Love's Fortress is by a new to me author. It is a time slip book set during modern day and in the 1870's. I got caught up in both time eras and I really enjoyed them both. I especially loved learning the history of the 73 native Americans who were transported to St. Augustine. The modern day story had a sweet romance, a bit of mystery and happy ending. I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. This is my honest opinion.

This is another good offering in Barbours Doors to the Past series. The dual time line was well done. The 1870’s portion was a little slow to grab my interest but the current day storyline and characters kept me involved until it did. As I continued to read I enjoyed the story more and more. I knew very little of the historical facts from this time in American history. I had never heard of the Native American ledger art which I found quite interesting. The modern day story seemed to end a little abruptly but was still satisfying.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read and review.

I have to be honest that when I first started reading Love's Fortress, I hesitantly thought it was going to be the rare title from the Doors to the Past series that I wasn't going to love. Jennifer Uhlarik was a new to me author, and I just couldn't seem to get invested into the developing story. However, as the story moved forward, I was proven wrong. I ended up adoring this heartfelt tale that speaks of past tragedies and present grace, and found it truly unlike anything I'd ever read before.

I was most impressed with how character driven the entire story was, and even when I struggled with not finding the plot too interesting at the beginning of the story, the characters kept bringing me back for more. In the past, Broken Bow, Luke and Sally Jo form a beautiful friendship as the three navigate treacherous waters amidst horrific conditions that have brought them all together in the first place. Broken Bow's faith journey is truly heart wrenching, and one of the most touching parts of the entire story. In the present day, Dani has recently lost her estranged father, and she's struggling to come to terms with all her feelings and the many things he's left behind. When a rare art find puts her into contact with a local museum curator, she finds her heart yearning for something more. As Dani and Brad navigate the situation her father left behind, and the custody situation facing Brad's niece Brynn who he's determined to give a better life than the one she's had so far, they'll soon discover that our Heavenly Father is always walking situations with us, no matter how hard they may seem.

While I honestly enjoyed all of the main characters and the growth and maturity they show throughout the story, my absolute favorite was Matty. As a chaplain to a local church and the best friend of her deceased father, Dani's at first hesitant to trust him, but that soon changes. I absolutely loved his overexuberant love for Jesus, and the way he goes to extreme lengths to help anyone in need he possibly can. He truly shown such a light for the Lord, and his character made this beautiful story even better.

I can't conclude my review of this one without mentioning how much the ending of the story blew me away. The plot twisted in ways I never saw coming, and demonstrated just how talented of a storyteller Jennifer Uhlarik truly is.

Final Rating: 4/5.

Another wonderful installment from the Doors to the Past series, and a great first experience for me from this author.

Thanks so much to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to advance read and review this!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Barbour) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik is a remarkable tale revealing secrets and clues that define ancestry and history of our country and family life while telling a beautiful love story and kindling new friendships and romantic relationships.. The characters are well-developed and spread the Christian faith throughout the book.

I don't think that I have previously read anything by this author but I definitely would in future. This book has romance, history and a twist in it. There are some great characters who are likeable and it was nice not to have major conflict between the hero and the heroine for a change!

This has a faith element running very clearly through it. I enjoyed it and seeing how it played out both in the present tense and the historical story. I also liked the side by side nature of the stories - a little contemporary story, a little historical story.

I got this in exchange for a honest review. It was a nice read and this will go into my library.

Loves Fortress is a look at the past along with modern day experiences and how they can connect and we can learn from them. Dani Sango has been pegged for years as the daughter of an art forger. When he passes away he leaves her everything, but she questions why as he has never cared for her or contacted her since he has gotten out of prison. When checking over the house she finds a message from assistant museum curator Brad Osgood. Brad has his own family issues to deal with as he is raising his niece, Bryan. Dani wonders if her father is trying to sell more forged art pieces. As she meets some of her father’s friends she gets a different view of him from what she was always told growing up. She discovers the art he planned to sell was historical sketches done by Native Americans held at the fort in St Augistine in the mid 1800’s. Now the mystery becomes how did Frank Sango afford or acquire this pice of art?
I really enjoyed this book and the ending is great and a bit of a surprise. The characters are all so different from each other but work so well together. The story goes back and forth between the past and present and is very respectful to the plight of the Native Americans and their treatment whole being held. I give this book 5 of 5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

#lovesfortress #netgalley
This was a beautiful historical fiction dual storyline. It weaves a wonderful romance along with mystery to make a powerful story.

