A Tree, A Book, and A Breeze

A Daring Sacrifice Jody Hedlund Zondervan In a reverse twist on the Robin Hood story, a young medieval maiden stands up for the rights of the mistreated, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. All the while, she fights against her cruel uncle who has taken over the land that is rightfully hers. Forced to live in the woods and hide with the poor people she's grown to love, she works to save and protect them, but she never anticipates falling in love with the wealthy knight who represents all she's come to despise.      I've thought long and hard about this review, because I think this is a book that I shouldn't have selected to review. I read the previous book in this series ( An Uncertain Choice ) and didn't overly care for it, which is probably a good indicator that I wouldn't like the second book in the series, either. But A Daring Sacrifice had a synopsis about a reverse Robin Hood, and well...I kind of have a weakness for Robin Hood sto...

Luther and Katharina Jody Hedlund Waterbrook    When I first learned that this book was coming out, I was extremely excited. Y'see, I've always found the story of Martin Luther and his wife, Katharina Von Bora, fascinating, and while I'm not entirely positive what I think about writing novels about real people (simply because I don't think I'd like a novel written about me years after I'm dead) that didn't lessen my interest in this book. Then, of course, I saw the gorgeous cover and was even more determined to read it.    The historical background in the novel was interesting. I especially liked the first few chapters when Luther and Katharina first met; their conversations (arguments?) were most entertaining! The author didn't skimp on the religious nature of the reformation, either, which I appreciated.    The one thing that knocks the rating down on this one, though, is that it was too romance-y for me, and I wouldn't recommend it...

An Uncertain Choice Jody Hedlund Zondervan The first book in a new YA historical fiction series from bestselling author Jody Hedlund. Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice-if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow. Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the cloister is the best place after all. If only one of the knights-the one who appears the most guilty-had not already captured her heart.    Ah, knights, castles, princesses, and dungeons. Who doesn't love them? With this in mind, I couldn't help but be intereste...

Rebellious Heart Jody Hedlund Bethany House In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she's ever wanted, except one thing: an education. Because she's a female, higher learning has been closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. She's determined to put her status to good use,reaching out to the poor and deprived. And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to continue her work with the less fortunate. Ben Ross grew up a farmer's son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn't see how he'll be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family, he's drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows herfamily expects her to marry well. When Susanna's decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's growing disillusionment with their...

A Noble Groom Jody Hedlund Bethany House Publishers I read Jody Hedlund’s The Preacher’s Bride not that long ago and quite enjoyed it, so while I admit I couldn’t take the cover of this book seriously (handsome man looking off in the distance with his tie blowing in the wind…*giggles*) I decided to check it out. Recently widowed Analisa Weiss has the feeling her husband was murdered but can't prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Analisa a groom. I did enjoy this book. It was rather more romance-y than I usually like (quite a few skippable kisses, in my humble opinion) But I think Mrs. Hedlund is a good writer, and I loved the fairy tale references used through...