book review The Captive Brides Collection

Release date 1 October 2017

Barbour Publishing

Love Brings Freedom in 9 Historical Romances

Journey along as nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of life’s greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love?

Love’s Labour’s Found by Jennifer AlLee - Montserrat, West Indies, 1655
Temperance Simms only wanted a better life. Instead, she finds herself labeled a criminal and sold as an indentured servant. After a kind man saves her life, can Temperance trust that God will turn her sorrow into something beautiful?

His Indentured Bride by Angela Breidenbach - Pennsylvania, 1770-1775 
Leaving Scotland for a short indenture with her betrothed, Maire Gree’s contract is sold when disaster strikes her kindly owner, and then extended through cruel circumstances. Can Kirk Lachlan’s service in the American Revolution save her or will she lose love and freedom forever?

The Suspect Bride by Susan Page Davis - Oregon, 1890s
Verity Ames cooks at the restaurant where shy lawyer Jack Whitwell eats lunch daily. As Jack works up courage to ask her for a date, the sheriff walks into the restaurant and arrests her for murder.

His Golden Treasure by Darlene Franklin - Barbary Coast, San Francisco, CA, 1873
Goldie Hatfield grows up on in the Barbary Coast until her guardian demands she pay the cost of her upbringing—or work at her brothel. How far will Pastor Joshua Kerr go to set Goldie free?

Through Stormy Waters by Patty Smith Hall - Atlantic Ocean, 1755
Deported to the British colonies for her father’s crimes, Charlotte Singleton helps Captain Andrew Randell when an epidemic breaks out on the ship. Can two battered hearts find love in the midst of a storm?

Moira’s Quest by Cynthia Hickey - New York, 1869
A quest for revenge ends in a marriage of convenience and a feisty Irish lass discovers that not everything is as it seems as family secrets are revealed. An Irish cop, bent on saving the fallen women of Five Points, New York, finds himself thrust into the role of husband with a woman determined to break down a notorious crime boss. Can these two pull together and find a love bigger than they are?

Love’s Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Virginia, 1850
With her life in peril, Lettie seeks escape from slavery. When Nathan offers to “conduct” her North via an unusual segment on the Underground Railroad, will his efforts help or do them both harm?

Waltzing Matilda by Lucy Thompson - Sydney, Australia, 1821
Henry didn’t plan on a runaway convict masquerading as a shepherd. Or on the woman’s baby. Keeping them safe will cost him his freedom—or will it?

A Score to Settle by Gina Welborn - On the Missouri River, 1870
For JoJo the kiss was a means to an end—she wanted his wallet. For Cyrus her kiss changed everything. He vows to help her escape the snake oil salesman she works for, but exposing the man’s lies may mean settling a score at a cost neither JoJo nor Cyrus can pay.

My Review:

Firstly thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

This book has 9 novellas in it. Each story has a heroine who is a captive in some way. From indentured servant, convict, slave, wrongly convicted, plus a few other scenarios. We also have different locations from the West Indies, Australia to America. Each story is different and most have some danger and tension in the stories. 

While I am not going to review all the stories cos it would make the review to long I will feature a couple.

Through Stormy Waters by Patty Smith Hall - Atlantic Ocean, 1755

I found this story really good, it was different and I loved how even when Charlotte was deported for crimes her father committed she still was able to help in a crisis and held her head up high. The hero Andrew is the captain and has a reputation for being hard on the convicts but has had a change of heart due to circumstances you will read about early in the story. I loved the story and how it plays out.

His Golden Treasure by Darlene Franklin - Barbary Coast, San Francisco, CA, 1873

The story is also interesting and at times the premise of the story is quite sad. Goldie has grown up in a brothel and is being groomed by the madam after her mother passed away. She accidentally bumps into Joshua who is a pastor who has a heart for soiled doves and helping them get out of the business. We see how Goldie really wants a life of her own free of the life her mother had. 

Love’s Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Virginia, 1850

Now this is a story that I love because you don't read as many books involving slaves escaping through the underground railway. Lettie really wants to get away as things have suddenly changed and she is in even more danger. Although if Lettie runs away and is caught she could be in even more danger. Nathan is part of the underground railway and has a plan to get her to safety. I loved how this was planned and how it all worked out. 

The Suspect Bride by Susan Page Davis - Oregon, 1890s

This story was one of my favourites. I was actually in hospital and every time the nurse came to do my ops I was saying I just want this story finished because I want to know what happens. We see Verity arrested for murder and Jack is a lawyer who will represent her. The story takes us through the arrest and why her. I love how Susan keeps the suspense of what will happen next. 

