Legacy of Mercy

***1/2

PG

{BSt} {UM} {SM}

Could Probably Recommend

I'm kind of still torn on this series...

Overall, it has a very good feeling so I think I'm going to go off of that.

One thing I like about Lynn Austin is that she tells stories about more than just romance.

Her characters deal with all kinds of hard, real life problems...some of them brought on by their own choices and others not so much.

In this book there is a character who is sexually abused as a young teen {SM} {BSt}

There is also more use of the "B" word in reference to a child born out of wedlock. {UM}

Some might call this book/series "preachy" because of many references made to redemption and forgiveness, but I seriously did not mind them at all.  That's what I felt made all the hard stuff bearable and gave it that overall good feeling.

It is very well written and very interesting...just deals with hard things...but I believe I could feel good recommending it.

Waves of Mercy

***1/2

PG

{UM} {GS} {TMP}

Possibly Recommend

I really liked this story but there were a few things that bothered me.

The subject of men cheating on their wives and how common it was is a topic of discussion once.  Also, the use of the "b" word to describe an illegitimate child is used one time.  I still don't know how to feel about that...{Uncomfortable Moments}

There are one or two kissing scenes and I think they were a little much for me. {Too Much Passion}

Two shipwrecks are described in some detail and could be disturbing for some. {Graphic Scenes}

This book is one that goes back and forth between time periods and they end up intersecting.  I really liked the plot aside from one other thing that was uncomfortable for me...one of the main characters ends up marrying someone who she really doesn't love because she thinks the man she DOES loves is lost to her.  Later, she regrets it and contemplates leaving her husband.  In the end she makes the right choice and comes to find she DOES love her husband but it was a bit shaky there for a while.

I'm about to start the sequel and am looking forward to finishing the story.  If I really like the second one I think I would feel comfortable recommending them even with the things I didn't like in the first.

Wonderland Creek

****

PG

{UM} {TMP?} {SM?}

Easily Recommend

I love how Lynn Austin is able to write about many different genres.  

She has my respect for that and also because all of her books that I have read so far have been very clean!

I really liked this one!  It had me laughing :)

There was a lot of things I didn't expect...didn't quite know where the story was going to go which I love.

There was a lot of kissing {TMP?} but it's not described in great detail and it's not between the two main characters which was interesting.

I can't quite remember the {UM} but I did make note that there were some.

This book does have a character who experiences severe postpartum depression {SM} in case you are sensitive to that topic.

A Proper Pursuit

***1/2

PG

{UM}

Would Probably Recommend

I had high expectations for this one because I had heard wonderful things about it.

I think I was only slightly disappointed...

For me, it was a little bit too long.

There were also several {UM} mostly having to do with "womens' assets" and such.

That being said, I really thought the plot was fun!  This is one book that you don't necessarily know the end from the beginning.  It's not as predictable as most (at least for me).  Although, I did figure things out a little bit before I read the conclusion :)

I always seem to enjoy books about World Fairs...they are fascinating!

Where We Belong

****

PG

{UM} {L?}{BSt}

Easily Recommend

This was definitely a different kind of book... which I loved!

The love story is not the main focus in this story.  I found that refreshing.  I also enjoyed the historical and geographical aspects and did not find the religious references overbearing.

To me anyway, it was an inspiring and thoughtful book.

There were just a few slightly {UM}.

There is an illegitimate child in the story and the orphanage director calls him the "b" word (I think only once) but that is the only instance of {L} in the book.

There is also a little bit of a backstory that deals with prostitution so that is why I gave it the back story rating {BSt}

I don't think everyone will love this one because of the reasons I mentioned in the first paragraph but I say "Well Done!" to Ms Austin :)