5 Star – Madi's Musings

A beautiful story with heartfelt themes and tear-jerking scenes.

Graphics–**not the cover**–designed by Mountain Peak Edits & Design.

Today I am participating in the Forgotten Memories blog tour by reviewing the book. (Which you need to add to your TBR.)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today, Penny is the author of over a dozen books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her website www.pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

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ABOUT THE BOOK

Some memories are best forgotten…

The Wyoming Territory is rife with lawlessness and disorder, something Annie Ledbetter and her parents discover when their wagon train is robbed. Seven years later, Annie settles into her lifelong dream as a teacher in the small town of Willow Falls. When she meets handsome rancher Caleb Eliason through a humorous misunderstanding, she is quickly drawn to his kind heart and charming smile.

Former outlaw Caleb Eliason embraces his chance at a fresh start. Gone are the days of robbing stagecoaches and wagon trains. When he falls in love with the new Willow Falls teacher, he doesn’t realize they’ve met before—under much different circumstances. When his past comes to light, will it put the growing love between them at risk?

Can forgiveness and redemption heal two broken hearts or will the past keep them from sharing a future?

Add Forgotten Memories to your Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61166004-forgotten-memories?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=JxLU3k3mt3&rank=2

Where to Purchase Forgotten Memories

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forgotten-memories-penny-zeller/1142115335?ean=9780976083689

RATING:

6 out of 5 Stars

REVIEW:

I’ve read all of Zeller’s books, and while I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single one, Forgotten Memories is thus far my favorite. Set in 1880s Wyoming, Forgotten Memories incorporates faith, humor, sweet romance, redemption, and a superb premise.

The setting is well-described. The reader is swept into the small Wyoming towns and the rustic landscape. I could easily imagine myself there as I read the story.

The plot, as aforementioned, is superb. Filled with twists, turns, hope, pain, and a strong faith element, the reader is definitely treated to a broad range of emotions–which this book is full of. If you don’t tear up, or are at least a little bit touched by some of the scenes…you’ve a cold heart. There is no way someone with a normal heart can’t be moved. I rarely tear up while reading, but I did while reading this book. I also really liked how the book began, as it provided insight that is crucial to the rest of the plot. The flashbacks also were incorporated well. The romance is sweet and gentle, written at just the right pace.

The characters are wonderful. Annie aspires to be a teacher, and her desire to help others and her good relationship with her family is heartwarming. Sadie is adorable. Caleb…who wouldn’t love Caleb? He deserves all the hugs he can get. He was my favorite character, though by a slim margin, because I did adore Annie as well. Their emotions were so realistically portrayed. No one is perfect and their struggles are portrayed quite realistically.

The secondary characters are a delight as well. Charlotte and John Mark need their own stories. Their relationship was perfectly portrayed, and I could empathize mostly with Charlotte, though I felt for John Mark too at times. Tobias needs his own story too, the little twerp. I was especially fond of Charlotte’s vocabulary and how she learned several of them through reading (doesn’t that just sound like a true bibliophile?). There were just so many fun secondary characters, too many for me to list.

What really sets Forgotten Memories apart is the faith aspect. Beautiful, rich, and so deeply woven into the story. Zeller paints a splendid story of forgiveness, God’s mercy, and redemption.

I also appreciated the adoption theme, which has a double meaning in this book.

I’ve read many historical romances, and Forgotten Memories is by far one of the best I’ve read. It is a beautiful story with heartfelt themes and tear-jerking scenes. Do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR.

*I received an eARC copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I’ve seen Zeller often compared to Janette Oak and Little House on the Prairie, so if you like those, you’ll like Forgotten Memories.

Lookee at that. Part of my review made it onto the “What Readers are Saying”!

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

TUESDAY, 9/6

Penny Zeller | Is Forgotten Memories the Book for You?

