Another in the Love Inspired line, Healing the Soldier’s Heart is a faith filled Historical by Lily George. This time an orphan turned governess who lives in Bath is given the chance to help a returned and injured soldier. Lucy Williams is dedicated to the two young girls in her charge, one soon to leave the nest as she has her coming out party and attempts to find a suitor, the other young and impressionable and both without a mother. 

James is an injured veteran who has mostly lost the ability to speak due to trauma on the continent during war. His family is no longer as auspicious as they were so he attempts to support his mother and sister who also has a speech impediment. 

This lovely tale is set in the Regency era and has some more mature components. There is some discussion about becoming and the ramifications of accepting the position of mistress. Though nothing overtly occurs. Our main characters are torn by their pasts and in need of faith love and hope. 

I have always loved stories set in Bath and am especially fond of the Regency era. I think the author does a lovely job of keeping us in mind of the constraints placed on all sort of people in the time period while slowly and carefully creating a love you can’t help but cheer for. 

The side characters are equally charming and bring a lovely addition to the story. If anything, hot cocoa and a nice fire on a snowy day is the perfect time to pick up this Christian Historical Romance. Another lucky library find! 

I recently reviewed the second book in this series – Murder on the Bride’s Side by Tracy Kiely. Murder Most Austen is another library find and the 4th in the series. So I did have a gap between the two novels. Thankfully you get enough reflection on the previous (and for me missing) book to follow the relationships.

The intrepid Elizabeth Parker is joined by her Aunt (great aunt really) Winnie on a trip of a lifetime to Bath for the Jane Austen Festival. On the flight there we are introduced to a rather unusual Austen scholar Professor Richard Baines and his assistant Lindsay. With some very… unique… opinions on what he saw as the “true” meaning behind Austen’s work and the woman herself he was a prime candidate for drama.

Once in Bath we are introduced to a whole new host of characters including an old friend of Aunt Winnie’s and the family of the professor. With drama and secrets it is a prime situation for the ensuing murder.

I love this one and honestly did NOT figure out who the killer was. Bath is a dream location for me and I do admit to looking up some of the art the ladies saw in London and daydreamed a little about the streets and hotels. There is a touch of romance, a bit of intrigue and murder for the books. I actually enjoyed this book as well as the one I read previously. I cannot wait to get my hands on numbers 1 and 3!

So again. love love love these books by Tracy Kiely. Be sure to check them out if you want a Jane Austen infused read. 

May 25-26

This is our first Memorial Day weekend here in Minnesota and it was certainly not the best of weather for it. Rain, overcast and cool… not exactly proper picnic weather. That did NOT change my Saturday plans… an afternoon/evening with the lovely Lily and her mommy Bree. But first, it was time to initiate Daddy on the morning walk… all 7 of us out to enjoy the local path.

Walking the girls

Our babies

Once Bree made it all the way to our place with baby in tow to collect me she had been lost a bit and the kids here had lunch. So before we changed and fed the baby there were introductions to be made!

Babyyyyy

Friends already

We said good bye to the family and headed out to do a little baby store shopping… Then off to a rather fancy dinner at a Cafe that does a completely different set up in the evenings from their informal lunch. It was delicious, a great price and HUGE!

That is a full soft shelled crab for Bree

…and once you removed the spinach, an absolutely delicious pork sandwich for me.

Miss Lily sat well through the whole thing for us in her carseat!

Awwww

With full tummies we headed back to Bree’s to sort us out and then walk for a while. They have the most amazing little free library at the end of the block… we had to go look at it, next visit I am definitely going to bring one of our double books to donate!

Little library

Poor Lily always seems to have a bath when I visit! This time in the tub.

Not pleased…

But forgiven in no time

A leisurely evening later and it was time to head back to reality. At least Ken had the kids asleep before he came and picked me up!!!

Me and my Lily bean

hmmmmm

Look at that strong neck!!!

Oh, and did I mention we stopped at Dairy Queen?? Walking distance AND a Nerds Blizzard!!!

Blizzards!

Riding in style

Ken even found some time while I was gone to put together Emanuel’s Big Wheel!

Insane jealousy back there!

Sunday was a family outing day – we were supposed to go out to a lake (there are so many nearby) and have a picnic but… it simply was not to be. So instead we took our chocolate rice krispie squares and headed over to their place for visiting and BBQ.

Minecraft

Anthony teaching Zander how to tie a knot he learned in Scouts

Lots of fun for the kids and lots of relaxation for us! Perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday! And the food was good too!

Men at work

Supper!

Quite the wonderful long weekend so far!!

Lovely relaxing time

Snoopy!