Carrie Turnasky: A Token of Love

By Kelly Bridgewater

Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.

In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister's plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice's disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.

In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum's history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum's reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.

 

My Thoughts:

A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky highlights the world of Human Trafficking in modern times and in the past. In London, Turansky focuses on a foundling hospital and the good work that they do for orphans, but then there is a dark, seedy side to the organization. Both stories depend on something that happened in the past, and how it reflects and affects the future storyline. The plot was a little sad that human trafficking still happens today as it did in the past. Readers will enjoy how Turansky weaves the two storylines seamlessly. The characters dove deep into their emotions. I really enjoyed how Turansky created a storyline that depended on the historical aspects. The plot kept my attention, and I wanted to see how the happily-ever-after moment would happen. I loved seeing the setting of London, and how Turansky will draw readers into the setting as much as the plot. As for the spiritual element, it was most definitely there, and I enjoy how it flowed naturally from certain characters. Overall, A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky is an eye-opening historical novel that has great characters that captured my attention. I recommend this book.

I received a complimentary copy of A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Most Anticipated Historical Romance

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Books that I can't wait to read this Fall. 

(All covers come from Goodreads.)

The Clovertone Charade by Sara E. Ladd

A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee

Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witmeyer

What about you? Any covers capture your fancy?

Carrie Turansky: The Legacy of Longdale Manor

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Two women--a century apart--embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.

In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England's Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford--the owner's handsome grandson--who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd's staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she's left searching for answers.

In 1912, after her father's death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte's grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.

 

My Thoughts:

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky features the Lake Country in England. Boy, do I want to travel to London. Turansky does a wonderful job at creating a setting that makes me feel like I am there and feeds my desire to want to visit England even more. With this beautiful setting, Turansky placed two hurting heroines in this serene setting to, hopefully, heal. The plot was original, predictable, yet hauntingly familiar. Turansky has a way of creating such a simple plot and allowing it to flow nicely, inviting the reader to sit and wash away their own struggles. I look forward to Turansky's stories becuase she crafts delightful and unique characters. Her characters, including in this story, jump off the page.While the story does feature Charlotte, an antique historian of artifacts, this thread of the plot appeared to be not that important. I wanted more details of this and how to wrap this up with the Legacy of the Longdale Manor. Charlotte and Gwen both are hurting from their father figures and need to learn to lean own their Heavenly Father. However, the romance between the two time periods was a little unbelievable for me. I wanted more to the romance’s development. Too quick. Not enough of a relationship for me to buy that they were willing to have the happily-ever-after moment together. Overall, The Legacy of Longdale Manor featured hurtful characters who come together to try to find peace and tranquility within the lake country of England. I still enjoy spending time with Turansky's world and story. This story will look beautiful with the rest of her stories on my bookshelf. 

I received a complimentary copy of The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Legacy of Longdale Manor

Most Anticipated Historical Romance for Fall 2023

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Here are my Most Anticipated Historical Romance books that will be released from now until December 31, 2023. (All covers come from Goodreads.)

The Wings of  Poppy Pendelton by Melanie Dobson

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

Against the Wind by Amanda Cabot

Children of the Shadows by Erica Vetsch

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano

The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham

A Winter by  the Sea by Julie Klassen

What about you? Any other suggestions of novels that I should read?

Favorite Books of 2021

 By Kelly Bridgewater

I review A LOT. I read tons of books. Some good. Some okay. Some not so good. 

But some are some wonderful that I can not wait to toot their horn. 

Below are my favorite books of 2021:

(All images come from Goodreads.)

Secrets in the Mist by Morgan L. Busee

Dead Fall by Nancy Mehl

Silence the Siren by Michele Israel Harper

Curator's Daughter by Melanie Dobson

Chasing Shadows by Lynn Austin

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham

To Write a Wrong by Jen Turano

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep

What about you? Have you read these books? If so, did you like them too? If you have not read them, please add them to your To Be Read Pile, you won't regret it. 

Carrie Turansky: No Journey Too Far

 By Kelly Bridgewater

A family long divided, a mysterious trunk, and a desperate journey across the ocean—all in the name of love. The epic saga of the McAlisters continues in this riveting sequel to No Ocean Too Wide.

 In 1909, Grace McAlister set sail for Canada as one of the thousands of British Home Children taken from their families and their homeland. Though she is fortunate enough to be adopted by wealthy parents, the secrets of her past are kept hidden for ten years until someone from her long-buried childhood arrives on her doorstep. With this new connection to her birth family, will she be brave enough to leave her sheltered life in Toronto and uncover the truth?

