Three Reviews: Books with Strong Heroines

I love books that have women who know what they want and don't let anyone dissuade them from accomplishing their goals. These books have just such women.

The title and cover photo show you how feisty this heroine is.

I found A Talent for Trouble to be extremely amusing. I've not met Ms. Turano in person, but she must have a hint of mischief living inside her because once again she's written a lovely heroine with a mischievous side. I loved Felicia Murdock and her penchant for life. After a disappointment, she decides to be what she's always wanted to be - herself. Doing so lands her into some unfortunate circumstances, which I found funny because I can see myself doing the same things, if I had been in the same situations.

Back cover:

Miss Felicia Murdock firmly believed her destiny was to become a minister's wife. When the minister on whom she had set her sights marries another lady, Felicia is forced to take a close look at her life and comes to a few uncomfortable conclusions. Determined that something needs to change--and soon--Felicia discovers she is finally ready to spread her wings and embrace life the way she's always wanted. 

Grayson Sumner--or Lord Sefton, as he's officially known--has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a normal, respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some well-meaning friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter a young lady who seems to have become quite adventurous and quite determined to get herself into all sorts of troublesome situations. 

Intent on remaining independent, Felicia is reluctant to accept Grayson's help, especially as she finds herself developing feelings for him. However, just as Grayson decides he's had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in her life has endangered Felicia. Will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?

Roses: 5.5 - for making me laugh  :)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This heroine doesn't at first seem to be strong, but it takes a strong woman to submit the way she does. That's all the hint I'm going to give. :)

I enjoyed this sweet romance. From the first words of Perfectly Matched to the last, we get to see the growth of two people as they struggled through the highs and lows of marriage - whether by mail-order or by choice. Ms. Brendan's way of showing how marriage is never about one person's desires made me appreciate my spouse more.


Back cover:

Anna Olsen knows it's time to leave her sister's increasingly crowded house and start a life of her own. Following her sisters' examples, she becomes a mail-order bride, and after a short correspondence with clock maker and jeweler Edward Parker, she moves to Denver to become his wife. Almost immediately it's painfully apparent that Anna and Edward are very different. Anna is a free spirit who would rather be painting and enjoying the company of friends than cleaning house. Edward is a consummate perfectionist who, on their wedding day, hands Anna a list of chores that need to be done around the house daily. 

Can this mismatched couple see past their differences to a harmonious future? Or will their disparate passions create obstacles neither is willing to surmount? 

Maggie Brendan closes her Blue Willow Brides series with a heartwarming tale of true love despite misunderstanding, showing readers that God's timing is always perfect.

Roses: 4.7

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And lastly the spunkiest of all. :)

I just love spunky heroines and Laurie Alice Eakes has given us just such a character in Reluctant Courtship. Honore Bainbridge trusted too much and made some bad choices. She did it with a clean heart, but now she is being punished by society and her family. We see her angst, and her attempts to do her best despite other's opinions.

This book also touched something deeper in me. The difference between right and wrong is not determined by our past experience, though we tend to view circumstances through those experiences. Both Honore and Lord Ashmoor have to look past their past and see the future with new eyes.

Back cover:

A woman without a prospect. A man without a homeland. Can love give them a future?

Honore Bainbridge has been courted by two men, one of whom turned out to be a traitor, the other a murderer. Banished to her family’s country estate, where she will hopefully stay out of trouble, she finally meets the man she is sure is exactly right for her: Lord Ashmoor. Tall, dark, and handsome—what more could a girl ask for? 

But he too is under suspicion because of his American upbringing and accusations that he has helped French prisoners escape from Dartmoor Prison. If he’s to keep out of a British prison himself and secure his place in British society, Lord Ashmoor needs a wife beyond reproach—something the vexingly beautiful Honore certainly is not. Though they find themselves drawn to each other, family obligations may conspire to keep them apart forever.

For the sake of her heart, Honore determines to prove Ashmoor’s innocence—even if doing so risks her own life.

From the first sentence, award-winning author Laurie Alice Eakes thrusts you into high drama amid the rocky cliffs of Devonshire, England, and keeps you suspended there until the final page.

Roses: 4.9 - for giving me a spunky heroine

Links to purchase:
A Talent for Trouble
Perfectly Matched
A Reluctant Courtship

Blessings,
Ginger