Historically correct this book is, it also is lively, noteworthy, memorable, jam-packed full of romantic tension, and a kaleidoscope of feelings, people, and living environment. Priscilla's brother and sister-in-law dies leaving behind twins - whom she feels responsible for -so she goes to get them, little did she know that her sister-in-law asked her brother to take them - and he plans to keep that promise - so now you have a stalemate. A stalemate that could end up in a romance - or maybe not - who knows - GOD does - and those of you who read the book - because I am not going to tell you who the twins go with either.......The twists in this book is amazing you feel like you are the hula-hoop.

I really enjoyed this gentle romance set in the heart of Texas during a very volatile time with the surrounding Indians. The author did a great job of painting a clear picture of the setting and the people for my mind.

Priscilla and Elliot are at odds. Both are determined to have custody of their young niece and nephew. Priscilla wants to take them away from the awful Fort they have been living at and Elliot is determined to keep the kids right where they are because it's all they have ever known. Fortunately, both Priscilla and Elliot are good people trying to do good things so things never get mean or nasty- but there are definitely some tense moments with their tenuous relationship.

I really enjoyed the setting and how the author was able to weave so many characters and situations into the story to make me feel like I was sitting right there, watching it all play out. It reminded me of a Hallmark movie- especially with the children playing such a large role in the book. It's a slow and gentle romance and I thought it was great!

I didn't realize when I started reading that this book is part of a series being released- each book by a different author so I'm going to have to keep my eyes on that! :)

Content: Clean, some minor peril, Christian elements although nothing preachy

- I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love it when I can get a good dose of history, romance, drama, and humor all in one book! Erica Vetsch has managed to do just that in “My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas”. Fashion artist Priscilla wants nothing more than to spend just enough time in Fort Bliss to pack up her orphaned nephew and niece and take them to civilization with her. Unfortunately their uncle and post surgeon Elliot Ryder believes that he should raise them himself. Forced to remain in Fort Bliss until the matter is resolved, Priscilla manages to surprise Elliot and even herself by proving she is much more than just a fashion plate.

With a well-paced plot, strong and likeable characters, and a story that pulled me in, this book kept me happy from beginning to end. Who could fail to like such a spunky yet caring heroine or the handsome but serious hero? Then there were those two delightful children who added just the right touch of charm to the story. Most seasoned readers will expect the direction the romantic relationship will take but what fun following their journey!

I highly recommend “My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas” and hope the other books in this series will be as enjoyable.

Excellent book that I really enjoyed reading. The children in the book will capture your heart quickly! They are truly adorable! You see the dilemma of both guardians wanting the best for the children. But also for themselves. The way they need to come to a resolution is well written in the book. There is humor, Faith and romance well written!

If you are a lover of historical fiction and Christian fiction, I think you'd really enjoy this new series. So far there are three books listed in the series, all different authors, but I have a feeling that there will be more. This book is the only one released so far but the other two are set for March and May(I believe it's May). In case you're wondering, the other two books are...My Heart Belongs in Ruby City, Idaho: Rebecca’s Plight & My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains: Carmela’s Quandary.

This book looks at life in Texas, living on a Fort near El Paso and the many interactions(good and negative) with the Native Americans living close by at the time. I enjoyed reading about the lives of Cavalry wives and the women who chose to live their lives with the constant changes and many unknowns. It was also interesting reading about the interactions with the Native Americans, the medicinal remedies used during that time and I can't forget the love story.

Priscilla finds herself heading to Fort Bliss, Texas to take over care of her twin niece and nephew. Her brother and his wife have recently passed away leaving the two orphaned. She takes a leave from her work, packs up and plans to make a quick trip there and back, only staying long enough to gather Tessa and Timothy's belongings. Priscilla makes no secret of her disdain for the army and cavalry. Her father and now her brother have both given and lost their lives to serving and she is not going to get sucked into such a life ever again.

What Priscilla doesn't expect is to find that her sister in law had a brother. Major Elliot is the Doctor for the cavalry and has taken over care of Tessa and Timothy. He refuses to let them leave with Priscilla and she refuses to leave them when she heads back to Cincinnati. Quite the quandary they find themselves in and no easy solution in sight.

