Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall
To read an except just go to my post announcing the coming of Veil of Pearls, and clink on the link there. 


Back Cover:

She thought she could outrun her past...

It is 1811, and the prosperous port city of Charleston is bustling with plantation owners, slaves, and immigrants. Immigrants such as the raven-haired Adalia Winston. But Adalia has a secret: her light skin belies that she is part black and a runaway slave from Barbados. Skilled in herbal remedies, Adalia finds employment with a local doctor and settles into a quiet life, thankful for her freedom  but still fearful that her owner will find her.
Born into one of Charleston's prominent families, Morgan Rutledge is handsome, bored-and enamored of the beautiful Adalia, who spurns his advances. Morgan's persistence, however, finally wins, and Adalia is swept into the glamorous world of Charleston high society.
But Adalia's new life comes at a high price-that of denying her heritage and her zeal for God. How far is she willing to go to win the heart of the man she loves? And when her secret is revealed, will that love be enough, or will the truth ruin Morgan and send Adalia back into slavery?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
 I love how this is set just a year before the war of 1812, where one of my favorite women in history shows what she's made of. But this story is not about Dolly Madison or even the en-pending war with Britain. It's about the inner struggle with slavery and with one's own conscience and one's own beliefs. Being from the South, it isn't uncommon to know and hear the history of how the south once was with the slavery. But what I love about this book is that MaryLu shows, that when push comes to shove we are able to make the right decisions.
 Morgan can have any woman he wants in Charleston, and he practically has, that is until this woman who is caring for his father's slaves comes stomping into his life. She doesn't treat him like the other women do. She doesn't fawn, bat her eyelashes, talk all sweet and gentle, she just tells it like it is, and is unaffected by his advances. Which like any other male, makes him try even harder!
 Adalia, just wants to help other's while hiding from her owner. But this society brat won't leave her alone. He is arrogant, self-centered, and a goody-to-shoes. But there is just something about him, that makes her take pity on him, and say yes to one thing...at least she thought it was just one thing.
But when her secret is let out of the corner, can Morgan swallow his pride, and be willing to loose everything he holds dear, family, connections, society, fortune, in order to have the love of his life? And is Adalia willing to let him give it up for her. And become the wife of a penniless merchant?
 It's a great book, and I was able to finish it in 4 hours because I just couldn't put it down. I was sooo disappointed to find out that it was a stand-alone book. I was hoping to hear a little more about this Charleston society, but I'll just have to leave that up to my imagination. Which when reading MaryLu's books, that is a great pleasure I love to do.
 So grab your favorite Caffeine addiction and curl up with this great book!



To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book from 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.

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
To "look inside" click title above

Back Cover:
 Four Brothers. Four Straws. One Bride.
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.
Years of constant vigilance harden a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.
Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

A PENNY FOR MY THOUGHTS?
    Karen has always been one of my 'go-to' Writers. I love reading her books, and seeing what kind of story she will come up with next. And this was no disappointment. I have been looking forward to this book since I got to read the back cover last year. A tale of young infatuation that will eventually lead to love. Meredith and Travis meet once in the woods, and 12 years later she comes waltzing back into his life.
 Travis made a promise to his father to never leave the ranch...and this included his 3 brothers. So for over 12 years the Archer men stay holed up on their land, threatening anyone and everything that comes on their land.
 Meredith is an Orphan living with her Uncle who has control of all of her inheritances until she is married. And when her Uncle wants to 'force' her into marriage to help secure his business, she overhears a plot to destroy the Archers. Remembering a heroic act 12 years ago pushes Meredith to do something she had always wanted to do, but was always scared to try. Return to Archer land and warn The handsome boy that helped her all those years ago.
  When the Archer men use 'Drawing Straws' to decide her fate...She suddenly feel's like the "Short-Straw". Will she ever feel apart of their family and community? Will she be the one to finally bring the Archer's "out of the woodwork?"
 I suggest picking up this book, and enjoy the story...It only took me 3 hours since I couldn't put it down :)


To the FTC and whomever else it may concern, I received this book Bethany House Publisher. 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.