The Merchant's Daughter

The Merchant's Daughter by Melanie Dickerson, 2011 Zondervan

     The youngest daughter of a rich merchant is expected to make an advantageous match or enter a convent in medieval England. Annabel Chapman is no exception--dreaming of entering a convent where she can avoid the lurking Bailiff Tom atte Water and study the Bible--until her father's ships sink and her father is killed by a nation-wide pestilence. Poor and fatherless, Annabel is not a preferred candidate for the convent. 
     Three years after her father's death the lord of the manse, the elder Lord leWyse dies and her family's fortunes shift again. Her mother and older brothers refused to do their fair share of the work or pay the censum - a fee in place of their work. The local jury rules that the Chapmans will immediately do their share and pay the three years' censum owed. When their penury cannot allow them to pay, the jury's alternate punishment is for a member of the family to serve their new lord for three years. 
     Lord Ranulf leWyse is considered a beast: he is cruel-tempered, scarred, and his changes are abrupt. Though his goal is to make life better for his villeins, change is difficult. Though ensuring the baker doesn't steal grain or the butcher doesn't overcharge for meat creates animosity with those who take advantage of their power, it ultimately is for the betterment of the community as a whole. Annabel's older brothers and mother cannot pay the past-due censum and refuse to be indentured to the new lord, so she takes matters into her own hands and goes to the manor. 
     Despite his reputation as a difficult master, life under the roof of Lord leWyse seems to be a better deal than the life her brothers have planned for Annabel. They plan to marry her off to Tom atte Water in exchange for the censum payment - what they don't realize is that Tom has worded the agreement to his benefit. At the manse, Annabel learns how to work for her new lord and develops a fragile friendship with him. Her dream to join a convent and study the Bible looks like it could become more than just a dream. Ranulf provides a copy of the holy writ when their local priest refuses to teach the girl--insisting women are temptation and evil. The lord disagrees and doesn't stop at allowing Annabel to read the book, but also discusses theology with her leading to a deeper relationship. 
     Ranulf leWyse is intrigued by the young woman who is afraid of something she cannot, or will not, reveal. He is an honorable man and believes - insists that the people of his domain are treated fairly and with respect. His insistence leads to dissatisfied members of the community who challenge his rule. 
     Annabel and Ranulf are attracted to each other, however, their beliefs about their individual roles in the community, and society in general, prevent any relationship between them. It takes courage for the pair to put to rest the discord in the community and to maintain their separation from each other. 
     Ranulf and Annabel are unrelated to the characters of the first Hagenheim story, becoming interwoven with their story as the series continues. Set in the era of the Holy Roman Empire the characters' Christian faith is a key theme especially how it directs their actions. The Merchant's Daughter is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale with elements of the Cinderella story thrown in. Teen and young adult readers who enjoyed The Healer's Apprentice will enjoy the second tale set in Dickerson's Hagenheim. 

A Worthy Pursuit

A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer, 2015 Bethany House

     Little Lily's mother was Charlotte Atherton's best friend after the nine-year-old enrolled at the exclusive school where Charlotte taught. Upon Mrs. Dorchester's death, she granted guardianship to Charlotte away from Lily's wealthy and overbearing grandfather. 

     When the school is shut down Charlotte knows Lily is in danger and - along with two of the school's boys who have nowhere to go - escapes to property left to her by her parents and far from Austin and the Dorchesters's grasping. She doesn't know why exactly Mrs. Dorchester wanted to keep Lily from her grandfather, but Charlotte isn't willing to give up the girl she's come to love. 

     It's no surprise that Dorchester sends a tracker after them, but Stone Hammond is not what Charlotte expects--under his handsome, but overwhelming exterior. Stone isn't willing to allow an abductress to run Lily's life or those of the two boys who escaped the school's closure. But he's surprised by the little family he finds in Charlotte's care. 

