Suddenly a Frontier Father

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COTE, LYN
SUDDENLY FRONTIER FATHER

His Ready-Made Family

Mason Chandler is home to meet his mail-order bride -- six months too late! Little wonder Emma Jones wants to honor his letter releasing her from their agreement, especially when Mason has returned from his father's deathbed with two adopted girls in tow. And the dark secret he's hiding makes the homesteader feel unworthy to woo anyone.

As the new schoolteacher in Pepin,Wisconsin, Emma can support herself without a husband. Yet she's touched by Mason's kindness to his half-sister and her orphaned companion. Taking the little girls under her wing comes naturally to Emma -- and they dearly want her for their mama. Can Mason break free of his past to fight for their surprise family?

Frontier Brides: Finding love -- and a fresh start -- on the frontier

My Review:

Tough homesteader doting on his little girls. Sigh. Trying to fuss with their hair and press their pinafores for school. Double sigh. Mason had my heart the moment he stepped back into Pepin even though I knew he stood up Emma six months earlier. Because I was there for Emma's sister's story in Frontier Want Ad Bride when they got off the ferry to discover only one groom was waiting on shore. Asa's and Judith's story is wonderful but not necessary to have read in order to enjoy this one.

Emma has found her place -- and a way to make a living-- working as the community's schoolteacher. Consequently, she is no longer in need of a husband -- especially one who has stayed away so long.  But then she meets Mason. And Birdie and Charlotte and feels her heart tugging in a direction she'd vowed she wouldn't go again. Besides, Mason runs alternately hot and cold and she can't figure him out. Except little bits of her heart keep melting every time she sees him with his girls. (And so did mine!) Wary romance, choice tidbits of frontier life and a surprising plot twist make this an incredible read.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Suddenly a Frontier Father, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email in a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday Feb 4 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Frontier Want Ad Bride

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COTE, LYN
FRONTIER WANT AD BRIDE

Bride by Mail

Mail-order bride Judith Jones has barely arrived in Pepin, Wisconsin, before she's whisked away to prepare for her wedding to Asa Brant. Though something about Asa seems so familiar, how do two strangers become husband and wife? Especially when Judith senses Asa's hidden sorrow. His kindness in helping two young orphans could win her heart...if only he'd open up to her.

Determined to start over after four years of brutal war, Asa moved away and sent for a mail-order bride. He had no idea the woman answering his ad would be the sister of his former soldier in arms. The less he reveals, the fewer painful memories there are to confront. But Judith's compassion -- and two loving children -- might just show them the path to true happiness.

Wilderness Brides : Finding love -- and a fresh start -- on the frontier

My Review:

There's something so scrumptiously delicious about a mail-order bride story. As archaic as that sounds (and you can be sure I'd run screaming to the hills before allowing myself to get roped into such an arrangement) I sure do enjoy reading about it! Especially when the tale is as exquisitely told as this one.

Asa has this marriage gig all figured out. His wife will provide companionship -- someone to fill the silence with conversation thus providing a distraction from the memories of war that creep up on him unawares. What he hasn't taken into account is that it takes two to converse and a sociable lady like Judith would naturally have all kinds of questions about things he'd rather keep hidden.

Asa is endearingly gruff and bumbling and so tight-lipped that Judith struggles to figure him out. Not an easy task -- especially when his actions seem to contradict his aloof silence. He is so consciously tender in his dealings with Judith that I swooned a little bit more every chapter. Their romance is rife with trepidation and that sense of unease makes their happily ever after all the sweeter when it finally comes.

This is the fourth book in the Wilderness Brides series -- and shame on me, I've missed two of them! As in all Love Inspired series books, Frontier Want Ad Bride reads wonderfully well as a standalone, though there are crossover characters that fans of the series will be happy to catch up with. And next up we'll have Judith's twin sister, Emma's story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Frontier Want Ad Bride, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you leave your email in your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 5 2017. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck.

Blessing

GIVEAWAY

COTE, LYN
BLESSING

An impetuous love swept Blessing Brightman away from the Quaker community, into the highest ranks of Cincinnati society. But behind the glitter of ballroom and parlor, her spirit slowly eroded in an increasingly dangerous marriage. Widowed young, determined never to lose her independence again, Blessing reclaimed her faith and vowed to use her influence to fight for women's rights and abolition.

Gerard Ramsay, scion of a wealthy Boston family, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to escape his father's clutches with a strategy that will gain him independence. His plan is soon complicated, however, by the enchanting widow. Never before has a woman spoken as if she's his equal--or challenged him to consider the lives of others.In a city nearly ablaze with racial tensions quickly dividing the country, can two people worlds apart possibly find common ground?

