reading Marrying Miss Marshal so much I ended up with an extra copy. It can be yours! Just leave a message to be entered into the drawing. If you have read her book and would like to leave a comment for Lacy she will be stopping by or you can visit her at http://www.lacyjwilliams.com/ .