     He is likewise surprised by Charlotte herself. She very clearly cares for Lily, Stephen, and John; and she is intelligent enough to recognize the threat he poses to their life together. Yet, Charlotte cares for him when he is injured and trusts him with the truth of Lily's guardianship. 

     Dorchester and his somewhat illegal actions toward Charlotte are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his reasoning for bringing his granddaughter back. Stone and his conscience cannot allow the man to use his granddaughter's photographic memory to his advantage. 

     Somewhere between helping Dorchester, finding the truth, and scheming with Charlotte to allow Lily a proper childhood, stone finds a home with the pretty teacher and her rag-tag family. But Charlotte has demons of her own and trusting Stone will not come easily. The two bond over caring for and protecting the children from the minions Dorchester sends after them and their camaraderie turns into something more. 

     A Worthy Pursuit blends the action of dime-novels Lily Dorchester is so fond of with a romance rooted in faith and trust suitable for readers of all ages. Charlotte and Stone face challenges and must accept that life doesn't always go as planned, sometimes it does better. 

The Beautiful Pretender

The Beautiful Pretender by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishing

     The King had separated Thornbeck and Plimmwald from the duchy of Geitbart because the Duke had chosen to marry against his liege's wishes. Avelina Klien is the maidservant to the Earl of Plimmwald's daughter, Dorothea. When Dorothea flees to be with her lover, one of her father's knights, Avelina discovers just how far the earl will go to try and protect his people: he commands Avelina to take Dorothea's place in the bride-quest the king has commanded of Thornebck's margrave. 

     Avelina is terrified the margrave will discover her deception and that the grumpy lord will punish her for trying to protect her people and provide for her family. Her instructions are simple: fly under the radar while ensuring the margrave doesn't marry the Duke of Geibart's daughter. Her reward is the funding to support her family and a dowry to marry the man of her choice. 

     Reinhart Stolten, the margrave in question, is not pleased the king is requiring that he marry one of ten young ladies from a list. He begs time from the king to choose one, but to get to know all of the ladies in the timeframe allowed. With help from Odette and Jorgen, the steward and his wife, Reinhart sets up a two-week house party to get some measure of the young women--without telling them why. 

     There are more deceptions and secrets about than any of the major players are aware of: Avelina struggles to keep her identity secret from Reinhart and her new friends, Magdalen and Odette. The duke fo Geibart's daughter is plotting something, but what it is no one knows until it may be too late. Avelina's identity is discovered placing her life in danger, but can she convince the margrave that she meant no harm? Geibart's plans may prove their concerns premature as Reinhart and Avelina battle for their lives. 

     Avelina has fallen for the one man she cannot have and her deception discovers the margrave has fallen for her straightforward charm -- despite her attempts to bring Magdelen to the center of his notice. 

     Beauty and the Beast meets the Princess and the Pea in this tale of secrets and surprise. Dickerson weaves historical romance into Christian fiction that readers of all ages will enjoy--some suspense and violence will limit younger readers. 

That's Amore

That's Amore by Janice Thompson, 2014 Revell Publishing

     Several years after her wedding to DJ Neely, Bella is in her husband's hometown to set up a second Club Wed. Shortly before the two relocate with their children Bella discovers that her family will be growing and plans to continue her work in Splendora as long as she can. 

     In Galveston, Bella's sister and her husband have taken the lead in her absence. DJ's business is booming and they turn their eyes back toward Splendora, Texas, and the renovation of Club Wed no. 2. Bubba Neely, DJ's younger brother, and his wife, Bella's best friend, have moved back to his hometown to open a Bar-B-Que joint but face opposition from some town influencers. 

     Neither DJ nor Bubby knows why the mayor opposes both of their enterprises--they'll bring commerce to the small town. As they battle to make a life, even temporarily, in Splendora Bella and her friends struggle with the temptation to give in to wants rather than behaving as her faith prescribes. 

