Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

ABOUT THE BOOK

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people's mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more--a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn't expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny's undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring--perhaps too much--for the one who wrote it,


MY THOUGHTS..... 
Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved this historical fiction book that is set in the 1800s in Azure Springs, Iowa and I enjoyed learning about the workings of the dead-letter office. I was vaguely familiar with this office in Washington, DC but I didn't realize the true efforts of the peopLe who worked there in trying to get the mail to the intended recipients. The heroine of Yours Truly, Thomas is a clerk in the dead-letter office and she is especially diligent in finding the people for whom the mail was intended. One letter touches her especially and she travels to Azure Springs, Iowa so that she can make sure that Clara gets her letter from Thomas. What follows is a story filled with a little humor, some mystery and intrigue, and the realization that even though life doesn't always end up the way we thought, the results can offer happiness.

Penny Ercanbeck is such a special person and I was thrilled that she found her happiness after leaving Washington to travel to Azure Springs.  In the letters that she writes to her friend Dinah, Penny describes the town and the people and she tells Dinah that "In Azure Springs, it seems anyone who wishes to be friends can be. It is a beautiful thing." Penny also gets to meet the letter writer Thomas Conner and she immediately feels a strong attraction to this man who has penned such beautiful words to both Clara and to her.



Author Rachel Fordham has created some great supporting characters and I especially liked Margaret Anders, the owner of the boardinghouse where Penny lives; Dinah, Penny's friend in Washington, DC; and Penny's 'mud-loving' dog Honeysuckle. Penny finds great love and acceptance from all of them and Margaret and Honey provide humor in this story that is sometimes filled with sadness. Margaret also plays a matchmaker as she recognizes the hurts and loneliness that Penny and Thomas have experienced in their lives.



The letters written by Thomas to Clara, the letters exchanged between Thomas and Penny, and the letters that Penny writes to her friend Diana and to her own mother are all a reminder of a time when handwritten letters were the norm and certainly not the exception. I recall writing letters to my friends, to my cousins, and even to pen pals and this wonderful novel has helped me recall the excitement of receiving a lettter in the mail. I am so in love with Yours Truly, Thomas!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and I voluntarily chose to write this review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children's bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.

Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com



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Risky Return (Covert Operatives #3) by Virginia Vaughan

ABOUT THE BOOK

“Stop investigating or you will die.”

A Covert Operatives story

Searching for a missing pregnant foster teen, Rebecca Mason stumbles across a human trafficking ring. Now with criminals determined to silence Rebecca, security specialist Collin Walsh appoints himself her protector. But how can the secret husband who once abandoned her to join the military regain her trust? Collin will do anything to make up for the past…but first he must ensure they survive.




MY THOUGHTS.....    

Risky Return by Virginia Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Risky Return is filled with intense action that begins on the first page and it never lets up! Rebecca Mason is attacked by an unknown man and she is rescued by Collin Walsh, the man she hasn't seen for almost twelve years. As the danger escalates Rebecca is faced with accepting protection from this man who married her and then left her when their baby died. After they both escape numerous threats to their lives Rebecca realizes that she must trust Collin with her life but can she trust herself with her feelings of love that have never died?

This is an exciting story but it is also a timely story that focuses on the serious problem of human trafficking that is now plaguing our society. Rebecca becomes aware of this as she struggles to find a young teen girl who has suddenly disappeared. As her search continues it becomes apparent that Missy Donovan may be one of many teenagers who are being forced to have babies so that they can be sold in a suspected baby-selling operation. Rebecca is determined to rescue Missy and the other girls and Collin is just as determined to protect Rebecca. It soon becomes apparent that they are both still in love with the other but it is doubtful that their past hurts can be forgiven!

Risky Return is an exciting, fast-paced story filled with intrigue and mystery but author Virginia Vaughan has also included a strong faith element throughout her book and she features both Rebecca and Collin's faltering faith and their acceptance of His ever-present love!

In one instance Collin realizes that he was sent back to his hometown for a reason. 'Collin hadn't always put much faith in God, but He had to be the reason for the reconnection with Rebecca. Collin couldn't leave town until he knew she was safe.' 


There are also several instances when Rebecca questions why this is happening and she wonders about God's plan. 'She'd always tried to remain strong and believe God was in control. But how much more could she take?' And still another time: 'She was always trying to do the right thing and it wasn't fair that the bad guys were coming after her. Where was God in all this? Where was the truth?' 

It is through their questioning that they both realize that God is always there and that forgiveness is always available!

I truly enjoyed reading Risky Return and I recommend it to anyone who like romantic suspense and Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from the author but I was under no obligation to write a positive review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR 


Virginia Vaughan is a former investigator for the State of Mississippi who left a promising career to pursue her dream of being a writer. Blessed to come from a large, Southern family, her fondest memories include hearing stories recounted by family and friends around the large dinner table. She was a lover of books even from a young age, devouring gothic romance novels and stories of romance, danger, and love. She soon started writing them herself, delving into the genre of romantic suspense, armed with her passion for writing and the knowledge gained from her criminal justice background

Learn more about Virginia at http://www.virginiavaughanonline.com/