The Sheepish Scribe

Echoes of Titanic by Mindy Starns Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very different type of book than I normally read. I'm not exactly sure what genre it is... maybe cozy mystery? It is two stories, one of Adele Brennen who survived - or did she? - the Titanic and one of Kelsey Tate, her great-granddaughter, and how they are connected.

Kelsey's world is shaken to the core when her mentor is found dead in the office, a long-lost cousin surfaces to claim Adele died on the Titanic, and her ex-boyfriend offers to help her sort it all out.

Engaging story with plenty of twist and turns to keep the reader guessing what comes next. Well done history on the Titanic as well, brought vividly to life in the scenes on board the ship. Wonderful warm, and unexpected, ending to wrap it all up.

A Home for My Heart by Anne Mateer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A heartwarming story of a young woman's desire to save the orphanage she grew up in. No surprises in this one with a nice underlying message about learning to trust God and His plans. A light read for a lazy afternoon. Suitable for any age.

Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna M. White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second in a series and I'll need to go back and get the first book. Well done historical romance with interesting characters and a solid love story. I would recommend reading book one first. There is enough backstory to catch the reader up, but it certainly flows out of book one.

Gwyneth (love that name!) Fairchild is a British general's daughter who lands in the United States during the War of 1812. Thad Lane is a 2nd generation American intelligence officer. Gwyneth arrives traumatized and emotionally wounded. Thad steps into his comfortable role as protector. Add his eccentric family, her dangerous family, their assortment of friends, the mutual romantic spark... and it makes for a page-turning tale.

Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read a Gothic novel in... probably 35 years. My grandmother loved them. She read voraciously and Gothics were her favorite. They never were mine. But this story is good. Very good. A real page-turner.

This isn't a spoiler, but I'll tell you, the story doesn't end. It's the first of a series and it leaves the reader hanging. If you like that type of series, you'll love it. If it annoys you no end to have a story with loose ends flapping in the wind, wait until the rest of the series is written and then pick them all up.

Julia Elliston's life is a wreck and going downhill. As any woman in Victorian England, her only option is to marry. When her childhood love turns to the church - abhorrent to her atheist upbringing - she does whatever she can to find a husband before her mysterious guardian can send her away to Scotland and a life of servitude.

Wonderfully dark with crumbling castles and wet, gloomy days, Jessica Dotta hits a home run with the setting. The characters are strong and complex, adding a lot to the plot twists and turns. This is the author's debut novel and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love the humor and spark between the hero and heroine in this story. What fun! It reminds me of a good John Wayne movie, like "Rooster Cogburn" or "Rio Bravo." The humor is spunky and fresh, not slap-stick goofy. The characters are lively and original. The storyline is intriguing and page-turning.

This is the third in a series and I didn't even realize that when I started reading it. It makes a great stand-alone story. However - now I must go back and purchase the two leading up to it! Because this one is such a good read, I have to know what came before.

If you like historical westerns with a dose of romance and intrigue, I can highly recommend this story. It is suitable for any age.

I was privileged to get an Advanced Reader's Copy, but you can pre-order "Gunpowder Tea" at Amazon or through your local Christian Bookstore if you're blessed enough to have one.