     Halfway through her pregnancy DJ suggests renewing their vows when the chapel at Club Wed is complete. Bella finds the challenges of pregnancy--with twins no less--the frustration caused by Splendora's mayor, the distance from her family, and the minor dramas of small-town life combine to be more than she can handle alone. 

     Bella repeatedly learns she cannot do it all, especially not on her own. This final installment in Bella and DJ's story focuses on faith and family to get through difficult and unexpected times. 

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest by Melanie Dickerson, 2015 Thomas Nelson Publishing

     Odette is one of the most sought-after young women in Thornbeck. Now twenty years old Odette has been living with her uncle for the last ten years--since her parents died of the plague. She has a soft spot for the poor of their town. Odette's uncle supports her decision to wait to marry and allows her more freedom than she can expect after marriage: he even helps her distribute the food she illegally poaches from the margrave's forest. 

     Jorgen is the margrave's huntsman and tasked with ensuring the wealth of animal life in the forests. He notices a significant dearth of large game and worries about wolves or large boar, both of which pose a danger to Thornbeck's people. When Odette loses an arrow in the woods Jorgen is certain the poacher who killed his father has returned. 

     When the two meet at the midsummer festival Odette and Jorgen are unaware their mutual attraction is overshadowed by their professional animosity. They develop a liking for each other fraught with uncertain tension: Odette knows he is the forester who seeks to catch her and stop the supply of food to Thornbeck's orphans, Jorgen seeks the poacher with vengeance on his mind. 

     Outside political forces force Odette to take risks which causes her to be caught and brutally injured. Jorgen discovers the identity of his poacher but tries to protect the woman he's come to love. Neither can stop the margrave's justice and neither expects the young lord's punishment. 

     In this blending of Robin Hood and the Swan Princess Odette and Jorgen find friendship and faith leading them to each other. Other suitors try to blackmail Odette and her uncle into a match she resists and to remove Jorgen from the social and political landscape. Younger teens will enjoy the clean romance and quick adventure of The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest. 

It Had to Be You

It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson, 2010 Fleming H Revell

    On the heels of her second themed wedding, Bella is overjoyed to be planning her aunt and uncle's wedding, quickly followed by her own ceremony. That is until her little sister decides to marry within weeks of Bella's big day. 

     Rosa and Lazarro's forties-themed bash is a joy to plan and the Rossi family reunites across the ocean. Even Lazarro's old mobster friend Sal shows up. The Rossi clan of Galveston Texas believes they can help the old man find salvation. Laz hopes Sal's parrot Guido can help lead him to faith. 

     Sal finds more than Guido and the Rossis helping him toward the Christian faith. The Splendora trio is always willing to lead a man to water. When Sal seems to find a little more than friendship with one of the ladies it seems he may be drawn fully into the light. 

     The family drama pulls Bella and her family from their roots. Old and new rivalries and jealousies challenge each member of the family but draw them back together and to their faith. 

     In planning her own nuptials, maintaining a happy front while her parents remodel as a surprise for Rosa and Laz, and spreading her time thin enough to help Sophia plan her own wedding Bella forgets to take time for herself. Bella is forced to learn to rely on others and her faith to make her dreams a reality. 

     The Rossi family is grounded in their faith and their connection to each other. Bella and DJ get their happily ever after among family and friends, just as they've helped arrange for many couples before them. 

The Noble Servant

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson, 2017 Thomas Nelson Publishing

     Magdalen of Mallin travels with her maid her Agnes's father to meet her intended grom: Duke Steffan of Wolfberg. On the way to Wolfberg Castle, Magdalen is forced to exchange places with her servant. 

     Unbeknownst to Magdalen, Steffan is having his own issues. His scheming uncle and cousin have kicked the rightful Duke out of his home and taken Steffan's place. After being left for dead on his journey home the rightful duke finds a position as a shepherd on his own estate. 

