My Recommendation: Love in Disguise by Carol Cox

What It's About:
When costume-maker Ellie Moore suddenly finds herself out of a job in the middle of a bleak Chicago winter, she uses her knowledge of theatrical disguise to secure a position as an undercover operative with the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Her assignment: find the culprit behind the theft of silver shipped from the mines near Pickford, Arizona.

Disguised as Lavinia Stewart, a middle-aged widow, Ellie begins her investigation. Soon she finds she must also pose as the dazzling young Jessie Monroe, whose vivacious personality encourages people to talk.

Mine owner Steven Pierce is about to lose his business after the theft of several bullion shipments--until hope arrives in the unlikely form of Lavinia Stewart, who offers to invest in Steven's mine. In his wildest dreams, Steven never expected to be rescued by an inquisitive gray-haired widow...or to fall head over heels for Lavinia's captivating niece, Jessie.

But then the thieves come after both Lavinia and Jessie. Ellie isn't safe no matter which character she plays! Will she be forced to reveal her true identity before the criminals are caught? What will Steven do when he discovers the woman he loves doesn't exist?


My Thoughts:
I was intrigued to see how Ellie would handle playing two different people, which she pulls off quite well! I loved the humor, adventure, romance and suspense of this story. Though I had my suspicions on who was in on the silver thefts, Cox does a good job of keeping you guessing right up to the end. I also enjoyed that this story didn't feature the typical gorgeous heroine - Ellie is described several times as being quite plain. This added to the realness of her character and the very satisfying, happy ending!

Find it here on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Character Reveal!

Back in October, I ran a review contest for my debut novel LADY OUTLAW. The winner was Janet Ruth of Along the Way who got to have a character in one of my WWI books named after her. Today I thought I'd give a sneak peek of the character who has Janet's name in the second book in the series.

Janet is a Army Nurse Corp nurse like the book's heroine Evelyn. They meet toward the end of the book when Evelyn is transferred to an evacuation hospital near the front lines. Conditions at the front were not only dangerous during WWI - hospitals near the front lines could come under enemy fire - but the food was bad and the mud was worse. Still, positions so close to the front like this were coveted spots for nurses.

Evelyn and Janet experience all of these hardships at the evacuation hospital. Janet, however, remains cheerful, despite the rough situation. When Evelyn questions her tent mate about her optimism, she learns about the tragedy that changed both Janet's life and her perspective. Janet's story touches Evelyn and allows her to view her own past and mistakes in a different light. Janet has become one of those secondary characters, who I think, add so much to the story and to the hero and heroine's lives.

And speaking of characters, I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode of Downton Abbey's 3rd Season! I love the new dramas and conflicts and situations, both upstairs and down.

If I had to pick my favorite characters from the show, it would probably be Matthew, Mary and Anna. I like that despite their disagreements, some quite large, Mary and Matthew still love each other. And sweet Anna - what a determined woman to see her wronged husband set free. Of course, I'd also have to say the show wouldn't be as good without the grandmother's witty one-liners that keep me laughing.

Who's your favorite Downton Abbey character?

Joy Journal

• Saw the movie Les Miserables (loved it!)
• Watched Mythbusters with my boys
• Deep cleaned and reorganized my kitchen

My Recommendation: The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

I can't think of a better way to start out the new year than with a recommendation for a great book in one of my favorite genres - inspirational historical fiction.

What It's About:
Pampered Margaret Macy flees London in disguise to escape pressure to marry a dishonorable man. With no money and nowhere else to go, she takes a position as a housemaid in the home of Nathaniel Upchurch, a suitor she once rejected in hopes of winning his dashing brother. Praying no one will recognize her, Margaret fumbles through the first real work of her life. If she can last until her next birthday, she will gain an inheritance from a spinster aunt--and sweet independence. But can she remain hidden as a servant even when prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall?

Observing both brothers as an "invisible" servant, Margaret learns she may have misjudged Nathaniel. Is it too late to rekindle his admiration? And when one of the family is nearly killed, Margaret alone discovers who was responsible. Should she come forward, even at the risk of her reputation and perhaps her life? And can she avoid an obvious trap meant to force her from hiding?
 
My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I've read several of Julie Klassen's novels, and while I enjoyed the others, this one was by far my favorite. I read it in one day - part of that was because I was sick in bed, but part of it was because it was such a fun story and I had to know what was going to happen next. This book delivers the perfect combination of interesting characters, romance, mystery and life in a great English house.

While the book takes place in 1815, I found the portrayal of life upstairs and down in a wealthy household to be very similar to Downton Abbey - which starts up again in just a few days! - though the show takes place in the early 20th century. Crazy to see how little things changed between servants and masters in the course of a 100 years!