 After enduring hardship as an indentured British Home Child, Garth McAlister left Canada to serve in World War I. His sweetheart, Emma Lafferty, promised to wait for his return, but after three long years apart, her letters suddenly stopped. When Garth arrives home from the war to unexpected news, he is determined to return to Canada once more on a daunting mission to find the two women he refuses to abandon—his long-lost sister and his mysteriously missing sweetheart.

 

 

My Thoughts:

In No Journey Too Far, readers follow Grace and Emma, Garth’s sweetheart, as they struggle with their current situation and cheer as they work on their hunt for true family. Turansky crafted a league of admirable characters who really feel close and personal, if readers have enjoyed the first novel. The only sad part to this second story is that there is not a third novel to the family story. Bringing the British Home Children’s story to light was a fabulous way to spend a couple of hours. I know, from other authors, that orphans and children of poor parents were trained across America to live and work on farms, so this is pretty much the same thing but in Canada. The writing captured my attention along with the story. It was easy to allow my imagination to roams the countryside and courtroom in Canada. Also, the plot was crafted well. Readers should enjoy spending time with the McAlister either in England or in Canada. Overall, No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky captured my imagination and taught me something different about Canadian history.

I received a complimentary copy of  No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky from Multnomah Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Carrie Turansky: No Ocean Too Wide

By Kelly Bridgewater

Between the years of 1869 to 1939 more than 100,000 poor British children were sent across the ocean to Canada with the promise of a better life. Those who took them in to work as farm laborers or household servants were told they were orphans--but was that the truth?

After the tragic loss of their father, the McAlister family is living at the edge of the poorhouse in London in 1908, leaving their mother to scrape by for her three younger children, while oldest daughter, Laura, works on a large estate more than an hour away. When Edna McAlister falls gravely ill and is hospitalized, twins Katie and Garth and eight-year-old Grace are forced into an orphans' home before Laura is notified about her family's unfortunate turn of events in London. With hundreds of British children sent on ships to Canada, whether truly orphans or not, Laura knows she must act quickly. But finding her siblings and taking care of her family may cost her everything.

Andrew Fraser, a wealthy young British lawyer and heir to the estate where Laura is in service, discovers that this common practice of finding new homes for penniless children might not be all that it seems. Together Laura and Andrew form an unlikely partnership. Will they arrive in time? Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Inspired by true events, this moving novel follows Laura as she seeks to reunite her family and her siblings who, in their darkest hours, must cling to the words from Isaiah: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God".

From Goodreads

My Thoughts:

No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky is a chase across the Atlantic Ocean to find family. I heard about the orphan trains in America with Jody Hedlund's series, The Orphan Trains, but I didn't know London was sending over orphans to work in Canada too. The historical aspect backing this story was fascinating. I really liked the part where Turansky didn't shade away from the harsh realities of what happened to some of these servants. She was honest and showed the effects on the children as they laid in a hospital. The plot flowed nicely, moving from one part of the story to the next. The characters wanted nothing more than to be together. I liked Laura. The romance between Laura and Alex seemed to move along nicely, but then Turansky ended the novel with the predictable, yet slightly unconventional way, for Alex and Laura to earn their happily-ever-after. I could have done with their romance stringing along a little longer. Maybe into the next book. Overall, No Ocean Too Wide is an original, yet unpredictable story with four siblings trying to complete their family again. I really can't wait to return and see how Grace and Garth come home. Fans of Jody Hedlund's series might want to pick this series up and compare the two.

I received a complimentary copy of No Ocean Too Wide by Carrie Turansky from Waterbrook-Multnomah Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase No Ocean Too Wide

About the Author:

From Amazon

Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky writes historical and contemporary novels and novellas set in England and the US. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Holt Medallion, and the International Digital Award. Readers say her stories are: "Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn't put it down!" . . . "Touching love story. It captured me from the first page! Rich characters, beautifully written" . . . "My new favorite author!" Visit her website and sign up for her email newsletter at Carrie Turansky.com. Follow Carrie on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. (Taken from Amazon.)

My Favorite Books of 2018

By Kelly Bridgewater

Can you believe it is now 2019?

Wow! Where did 2018 go?

It seemed like I was writing this blog post during 2017 just a couple of weeks ago.

Last year at this time, a lot of things have changed and broke, allowing me to dip into a lot of finances. I pray this year nothing like that happens.

Anyways, I have decided to include my favorite books of 2018.

I love doing this every year. Plus, I love allowing the author to know that their book has touched me in some way that I still remember it months later.

Here they are in no particular order: (All images come from Amazon unless noted!)

Thirst of Steel by Ronie Kendig

 

Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

 

Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

 

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

 

Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

 

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

 

(I think Nadine Brandes' Fawkes is my favorite cover of the year!)

What about you? Do any of these books make your favorite lists? What other books would you add to this list?