This whole book is a really good read and I would highly recommend it.

Book Review Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection

Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection

A Newspaper Ad for Husbands Brings a Wave of Men to a Small Kansas Town

by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn

Seven women seek husbands to help them rebuild a Kansas town.

Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas’, finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn’t return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved?

Abigail’s Proposal by Cynthia Hickey
When her father never returned from the war, Abigail Melton stepped into his role as town mayor. The town needs men, and she needs a husband—and she has a big idea how to find both—but her first duty is to hire a sheriff. And drifter Josiah Ingram will do just fine.

My Review. 
This is the first story in the book and sets up the whole book. After the war there are more women than men and rather than let there town die the women decide to find husbands by sending out advert seeking God Fearing men. While Abigail is mayor she has agreed to look for a husband and in the meantime appoints Josiah as Sheriff. Josiah has no intention of getting married but is attracting attention from all the ladies so says he is engaged to Abigail which makes for an interesting time. With some the day of the auditions coming we learn not is always as it seems. We see just how trustworthy Josiah is and how level headed Abigail is also. A good start to the book.

The Kidnapped Groom by Susan Page Davis
Riding through the Flint Hills on his way to Dodge City, cowboy Sam Cayford finds himself the kidnapping victim of two children. When he meets their lovely mother, Maggie Piner—whom the kids insist he should marry—Sam starts to question God’s plans versus his own.

My Review.
This is my favourite story in the book. I could tell Susan had written the story as it is in her style of writing. I love how Sam is kidnapped by two small children who think they are doing right by their mother. They know she needs help and want her protected and also need some the love of a father. Maggie is horrified when she finds out what the children have done and then circumstances come into play. Add a banker who wants her farm and you have an interesting tale. 
 
A Clean Slate by Susanne Dietze
Schoolmarm Roberta “Birdy” Green won’t marry any of the prospective grooms flocking to town. After losing her fiancé in the war, the only love her broken heart can bear is for her students. But then she takes on a new pupil—Drew Cooper, one of the gentlemen drawn to Kansas by the advertisement for grooms.

My Review
This books is about Birdy who is the schoolmarm who doesn't intend to get married but is out to protect her friend. She lost her fiance in the war and also has issues she needs to comfront. Drew wants to better himself he is estranged from his brother and wants to start a new. Throw into the mix Birdy's friends little girls who tend to be scene steelers. I have to admit I took awhile to warm to Birdy as she is a little controlling and can seem cold but as you learn her story you can understand why she is like she is.

Sunshine of My Heart by Darlene Franklin
Debbie Barker longs to bring beauty to her new home on the prairie, where her family moved after the war, and seeks a husband to help her father run the ranch. Zack Gage returned home from the war to a life in ruins—family dead and business bankrupted. He answers the mail-order husband ad to seek a fresh start. But neither Debbie nor Zeke know what they are doing when it comes to ranching. . .or love.

My Review
This is an fun story. Debbie wants to be married like her sisters. She moved west with her parents and wants to marry someone who will also help with the ranch. Zack came to the auditions because he no longer has anything left in Maine for him. Zack is new to ranching but has taken a real shine to Debbie and will learn for her. I love the way they both have so much in common and try to make a go of it. I got frustrated with Debbie's father at times. Another good read. 

Come What May by Patty Smith Hall
Chardy Stevens is at the end of her rope. Between running her late father’s store and tending to her four younger brothers, she barely has time to breathe, much less look for a husband to help her. The boys scare off most of her prospects and throw Chardy together with her childhood friend Luke, a disabled veteran who seeks her happiness above his own

My Review.

I Have to say Chardy is one of my favourite ladies in these stories. She has her hands full with 4 younger brothers to look after and a store to run as well as a homestead. The boys have been expelled from school. Luke has returned from the war disabled and feels he is inadequate for anyone. Chardy needs help and Luke decides he can help her and in the meantime at least watch over her brothers and maybe help on the homestead. While there he confronts many of his issues. I love the interaction and what both learn about themselves.

Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancett Pagels
Widow Caroline Kane is the proprietor of a restaurant and inn—and responsible for her five teenaged siblings. But she has no plans of finding a mail-order groom. Britisher Barden Granville IV is on a “cowboy holiday” when he finds himself flat broke in Kansas.  When he answers an old “help wanted” ad, Caroline misconstrues Barden is there as a potential husband. Will the beautiful and fiesty widow cause the new vicar to make Kansas his home?
 