Find it here on Amazon and here at Barnes and Noble.

Unto us . . .

As the year winds down, I offer my heartfelt thanks to each of you for reading, commenting and allowing me the chance to get to know you better through this blog. This has been an incredible year, both incredibly wonderful and incredibly hard.

May God bless each of you - and may your holiday and the new year be full of the hope and peace that only Christ, our Savior, can bring. Merry Christmas! See you in 2013.

Rebecca's Rose by Jennifer Beckstrand

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book - inspirational romance - I occasionally share my recommendations for books in this genre.

Rebecca's Rose by Jennifer Beckstrand

What It's About:
When his widowed mother marries an outsider, Levi Cooper's family leaves the Amish community and Levi is raised Englisch. But Levi's world is shattered when the only father he knows divorces his mother and turns his back on the family. In his anger, Levi causes an accident that alters his life forever and sets him on the path of self-destruction. Does the pretty Amish girl from his old community hold the key to his heart and his redemption?

With her mother so ill, Rebecca Miller runs her household, cares for the small farm, and watches after her younger siblings while her father, unwilling to care for his wife, is absent for days at a time working out-of-town jobs. Even though she feels trapped in her dismal life, Rebecca is determined to fulfill the promise she made to a dying friend. Englischer Levi Cooper, with uncommon good looks and a mischievous glint in his eye, might be the boy who can help her do just that. But will his secrets tear them apart or will their growing attachment lead to the loss of everything she holds dear?

My Thoughts:
This is the first Amish book I've ever read and I quite enjoyed it! It was interesting learning about the Amish culture - this book takes place among the Wisconsin Amish. I really liked both Levi and Rebecca, and the romance between them is sweet and deep and wonderful. I also thought the conflict these two have to deal with is difficult yet poignant. This is the second of Jennifer's books, and although I haven't read the first, I didn't feel like I had to in order to "get" this story. It's a great read!  

Find it here on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble.  

Joy Journal (Not sure what this is? Read last week's post here.)

• Made two chocolate pies for Thanksgiving!
• Found a good historical detail in my book research!
• Put up our Christmas tree as a family!

Have you read any Amish fiction? Do you have a favorite author of Amish fiction?

Out of the Norm

Right now I have four books on my nightstand that I've started, am half-way through or nearly finished. This is not normal for me. I typically have to read and complete one book before starting another, although sometimes I can do two, but four? :) And you'll notice none of these are my go-to genre - historical romances! Here they are:

Two of these books I'm reading (or re-reading in the case of Jane Austen Ruined My Life - it's my pick for next month) are for the book club I'm in. This month's book is Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy. I'd never heard of this one, but I've found it to be a really interesting read. It highlights a handful of US Senators through the ages and the critical decisions that required them to exercise courage, even at the cost of their careers and popularity.

That's what I love about being in a book club - I get to read things I wouldn't normally pick up. Take last month for example when we read the fantasy thriller Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Fantasy isn't often on my to-read list and thrillers never :), but I really enjoyed the book.

So in amongst all the historicals, I find it's nice now and then to try something completely different. Like the four above. Now to finish them!

Do you read one or more books at a time? What's your go-to genre? Are you in a book club - if so, what types of books do you read?

WWI on My Mind

I'm in the middle of writing Book #2 in my WWI series. So although it's 2012 in the real world, it's 1918 in my head! :) I think this time period is so fascinating - the clothes, the cars, the budding technology, the brutality of a war where tanks, airplanes and machine guns were new. I also love the lesser known pieces of history from WWI.

This is a propaganda poster from 1917. Both liberty bonds and propaganda play a part in my first book in this series, which explores the conflict of a schoolteacher and a German-American handyman who fall in love while anti-German hysteria divides the population of their small Iowa town.

I knew a little about the German prejudice during WWI from a couple other novels I'd read, but it wasn't until I began researching it for this book, that I realized how rampant it really was. German-Americans changed their last names, German-sounding streets or cities were also changed, even sauerkraut became "liberty cabbage." German-Americans were forced to buy liberty bonds, were tarred and feathered, were made to kiss the flag and subjected to numerous other injustices. It was both interesting and sad to read accounts of what many Germans here in the U.S. faced during the war.

How much do you know about WWI? Is it a time period that you find interesting or would like to learn more about? Like me, are you counting down the days until Downton Abbey starts again? :)

Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere giveaway. The winners of the two advanced reader copies are ... karenk and Jes! I'll be emailing you, ladies, for your addresses. Congratulations; it's a great read. The book releases October 30th, but you can pre-order it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.