Priscilla is put to the test living life in a dusty fort, with very little refinement, no school to educate her little wards, confinement when the Indians come around, an obstinate man who is so frustrating, being forced and needed to perform dangerous medical procedures, friend's lives at constant risk and utter exhaustion. Can Priscilla find a way to convince Major Elliot that a Fort is no place to raise children. She mustn't stare too long at his eyes or she just might find herself falling into his trap and being stuck in the Fort is no option. Now how to get Major Elliot to agree to take the children and care for them, the sooner the better...or maybe not.

Major Elliot knew this woman would be trouble from the start. But he knows one thing for sure, his sister gave him charge to raise the twins in the army lifestyle and that is just what he plans to do. Never mind that they run around free and wild when he is unable to supervise. Never mind that Priscilla is able to keep them groomed and feed and interested in learning. Never mind that she's one of the best horsewoman he's ever seen and don't tell anyone, one of the most beautiful women too. He must steel his heart and make sure she doesn't have any chance of touching it. He's learned his lesson where women are concerned and it just goes to show that Priscilla is right, she's not meant to be at the Fort. Now how to get her to leave, the sooner the better....or maybe not.

It was a sweet romance but not a fast paced one. It took time for these two to realize what they really wanted. There's tragedy and a moment of terror(maybe not the best word but it sounded better than scared), horseback riding, Indian traditions, a medicine man, an obsessed Indian, a rude and disdainful matron, a new baby, gunshots, dances, beautiful dresses, long stares and some other fun surprises. I enjoyed the pacing of the story and the characters. I think the author did a good job in developing them in a manner that as a reader I could connect with them. Even with Priscilla's attitude I really liked her. She has a lot to learn. As does Major Elliot.

Content: A few mild Indian attacks, broken leg being set, a clean sweet romance, mild Christian religious aspects(not overly preachy, I enjoyed how it was done-the characters would have thoughts or little prayers in moments of peril or soul searching). I would say it's a clean read and would recommend for YA and up.

I received a copy from the publisher, Barbour book, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own!

Happy Reading!!!

If you enjoy a great read along with historical information, this is the book for you. The research is evident but not in a way to take away the joy of reading the story. A city woman arrives at Fort Bliss to pick up her brother's children to take back to Ohio. She doesn't have a clue what she's getting into and quickly realizes it's not what the children want. They are loving their life at the fort and living with their uncle (on the wife's side) who is a doctor at the fort. The ups and downs, along with the daily life is well-written and enjoyable. The growth of both aunt and uncle is great too. I would recommend this to anyone who loves history and well-written fiction.

Erica Vetsch is an author not to miss. She has done it again, penning a gripping historical romance that grabs your attention right from the start of the book and doesn't let go even after it's finished. This author has really done her research, with vivid historical descriptions you could imagine yourself in Fort Bliss,Texas. I love the idea a of new series of historical romances created for readers who love historical destinations. I want to read many more books in this series. I know the stories will captivate you as they have done with me. Highly recommended to lovers of Historical Romance.
Pub Date 01 Jan 2017.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Books for providing me with a digital review copy for my honest opinion.

Erica Vetsch can always be counted on to deliver great historical fiction – rich in fascinating history, swoony romance, vivid characters, and some sass and humor thrown in for good measure. My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss Texas: Priscilla’s Reveille did not disappoint.

Combining frontier medicine (with a hunky doctor at the helm) with the rigors and tensions of a military fort is riveting enough. But then you add in a fashion conscious lady and two adorable twins at the center of a custody battle between East and West, and you have the recipe for a fantastic read.

I especially enjoyed the romance (of course) but the twins are all kinds of adorable. Tessa and Timothy steal your heart from their very first scene and take up permanent residence before much longer. A bevy of secondary and tertiary characters prove to be just as entertaining and dimensional, and I’d love to see more books about any number of them.

And the humor!!!! Oh my heart. Several scenes in Fort Bliss made me laugh out loud, while others had me giggling into the pages. It endears you to the characters and the story all the more and really rounds out the plot nicely. There are lots of tender moments in this book too… and some harrowing scenes … and some emotional ones … but the humor ties them all together in a way that leaves you smiling in spite of the occasional sadness.

As Vetsch is an admitted history geek, her novels always come meticulously researched and the history is worked seamlessly into the story. I learn so much from her books without feeling like I’ve been reading a textbook … but they often make me want to do even more research when I’m done reading. That’s the history geek in me talking, too, by the way.

