March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, and this month’s books feature characters who have a gentle and vulnerable side, but will fight like lions for justice, their lives, and most of all, for a chance at love!
My first recommendation is the third installment of Sarah Eden’s Savage Wells series, Wyoming Wild. This is the story of US Marshal John Hawking. He has done his best to clean up the towns under his care from criminal elements, but when he gets a warning about a death threat from a small town on the outer reaches of his jurisdiction, he heads there—and gets more than he bargained for. Liesl is doing her best to help those families that are being hurt by their corrupt sheriff—who also happens to be her father. Circumstances quickly spiral out of her control and John and Liesl are thrown into a situation they could never have predicted. Can they bring down a criminal enterprise when they aren’t sure who to trust? And can John let Liesl into his heart when danger is all around them?
This book was one of my favorites so far this year. There was action and adventure, a slow-burn romance, and a glimpse of previous characters from the first two books. Wyoming Wild can definitely be enjoyed without reading the first two in the series, but it is a richer experience in knowing some of the supporting characters if you have. Ms. Eden masterfully pulls together all the elements of danger and a blossoming romance as she draws the reader into a time when the west was a place of hopes, dreams, and harsh realities. Our hero, Marshal Hawking, is a man who believes his heart is made of stone, and that he’ll never find someone to love. Liesl is a determined woman when she’s trying to save the people she loves, and both of them have a strong sense of justice. Their love story wasn’t an easy one, but the ending was worth the wait. Wyoming Wild is a western thrill ride with danger and intrigue around every corner and a sweet, heartwarming romance to match.
Wyoming Wild by Sarah Eden, published by Shadow Mountain Publishing 258 pages, available in ebook, audiobook, paperback on March 7th
The second recommendation is A Waltz with Traitors by A.L. Sowards. This epic tale set during World War I will change your perspective not only of what happened then, but perhaps on current events that are happening in our world today.
Filip has long held the dream of a free and independent Czechoslovakia. He is part of the Czechoslovak Legion and does all he can to recruit others to his cause. While in Russia, a woman on a horse takes a fall near their encampment. He helps her get home, but can’t seem to forget her. Nadia had an idyllic life until the war broke out. Now she’s lost everything and her entire family has been killed. She is on the run from men who want her dead with no money and nowhere to hide. She sees Filip at a train station and in the chaos of his train leaving, they strike a bargain—he’ll marry her so she can travel to France with him and his regiment. But the longer they are together, the more their feelings grow. With a war raging all around them, and Nadia’s enemies close by, can they ever find a refuge and moment of peace to explore a real future between them?
Ms. Sowards has created a beautiful masterpiece of World War I fiction that highlights a little-known aspect of the war. This book is a tapestry of deep emotions and scars from war and loss, intertwined with light and joy that find a way to shine through the darkness. The author’s well-researched setting and attention to detail was exceptional, providing a vivid setting for the reader to experience. Filip and Nadia are both complicated characters thrust into circumstances that show their strength in the face of conflict and their vulnerability as they forge a bond neither of them expected. But love during war is difficult and their journey as a couple is heartrending at times, but inspiring. This historical fiction is a compelling statement on perseverance and the innate need for freedom combined with the longing to find a connection with others and be loved. Heavy themes are addressed throughout the story, but those topics are written with a sensitive hand. Readers will gain a different perspective on the intrigues that were always in the background of World War 1 and admire the courage of those who lived it. This unforgettable historical will pull you in from the first page. Put it at the top of your to-read list when it releases on March 14th.
A Waltz with Traitors by A.L. Sowards, published by Covenant Communications, 417 pages, available in ebook and paperback on March 14th.
After winning $10 in a second-grade writing contest, Julie Coulter Bellon knew she wanted to be a published author someday. That dream came true and she is now an award-winning author of thirty books. She is also a podcast host for Authors Off the Page and Book Chat with Julie
