The Merchant’s Daughter by Jill Williamson

Review by Jill Williamson

For years Annabel’s family shirked their duties and now that Lord Ranulf is moving to town, they must pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the responsibility falls to Annabel. She must marry the evil bailiff or become Lord Ranulf’s servant. Choosing the lesser of two evils, she packs her bags and begins three years of indentured servitude.

But life with Lord Ranulf is not as horrible as she feared. Though the man has a horrible temper and is scarred and disfigured, he allows Annabel to read from the bible, something she has always dreamed of doing. But when Annabel is attacked and a man gravely injured, everything good hangs in the balance, including Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s futures.

Oooh, I love a good romance novel! And Melanie Dickerson writes very sweet romance novels. But they’re fairytales, and fairytales always include an evil villain and danger. The Merchant’s Daughter did not disappoint. I loved Annabel and Lord Ranulf’s characters. I loved the initial misunderstandings, and I especially loved how it all worked out in the end. If you love fairytale romances, this one is a must read.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: a fairy tale romance
Part of a Series: The second Melanie Dickerson fairy tale romance
Pages: 288 pages
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2011

 

Review: The Healer’s Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson

Click on the cover to view on Amazon.com.

Review by Jill Williamson

Rose has begun her training as the healer’s apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.

One day, when the master healer is away, Lord Hamlin, heir to Hagenheim Castle, is brought in with a grievous wound. Rose is the only one who can help. As she struggles to do a good job, she cannot help but notice how handsome and kind Lord Hamlin is. But she is a mere peasant, and Lord Hamlin is betrothed to another. Rose must fight against her attraction and focus on becoming a healer. For that is her destiny, is it not?

Melanie Dickerson writes a wonderful fairy tale romance. Her characters are noble and good, yet struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes fail. She paints a realistic medieval world from the beauty of Hagenheim Castle to the laws that governed society then. I was drawn in from page one and read the whole book in one day. If you love medieval stories, fairy tales, and romance, you must read this book. I’m so excited about Melanie Dickerson’s writing. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.

Age Range: 12 and up
Genre: Historical romance
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 257
Publisher: Zondervan
Released: 2010

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

The Bridegrooms by Allison Pittman

 

 

Click on the cover to read more reviews on Amazon.com

Review by Jill Williamson

This book is about Vada and her sisters in the year 1898. The four girls live with their doctor father in Ohio. Vada is engaged to a sweet man named Garrison, who loves music and the violin as much as she does. But Garrison still hasn’t set a date for their marriage and Vada is starting to feel like he never May.

She comes home one day to find a baseball team, the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, in her home. A spectator was hit with a pitch and Vada’s father is seeing to the man. Vada and her sister’s lived are turned upside down by all these new, strange visitors, including a flirtatious reporter looking for a big scoop on the injured man. Vada falls into much confusion with so many male suitors hanging around.

I was drawn to this book by the cover. It reminded me of Little Women, and in a way, it quite similar. Both books are about four sisters living in the 1800s and their romantic opportunities. The Bridegrooms was an interesting and fun read. Vada is confused about her relationship with her boyfriend and gets herself into a lot of mischief. I couldn’t help but feel bad for poor Garrison, even if he is a little slow on the proposal. Pittman’s characters are unique and fun. Each sister, especially, was so different from the other, I felt like I knew this family well. This is a fun story for girls who like historical fiction with some romance in it.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Historical fiction
Part of a Series: No
Pages: 335
Publisher: Multnomah
Released: 2010
 

*I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Review: Love Finds You in Last Chance California by Miralee Ferrell

Review by Jill Williamson

Alexia Travers’ father has unexpectedly died and left her alone with a horse ranch to run. Alexia has no desire to sell or marry away her burdens. She loves working the ranch, despite what the ladies in town think of a woman wearing trousers and doing men’s work. But the trouble has only begun. Horses are being stolen, her ranch hands are quitting, and it’s starting to look like her father’s death was more than just an accident.

Then Justin Phillips shows up and asks for a job. Justin is hardworking and able but brings with him a mystery of his own, including a small son. He claims the boy’s mother died recently, but some of the people in Last Change are suspicious of Justin. They claim he looks like a local horse thief. Alex doesn’t know what to think or who to trust. But if something doesn’t change soon, she might lose the ranch and everything she’s known her entire life.

Miralee Ferrell drew me into this western adventure with a mysterious plot and relatable characters. I love a girl who wears britches in historical stories, and Alexia is a great and capable heroine. It was exciting to watch her trust God and let go of her own control a bit. I enjoyed all the characters in this story, especially Justin’s little boy, Toby, who just wants to “wide the horsey.”

I highly recommend this book for readers looking for a sweet romance, some mystery, and a little Wild West adventure. Love Finds You in Last Chance, California has it all.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Romance
Part of a Series: No, but it is part of the Love Finds You in… line.
Pages: 312
Publisher: Summerside
Released: 2009

Review: Before the Season Ends by Linore Rose Burkard

Review by Jill Williamson

England, 1813. A time when a young lady’s life was all about finding the best husband. Country girl Ariana Forsythe’s parents do not approve of the man she has set her sights on and send her to London to live with her rich Aunt Bentley. Ariana can hardly wait to see the city, a place filled with history, museums, and art. Aunt Bentley has different ideas of how Ariana will spend her time, however, and drags Ariana on countless shopping trips to prepare for her debut into society.

But Aunt Bentley over exaggerates. Arianna is not the eldest daughter nor does she have a large inheritance, though no man could doubt it the way Aunt Bentley presents her niece. Ariana feels as though she is deceiving everyone she meets. She does not wish for a rich husband. She only wants one who loves God as much as she does.

Ariana seems to attract disaster. A misunderstanding with a rich and powerful woman results in a vicious rumor about Ariana and London’s current rich and rouge bachelor, Philip Mornay. Despite Philip’s indifference toward young women seeking a husband, he offers to help Ariana dispel these rumors by pretending to court her. Ariana’s faith and future are on the line. Will Philip’s intentions help to clear her name? And can she resist giving her heart to a man who does not share her love of God?

What a delightful read! I love books based on this period in history. Ms. Burkard has written a wonderful story of the complications of high society life in regency England. Her characters were both charming and deep. I longed for Ariana to find what she really wanted and get away from her manipulating aunt. But Ms. Burkard found clever ways to overcome each worrisome development Ariana managed to get herself into. I highly recommend this novel for those who love Jane Austen and romance stories.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Historical romance
Part of a Series: yes
Pages: 338
Publisher: Harvest House
Released: 2008