Goodness! This is yet another AMAZINGLY INCREDIBLE novel by Jennifer Uhlarik! I stumbled upon her work when it was reading a triple-nouvella with one of her works in it called “Blacksmith Brides” which led me to “Sand Creek Serenade” - and out of 110 books read in 2021, THAT BOOK was my top pick! I knew, based on history, that this one wouldn’t disappoint - and it didn’t! There is not enough space in this review to give the accolades this story deserves. Just trust me when I say to read it and fall in love with all of the characters! Don’t let the fact that it jumps back into history sway you - it ALL fits in at the end and your jaw will hit the floor. No further teasers needed. Go grab this one as well as the others I mentioned above and enjoy!

Dani Sango has just found out that her father has died. She hasn’t seen him since she was young, and she isn’t keen on having to go down memory lane because there aren’t a lot of good or any memories when it concerns her Dad.

Franklin Sango is a convicted forger, and all Dani wants is to leave the past in the past, but he has left his house and everything inside to his daughter. But when Dani goes to St. Augustine, she learns from Franklin’s friend Matt Joie that she didn’t know the whole truth about her father, and she is in for some surprising twists and turns in learning who her father really was.

Love’s Fortress is a time-slip novel moving from Dani, Brad, and Matty in the present to Sally Jo, Luke, and Broken Bow in the past (1875) to bring together the Ledger Art that is found in Franklin Sango’s house. It took me a bit to thaw to this book but it had a warm community feeling to it that eventually warmed up to my heart. Recommended!
My gratitude to Barbour Publishing and Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.5 stars
The latest DOORS TO THE PAST release by Barbour Publishing is a story set at the Castillo de San Marcos fort in Florida, both in the 1870s and present day. The fort plays an important role bringing the past and the present into one cohesive story.
Dani Sango never knew her father, the famous art forger. Brad Osgood is looking for the next great discovery to secure his job as museum curator. When Dani is informed her estranged father is dead, and that he possessed a valuable book of art, she’s faced with the truth of who her father really was.
A colourful cast of characters make the stories come alive, bringing Brad and Dani closer to the truth – and to each other.
I really enjoyed the contemporary story. This story line kept me turning the pages, especially the ones where Matty and little Brynn were featured. Learning about Indian ledger art was also intriguing.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Dani Sango is dreading what she might find when she arrives in Saint Augustine, Florida, to sift through the belongings of her late estranged, ex-convict art forger father. Brad Osgood, acting art museum curator and unexpected caretaker of his young niece, was one of the last people Dani’s father communicated with. When a valuable old ledger filled with sketches brings them together, will they be able to make sense of the clues to solve the mystery of Dani’s heritage? Find out in this intriguing work of historical fiction that bridges two time periods.

"Love's Fortress" is a split-time novel with a historical tale set in 1875 in Florida and a romance in the present time as the two investigated the origins of some ledger art. The author wove a few fictional characters into the historical reality that some of the most aggressive Native American warriors were transported to live in a fort in Florida when their people surrendered. They were treated fairly but required to learn English and new trades. They were encouraged to draw art showing their personal history, though, so they wouldn't forget their past. Since Sally Jo was passionate about all people having value in God's sight, she helped teach at the fort despite her father's disapproval.

In the present day, Dani hated her art-forging father so she wanted little to do with the inheritance he left her when he died. But his friends show her that she's been told lies about him. Also, a Native American ledger art book was among the art, so she reached out to an art expert to help her discover if it's genuine and the story behind it. The initial physical attraction between the two turned into caring, especially with a cute young niece in the mix. Dani's experiences while growing up might help the child through the trauma she's just experienced.

The significance of Jesus' birth, death, and resurrections were explained to Broken Bow. A friend of Dani's father introduced her to the idea of letting the Holy Spirit lead her path and that God is directing things. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting story.