My Review
This is another story I really enjoyed I felt for Caroline as she too has so much she has to do she is responsible for siblings and trying to keep a restaurant and inn going and has an older sister who tends to meddle and not listen to Caroline. What is fun in this story is Barden isn't looking to be a groom, in fact has no idea about what is happening but through a misunderstanding becomes a suitor when he is actually applying for a job. Barden is just what she needs for the restaurant and also is so level headed and I couldn't help liking him. Once again we see Caroline struggle with issues that she needs to deal with to move on. 

Louder than Words by Gina Welborn
After years of writing abolitionist pamphlets and chronicling soldier life during the war, J.R. Lockhart is bored and jumps at the opportunity to investigate an advertisement for husbands for an article in Godey’s Lady’s Book. Jane Ransome would like to help the charming-but-oblivious-to-life-out-West man chronicle the courtships developing in town, but she has her own husband to find—one who will fit perfectly in her picket-fenced Kansas home.

My Review 
This is the last story and deals with a journalist who is moving west and writing stories on the way. He is interested in finding out more about the advert for husbands and why they advertised. He meets Jane who is happy in the town and wants to stay. She has been there for a few years now and wants to make it her home town. While she wants a husband and family of her own she also struggles because she feels she is not fully accepted due to her heritage. She has captivated J.R and I love how he works at trying to win her. 

Thanks to Netgalley for my review copy

Book Review: Fort Point (Maine Justice) (Volume 2) by Susan Page Davis

Fort Point (Main Justice Book 2) by Susan Page Davis

• Publisher: Tea Tin Press (March 28, 2017)
• 
  
• Amazon

Book Description

An ill-fated class reunion at Fort Point. . . Maine’s most famous author is murdered the night after the reunion. A classmate turns up dead a few days later, apparently drowned at Fort Point. What does a cold case burglary have to do with the deaths? And did a third classmate really commit suicide? The Priority Unit solves its most challenging case, relying on wits, hard work, and faith. Meanwhile, Jennifer Wainthrop plans her wedding but manages to hand the detectives some important clues. Detective Harvey Larson is offered a job he doesn’t want, until he learns the police chief has had a tragic accident. Captain Mike Browning is on vacation in Maine's far north, and proves a difficult man to track down. Harvey and Jennifer continue their faith journey and romance while untangling the evidence. Despite many obstacles, the Priority Unit is once again serving up Maine Justice.

My Review:

Firstly thanks to the author for my review copy.

This is the second book in the Maine Justice series and a warning may contain spoilers if you haven't read book one. This books starts with the murder of a famous author Martin Blake after a school reunion. A second attendee turns up dead a few days later and they wonder if they are related. Again Harvey has to investigate the murder and try to work out who is involved. Early in the book after Martin's body is found they have to see his wife, well this is where it go interesting for me. His wife's name is Thelma Blake. My father had a sister who passed away at around 15 called Thelma and they were going to name a daughter they lost Thelma so reading her name was interesting. It didn't make me sad it just gave me a little start at first. This Thelma is such a large character that it would be nice to think she was a part of them. 

Now back to the review. Harvey is also up for a promotion he is not sure he wants as he doesn't like change. We also see more of his partner Eddie in this book and I have to say I really do like Eddie. In there spare time Jennifer and Harvey are planning a wedding and some of the decisions are interesting. I also found later close to the wedding I was laughing at some of the antics and things that were happening. The mystery itself had me wondering who was involved and who the killer was. I had guessed a few of the clues but still wasn't sure till the end. I am looking forward to the final book in the series. 

Book Review: The Priority Unit - Maine Justice Book 1 by Susan Page Davis

The Priority Unit

Maine Justice Book 1

by 

Susan Page Davis

Description: A missing man. 
A mysterious computer program – 
Even the people constructing it don’t know what it will do.
On the worst night of Harvey Larson’s life, his partner is killed and his wife, Carrie, walks out on him. Ten years later, the Portland, Maine police detective has learned to cope with his grief and depression. When he and the Priority Unit investigate the disappearance of software designer Nick Dunham, he meets a young woman who will change his life. Jennifer Wainthrop was the last person to admit seeing Dunham alive.

Harvey and his partner, Eddie Thibodeau, stay a step ahead of a bomber and put together the clues that tell the truth: Dunham’s kidnapping and the bombings are one case, and Jennifer is caught in the middle. News that Carrie has committed suicide may plunge Harvey back into despair. Harvey turns to God for help untangling his complicated life. He finds strength in his faith as he attempts to save Jennifer from the same grim fate that claimed Nick. But Jennifer must depend on her own wits and God alone when the killer gets too close. 

