I enjoyed reading book three of the Honey Ridge series so I had to read book one to see how it started. Excellent, I loved both families during different time periods who inhabited the home at Peach Orchard Farms and how they overcame difficulties put on them, or of their own making. I now want to read book two. ( )

well written story of 2 different women in 2 different times (present day and during the Civil War) who have difficult lives but manage to overcome. There is a romance for each but the central theme is really overcoming tragedy. My favorite character was Eli who was the modern day hero. He had been an out of control rich kid who ended up in prison, totally disowned by his family. He is out now and totally down on his luck when he becomes the heroine's handy man in order to provide for the son he has only now found out he has a six year old son born while he was in prison. His character was really the most clearly defined of any in the book and I just loved how he accepted his situation was his own fault and how he'd changed and was determined to lead a better life and be a better man for his son. ( )

4.5 stars.

The Memory House by Linda Goodnight is a heartfelt novel of redemption, forgiveness and healing. This beautifully written story has two gentle and sweet romances that take place in two different time periods, but they both tie together in the present at a renovated plantation which is now a Bed and Breakfast. It is a very charming novel with very light supernatural elements that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.

In the present, Julia Presley is still deeply mourning the loss of her son six years earlier, but opening the B&B with her sister Valery has given her a measure of peace. She is slowly rebuilding the life that slipped away during her deep depression after losing her son Mikey and she loves taking care the visitors that stay at the Peach Orchard Inn. While she and Valery completed many of the renovations on their property, there is still work that needs to be in some of the outlying buildings and she agrees to newcomer Eli Donovan's offer to complete the project at a steep discount along with room and board.

Eli and Julia are both struggling to overcome the tragedies of their respective pasts. Julia is a little further along in the healing process while Eli is just beginning to pick up the pieces of his tattered life. Both are keeping secrets but Eli's are much more serious and could have a detrimental effect on Julia's emotional well being and her B&B. Right away, Eli is forced to admit the reason he is town is his young son Alex and while Julia is dismayed at this revelation, she allows him to continue working for her. But it is not until unforeseen circumstances force Eli to take more responsibility for Alex that true healing begins for Eli, Alex and surprisingly, Julia.

In the past, Charlotte Reed Portland finds her life upended when Union soldiers arrive at the plantation where she lives with her husband and young son, Benjamin. She unexpected finds common ground with Captain William "Will" Gadsden as they work together nursing his wounded men. Their feelings for one another soon run much deeper than friendship but there seems to be no future for them since Charlotte is married and Will eventually returns to battle. Will and Charlotte secretly exchange letters that Julia and Eli discover during the B&B renovations and they are both captivated by the Civil War era romance that has a few parallels to the difficulties they are currently experiencing.

Although Linda Goodnight tackles some very serious topics in The Memory House, the novel is surprisingly free of angst and very uplifting. The storyline is hopeful as both Julia and Eli break free from the sorrow of their pasts while they unexpectedly find love. Their romance is sweet and while it is slow growing, this makes their relationship more believable. All in all, it is an immensely satisfying journey of healing and redemption that fans of contemporary romances are sure to love. ( )

Author Linda Goodnight's "The Memory House" is a compelling tale of grief, loss and redemption, and the ultimate power of love and faith. A dual storyline of contemporary and Civil War Era Tennessee weaves together the past, present, and future to offer a richly atmospheric tapestry for the reader's imagination. In present day, Julia Presley devotes herself to operating the Peach Orchard Inn. Caring for her guests and providing for their comforts keeps her busy and helps her to survive. The unsolved abduction of her son six years ago and the subsequent dissolution of her marriage had left Julia bereft. The daily matters of management of the inn had given her purpose--a reason to get up each day and keep moving forward. Eli Donovan, a man at a crossroads of conscience, had given up a life of privilege for the prison life. After seven years, he is free, but unsure of what "freedom" really means for him. Unexpected news that he is the father of a son whose mother has passed away is a jolt to his already jangled sense of place. Fate will bring Julia and Eli together, and time will lead them to healing, friendship, and more. However, time also has other plans for the two of them, and the discovery of haunting love letters from the past will propel them into an unexpected journey which will forever change their lives. Settle down into your favorite reading spot, sip some of the peach tea like Julia serves her guests, and enjoy this lovely and involving romantic story.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine ( )

A wonderful story about life, about how to cope with the loss of a child and how to learn to move on. How to let yourself enjoy life a bit, even though it will never be the same again. A very nice little piece of art, told in a calm and respectful way, altering between two different time periods. Nothing too dramatic, just... life. ( )

I really enjoyed this book, a little surprise sitting on my TBR shelf. The book went chapter by chapter from the 1800's, Civil War era to present day without a hitch. It was inspired by news reports of children abducted and never found, and although thru the book you expect everything to be resolved you are satisfied with the outcome, it is a well written novel about history and love, found in different places and times! ( )

Fans of historical fiction and romance will be riveted and deeply moved by this rich and compelling novel. The author skillfully merges together two story lines, present day and civil war era. The writing is descriptive and inviting, drawing you into the character’s lives.

Present Day - Julia Presley was still feeling the horrors from six years ago when her six-year-old son, Mikey, had been abducted and never found. Her marriage had dissolved within a year of Mikey’s disappearance, and she was suffering loss, grief and betrayal. Julia was keeping busy at the point of exhaustion, taking care of a bed-and-breakfast she’d purchased. The Peach Orchard Inn was a two story Southern mansion, which had survived a Civil war and the century and a half since. Julia didn’t believe in ghosts and spirits, but strange things had been happening at the Inn, and history seemed to be lingering in the walls and crevices of the mansion.

Eli Donavan was a man with a criminal record who’d spent seven years in prison. He was carrying a lot of shame and remorse, even after six months of freedom. He’s been contacted that he has a six-year-old son. A son he’s never met and doesn’t even know his name. The boy’s mother was dead and it was up to Eli to raise him. Eli was certain he was not fit to be a father. He needed work to provide for his son and started at the Peach Orchard Inn doing odd jobs for Julia in exchange for room, board, and a small salary. Julia is all the things he appreciates in a woman, and a tender romance develops, but not without problems.

Civil War-1864 – Peach Orchard Farm had been home to three generations of Portland’s, including Charlotte Portland’s husband, Edgar, and their nine year-old-son, Benjamin. Charlotte had fallen in love with the house when she was a bride of sixteen. Edgar was a strange man, and she despaired at ever fully knowing him. He was not an affectionate man, full of hatred, bitterness, and with wounds running deep inside. She was never able to fully love Edgar. Union soldiers, who were in need of a house to use as a temporary hospital, had suddenly invaded their quiet country life.

Captain William Gadsden, a decent and caring man, led the Union soldiers. The Captain promised Charlotte that no harm would come to her or her family. The soldiers respected the Captain, and Charlotte was convinced that he was a good and godly man.

The Yankee Captain regularly sought out Charlotte and paid much attention to her and her son. The Captain certainly complicated her life – their paths should’ve never crossed. She was a woman married to a Confederate and was determined to stay faithful to her husband. She was fearful of displeasing God, even if being unfaithful was only in her heart. It was a forbidden love and they both were yearning for something out of reach.

And the story unfolds with the author cleverly tying together two story-lines with strong parallels. The Memory House is an uplifting, feel good read. My rating – 5 stars. ( )