Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

 It is 1878 in Texas as the story begins. Rosa has lost her husband and father- in-law in a mining accident in Mexico. She goes with her mother-in-law to the family property in Texas to begin a new life. Rosa is quite exotic in appearance compared to the other ladies in Texas. Rosa wears bright lively colors that reflect her own Mexican heritage and also her optimistic joy about life. Blending in with the people of the town where she will live will not be easy, but Rosa isn't too concerned about what others will think or say about her. She has work to do and just wants to help her mother-in-law run the ranch and raise the money needed to pay off the delinquent taxes that must be paid in order to keep their property. When she meets the cousin of her late husband, there may be an attraction between the two of them but they both are carrying secrets that may keep them apart forever. 

This story grabbed and held my interest from beginning to end. I love historical fiction and reading about Rosa and her new family was a lovely story in spite of the troubles that she and her family had to face. Some of the characters in this story will anger you, but it's necessary to know about how things were at this time for women of any heritage. How Rosa faces the problems that confront her will renew your faith in God and how He is always an inspiration and a force living within all good people.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Bethany House Publishers.

The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

It is the summer of 1879 in the town of Colden, Massachusetts. Libby Sawyer and her inventor father are spending the summer at her brother's home on St. Catherine's Island. Libby loves this time away from the main house in Colden, because she is able to enjoy some free time painting whatever she wants to paint, rather then working as her father's artist sketching his intricate designs of his inventions. She also enjoys spending time with her young niece and the other children on the island. At home her father will not allow children into the house for fear of them causing damage to his property. This summer though word comes that a family of Romanians has moved into their home and claiming it is their's. The Sawyers will have to return to Colden to try and removed these people from their home.

There are many interesting characters within this book and each adds so much to the story. Lady Mirela is a bit of a mystery to the Sawyers. Is she really from nobility and just how is she related to Michael the head of the Dobrescu family ensconced in the Sawyer home. What sorrow is Lady Mirela carrying with her. Libby is also carrying around a secret shame. Why does Michael tear out all the beautiful rose bushes on the Sawyer property and also from the neighbor's property? Will the Dobrescu's be able to prove that they are the rightful heirs to the property that Professor Sawyer bought so many years ago? This book is really a good read with quite a few twists and turns to hold your interest throughout the book.

 This book was provided to me to read and review by Bethany House Publishers.