What an epic book. I struggled to get going, so persevere if you're reading ... I then couldn't put it down. Such an inspiration to follow what God's saying to me daily ... go on wil goose chase wiHim, so worthwhile.

This was stunning. The plot was well paced and completely captivating. The characters were real, raw, and developed. I highly recommend this lovely read. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I read Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this exciting and well written book. I loved every aspect of this historical fiction book. Ms Uhlarik did her research and incorporated real characters and facts along with fictional facts and characters. The dual timeline was interesting and well structured. The characters had depth and were interesting to follow throughout the book. A little mystery, some history, and complicated human dynamics all came together beautifully in Love’s Fortress! This is the first book I’ve read by Ms Uhlarik, but I hope to read more. I rated Love’s Fortress a 5 out of 5.

This dual timeline saga, Book 7 of Barbour’s amazing Doors to the Past series, features two equally captivating, gripping stories set in St. Augustine, Florida—one set in present day and the other in 1875. Both incredible, fast-paced storylines are well-structured, hold your attention, and are tied together beautifully with a satisfying ending. The powerful, compelling characters come alive capturing your heart and soul. Actual historical events and figures are believably and skillfully infused into the fictional narrative. A bit of romance and a strong faith element round out this absorbingly interesting read. I loved this book and highly recommend it and the series especially for fans of historical romance. Note that the books in this series are stand alone novels written by various authors and can be read in any order.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Excellent Historical Fiction! I absolutely loved Love's Fortress by Author Jennifer Uhlarik. It has everything I really enjoy in a story. I learned from it (great author note at the end by the way), it was compelling, a page-turner, and I loved the authentic and engaging characters, and couldn't wait to see how both the historical and contemporary storylines played out.

Themes of Native Americans being held at the Fort in St. Augustine in the 1880's, Native American Ledger Art, family, false accusations, and how faith can change everything.

I highly recommend Love's Fortress. Fans of dual timeline stories will love it! I hope I can get back to St. Augustine, Florida again sometime after reading this! Thank you to the author and Net Galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

I am always excited when I find a new author that I can really get into and Jennifer Uhlarik is one for me. I was able to sample her writing in The First Love Forever Romance Collection. I remember enjoying her story a great deal. I was not too sure what to expect from this book. I sometimes can get lost when there is two time lines going on at the same time. I so loved the way Jennifer wrote the history portion into this story. I am somewhat familiar with St. Augustine, Florida and I really enjoyed that it was part of the main sitting for this novel. I enjoyed the gentle love stories with the different characters. There were several surprises I did not see coming, so I do not want to go into the story-line afraid I might ruin it for others. I want to thank Barbour through NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. The opinions in the review are my own.

Love's Fortress is Jennifer Uhlarik’s contribution to the historical series, Doors to the Past. I thought it was a fabulous addition to the series. I enjoyed going back in time to late mid nineteenth century Florida. I was intrigued as to what was going to happen to Sally Jo and White Elk. The historical details made me feel as though I was right there with them both. I had to keep reading to find out what Dani would discover.

I am giving Love's Fortress a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading clean historical romance. I look forward to reading the next installment from the Doors to the Past series, Liz Tolsma's A Promise Engraved.

I received a copy of Love's Fortress from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik is a wonderful dual timeline historical fiction novel that is the newest addition to the impressive Doors to the Past series. I just loved it.

I have read and enjoyed every book in this truly remarkable series. This one involves St. Augustine, Florida and the historic Fort Marion. This book weaves between present day Dani and 1870s Sally Jo. The author does an impressive job weaving the two story lines of current day investigation of a mysterious and questionable estranged father’s past and the 1870s timeline of the involvement of forced Native American “learning” to become more “acclimated to the white man’s world”. The author’s research into Native American art, life, culture, and the atrocities that fell upon so many was just stunning and heartbreaking as well.

The mystery, intrigue, surprises, and satisfying end made this novel a huge win for me. I was really drawn in by learning more about this town and how it all contributed to our Nation’s history (good and bad).

Such a beautiful and memorable novel. I hope there are even more books in this series to come.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Barbour Fiction for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to NG only at this time and will post it to my GR, Bookbub, Instagram, Amazon, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/1/22 per publisher request.