My Review:
Thanks Susan Page Davis for my copy to review.

This is an interesting suspense story.  The book starts with Harvey having the worst night of his life. His partner is killed and his wife leaves him. The book then fast forwards 10 years to when he is investigating the disappearance of a software designer and this is where he meets Jennifer Wainthrop. Not long after he learns is ex wife has died and while at the funeral he spends time with her grandmother who challenges him. It is here he starts to wonder does God exist.  At the same time Jennifer has questions of her own and they both decide to do research together. In the meantime there is still a missing man and there is a car bombing. 

I enjoyed waiting to find out what would happen next. The suspense wasn't too heavy which I like but enough to keep you on your the edge of your seat. I wanted to know who the bomber was and why, and why did the designer disappear. I also have to mention Eddie, he is a scene stealer at times and a fun character. I was kept guessing which is a good sign of a good book. I am eagerly awaiting book two. 

If you like Police suspense I am sure you will enjoy this book

Book Review My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains by Susan Page Davis

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountians

by 

Susan Page Davis

Barbour Books

(1 March 2017)

Book Description 

Journey now to Tuscon, Arizona, and into the Superstition Mountains of 1866, where...
 A Chance for Escape Takes Two Unlikely Allies on a Romantic Adventure Along a Desert Trail

Since orphaned at age twelve, Carmela Wade has lived a lie orchestrated by her uncle, pretending to be a survivor of an Indian kidnapping and profiting from telling her made-up story on the speaker circuit. But as she matures into adulthood, Carmela hates the lies and longs to be free. On a stagecoach in Arizona Territory, Carmela and her uncle are fellow passengers with US Marshal Freeland McKay and his handcuffed prisoner.

The stage is attacked. Now a chance to make a new life may suddenly be within Carmela’s reach. . .if she can survive the harsh terrain and being handcuffed to an unconscious man.

Will Carmela’s wish come true, or will she forever be branded by her past?

Book Review:
Firstly thanks to netgalley for my review copy.

I have been reading books by Susan paige Davis for many years and have always enjoyed them as she writes many different genres. This book is a historical with a mystery. The book starts with Carmela at around the age of 14 and upset she has to tell the story her uncle forces her to tell. It is here she meets a young boy who says he will get his brother to help only for her uncle to come and take her away before he gets back.

Fast forward to when shes around 20 we see Carmela and her uncle on the stage along with the local Sheriff who is transporting a prisoner to the state capital. As they travel on they encounter both Indians and outlaws. Here uncle is hurt and she ends up handcuffed to the Sheriff in the Arizona heat. This is just the start of the story and from here we see what will happen. 

I enjoyed the pass of this story and how Carmela has to deal with all her uncle had forced her to do and what she would do. I also really liked Freeland he had integrity and the strength to help her with some of her decisions. There are also secondary characters that are very endearing and pivotal for the story. The story deals with forgiveness both from others and forgiving yourself. If you enjoy historical fiction I would recommend this book. 

This book will be released on March 1st.

Book Review The Seafaring Women of the Vera B by Susan Page Davis and James S. Davis

Blurb from back of book.

1854–With the captain dead in Melbourne, Australia, Alice Packard thinks the worst has happened, until she learns the crew has deserted her husband’s ship in favor of the goldfields. Only one old man, Gypsy Deak, sticks by her, but Gypsy alone can’t raise a crew from the depleted population.

In desperation, Alice turns to the only source of plentiful workers: the women of Melbourne. In a bold move, she and Gypsy empty a brothel, promising the escaped women a new life. Her all-woman (save one) crew put their backs and hearts into the voyage, but Alice finds training her sailors much harder than she expected.

Her faith is tested to the limit. With a cargo to sell, angry brothel and tavern owners in pursuit, pirates to evade, and a mysterious stowaway, will the seafaring women of the Vera B. survive to tell the tale of this daring adventure?

My Review

Firstly thanks to Susan P Davis for my copy of this book for an honest review.

I was given this book to read due to it starting in Australia and for my opinion of the book. I was in intrigued by the premise and when I started the book I just wanted to keep reading. The book is set during the Australian Gold era and many sailors jumping ship to go gold mining. Which leads the Vera B lacking a crew to return to America. A new strike has taken place at St Arnard which I has memories for me as I remember Mum talking about how my brother took his first steps at a park there. 

Looking for crew Alice is finally desperate and takes on women as her crew. Here we have a a variety of women from women escaping life in a brothel and tavern to passengers returning to England after the death of there husband/father.  There is going to be tension between the women which we see play out. 