Bottom Line: You can never go wrong with an Erica Vetsch book, and My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss Texas: Priscilla’s Reveille is a prime example of why you should be a fan if you’re not already. Humor, history, and heart weave together with a captivating plot and a sweet (and also convicting) message of faith. Characters with whom you’ll fall in love, a setting you experience vicariously, and a reminder to trust God in all things … plus some fantastic chemistry and adorable children. It doesn’t get much better!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

I really enjoyed this latest full length from Erica Vetsch. I always love her full lengths and she didn't disappoint. If you're a fan of traditional historical romances with humor and authentic western wit and sass, you will enjoy Fort Bliss and all Priscilla and Elliot have to offer. Not to mention, the last line in the book is probably the best of the entire novel! Perfect for winter read. Don't wait. Soft romance, clean, inspirational, filled with authentic US Calvary history and Victorian medical facts. Loved it.

-- I received a copy from Net Galley. My opinion was not influenced by the author, publisher, or Net Galley, but it was most assuredly influenced by coffee. --

Priscilla is travelling to Fort Bliss to take care of her niece and nephew, whose parents have recently died. She plans to take them back to Cincinnati with her, where she has a job, creating artwork for a ladies' catalog, she wasn't counting on meeting their uncle.

Elliot Ryder is a doctor and Major in the Calvary, he has known Timothy and Tessa since they were young, and he is committed to raising them in the Fort like he knows his sister and her husband wanted.

Priscilla get's an extension on her leave, in order to take the summer to work things out with Elliot.

Priscilla has never met Timothy and Tessa before, because her mother hated the military and cut off her brother when he chose to join. Priscilla is not travelling alone, and her travelling companion Fern is coming to Fort Bliss to marry her fiance, Harry. Fern adapts quickly to her new life, unlike Priscilla, who is unafraid to show her disdain for all things military.

Elliot and Priscilla's relationship starts out on rocky ground because they both see the other as trying to take the children away, but as they work together, they come to admire the other and how they relate to the children. Elliot and Priscilla share a strong faith, and pray with the twins, leaning on their faith in times of trial. I liked how Priscilla comes to admire Elliot, and how the life he has chosen has helped him to use his talents.

Overall, this is a great read that bring to life the pride, protocol, and hardships of military life in 1874. Full of action, drama, family and faith, this book has wonderful characters, and I loved how Elliot and Priscilla worked together to care for the twins. Excellent storytelling, I would definitely recommend this book!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and testimonials in Advertising."

Erica writes in a way that makes you feel like you are standing smack dab in the middle of the scene with the dust settling on your clothes. She make you feel as if you truly know the characters and are sitting right with them as they knit socks. This book was a touching story of family and love. Sometimes people think they know what's best for others and must learn to open themselves up for even the most unimaginable outcome. I loved the spirit Priscilla had and the way she wasn't afraid to speak what she thought. She was a lady but also wasn't afraid to work hard when help was needed. Elliot is a hard worker that wants to protect not only his country but also the promise he made to his sister. The twins were such a delight, from their excitement in the world to trying to play cupid. This was a book I definitely enjoyed! I received a complimentary copy of this book to review by NetGalley. I was not told that I had to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoy Historical romance and this is one that grabbed me in the first pages and I did not want to put it down or for it to end. Life in Fort Bliss was hard, very interesting and the characters were like family by the end of the book. What a ride! This author packs a lot in between the pages of this book and I certainly will be reading more of her books!

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas By Erica Vetsch is a wonderful historical romance. Set in the 1870s of West Texas, readers are given a glimpse of what life may have looked like at an Army fort, one that seems to have been plunked down in the middle of a dry, cracked, barren land. Priscilla, taking leave from her job in Cincinnati, has come to Fort Bliss, like a knight in shining armor or perhaps more accurately in lace and ribbons, on a mission to rescue her orphaned neice and nephew and whisk them away from the rigid, dangerous life the Army afforded. Then she meets the twin's uncle, Elliot, a man with eyes that pierced hers and stole her breath away...no, she can't succumb to any romantic feelings that may be brewing, she had to convince him to let her create a home for the twins. Will she be able to do that in the time she has off from her job? Or perhaps caring for the children at the fort might give her a wake-up call as to what is God's will for their lives? Or will Elliot see the sense of sending the children to a safer place? Characters are realistic and well-rounded and draw the reader easily into the story. Action packed scenes keep the pages turning. The descriptions of Army life are realistic and the historical details adds good interest to the story. My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss is a captivating story of family, and faith and will have the reader wanting to read more from this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own.