     Magdalen and the shepherd boy, Steffan find a common purpose in figuring out how to expose their usurpers. The one saving grace is that no one has seen Steffan in two years to recognize him and his uncle and cousin don't know to seek him out. 

     When her maid is kidnapped, Magdalen questions whether or not she should enlist aid to save the girl. Her position in the household is humiliating for a lady of her stature, but Agnes's intended is not the duke Magdalen met at the ball and compassion wins out. The double deception spells trouble for Mallin and Wolfberg.  Alongside Steffan, the more-than-he-seems shepherd, Magdalen uncovers the plotters and finds her place in her new home. 

     Dickerson's retelling of the Little Goose Girlfleshes out the fairytale in historical medieval Germany. Readers will enjoy the clean romance between Magdalen and Steffan as they get to know each other without the expectations and limitations of their status and the just desserts of villainous Agnes and Steffan's uncle. The Noble Servant is aimed at teens and young adults. 

Swinging on a Star

Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson, 2010 Baker Publishing

     After Bella's first themed wedding is a success she is challenged by a new theme. Rob and Marian want a Medieval theme and Bella Rossi is more than happy to oblige: she even had a castle built to house the ceremony.
     Rob and Marian have a surprise for their wedding planner. Bella is stunned at the news Rob's best friend is a Hollywood movie star, Brock Benson. They ask if Bella and the Rossi clan can help keep Brock from the paparazzi. Anything to make her bride's day perfect: Bella agrees.
     The young man who deejayed Bella's first wedding, D.J. Neely, has stayed around and the two have been dating. Bella is serious about her beau and enjoys his family and their quirks. When Brock seems to take too much of a shine to the elder Miss Rossi, Bella must figure out how to break it to him that she's taken.
     Her sister has no such claim and enjoys the charming movie star's attention while he hides from paparazzi in the Rossi household. Brock finds family with the Rossis and their flamboyant insistence that on being the very best they could be drives him to seek his own family. The Rossis are happy to be adopted. 

     Despite setbacks Bella and her family band together to make Rob and Marian's wedding an event to remember. Even with a celebrity best man, the focus is on the bride and groom. The challenges help Bella and DJ on their journey closer to each other and forward in their faith. 

     Readers who enjoyed Bella's first themed wedding and meeting DJ will enjoy following their blooming relationship. 

The Silent Songbird

The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson, 2016 Thomas Nelson Publishers

     As the king's ward and cousin, Evangeline has lived a privileged life of luxury. She sings for the king's pleasure yet dreams of a life beyond the castle walls. When Richard II betroths his cousin to his closest advisor, Lord Shively, Evangeline can no longer stand for the life laid out for her. 
     Eva and her maid run away and hide among servants returning from the king's castle. Evangeline pretends to be mute, but regrets her deception as she grows closer to Westley leWyse, who she learns isn't just the servants' leader, but the son and heir of their lord. 
    The fleeing women take positions in the le Wyse household, but it soon becomes clear that Eva has no experience with the labor expected of a servant. When Westley discovers the pretty girl can read he helps her find a place in the household. His obvious favor does not make Eva friends among the servants or the daughters of the freemen. And their growing friendship tests the boundaries of propriety. 
     Lady le Wyse is concerned her son has fallen for an unsuitable young lady despite Westley's firm insistence that the two are only friends and will never be more. Though fond of the clever young woman, the lady wants the best for her son and believes there's much more to Eva than meets the eye. 
     When news of the king's missing ward reaches the le Wyse household Eva knows she must tell the truth. Her relationship with Westley sours when he is blindsided by her identity and the nebulous anxiety about Lord Shively reveals itself as something more sinister. 

     Returning to England and the setting of her second Hagenheim story, Glynval, Dickerson weaves the expectations of medieval life with political intrigue to create this new installment of the Hagenheim series. 