I enjoyed the book partly because I knew many of the places and also because the Australia references were accurate. This for an Australian impressed me that the authors went to the effort to make sure they had the right terms. 

I did however get confused at times with all the women and who was who. Some are easy to remember but a few I mixed up at times. 

I do need to give a warning there is some violence in the later part of the book due to the issue of pirates. I didn't find it graphic or over done but some people who don't want to read a book with any violence might find this book may find it more than than can handle.

This book is Historical Fiction with a hint of romance. 

Overall this is a really good book and I am eagerly awaiting book 2. 

Review of Heart of a Cowboy.

Hearts in Pursuit 
By Susan Page Davis 
Can Abby and Sam fight their way through the danger and violence and live long enough to find love? 
Texas, 1880. Abby and Sam pursue a band of raiders to rescue their younger siblings. Abby’s father is gravely injured, and she knows she can’t return home without her little sister. Sam’s father wants to thwart his powerful Mexican father-in-law and stop him from taking Pablo to live with him south of the border, but once he has Pablo back, will he continue the search for Abby’s sister? Abby and Sam feel it is up to them to keep the recovery mission on track. Though romance seems to have no place on the trail of danger and violence, can this journey draw them closer? 

Hearts Reunited 
By Miralee Ferrell 
Mercedes Taylor is determined to save her ranch after her father’s death, but she won’t let anyone help—especially not her old friend Jesse Townsend who deserted her so many years ago. The pain his family inflicted on hers goes too deep for her pride to forgive. 

After riding the trail for five years, Jesse Townsend returns to his family property to find the girl he’d once loved all grown up—and more prickly than he’s ever seen her. After his mare is seriously injured, he has no choice but to call on Mercedes—the local animal doctor—for help. 

Add the attractive banker’s daughter who Jesse seems smitten with, and trouble starts brewing. Can Mercedes and Jesse set aside the old family feud and find their way back to the love that had only started to blossom when Jesse left? 

Have Dress, Will Marry 
By Yvonne Lehman 

Julie Hayes must escape from Wildcat Mountain. Her mother died, leaving her with a step-father she doesn’t trust. 
James, who she thought would be her means of escape, is gone. Her only hope is to approach the cowboy, saddleback preacher Timothy Sullivan, when he makes his circuit into Wildcat Mountain. She asks, “Will you marry me?” He says, “Yes, of course,” expecting to perform a ceremony for her and James. 
Believing Julie is in danger, Timothy takes her to the Sullivan Ranch. Suspicions abound when she’s accused of stealing a horse and jewels. 
While Julie is trying to become the kind of woman a preacher would want to marry, Tim is trying to realize his ranching dreams, which don’t include being a circuit riding preacher. 

The Hand-Me-Down Husband 
By Vickie McDonough 

Ellen Stewart despises Lance Garrett. If not for him dashing into Isabelle’s life and stealing her heart and filling her head with his dreams, her little sister would still be alive and safe at home. When she receives Lance’s letter requesting help, Ellen rushes to Silver Springs, intent on taking charge of her young niece. A rugged ranch is no place for a motherless baby. But when she realizes the depth of Lance’s despair, she can’t leave him alone. Though everything within her wants to flee back to the big city, something makes her stay. Tessa needs her father, for one—and he needs her. Ellen knows what it’s like to lose all she’d dreamed of. When local church members make a stink about Ellen living at Lance’s ranch, they are forced to marry. Ellen didn’t want a hand-me-down husband, but could their marriage be God’s will for them both? 

My Review:
I was given this book free for an honest review.

This book contains 4 novella's each featuring cowboys. 
The first had me from the very beginning. In fact I could see it as a movie, a true western. Abby's younger sister Ellen and Sam's younger brother Pablo are taken by Mexican Raiders planning to take them to Mexico. I could see the story playing out as a movie and loved Abby's strength and courage. This story was a great start to the novella.

The second book features Mercedes and Jesse childhood friends who due to an incident led to the families becoming estranged. We see Jesse return to his ranch needing Mercedes help. We then see the struggle of being former friends with still having feelings for each other and how they deal with it.

Book Three features Julie and Timothy. Julie is stuck on living on a mountain with her step father and asks Brother Timothy to help her in an unconventional way. Timothy is the circuit pastor who wants to be a rancher. Julie learns what a real family is like when she meets Timothy's family but there are issues with trust and accusations by her step father.

