Best book ever by Kim Vogel Sawyer! Echoes of Mercy

If you have been reading my blog for very long, you know that Kim Vogel Sawyer is one of my favorite authors. She writes romances in both contemporary and historical genres. With Echoes of Mercy, she has also added romantic suspense to her categories so you get two stories for the price of one--her always sweet romance plus a second thread of suspense and danger. But if you are a member of the "Big Honkin' Chickens Club" as I am, you don't have to worry that the suspense will be of the Stephen King variety, but it does add another exciting element to the story, and I hope she will continue along this line.

This story covers child labor laws and reformers in the early twentieth century in Kansas, but this info is shown as part of the story in such a natural way that you learn about it without feeling like you are in school. 

Caroline Lang's undercover work at Dinsmore's World Famous Chocolate Factory is as in investigator for the Labor Commission. She meets Ollie Moore who is working as a janitor there. They disagree on child labor laws, but soon both bond with a family of young children in need.

The ending is one of my favorites, too, but I won't reveal more about it except to say it shows how God works everything out even better than we could have imagined. (Ephesians 3:20) This book has just been released, so hurry and buy or order a copy!

A review copy was sent to my by the publisher, but all comments are solely my own.

Rose's Book Review of With Autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot

Just finished another great historical book this past week--With Autumn's Return by Amanda Cabot. This is the third book in a series, and I hadn't read the other two, but there was enough info to cue me in that this book was about the third sister. For those who read the first two books, there is a reunion in the epilogue. But, you can definitely enjoy this book if you haven't read the others, although you may want to because Ms. Cabot has an engaging way of writing historicals.

This book has romance and much more.  The heroine, Dr. Elizabeth Harding moves to Cheyenne, Wyoming, to open her medical practice. The hero, Jason Nordling, is a lawyer with his office right next door to hers. In spite of their contrary opinions on several things, they grow in admiration for each other. You'll enjoy the twists and turns of their romance.

The story starts with one murder and ends with another that almost leads to a third death. Read this book to find out who the murderer and the one who is almost murdered is. Highly recommend!

Although this book was sent by the publisher as a review copy, these comments are all my own.

Book Giveaway--A Christmas Homecoming by MaryAnn Diorio

Sorry I am late posting this month's book giveaway. I read this book over a year ago, and the author MaryAnn Diorio sent me an extra copy a couple weeks ago to use as a giveaway. I am sharing the review I wrote last year to explain that even though it has a Christmas setting, this story of forgiveness and love is good any time of the year. I hope you will read the review then leave a comment before February 1st when we will pick a winner. Then you can read the book now or wait til next Dec., and maybe even give it away as a gift. To be eligible you have to leave a comments with an email address and have a US mailing address.
Review:
I started A Christmas Homecoming one evening and finished it the next morning by lunch because I couldn't wait to find out how it would end! Although the beginning of the story is filled with quite a bit of drama and angst, I was pleased to find a happy ending since that is the kind of books I love to read and write. This heart-warming story overflows with forgiveness--both giving and receiving it.

Think of it as a Hallmark movie with so much conflict you are not sure how the author can pull it all together that then culminates with an ending so happy your eyes are filled with tears of joy. And all wrapped up in a nice holiday package on Christmas Day.