Made to Last

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg, 2013 Bethany House Publishing

    Miranda Woodruff has been running a home improvement show for three seasons, but the network has mentioned there are no guarantees of a fourth - despite being halfway through filming. Randi's manager and her show's producer suggest they solve a mystery the show has been hinting at since its beginning. Randi is reluctant to provide a face to the husband she mentions because there is no husband.
     She had met the man she nearly married on a mission trip to Brazil. Robbie was a leader in the team working to build houses for locals and the relationship between Randi and Robbie progressed until Robbie proposed as they prepared to return to the United States. Miranda struggles to reconcile their relationship with her faith and eventually her fiancee leaves and Randi throws herself into the show. Randi's manager and the show's producer convince her that a replacement husband to show her fans will be the perfect stunt to convince the network to keep the production running. They find Blaze Hunziker to play her husband.
     Blaze has his own demons but agrees to help the woman and, hopefully, her show. Randi is blind-sided when a national gossip magazine reporter is scheduled to follow her every moment through this tumultuous time. While Miranda can handle the over-the-top personality Blaze brings, it is Matthew's calm and quiet observations which get under her skin.
     Trying to maintain the facade she's built on her show for the last three seasons, Randi allows Matthew to see her commitment to her community and a struggling faith. At pressure from the show's producer and her manager, Randi continues to pretend a relationship with Blaze while getting to know Matthew and show him her high-mountain life. The two develop a friendship which threatens to become something more despite her supposed marriage.
     When the real Robbie reappears and threatens the whole charade, just as everything seems set. The tension of having the real man who inspired so much feeling back is compounded when the reporter is brought in on the secret. Though the relationship between Blaze and Randi was revealed as fiction turned to real friendship, Robbie's return jeopardizes even the possibility of something between Matthew and Randi.
     The facade crumbles around her and the media discovers Miranda's secret. But she is worried about what her fans will think and how her friends and family will deal with the years of lies. In a romance which centers around the myth of Randi's marriage and keeping her secret, her Christian faith and hopes for the future drive her decisions. Followed by Blaze's quest for forever, Made to Last is a story of forbidden love, which may not be so ruinous when the dust settles.

Short-Straw Bride

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer, 2012 Bethany House Publishing

     The Archer brothers are some of the most terrifying men in the county, but that doesn't stop Meredith Hayes from accepting the dare of her classmates. She ventures onto Archer land only to be saved by the oldest Archer brother, Travis.
     Twelve years later when she overhears a plot against the Archer brothers and their land, Meredith rushes to repay her debt. But Travis Archer and his two brothers have been vigilant against the outside world for much longer than they had allowed anyone in. When a young woman who reminds him strangely of the girl he saved years ago, appears on his land Travis Archer is unwilling to allow invaders into his lands.
     Meredith's reunion with the man who saved her doesn't go as she expected. His suspicions, and those of his brothers, do not incline the men to accept this woman and the warning she brings. But when Meredith's life hangs in the balance and she again risks her life on Archer land Travis finds he likes the interloper a sight more than he thought.
     With her courage and wit, Meredith worms her way into the eldest Archer's heart and convinces the three men the world beyond their gate isn't the world they've feared for years. She brings the men more than just a warning, and finds more than just a husband in handsome Travis Archer and his brothers. Readers will enjoy the passion which drives Meredith Hayes to revisit the Archers and the misunderstandings that shape their futures.