Book four features Ellen and Lance. Ellen has gone to help Lance look after her niece after the death of her sister. She goes to help wanting to take her niece back to St. Louis with her but see the love Lance has for Tessa. I love how Ellen and her sister were so different and how she is able to help Lance and in turn learn more about herself and that she does have a purpose. 

All in all this is a good collection of novellas which I would highly recommend.

Book Review Polar Opposites by Susan Page Davis

Blog Description:
After her husband died tragically, Cheryl Holland accepted she would never love again. She finds contentment in her family and in her new career at a veterinary office. But when she meets Dr. Oz  Thormond, the new vet for her son-in-law’s practice, she can’t deny the sparks—or the reality that they seem to have nothing in common. Will Cheryl and Oz allow God to reveal His plan for these polar opposites, that theirs is more than just a magnetic attraction?


Book Review:
This is one of the books I bought the end of last year and have been slowly reading. (well not so slow). I picked this one cos of the location. Something about sitting in the warm sun reading about the cold of Alaska. Cheryl works as a office manager for her son in law  after the death of her husband a few years back. Oz has accepted a job with her son in law as long as he can still take time of to partake in polar bear studies. Cheryl feels a spark when she first meets Oz but there lives are so different with nothing in common that she can't see him lasting. I love the fact we have slightly older hero and heroine in this book. Watching the book unfold was page turning. We also have the rugged back drop of Alaska and polar bears. This is a good read and I now want to read the other 2 in the series.  It is also a stand alone book.

Interview with Susan Page Davis with giveaway

Please welcome Susan Page Davis back to my blog today to talk about Cowgirl Trail book 5 in the Morgan Family Series. 

Firstly thanks for being back on my blog Susan,

1.    How did the concept of the Texas Trails, A Morgan Family Series come about?

We three authors of the series share an agent, Chip MacGregor. He asked if we would like to do a series together, and set in Texas. We all liked the idea, and by rotating authors we would be able to put out books in the series faster than we could on our own. Our first thoughts on theme were to focus on town names, but we decided instead to do a family saga, set each book in a different decade of Texas history, and highlight a real historical event. The first book, Darlene Franklin’s Lone Star Trail, takes place in the 1840s, when a large number of Germans immigrated to Texas. The last is Vickie McDonough’s End of the Trail, in the 1890s, featuring “the crash at Crush,” a tragic publicity stunt in which two locomotives were deliberately crashed. My two books deal with the Comanche captives (Captive Trail is set in the 1850s) and the cowboy strike of the 1880s in Cowgirl Trail.

2.    How did you go about this series with the other two authors?

We each wrote one book for release in fall 2011 and another for spring 2012. The books can be read in order, but that is not necessary. Each of us dealt with different branches of the family. While our characters are occasionally mentioned in the other authors’ books, they make only minor appearances there.

3.    Cowgirl Trail is book 4 in the series. Can you tell us a little about this story?

In 1884, Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father’s health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, ranch foreman Alex Bright cannot convince the men to stay. Maggie is desperate to save the ranch, and she turns to the town’s women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. Unfortunately, some of the strikers resent their actions and want to liven up things on the cattle drive. Maggie can’t believe Alex, whom she always admired, would cause trouble for her family. Can she forgive him and accept his offer of help when trouble comes?

4.    Do we see characters from the previous books in this story?

Only briefly at the end. Alex Bright is the son of Ned Bright and Billie Morgan, who starred in Captive Trail.

5.    How did you go about researching this book?

I did a lot of online research and reading. Some of the books that I found helpful while writing Cowgirl Trail were: Texas Women on the Cattle Trails, edited by Sara R. Massey; The Cowboy: His Characteristics, His Equipment, and His Part in the Development of the West, by Philip Ashton Rollins; and The Look of the Old West, by William Foster-Harris.

6.    Did you learn anything about the era that surprised you?

Many things. The tenacity and stamina of the women in frontier Texas impressed me greatly.

7. Can you tell us what you are working on now?

Yes, I’m finishing up a contemporary book in the Miracles of Marble Cove series. It looks like a couple of mysteries and more Texas historicals will be next. I was thrilled to hear that readers want more of these books.

Readers can learn more about Texas Trails at www.texastrailsfiction.com and on my website: www.susanpagedavis.com. 

Cowgirl Trail is part of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book book can be read on its own.

In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?

Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?

Giveaway

For a chance to win either a hard copy or ecopy of Cowgirl Trail please leave a comment or question referring to the interview with Susan by Friday 20 April 6pm Australian time. This is an open giveaway. Please also leave a way to contact you if you win. Please note comments saying enter me without a comment about the interview or a question will be discarded.