My Review:

Love the tag-line for this Quaker Brides series: "Stong Women. Brave stories." An apt description of the heroines I've met so far. Honor, in the first book and now, her daughter, Blessing. You don't need  to have read the first book (though Honor was one of my favourite reads from 2014 and I think you should!) Blessing reads well as a standalone, though I was thrilled right down to my toes to get more than a glimpse of Honor and Samuel a couple of decades later.

Just like her mother, Blessing is an exceptional woman of strength, courage and deep-rooted faith. I'm so thrilled that the cover of this book captures those characteristics. You can't help but be drawn in -- just the way people are inexplicably drawn towards Blessing in the story. Including Gerard.

Not sure what I should say about him -- except it was dislike at first sight between this reader and the hero. It takes guts (and amazing talent) for a writer to introduce a wretchedly flawed character such as Gerard and expect the reader to stick around for his redemption. Cote did exactly that. And even though Mr. Ramsay grated on my nerves from the get go, he possessed an intangible essence that suggested hope. Yes, I had to look beyond his incorrigible, self-centred, opinionated self. Had to get past his childishness and that wretched unholy sense of superiority in order to find the substance hiding within.

Truth is, Gerard is at a crossroad and the decisions he makes now will determine not only his future, but the nature of the man he will become. Is he aware of that fact? No. Is Blessing? You betcha and she isn't above a little meddling.

Gerard hated her way of speaking openly of matters no lady should ever even acknowledge. "Do you never stop meddling, ma'am?" he snapped.

"I don't meddle. I shine the light into the dark corners of this city..." (p. 154)

And that totally describes, Blessing. She's the light shining in the darkness that can't be extinguished (paraphrasing John 1:5) Her story is so inspiring because she represents the many women of faith who worked tirelessly to abolish slavery and improve conditions for women and children. Reading Blessing is like getting a front row seat during a volatile time in history. And -- be still my fan-girl heart -- real life heroine Sojourner Truth even makes a cameo appearance! A book can't get any better than this. Really.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Blessing please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 13 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Honor

GIVEAWAY

COTE, LYN
HONOR

When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free—and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.

A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she becomes increasingly—though secretly—involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together as man and wife?

Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of three brave heroines, fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart.

My Review:

I was first drawn to this book by the stark one word title and the incredible cover art. The model is the perfect match for the book's heroine. The set of her shoulders, the proud tilt of her head, the determination in her eyes. I took one look at Honor and knew I had to read her story. And then when I scanned the description on the back of the book and discovered that Honor joins in the fight against slavery I was ready to swoon right there in the bookstore! Needless to say, I devoured this book in a day.

Honor and Samuel have such a difficult start to their marriage. Both have pasts that have affected them deeply, leaving them wary of any kind of union. And if that isn't enough of a handicap to start a marriage with, they are immediately thrust into a series of dire situations, one following after another in an endless stream of difficulties.

Honor has to be one of my favourite heroines of all time. She really captivated me. Her faith in the Lord, her passion for doing right even when the personal cost is crushing, her yearning for love and acceptance from her husband.  A backbone of steel and a heart filled with grace. She's both strong and vulnerable but always carries herself with a genteel dignity. Such a complex character and I love her!

Samuel is quite the opposite. His deafness has embittered him and he has turned away from his Quaker faith and spent years building up walls around himself. He lives in his own world, having as little to do with others as possible. Acquiring a wife sends his well-ordered life into a tailspin. Such a complicated romance! Full of sorrow and fear and tenderness and passion. Sublime!

Honestly, one of the best books I have read this year.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Honor please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday October 19 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Heartland Courtship

GIVEAWAY

COTE, LYN
HEARTLAND COURTSHIP

An Unexpected Partnership

Quaker Rachel Woolsey dreams of having her own bakery and her own homestead. But the odds are stacked against her—until the handsome ex-soldier she nurses back to health offers to help her. Like Rachel, Brennan Merriday is an outsider. But he'll be the temporary ally she needs, and her foolish attraction will fade once he's gone.

At first, the only thing Brennan wants to know about Pepin, Wisconsin, is how fast he can leave it. Perhaps in Canada he'll find peace after a bloody war. Yet repaying his debt to the pretty baker offers unexpected solace. She saved him once. Now he longs to rescue dreams of family—for both of them.

Wilderness Brides: Finding love—and a fresh start—on the frontier

My Review:

I absolutely loved the contrast between the Quaker heroine and the embittered Civil War vet. Rachel is such a great combination of faith and practicality. She's gifted at holding her tongue most of the time but when she does let loose her simple wisdom delivered in a matter-of-fact (and often unasked for) manner always seems to shake Brennan up. And he's so surly about it too! The real charm of this story is watching him gradually tamed by the gentle, steely-spined Quakeress.

Giveaway Opportunity:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Heartland Courtship, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca.  If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers. If you email me, please be sure to put the title in the subject line so it is easier for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 26 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck.