The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser~~A Litfuse Publicity Group Book Review, Blog Tour and Book Giveaway

 

A Little History with a Dash of Romance

The Journey of Josephine Cain is set during the Post-Civil War era. When the reader meets the young Washington socialite, Josephine Cain, she is longing for life to return to  pre-war normalcy. But the reality is her brother and cousin were killed during the war, and etiquette requires a proper mourning period and attire. No parties, fashionable dresses, and the chance to meet an eligible young man to marry.

Josephine has a great relationship with her father, but her relationship with her mother is strained, at best. So when she discovers that her father has been assigned the task to oversee the building of the Transcontinental Railroad she tries to convince her father to allow her to go with him. But the Untamed West isn't the place for a proper lady, especially when it is inhabited by Indians, hundreds of railroad workers and outlaws; and according to the general, it is not the place for his daughter. Despite her fathers declaration, Josephine's spunk and determination refuses to be deterred.

Hudson Maguire and his brother Raleigh work for the railroad in order to save up some money and send some  home to their family. He is an honest, hardworking man who General Cain finds to be trustworthy. This results in him becoming the general's right-hand man; putting Hudson in the position of chaperoning Josephine during her visits.

Hudson and Josephine find that they like each others company, but because they are committed to marry other people they refuse to let their friendship grow deeper. But do they really love the people they are engaged to?
Life in the West isn't like anything that Josephine experienced in Washington, DC, and it can't even begin to portray  any kind of Eastern civility with its gunfights, vigilantism, and brothels. But as the railroad advances toward its destination, Josephine discovers a new purpose for her life and possibly even true love.

I enjoyed meeting and getting to know Josephine and Hudson, as well as, other characters like Aunt Bernice and Frieda. I also liked learning the history of the railroad's advancement West. If you choose to read this book please don't skip reading the author's note where Nancy Moser explains the history within its pages.

About the Book:

When a socialite from the nation’s capital embarks on a journey to the Wild West, her life is changed forever.

A setting populated by hundreds of laborers, outlaws, and Indians is hardly the place for a wealthy general’s daughter. But Josephine Cain is determined to visit her father, who supervises the day-to-day work involved in the grandest ambition of post-Civil War America: the building of the Transcontinental Railroad. Life with the railroad is far from the proper life Josephine is used to, and she faces deadly gunfights, harsh weather, and vigilante uprisings. She is torn between the West and the East; between her privileged upbringing and the challenges of a new frontier; between the pull of the suitable beau her parents approve of and an attraction to a rough but charming Irish railroad worker. But if Josephine is willing, she just might find a new life, a unique purpose . . . and true love.

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Meet Nancy:

 

NANCY MOSER is the best-selling author of more than twenty novels. She is a winner and two-time nominee of the Christy Award, and her latest novel was named to Booklist’s “Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011.” Nancy and her husband have three grown children and three grandchildren, and they live in the Midwest.

 

Nancy invites you to visit her website to learn more.

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The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser follows the adventures of a D.C. socialite as she gets involved with the building of the Transcontinental Railroad right after the Civil War. Be sure to check out Nancy's fun Pinterest board for the book!

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

  Five winners will receive:

• The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 26th. All winners will be announced October 28th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 28th to see if you won one of the books!

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Blessings,

**The Journey of Josephine Cain by Nancy Moser was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.

An Unlikely Suitor-- A Bethany House Book Review

 

Spend a season in glamorous 1895 Newport in this compelling tale of friendship, devotion, and sacrificial love.

New York dressmaker Lucy Scarpelli befriends socialite Rowena Langdon as she's designing her 1895 summer wardrobe. Grateful for Lucy's skill in creating fashions that hide her physical injury, Rowena invites Lucy to the family mansion in Newport, Rhode Island, encouraging the unusual friendship.

One day Lucy encounters an intriguing man on the Cliff Walk, and love begins to blossom. Yet Lucy resists, for what Newport man would want to marry an Italian dressmaker working to support her family? 

Rowena faces an arranged marriage to a wealthy heir she doesn't love, but dare a crippled girl hope for anything better?

 

As the lives of three young women--and their unlikely suitors--become entangled in a web of secrets and sacrifice, will the season end with any of them finding true happiness?

 My Review:

Nancy Moser is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. She easily transports the reader back in time to another era, an era that we tend to think as kinder and gentler. Nancy Moser reintroduces the Scarpelli family whom we met in Masquerade; this isn't a sequel, but their own story...

The Scarpellis, Lea, Lucy, and Sophia need to move from their long time home, because it is slated to be torn down. While her mother, Lea, and Sophia attend church, Lucy looks for a new home for them. She not only finds an apartment she is very pleased with, she finds them all new jobs, as well. Lucy and Sophia will be working at Madame Moreau's Fashion Emporium as seamstresses and their mother, Lea, a hat maker. Wonderful jobs compared to the sweatshops they were used to.

When the Langdons visit the shop for the fittings of their new wardrobe for their summer in Newport, Rhode Island; Lucy is called on to record Rowena Langdon's measurements for her new dresses. Rowena has an awkward stance that takes special effort to disguise. Lucy decides to risk her job to create dresses for her. Rowena is especially pleased with the result of the first dress, and requests Lucy to continue to work on the rest of her wardrobe; which in turn becomes an unusual friendship between Lucy and Rowena--a commoner and wealthy heiress.

Rowena, wanting to continue her friendship with Lucy, causes damage of a number of her and her mothers' dresses in order to convince her mother to allow her to send for Lucy, so she can repair them. Mrs. Langdon relents to Rowena's request and Lucy is sent for, and she enters the world of the wealthy as a Lady's maid to Rowena.

I enjoyed this story. It was fun to read and enter into the worlds of the Scarpellis and the Langdons. To get to know them, to learn of their dreams and fears. To see that we are not as different as some would like us to think. To know that God gifts each of us with unique talents and abilities. And especially to know that God has special plans for each of us, and if we will submit to His will we be more contented, than if we rely on our own self-sufficiency.

Another thing I liked about the book is the inclusion of historical notes, pictures of some of the fashions that are described in the story, and discussion questions for reading groups and book clubs.

About the Author:

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and eighteen novels, including Mozart's Sister, Just Jane, and Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner. She is an inspirational speaker, giving seminars around the country. She has earned a degree in architecture; run a business with her husband; traveled extensively in Europe; and has performed in various theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She and her husband have three grown children and make their home in the Midwest. Read more about her books at www.nancymoser.com.

** An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser was provided for me free by Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

~Tammi

A Bethany House Book Review - - Masquerade by Nancy Moser

Set in the year 1886, two women Charlotte(Lottie) Gleason and Dora Connors, are lady and maid, Living in Wiltshire, England. Due to a change in the families finances Charlotte is asked to leave her childhood home, and move to New York City to marry one of America's wealthiest heirs, someone she has never met. Due to illness, her mother, who was planning to escort her daughter to New York, was not able to make the trip. Instead Dora Connors, Charlotte's personal maid is to go in her mothers stead. Since Charlotte and Conrad Tremaine have never met and only letters and a single picture were exchanged; Charlotte(Lottie) decides that she wants an adventure, so she talks to Dora, who looks similar to her, and convinces her to change places...to become Charlotte Gleason.

Once they arrive in New York they officially change places and the masquerade has begun. Dora, now Charlotte goes to stay with the Tremaine's and Lottie is to go to Dora's cousins, but her money is stolen, and the cousin never shows. Will Lottie make it without money, will she find a place to stay? Will Dora(Charlotte) fit in with the Tremaine's and the New York Socialites that they mingle with? Will she be found out to be an impostor? I am going to let you read the book for yourself  to find out the answers to these questions.

I really enjoyed this book. Although the idea isn't a new one for many have written a Prince and Pauper type story, but this story was well written and I was drawn into the lives of these two girls as they journeyed across the Atlantic ocean to find new lives in New York with people they don't know. I also enjoyed watching the girls find God's plan for them, as well as how they grew and became stronger as they lived out their new lives.

~Tammi

**Bethany House provided me a copy of Masquerade by Nancy Moser for the purpose of review. I have not received any other compensation. This review and opinion are solely my own.