Book Review Cowgirl Trail by Susan Page Davis

Product Description:

Cowgil Trail is part of a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book book can be read on its own.

In 1884 Maggie Porter returns to the Rocking P Ranch. The sanatorium was not able to save her mother and now her father's health is failing. When the cowboys walk off the job leaving no one to drive the cattle to market, head ranch hand, Alex Bright, cannot convince the men to stay. How could Alex let this happen?

Maggie is desperate to save the ranch and she turns to the town's women for help. The new cowgirls must herd, rope, and drive the cattle to market. With only two days left, outlaws charge the small band of cowgirls in an effort to start a stampede. The cattle begin to scatter. Will they lose everything? Where will their help come from?

My Review:

Firstly thanks to Netgalley for my review copy.

This is the fifth book in the Morgan family series and another good read. This book kept me up to the wee hours of the morning Monday or should I say Tuesday morning. This book features Alex Bright and Maggie Porter. The book starts with Alex just starting work at the Rocking P Ranch and then we skip around 7 years to when he is now foreman. The men want to strike because of low wages and the one perk they did have of keeping a few maverick cattle being taken from them. They are not earning enough to support their families and they see the owner living well. Maggie is back home after a time away and sees the issues of the men wanting to strike and loyalty to her father. Alex is in a hard place wanting to support his employer but also needing to supporting the men. Maggie had always wanted to be a cowgirl and with the strike she has a chance to put her skills to the test. Some of the men are not happy with this and there will be issues. 

The book deals with issues such as pride and how it can cause more harm than good, this is a major part of Maggie's fathers issues. We also see loyalty, strength and determination. I also love learning more of the history of Texas. This is another great installment of this series.

Book Reviews Susan Page Davis's The Lady's Maid and Lady Anne's Quest

Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels? Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?



My Review
I bought this book with Christmas money as I was interested in the book. I enjoy Susan's books and this one didn't let me down. We see Elise and  Lady Anne who she is Lady's maid to travel to America looking for Anne's missing uncle David. They first travel to St. Louis and then on the Oregon trail. Here things getting interesting as neither are use to the hard work of a trail. Eb is the scout of the wagon trail and wonders if the ladies can cope. There are trials on the trail both from elements and other issues. There seems to be someone else searching for information on David Stone which leads to some danger also. This story features Elise but we do get to see Anne also. I have always been fascinated with the Oregon trail so this book had me wanting more. This is a really interesting story and different to others I have read. I was so glad I had book two in the series to read as the book leaves you wanting to know more.

Book Description
Finding an imposter instead of her uncle means Anne’s quest must continue after The Lady’s Maid is wed, and Dan is determined to protect her from the swindlers now trailing her. But though he’s good at keeping her safe, he’s certain he’ll never be able to convince Anne to be his wife since her sights are set on finding her uncle and returning to England. As her quest becomes even more difficult—and dangerous—Anne finds her feelings for Dan changing. Will she soon be envisioning a new life in America?


My Review:
Thanks Netgalley for my review book.
This is the second in the series and as good as the first book. This book features Anne who thinks she has found her Uncle only to find someone is impersonating him. Dan goes with her to search for her uncle after falling for her on the Oregon trail. The journey to find her uncle has many obstacles to overcome and there seems to be someone or something trying to hinder them. Someone wants to find her uncle first for different reasons. I enjoyed seeing the story continue and also seeing Anne's change from the Lady in England to a Woman in the west. She wasn't pretentious and handle herself better than many would but still remained a lady. I am eagerly awaiting book three in this series. A good read.

CFBA Tour Captive Trail by Susan Page Davis

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Captive Trail Moody Publishers (September 1, 2011) by Susan Page Davis

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


From Susan: I've always loved reading, history, and horses. These things come together in several of my historical books. My young adult novel, Sarah's Long Ride, also spotlights horses and the rugged sport of endurance riding, as does the contemporary romance Trail to Justice. I took a vocational course in horseshoeing after earning a bachelor's degree in history. I don't shoe horses anymore, but the experience has come in handy in writing my books.

Another longtime hobby of mine is genealogy, which has led me down many fascinating paths. I'm proud to be a DAR member! Some of Jim's and my quirkier ancestors have inspired fictional characters.

