The Apothecary's Daughter

by Julie Klassen

Genre: Regency Romance, Young Adult, Adult

Rating: Clean

Summary:

As Lilly toils in her father's apothecary shop, preparing herbs and remedies by rote, she is haunted by memories of her mother's disappearance. Villagers whisper the tale, but her father refuses to discuss it. All the while, she dreams of the world beyond --- of travel and adventure and romance.

When a relative offers to host her in London, Lilly discovers the pleasures and pitfalls of fashionable society and suitors, as well as clues about her mother. But will Lilly find what she is searching for --- the truth of the past and a love for the future?

Personal Review: 

I loved this book. What I like about Julie Klassen's books is that they are very well paced. She takes the time to develop her plot lines and characters, there isn't too much going on, and yet it never gets boring. And what girl doesn't like a well written romance? Good Read!

-Curry

If you enjoyed this you might like:

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

Becoming Lady Lockwood by Jennifer Moore

Vienna Prelude

Review by heyes

Vienna Prelude (Zion Covenant #1)

by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: War, Some intense scenes; mentions past indiscretions

Summary:

In 1936 Nazi darkness descends upon Europe. Every person is only one step away from being swept into the nightmarish tide of evil. Blond Elisa Lindheim, and violinist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, adopts an Aryan stage name for protection. But her closest friend, Leah, a talented Jewish cellist, is in perilous position.

There are those who choose to fight Hitler's madness. Elisa's father Theo. A courageous American reporter, John Murphy. Winston Churchill, the British statesman. A farm family in the Tyrolean Alps. The Jewish Underground. But will all their efforts be enough to stop the coming Holocaust?

And now Elisa must decide. If she becomes part of the Underground, she will risk everything... and puts everyone she loves in danger (Goodreads)

Personal Review: 

This book was so fun to read because it is about WW2 which is both fascinating and disturbing to me. I like to understand how it was to be in the middle of what probably seemed like the end of the world even if it was through the eyes of a fictional character. The truth is that there could have been 100 Elizas who struggled with the same things. There is just enough romance in this book to keep romance addicts reading, and while it talks of past transgressions, the characters are moral and the book teaches good principles. Past mistakes are looked at as mistakes. As a hopeless romantic myself and a proud American, I was rooting for Murphy but I love the hopeless unrequited love anyday. Great book, great series. By the way this is not a religious book.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy:

-Prague Counterpoint by Bodie and Brock Thoene

-A Countess Below Stairs by Iva Ibbotson

-The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Gods and Kings

Review by heyes

Gods and Kings

by Lynn Austin

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Literature, Historical Romance

Rating: Y

Content: I am calling this book clean. However there is Idol worship, and violence, and religious stuff.

Summary:

Gods and Kings is the story of King Hezekiah, heir to the throne of King David. When his evil father plots to sacrifice him, Hezekiah's mother, Abijah, searches frantically for a way to save him. But only two men can help her, and neither of them seems trustworthy. In a time and place engulfed by violence, treachery, and infidelity to Yahweh, Abijah and her son must discover the one true Source of strength if they are to save themselves and their country. Book 1 of Chronicles of the Kings. (Goodreads)

Personal Review:

So I loved this book. Being Christian myself, this book especially brought the Old testament to life for me. But you don’t have to be Christian to enjoy this book. It is only considered Christian literature because it is based off of scriptures in the Old Testament, when really what is the Old Testament but a history book written from various peoples’ points of view? (an inspired history book, but history none the less.) I thought that this book was written very well. Lynn Austin has many books in different genres and this series is my first of hers but I am excited to read more. There is idolatry in it, even sacrificing children to Molech(fire), the King has concubines, and Assyria is gross. I still give this a clean rating because none of it is glorified, it is true to the time period, and you learn about it in history before you can reach this level of reading and its history.

-heyes

If you liked this you may also enjoy

-The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
-The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas

As You Are

Review by Felicity

As You Are

by: Sarah M. Eden

Genre: Regency Romance

Rating: Y

Content: Clean

Summary:  (back of book)

A horse breeder by trade, Corbin Jonquil is more at home in the stables than in the ballroom of his sprawling estate. Corbin is the quietest of the Jonquil brothers and has always faded into the background, contentedly unnoticed. When a mysterious young widow, Mrs. Clara Bentford, moves into the neighborhood, however, Corbin quickly comes to realize that being noticed has its advantages. But how to catch the eye of the lady? According to his brothers, Corbin need only make a few simple changes to transform himself into the object of any woman's desire dubious advice, indeed. Following a series of misadventures, Corbin and Clara slowly lower the facades behind which they've been hiding, leaving Corbin shocked by the horrors that haunt the woman he's coming to care for so ardently. When the menace of Clara's past threatens to tear them apart and tensions mount, will the couple have the courage to fight for the promise of forever?

Personal Review:

This is my new favorite of Sarah Eden’s books. Corbin is not your usual hero which makes him all the better. I also love how you get to see so many other characters from her other books. I suggest reading ‘Seeking Persephone’ if you haven’t already because my favorite part of this book is when the Duke of Kielder makes an appearance.

- Felicity

If you like this you may also like:

Seeking Persephone by Sarah M. Eden

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

The Tutor’s Daughter by Julie Klassen

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Review by Curry

The Scarlet Pimpernel

by Baroness Emmuska Orczy

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Adult, Young Adult

Rating: Y

Content: Some mild violence (non-descriptive)

Summary:

Armed with only his wits and his cunning, one man recklessly defies the French revolutionaries and rescues scores of innocent men, women, and children from the deadly guillotine. His friends and foes know him only as the Scarlet Pimpernel. But the ruthless French agent Chauvelin is sworn to discover his identity and to hunt him down.

Personal Review:

This is a good classic read. I love the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I had seen both the movie and the play before I had read the book. When I read the book I was a little surprised to find that it was mostly written from the view of Marguerite and that Percy is not in it very much, Whereas in the movies and the play Percy is the lead character. I still really enjoyed the book. The story has some suspense as well as romance, and it is all set in a real life time of terror in our world’s history. It’s a great story. (P.s. see the play if you get a chance!)

- Curry

If you liked this you might also like:

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

Friends and Foes by Sarah Eden

North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell

Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle

Review by heyes

Sylvester or The Wicked Uncle

By Georgette Heyer  

Genre: Regency, Romance, Historical Fiction

Rating: Y

Content: References to past indiscretions

Summary:

The arrogant, yet correctly civil, Duke of Salford knows exactly what he wants for a bride. Phoebe Marlow is not it. She meets none of his requirements and she is the author of a novel that is causing all kinds of gossip...and he is the main character.

Personal Review:

I loved it. Georgette Heyer’s style of writing is witty and clever. Georgette Heyer is great at character development and she is so historically accurate(at least as far as I know.) I love the clear growth of the relationships between characters. Phoebe is amazing. If you like Pride and Prejudice you will also enjoy this one. The reference to previous indiscretions(typical for period novels) is vague so I wouldn’t worry about it too much. If you are concerned you can find it mentioned between pages 1-16. After that there is no reference it.

-heyes

If you liked this book, you may also like:

Arabella by Georgette Heyer

The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen

The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden