Her Patchwork Family / The Captain's Lady

Two Love Inspired Historicals for consideration

Title: HER PATCHWORK FAMILY
Author: Lyn Cote
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical
December 2009
ISBN: 978-0-373-82825-8
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Felicity Gabriel is a Quaker, recently relocated from Pennsylvania to Illinois. She has inherited a mansion, and decides to turn it into a home for orphans who lost their parents during the war between the states. But Felicity’s intentions are challenged by her neighbors who don’t want their upscale neighborhood to include an orphanage, and Felicity’s first charges test her resolve.

Tyrone Hawkins is the judge who hears Felicity’s case, but he has troubles of her own. His own daughter suffers from night terrors, and not knowing what else to do for her, Ty turns her over to Felicity for care even though it breaks his heart.

Ty can’t help but be impressed by Felicity, especially when she shows courage before the difficult townfolk, and caring for difficult children—including a purse-snatcher. Watching Felicity helps restore Ty’s lost faith. But will it help him and his daughter become a family.

HER PATCHWORK FAMILY is book two of Ms. Cote’s The Gabriel Sisters series, but it easily stands alone. I didn’t have the privilege of reading the first book in this series, but I had absolutely no trouble understanding what happened.

Felicity is a truly delightful character, full of love for children, yet strong and courageous in front of adversity. Ty is a hurting hero, torn by war and for the love of his child and not quite knowing how to handle the situations he finds himself in. I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this story—and am looking forward to reading the third book in the series coming in December of 2010. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. Available at www.steeplehill.com, or your favorite family bookstore. $5.50. 276 pages.


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Title: THE CAPTAIN’S LADY
Author: Louise M. Gouge
Publisher: Love Inspired Historical
March 2010
ISBN: 978-0-373-82832-6
Genre: Inspirational/historical romance

Captain James Templeton is the captain of a ship to carry goods from the American colonies to Great Britain. But with the unrest between the colonists and the King, people are careful who they trust. James Templeton is a colonist sympathizer, but he struggles to keep his allegiance to Britain open. Now, he is under orders to spy on Lord Bennington and find the war plans.

The risks are high. The futures of his East Florida colony as well as the other colonies could be destroyed if he is discovered. Jamie could be killed as a spy and a traitor. And, the greatest risk of all, Lord Bennington’s daughter, Lady Marianne Moberly…the woman who holds Jamie’s heart.

Desperate to carry out his orders, Jamie attempts to keep his distance from Lady Marianne. But Marianne is nothing less than persistent. How can Jamie possibly balance matters of the heart and matters of war without one of them suffering loss?

THE CAPTAIN’S LADY is the sequel to Ms. Gouge’s first Love Inspired historical, Love Thine Enemy, but it easily stands alone. I fell in love with James Templeton in the first book and was so excited to learn that he would be the hero in this second book. Jamie is loving and kind, the perfect hero, though he does have some faults.

The characterization of the people in the book is flawless, and the conversation is true to the time setting. Ms. Gouge did her research as shown by the different classes, style of dress, and demeanor of the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading THE CAPTAIN’S LADY and highly recommend it. Available at www.steeplehill.com or at your local bookstore. Discussion questions are included at the end of the book. $5.50. 279 pages.