It's Mailbox Monday! What Are You Reading?

Mailbox Monday is a meme originally from Marcia's Mailbox and is being hosted at Kathy's at http://bermudaonion.net/ during the month of November.

In the Mail....
A surprise, I think I got this as a Thank You from the new website of Novel Crossing (check that site out for Christian fiction, it's got tons of great reads there):

A Clearing in the Wild by Jane Kirkpatrick (2006)
Young Emma Wagner chafes at the constraints of Bethel colony, an 1850s religious community in Missouri that is determined to remain untainted by the concerns of the world. A passionate and independent thinker, she resents the limitations placed on women, who are expected to serve in quiet submission. In a community where dissent of any form is discouraged, Emma finds it difficult to rein in her tongue–and often doesn’t even try to do so, fueling the animosity between her and the colony’s charismatic and increasingly autocratic leader, Wilhelm Keil. 

Eventually Emma and her husband, Christian, are sent along with eight other men to scout out a new location in the northwest where the Bethelites can prepare to await “the last days.” Christian believes they’ve found the ideal situation in Washington territory, but when Keil arrives with the rest of the community, he rejects Christian’s choice in favor of moving to Oregon.

Emma pushes her husband to take this opportunity to break away from the group, but her longed-for influence brings unexpected consequences. As she seeks a refuge for her wounded faith, she learns that her passionate nature can be her greatest strength–if she can harness it effectively. 
 
I bought these at Half Price Books:

Jersey Brides by Laurie Alice Eakes
Travel back to the glory days of New Jersey where three women are having conflicts with wealth and status when attractive men enter their lives. Meg is being forced into marriage for riches when her heart longs for a simple artisan. Susan is powerless to use her fortune on the poor or to protect it from her future husband. Marigold is forced to work as a lowly nursemaid for orphans awaiting their uncle before receiving her birthright. Will God lead these women to loves that are even greater in value than money?

Abigail (The Wives of King David #2) by Jill Eileen Smith
Abigail's hopes and dreams for the future are wrapped up in her handsome, dark-eyed betrothed, Nabal. But when the long-awaited wedding day arrives, her drunken groom behaves shamefully. Nevertheless, Abigail tries to honor and respect her husband despite his abuse of her. Meanwhile, Abigail's family has joined David's wandering tribe as he and his people keep traveling to avoid the dangerous Saul. When Nabal suddenly dies, Abigail is free to move on with her life, and thanks to her brother, her new life includes a new husband--David. The dangers of tribal life on the run are serious, but there are other dangers in young Abigail's mind. How can David lead his people effectively when he goes against God? And how can Abigail share David's love with the other wives he insists on marrying? Jill Eileen Smith, bestselling author of "Michal," draws on Scripture, historical research, and her imagination as she fills in the blanks to unveil the story of Abigail and David in rich detail and drama. The result is a riveting page-turner that will keep readers looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.

New Kindle Downloads at $2.99 a pop for special on 11/16:

Head in the Clouds by Karen Witemeyer
Adelaide Proctor is a young woman with her head in the clouds, longing for a real-life storybook hero to claim as her own. But when a husband-hunting debacle leaves her humiliated, she interviews for a staid governess position on a central Texas sheep ranch and vows to leave her romantic yearnings behind. When Gideon Westcott left his privileged life in England to make a name for himself in America's wool industry, he never expected to become a father overnight. And five-year-old Isabella hasn't uttered a word since she lost her mother. The unconventionality of the new governess concerns Gideon--and intrigues him at the same time. But he can't afford distractions. He has a ranch to run, a shearing to oversee, and a suspicious fence-cutting to investigate. When Isabella's uncle comes to claim the child--and her inheritance--Gideon and Adelaide must work together to protect Isabella from the man's evil schemes. And soon neither can deny their growing attraction. But after so many heartbreaks, will Adelaide be willing to get her head out of the clouds and put her heart on the line?

The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz
In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own—some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey where we keep track of what we are currently reading and plan to read.

I finally got an awesome Study Bible with lots of timelines, notes and commentary oh my =) Loving it, except now I am kinda backtracking on what I had read before I got the Study bible. I totally recommend this book for those looking for a bible resource. There are so many behind-the-scenes references and terminology and A-HA moments that I missed out on when I was just reading straight through. Now that I am reading Leviticus, I am freaking out about some of the things God commanded/demanded/said was an abomination.. such as tattoos.. oopsy. So, let's just say I'm a sinner!! (and then of course there were some general creepy moments all around but at least I'm getting an education and feeling like I'm using my mind again).. 

And then I am reading the second book in the Daughters of Bainbridge House series, Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes. I had just reviewed book one, A Necessary Deception last week. Political unrest and the Luddite rebellion is an intriguing historical backdrop to these romance novels which I recommend reading in order.

And as far what is next..
It being Thanksgiving week and general gobs of madness..(kids off of school! egads!) I have no idea. I haven't looked at my review list in awhile, and not sure I care too much about it anyway. I'm pretty sure I only have one from NetGalley to read and one coming in the mail (Julie Klassen's newest! squeeeee!!!), and the rest of the review titles can sit comfortably on my shelves/pile/dresser as they have been.

I am wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.. I hope you all can find something to be thankful for and can enjoy your holiday!! Peace and blessings, goodwill to all!!