Hades

Hades by Alexandra Adornetto, 2011 Feiwel & Friends

     Bethany Church is an angel sent to Earth with her siblings Archangel Gabriel and Seraphim Ivy. The angels were sent to bring light back to Earth and help humans reclaim their goodness, falling in love with a human was not on the agenda.
     When Beth falls in love with her human classmate Xavier Woods their bond gets closer and stronger. Their relationship, though, doesn't stop Beth from being taken to Hell on the back of a motorcycle driven by the demon Jake Thorn. From the beginning of their relationship Jake has been fighting to turn Beth from Xavier and from the light.
     In Hell Jake shows her the order of his kingdom. It would be easy to fall into place with Jake's plan and become the Queen of Hell, but her love for Xavier and the relationship with her family won't allow Bethany to abandon her mission.
     Beth fights not to give in as Jake bargains with her family. What he asks may be scraping the bottom of the barrel on what they can give. Her story is a tale of faith and trust--trusting Gabriel, Ivy, and Xavier to come for her, and trusting God to love her despite her failings.
      The second chapter of Beth's story explores the darkness of life beyond God's chosen scope, without the constant presence of her loving Father. Beth truly experiences humanity for the first time. The story is aimed at readers high-school-aged and older.

Shock Wave

Shock Wave by Dana Mentink, 2013 Love Inspired

     A year after they've both returned from the Afghan war zone and life-altering tragedy Sage Harrington and Trey Black meet again. This time in the disaster-stricken San Francisco. The attraction they felt at their first meeting hasn't deserted either of them, but neither is thrilled to renew the association.
     Still reeling from PTSD and the guilt that her actions caused a good friend's death, Sage is furious to see Trey again, especially when he butts into her search for her missing cousin. She believes her extremely pregnant cousin was done harm by her too charming Hollywood-star husband and is meeting with one of the couple's employees when a major earthquake strikes San Francisco and traps her in the darkness with Trey.
     Trey is startled at the reappearance of the woman who never should have brought her journalistic nose into a war zone, and a little pleased at the turn of events. He hasn't been able to get her out of his mind, despite her aggravating lack of common sense. When the building they've been trapped in begins falling about their ears after a major quake, Trey sees his mission to get the woman he's begun to care about to safety--whether she wants to abandon the search for her cousin or not.
     When Sage's fears for her cousin turn out to not be paranoia as a result of her PTSD the two face more dangerous mistakes than their shared past. A city in pieces, missing mother-to-be, and possible murder all under an old opera house bring out both the best and worst in both Sage and Trey.
     Shock Wave is a love story that isn't about love, the plot is not driven by the burgeoning feelings between the main characters, yet it is enriched by their relationship and their faith. Romance fans will enjoy the subtle growth of their feelings, while all readers can enjoy the plot and characters. Unlike most modern romance, Love Inspired are softer stories and readers of all ages will enjoy the story.

A Promise to Believe In

A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson, 2008 Bethany House Publishers

     When the Gallatin Girls' father is accidentally killed while some of the local ranch hands are celebrating their weekend the three young women are left to run their Boarding House along the stage's path without a man's guidance or protection. In rural Montana that could spell disaster, but the Gwen, Beth, and Lacy Gallatin are headstrong ladies and women of strong character. They continue to operate their father's business while they struggle to deal with their grief.
     The situation is only compounded when Gwen's dead husband's brother shows up on their doorstep demanding to see the hussy who married his brother then let him die in a measles outbreak. Hank Bishop stays with the girls hoping to find the property his brother had stolen, but the longer he lives and watches them, the more he understands Gwen isn't the gold-digging minx he imagined. He comes to admire the women: Gwen mothering her two sisters and holding the family together covering up the belief that she is destined to kill those she loves, Beth's saucy side hidden beneath the innocence of a lady, and Lacy's forthright attitude and stubborn quest to find their father's killer.
     When he finds his family's property and returns it to Mrs. Bishop, Hank must leave the women and land he's come to love. During his absence the greedy neighbor slowly tries to push the Gallatin women and their respectable values out of their home and the growing town. The wilds of Montana grow less wild in leaps and bounds while Gwen Gallatin and her sisters cling to what is theirs.
     With their Christian values and frontier grit, the Gallatin girls are compassionate and persistent. They care for their community, even when the community doesn't care for them. They stick together and stick to their beliefs. Gwen, Beth and Lacy Gallatin are women ahead of their time yet also women of their time seeking love and family through the plans of their Heavenly Father. Readers of all ages will enjoy A Promise to Believe In.

