Band Of Sisters

Maureen O’Reilly and her younger sister flee Ireland in hope of claiming the life promised to their father over twenty years before. After surviving the rigors of Ellis Island, Maureen learns that their benefactor, Colonel Wakefield, has died. His family, refusing to own his Civil War debt, casts her out. Alone, impoverished, and in danger of deportation, Maureen connives to obtain employment in a prominent department store. But she soon discovers that the elegant facade hides a secret that threatens every vulnerable woman in the city.

Despite her family’s disapproval, Olivia Wakefield determines to honor her father’s debt but can’t find Maureen. Unexpected help comes from a local businessman, whom Olivia begins to see as more than an ally, even as she fears the secrets he’s hiding. As women begin disappearing from the store, Olivia rallies influential ladies in her circle to help Maureen take a stand against injustice and fight for the lives of their growing band of sisters. But can either woman open her heart to divine leading or the love it might bring?

Cathy Gohlke has written a fascinating story about life for an immigrant in the United States and the pitfalls women faced alone in a new country. A thought provoking, page turner that will keep your light on well into the night. Highly recommended.

Please visit the author's website at http://authorcathygohlke.com/.

Jody

My copy of Band of Sisters was provided by Tyndale House Publishers for my honest review.

Over The Edge

The third book in Mary Connealy's Kincaid Brides series is just as enchanting as the first two books.

This book centers on Seth, the third Kincaid brother.

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

Revisit with Rafe and Julia, Ethan and Audra and get to know Seth and Callie and a few other new characters. And maybe we'll even find out what happened to the fortune Julia's father is supposed to have hidden before he died.

Highly recommended - but be sure to read the series in order as they do build on each other.

Jody

My copy of this book was graciously provided by Bethany House Publishers for my honest review.