Penny McGinnis | Book Spotlight

Charity’s Book Escapes | Book Review (Instagram)

Madi’s Musings | Book Review

Julie Arduini | Guest Post

Lee-Ann Brodeur | Book Spotlight

WEDNESDAY, 9/7

Vanessa Hall | Book Review

Saraina | Author Interview

Christian Books and Coffee | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

Quilling in the Pines |Book Review

Suite T | Guest Post

Mary | Review (Facebook)

THURSDAY, 9/8

Penny Zeller | Quotes + Meet the Characters

Cover Lover | Book Spotlight

Christian Books and Coffee | Author Interview (Instagram)

Reading and Flowers | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

t.r.b.e. | Book Review

Chat with Vera | Book Review, Giveaway

Donna Schlachter | Guest Post

Lena Nelson Dooley | Author Interview, Giveaway

FRIDAY, 9/9

Saraina | Book Spotlight

Cover Lover | Book Review

Christian Books and Coffee | Book Review (Instagram)

2friendstalkbooks | Book Spotlight (Instagram)

Abbigail | Book Review (Facebook)

Penny McGinnis | Book Review

Cindy’s Book Corner | Book Review*

SATURDAY, 9/10

Penny Zeller | Tour Wrap-up (Which Character are You, etc.)

Kristina Hall | Book Review

Madi’s Musings | Book Spotlight

2friendstalkbooks | Book Review

Patti’s Porch | Guest Post, Giveaway

He’s fought through ruthless outlaws and injury. But with her, he’s tempted to surrender.

AUTHOR: Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Bethany

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

ABOUT

He’s fought through ruthless outlaws and injury. But with her, he’s tempted to surrender.

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger’s Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler’s bullet leaves one of them at death’s door, they’re the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she’s not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew’s dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine’s respect, and when her brother is abducted, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

When plans go awry and Josephine is caught in the crossfire, Matthew may have to sacrifice everything–even his team–to save her.

RATING:

5 Stars

REVIEW

This book is a doozy. A good doozy that didn’t deserve the lefitst nastiness (completely unfounded wokism) that’s been wrongfully bestowed upon it and the author.

I first heard about this book through an online conversation. The RWA (Romance Writes of America) initially gifted to Ms. Witemeyer the 2021 Vivian Award. But the left and those easily offended didn’t like that and raised a fuss about the author “glorifying” the battle at Wounded Knee, and the award was stripped away. Needless to say, my curiosity was piqued and I wasted no time ordering At Love’s Command. I’m fairly certain I’ll like a book that’s got the other side’s feathers ruffled and their tempers riled.

This is a wonderful book scorned by an utterly insipid, ridiculous, and not-so-wonderful organization.

THE MAIN CHARACTERS:
Matthew Hangar is a wonderfully realistic character. Carrying shame, regret, and ghosts from his past, he strives to atone for what happened at Wounded Knee (does that sound like the author is glorifying it? Not to me). His loyalty to his men is endearing and his growing, strengthening faith is well-woven through the plot.

Josephine “Dr. Joe” Burkett is hilarious. With her sassy attitude, fancy vocabulary, strong faith, and love for medicine, she brings humor and a strong heroine to the story. I enjoyed how the author illustrated through Josie’s struggles that God is always with us no matter what we’re going through.

THE SETTING:
I never want to visit Texas. It holds no draw to me topographically-wise. But, with masterful descriptions and a clever plot, Ms. Witemeyer paints this state as a land filled with outlaws and danger, yet also thriving with the chance at discovering redemption and love.

THE PLOT:
I can’t see how this “glorifies” killing Indians. But maybe I just have a good dose of common sense, or maybe “glorifying” has a different definition in my dictionary. Matthew wants redemption and atonement for the massacre. He doesn’t look back and say, “Gee, I’m so happy I participated in that. It was something great”. No, it haunts him, which was why he began the Horsemen. Their reputation lands them in a pickle when Josie’s brother finds himself in a mess.

OTHER:
I originally marked this a four-star due to the issue below (marked with asterisks) but upon another rereading (was it my third rereading? Maybe.) I am marking this a five star.

*****
I greatly enjoyed this book, which is why it’s unfortunate I can’t give it a five star. My reservations are it’s almost overboard on physical attraction part – too much, too soon. There’s nothing wrong with thinking the opposite sex is attractive, but Josie spent a decent portion of her time admiring Matthew’s physique. Again, there’s nothing wrong with doing that, and it didn’t become lustful, but too much, too soon. For that I’m going to drop the rating to four stars because I wouldn’t let my sister read this book until she’s older.
*****

At Love’s Command is worth the read. I recommend it to anyone eighteen and older. Ms. Witemeyer wasn’t afraid to tackle the grittiness of war, something I admire in an author. I also admire that Ms. Witemeyer told history as it was (after all, history’s not there to make you feel warm and fuzzy–it’s there for you to learn from). I urge you to add this book to your TBR pile.