For many years I worked for the Central Maine Morning Sentinel as a freelancer, covering local government, school board meetings, business news, fires, auto accidents, and other local events, including a murder trial. I've also written many profiles and features for the newspaper and its special sections. This experience was a great help in developing fictional characters and writing realistic scenes. I also published nonfiction articles in several magazines and had several short stories appear in Woman's World, Grit, and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

My husband, Jim, and I moved to his birth state, Oregon, for a while after we were married, but decided to move back to Maine and be near my family. We're so glad we did. It allowed our six children to grow up feeling close to their cousins and grandparents, and some of Jim's family have even moved to Maine!

Our children are all home-schooled. The two youngest are still learning at home. Jim recently retired from his vocation as an editor at a daily newspaper, and we’ve moved from Maine to Kentucky.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Captive Trail is second in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book can be read on its own.

Taabe Waipu has run away from her Comanche village and is fleeing south in Texas on a horse she stole from a dowry left outside her family’s teepee.  The horse has an accident and she is left on foot, injured and exhausted.  She staggers onto a road near Fort Chadbourne and collapses.

On one of the first runs through Texas, Butterfield Overland Mail Company driver Ned Bright carries two Ursuline nuns returning to their mission station.  They come across a woman who is nearly dead from exposure and dehydration and take her to the mission.

With some detective work, Ned discovers Taabe Waipu identity. He plans to unite her with her family, but the Comanche have other ideas, and the two end up defending the mission station. Through Taabe and Ned we learn the true meaning of healing and restoration amid seemingly powerless situations.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Captive Trail, go HERE.

My Review:
This is the second book in the series and we see the continuing story of the Morgan family. I enjoyed learning about how Taabe Waipu survived in a comanche Village and how she was treat. It was interesting also learning about how many children were stolen by the Indians and what became of them. It would have been hard for her. Ned is a rider for the stage coach and with the Nuns finds her and think it may be a trick but the Nuns take her in and we see the struggle to relearn english and how to be white. We also learn what she is running from. The book captivated me and I found it hard to put down. Some books you know the climax and major drama happens in the last 20 pages but this book it happens way before that. I like that it wasn't predictable and I read to the early morning to finish this book I just couldn't put it down. If you haven't read the first book you would still be able to follow the story.

Book Review of The Blacksmith's Bravery by Susan Page Davis

Product Description:
Ride shotgun alongside Vashti Edwards, saloon girl turned stagecoach driver, as she tries to redefine her life into a brave Christian citizen. Watch as Griffin Bane, local blacksmith and stagecoach manager, wrestles with his attraction to her. When a gang of outlaws target the stagecoach line, will The Ladies' Shooting Club come to their friends’ aid again, saving Vashti and Griffin to build a future together?


Book Review:
Another wonderful book by Susan Page Davis. This is the third book in this series. This time the book focus's on Vashti a former Saloon girl who wants to be a stagecoach driver. The saloon she worked for is now a restaurant but not making enough money to support all the employees. Griffin is in charge of of the stage line in Fergus and also the local blacksmith. I enjoyed the story line with Vashti wanting to take on what is considered a mans job and wanting to make a way for herself. We also learn about her early life and what lead her to being in Fergus. Seeing how Vashti tries to change her life and the problems she encounters and how she deals with them make the the story. I am sad to see this series end as I have come to love these characters and have loved the different ladies and how they learn to except each other.

My Review The Crimson Cipher by Susan Page Davis

Product description:

A female Navy cryptographer seeks to save lives...and uncover her father’s killers.
In 1915, German sympathizers escalated acts of sabotage in the United States to keep the nation from joining in the war. Following the mysterious murder of Emma Shuster’s father, Lt. John Patterson invites Emma to become a Navy cryptographer because of the expertise she gained in helping her father develop a cipher system. Emma finds new strength in her faith as she strives to outwit her adversary, known only as Kobold - German for goblin. Can Emma and John find love in the midst of turmoil as America plunges toward war?

About the Author 

SUSAN PAGE DAVIS is an award-winning author of twenty-five novels in the historical romance, romantic suspense, mystery, and romance genres. A Maine native, she lives there with her husband and their two youngest of six children.

My Review:

Another good book By Susan Page Davis.

This book is set during WW1 but before the USA commit to the war. I found it interesting and informative as I knew the US didn't join in the war very early but didn't know of alot of the reasons. I also didn't know about the domestic issues in Canada also.

This book starts with the murder of Emma's father and what happens after. Lt. John Patterson invites Emma to become a Navy cryptographer due to her expertised gained from helping her father develop a cipher system. She is also still trying to find out who killed her father and what they wanted. This was a good read learning about cryptography and how solving the cyphers saved many lives and help turn certain areas of the war. It was good reading about WW1 and this side of the fight.