Swept Away by Mary Connealy
Trouble in Texas Book 1

BACK COVER:
Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy MacNeil isn't terribly upset at being separated from the family who raised her. All they've ever done is work her to the bone. Alive but disoriented, she's rescued by Luke Stone... so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate future.
 Like is on a mission to reclaim to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family. But the men currently on the property won't let it go without a fight. Luke plans to meet up with friends who will  help him take back the land, and since he can't just leave Ruthy in the middle of nowhere, she's going to have to go with him.
But the more time Luke spends around the hardworking young woman, the more he finds himself thinking of things besides revenge. Will Ruthy convince him to give up his destructive path and be swept away by love?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS???
 Another great book from Mary Connealy!!! Once you get into this book, you'll realize that it is an off shoot of her series the Kincaid Bride's, Seth's wife is the sister of Luke Stone. ( I thought this was pretty awesome personally :))
 Ruthy MacNeil was taken in by a family when her parents died, and she's been living with them ever since. They work her to the bone, and do nothing for themselves. So when they decide to head out west, she of course has to come with. She's planning her escape until they come across a river that will send her going in a different direction than she had planned.
 Luke is coming home to reclaim his ranch. And along the way, he finds a filthy girl floating in the river. Good conscience doesn't allow him to just leave her, and any town would be taking him to far out of his way from getting home. So the girl goes with him.
 Little do both of them know that Ruthy is wading into the fight right along side Luke. And Luke doesn't want her there. He can't deny that she is a hard worker, and basically just as good as him in the tracking and shooting departments. But she's a woman, and can't be put in danger right?? :) wrong...she helps anyway. Will her stubbornness ruin the love that can bloom here? Or will it make this team that much stronger?




To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book Bethany House Publishing. In return, I have promised to review the book but have been given the freedom by Bethany House to give my honest opinions whether they be positive or negative.

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall

BACK COVER:
THEY LEFT EVERYTHING BEHIND TO BUILD A NEW SOUTHERN UTOPIA...
Colonel Blake Wallace has seen enough death to last a lifetime. Weary and disillusioned, he slumps beneath the weight of defeat and loss. With his entire family murdered by the North and his name appearing on a list of officers wanted for war crimes, Blake organizes a shipload of southerners who, like him, long to escape the horrors of war and start a new life in a verdant land called Brazil.
Eliza Crawford can barely remember the days of her youth spent in opulence and comfort at her Georgian home. She can't help but wonder how different her life would be had she not met her late husband. Stanton Watts, a general in the Northern army. Now a war widow, Eliza is rejected by both the North and South. Desperate to keep her marriage a secret and escape her past and pain, she hopes to start over again in Brazil.
But once the voyage begins, troubles abound. Dangers at sea and enemies from within threaten to keep Blake and Eliza from the new life-and love-they long for.

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
 I love the fact that all the characters from this book are from Georgia! (I happen to be from there) It is so much fun to hear about towns and traditions that I have grown up around, and love. And this story is not an uncommon one, in that this happened a lot after the war between the states. Once the North won, the Southerners became 'prisoners' in their own towns. And there were groups that tried to escape from this by sailing away to Brazil. This is why I love historical fiction, You get a great story, but you also get to know a little more about your heritage.
Eliza Crawford. The poor thing, disowned by her family for marrying a Northerner, and once her husband died, disowned by the family that never really accepted her. She has sworn off marriage, and has decided to use her medical experience to help others in Brazil. But can she keep her secret of being a Yankee's Widow for long? And what if someone recognizes her? And what of her heart that isn't listening to her head when it comes to the Colonel?
Colonel Blake Wallace. A Wanted man for his service in the War, and a man running from the war and the horrors found there. His entire family murdered, and now there's a price on his head. And instead of just taking himself and fleeing, he decides to help other Southern families escape from this 'new life'. So he advertises a expedition to Brazil, he arranges everything. A pastor, doctor, nurse, ect. He makes sure that the colony would have everything that it needs to thrive. And a place for him to hide out without having to worry about using his heart...or so he thought.

To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book MaryLu Tyndall. In return, I have promised to review the book but have been given the freedom by MaryLu to give my honest opinions whether they be positive or negative.