Halo

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto, 2010 Feiwel & Friends

     Today's world isn't what it used to be. It is much less Godly than ever before and Bethany Church, along with her sister Ivy and brother Gabriel, is sent from Heaven to help bring balance to the world. The angels land in a small town and integrate into daily life.
     Ivy, a seraph, volunteers in the community. Gabriel, the archangel, teaches music at the elite public high school where Bethany is a student. Unlike her removed siblings, Bethany has no problem fitting in with human life. She is the most human of the three angels and begins to fall into the normal patterns of her classmates.
     She even falls in love: Xavier is a unique young man for the modern world. He is the swim team captain, class president, valedictorian, and his family is Catholic. But at the edge of their idyllic world is Jake Thorn. Bethany can't figure out what it is about Jake that bothers her so.
     As Jake tries to lure her away from Xavier, Bethany clings to the relationship and tries to avoid Jake. She even breaks all the rules and reveals her identity to Xavier as their relationship progresses. Neither Ivy nor Gabriel is happy with the decision, but bring Xavier in on their divine mission. The three angels take their mission seriously and fight for peace in their small town and beyond.
     The story has strong Christian elements but is a typical coming of age story. Bethany begins to explore the human world and to experience emotions angels cannot feel. She questions what it means in terms of her angelic identity, but is firm in her belief in God's love.

A Lady of High Regard

A Lady of High Regard by Tracie Peterson, 2007 Bethany House Publishing

     Mia Stanley is a well-bred young Christian woman in mid-nineteenth century Philadelphia. Her life seems charmed: she plays matchmaker for her sisters and friends, and enjoys the company of the admirable Garrett Wilson, while choosing to work for the Godey's magazine. When Mia discovers the plight of Philadelphia's women, her sympathies are engaged and the simple mission for Godey's Ladies Book becomes a passion that ultimately threatens everything she holds dear.
     In an era where women and children's working conditions are being challenged the wives and widows of Philadelphia's seamen are forced to pay exorbitant amounts and non-existent debts. The women cannot afford to feed their families and maintain the roof over their heads with their menfolk gone for years at a time and the debt collectors turn to other forms of payment: kidnapping children into indentured servitude, or coercing liberties from mothers with nowhere else to go. The sheltered Miss Stanley is introduced to this downtrodden world when her editor asks her to try and help the women.
     At first, working for the magazine and helping the women is just another adventure, one becoming more and more difficult for society to accept. But when Mia's closest friend, Garrett, looks into the situation he quickly discovers the difficulties are more than just the cycle of poverty. Though Mia discounts the danger, believing God will protect and bless her for the work she does among the less fortunate, Garrett finds the main perpetrator is more dangerous than Mia will accept.
     While committed to her activism and the surrounding events, Mia begins to discover that her feelings for Garrett aren't always what she assumed them to be. Finding a match for him brings her more anxiety and jealousy than the pleasure of finding love for her friends has. Garrett realizes the love he has always had for Mia is not that of a sister as he always assumed. Neither is willing to speak of their desires for fear of rejection until the matter is taken from their hands.
     While mainly a story of romance, A Lady of High Regard deals with the changing social climate of the mid-nineteenth century: young women from the heights of society begin to venture outside the home into activism and the worksphere, women and children's labor conditions become a major issue in politics. But the changes cannot make up for the corruption throughout all levels of society. Mia is a passionate woman living the values her Christian upbringing has instilled in her, fighting the dictates of society even while trying to live within them. It is a story of persistence and caring for fellow humans, despite differences of class and wealth.
     Once the reader gets into the story, it is a fairly quick read. Mia's story is inspiring with characters one can relate to, familiar language, and an easily adopted cause. A Lady of High Regard is a read for fluent readers: high school or older will get more from the story than younger children who may not be able to connect to the main conflicts.