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Hearts Made Whole (Beacons of Hope)
by Jody Hedlund - This is the second in the Beacons of Hope series in which each historical novel is set at a Michigan lighthouse in the 1860s. The story opens with a tragedy, as Caroline Taylor watches her lighthouse keeper father set out across the lake with the doctor and an incoming storm capsizes the boat. Caroline is helpless to rescue them and must take over the duties of lighthouse keeper and the care of her younger siblings. Caroline has been well-trained in the keeper's duties and loves the job, but the lighthouse inspector is adamant that a woman cannot do the job and insists that she plan to move out with her four younger siblings.
The new lighthouse keeper is Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers. (Those who have read the first Beacons of Hope novel will remember him as Emma's brother.) Ryan is haunted by his experiences in the war and has turned to drinking to try to dull the pain of his past - and his injury. He knows he is ill-prepared to be responsible for the lighthouse, but hopes that the isolation will help him forget his guilt and failures. He is even less prepared to find a beautiful and capable young woman still keeping the lighthouse, but realizes he desperately needs her help in the job. Caroline resents losing her job as keeper, especially since the job prospects for young single women during that time were very scarce, and she needs to be able to support her family.
Caroline and Ryan develop a partnership and she not only helps him learn his new job, but her confidence and belief in him helps his heart begin to heal. Her own heart is healing as well, but more problems arise. The lighthouse inspector wants Caroline gone from Windmill Point, and a series of dangerous mishaps seems to indicate that someone is maliciously trying to frighten Caroline away. The blossoming romance between Ryan and Caroline comes under threat as well, as a situation arises that may force Ryan to marry Caroline's younger sister.
I loved this novel from start to finish, and I sure hope there will be at least one more in this series!
From the Publisher:
by Jody Hedlund - This is the second in the Beacons of Hope series in which each historical novel is set at a Michigan lighthouse in the 1860s. The story opens with a tragedy, as Caroline Taylor watches her lighthouse keeper father set out across the lake with the doctor and an incoming storm capsizes the boat. Caroline is helpless to rescue them and must take over the duties of lighthouse keeper and the care of her younger siblings. Caroline has been well-trained in the keeper's duties and loves the job, but the lighthouse inspector is adamant that a woman cannot do the job and insists that she plan to move out with her four younger siblings.The new lighthouse keeper is Civil War veteran Ryan Chambers. (Those who have read the first Beacons of Hope novel will remember him as Emma's brother.) Ryan is haunted by his experiences in the war and has turned to drinking to try to dull the pain of his past - and his injury. He knows he is ill-prepared to be responsible for the lighthouse, but hopes that the isolation will help him forget his guilt and failures. He is even less prepared to find a beautiful and capable young woman still keeping the lighthouse, but realizes he desperately needs her help in the job. Caroline resents losing her job as keeper, especially since the job prospects for young single women during that time were very scarce, and she needs to be able to support her family.
Caroline and Ryan develop a partnership and she not only helps him learn his new job, but her confidence and belief in him helps his heart begin to heal. Her own heart is healing as well, but more problems arise. The lighthouse inspector wants Caroline gone from Windmill Point, and a series of dangerous mishaps seems to indicate that someone is maliciously trying to frighten Caroline away. The blossoming romance between Ryan and Caroline comes under threat as well, as a situation arises that may force Ryan to marry Caroline's younger sister.
I loved this novel from start to finish, and I sure hope there will be at least one more in this series!
From the Publisher:
1865 Windmill Point, Michigan
Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves?
After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper -- even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.
Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation -- the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope... and possibly love?
Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.
By the same author: Love Unexpected
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by Susie Larson - I just received this book to review, so I'll be starting on it very soon.
by Jen Turano - I just received the link for this review book today!
by Hayley & Michael DiMarco - I acquired this book several months ago, but my husband read it before me. It's been back in my own TBR stack for awhile, and I am putting it right behind Your Sacred Yes in priority.
by Bill Bryson - I've read this before and laughed so hard! It was my introduction to Bill Bryson's writing. I want to re-read it this summer, before I make plans to see the movie!
by Mary Conneally - I met the Wilde sisters when I reviewed the first book in this series, Tried and True. That was a quirky and humorous story and I have this one ready to go very soon.
by Anna Lee Huber - I've loved the previous Lady Darby mysteries, and can hardly wait to get my hands on the latest!
by Tamera Alexander - Hoping to get to this recently published novel this summer!
by Tamera Alexander - Another one by Tamera Alexander... I love her writing. Recently I realized I hadn't read this one yet, so I need to remedy that!
by Jill Eileen Smith - I enjoyed the first two in this series, Michal and Abigail, and some other books by Smith as well. I'm hoping to finish off The Wives of King David series this summer.
by Georgette Heyer, page 30
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by Julie Klassen - Read my complete review 
by Jill Eileen Smith - Read my complete review 
by Erica Vetsch - This was a very quick read, as it is just a short story prequel to Vetsch's novel The Cactus Creek Challenge coming in July. By the way, it is FREE on Amazon!
by Tracy Higley - only a chapter or two into this one.
