This may be the best book Pegg Thomas has written, which is saying a lot. She has included a variety of aspects among the characters: Native American, Quaker, native-born patriots of European descent, and recent immigrants, plus the class divisions that persisted due to ingrained prejudices. Readers become acutely aware of the clashing loyalties in the primary male character, a true Native American who has adopted the Quaker way. His counterpart is a young woman who is fiercely aware of her illegitimate birth and an upbringing that included no knowledge of his God. When the early battles of war throw the two together, will their assigned identities keep them from finding a united future?

In Jill Burrell's Love Rebranded, we are reminded that personal emotional battles can be tougher than the physical ones and may last much longer. Caution on this one: the story alludes to a botched attack, stalking, and alcohol dependency. Though it takes a while for Riley and Daniel to confess their individual problems, they begin to lean on each other as they work toward resolution. But their struggles continue, even in the relative isolation of the ranch where they live and work. As many must learn, it can be hard to trust others (and themselves) again, but it's both freeing and humbling to help each other as they surrender to God's will.

Even though this story involves a murder mystery, it was a refreshing change from the heavier emotional books I'd been reading. The author begins with a gentle introduction to characters who have populated her earlier books, so I had no trouble keeping up. As someone surrounded by music all my life, I enjoyed the references to different composers, instruments, and the annual competitions held for school-age musicians. Another bonus was the historical setting, which offered insight into the ice-cutting business in the early twentieth century. The author gives enough clues for the reader to solve the mystery along with the main characters--and provide a touch of romance along the way.

I found this medical romance to be very different from the majority of contemporary stories I've read in several aspects. It begins with the main character going through labor and delivery. She is a married doctor whose husband abandoned her after a few months. I wasn't sure whether this was a continuation of a previous book, but the author seemed to assume the reader had previous knowledge of the couple. The story was set in the South (Nashville and Birmingham), but the characters' speech was not indicative of their location, and many terms and expressions reminded me of the Australian stories I'd read; indeed, later, the author mentioned some Australian relatives of the main character. The ending provided some resolution, but didn't answer all the questions I had about the story.