Love's Compass is a good, short read. I enjoyed the adventure that led Eliana to the western territories-dressed as a young man! A sweet and clean read.
This book, also, includes a story but Darlene Franklin called Pride's Fall. It was okay, but enjoyed Love's Compass much more.
Four stars

There are two novels in this book, and if the compass is pointing in the right direction, it points Southwest. Both novels take place in the New Mexico/Arizona area, near Four Corners. Carla Gade and Darlene Franklin have offered two light-hearted stories to make this an entertaining read from the first page to the last.

The last two books I read before this selection were heavy, dark reads, and I needed to have the reading atmosphere lightened up. I'll always appreciated Barbour Books for publishing books that fit this niche.

In Carla Gade's offering, Eliana is her father's assistant photographer. She and her father travel around Colorado and New Mexico taking photographs of people, and landscapes to record the history and scenic beauty of the area. Yiska Wilcox is their guide and he begins falling in love with Eliana and falls even more in love with her as secrets are revealed to her and from her.

In Darlene Franklin's part of this book, Muriel is a stage actress doing a movie for the renowned director Rex Pride. He's making a movie about a Romeo/Juliet type love between two members of competing Native American tribes in the Mesa Verde area of southern Colorado. What makes this a great book is the way Darlene has worked the plan of salvation into the story. She portrays Rex as a man who covers his misery with driving achievements.

These are five star stories, with two thumbs up, and a trip to Four Corners.

My thanks to Barbour Books for allowing me to read and review this book.

Love’s Compass by Carla Gade is a wonderful Christian novel of love, forgiveness, and finding God’s plan for one’s life.
The setting is the Colorado territory in 1875 where photographer John Van Horn and his daughter, Eliana, are preparing for an expedition into the desert wilderness to photograph the setting of the permanent four corners stone marking the points where Colorado, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico meet. It will be long and arduous trip. Eliana will have to disguise herself as a man since it would not be proper for a woman to be traveling with a group of men in such circumstances. Will she be able to pull off the deception or will she be found out and sent back to civilization? Their guide, Yiska, is half Indian and knows what it is like to not be accepted for who you are. Eliana is aware of prejudice but this her first time seeing it for herself. Will Yiska’s experiences assist Eliana in understanding how and why many people are treated differently? Will Christian love be able to overcome the pain?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story moved at a quick pace and kept me wanting to know what would happen next. The story was well researched and the historical information accurate. I rate this book a solid 5 of 5 stars. This is my first book by Carla Gabe but I will be looking for more by this author.
Also included is a bonus book, Pride’s Fall, by Darlene Franklin. Rex Pride is director for a movie being filmed in remote Mesa Verde Colorado in 1899. Not an easy task to film onsite but Rex enjoys the challenge. Leading lady Muriel Galloway and several of film crew are Christians and meet together for services and prayers. Rex thinks it all a bunch of nonsense. What will it take for him to be convinced that God is real and in control? Will Muriel be able to convert the Indians being used as consultants and extras?
This was an intriguing story and kept my attention focused fully and making the book difficult to put down. A 5 of 5 stars. Several surprises along the path to finishing the film.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Previously released as The Shadowcatcher's Daughter.

This book starts with a bang, Yiska Wilcox saves Eliana Van Horn from being run over by a wagon, but witnesses assume that he is assaulting her, as he is a half-breed, and they haul him to jail despite her protests.

Eliana works with her father, who is a photographer, but she travels as a boy for safety. She sees Yiska as he is, and doesn't hold his heritage against him.

Yiska is a guide, and is going to lead the expedition with the US General Land Office, until Mr. Van Horn advises against it because he notices his interest in Eliana. But as their journeys bring them back together again, Yiska and Eliana develop a friendship and he is able to work to win the trust of her father.

I love how this book is full of action, interesting characters, and surprises. Great interaction between the characters, and does a great job of painting out the history of Colorado. A very enjoyable read, with a bonus story about silent movies!

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."

I really enjoyed this Western historical romance. There were some really nice scenes, exciting scenes and was a sweet, clean, romance. This is the first book that I have read from this author, but enjoy this type of book. And I wasn't disappointed. It was a nice depiction of Western life, adventure, and trials.

There was also a nice bonus story by Darlene Franklin. I also enjoyed this book, as well. Hope to read more from both of these fine authors.

I received this ebook from NetGalley for my honest review, which I have given. All opinions are my own.

A lovely story that includes a bonus story as well. In Loves Compass we have a adventurous western story of a young lady and her father. She is his photographer apprentice. They travel through the rugged Colorado and New Mexico Territories. She is disguised as a man for her protection . She never expects to find love along the way but matters of the heart can never be predicted.
In our bonus story by Darlene Franklin, we have the characters in the process of filming a movie. The main female character finds herself falling for the director but he doesn't share her faith conviction. Her heart can not proceed with love without him having a strong faith like she does.Something happens to him, does it make him turn away from God or draw him to him for strength? Read this lovely story and find out. This bonus story takes place in 1899 but I felt like I was reading a story taking place in modern times.
Pub Date 01 Apr 2017.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

If you enjoy historical fiction, westerns or Christian fiction, “Love’s Compass” is an ideal book. The author writes of love, faith, God, racism and bigotry.

Eliana Van Horn is not your typical female; she is daring, accomplished and takes up for others. She assists her father in his photography studio and then on an expedition during which they travel through Colorado and New Mexico. Since no single female would be allowed to do so, she disguises herself as a man and poses as her father’s son. Along the way, she meets Yiska Wilcox who is a half breed who joins them on their expedition as a guide.

The author vividly describes the area through Yiska’s writings and makes you feel as if you are there. The author also discusses God, prayer and his love for us simply and beautifully. “it’s not the work we do that gets His attention. It’s a humble heart that seeks Him…He hears us because of His love for us, nothing more.”

Giving “Love’s Compass” four stars. It is a lovely romance with a couple of surprises toward the end. Great clean read for just about any age. Perfect travel/beach/car read.

As a bonus, you will also receive “Pride’s Fall” by Darlene Franklin. It is a historical romance, as well.

Release/Publication Date: April 1, 2017 (previously published as “The Shadow Catcher's Daughter”)

Genre: Historical Romance, Western, Christian Fiction

Cover: Perfect

Source: I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thanks you!

Rating: 4 stars

Love’s Compass by Carla Gade
With the Bonus Story Pride’s Fall by Darlene Franklin

These two heartwarming stories are set in the Midwest in the late eighteen hundreds. The first story, Love’s Compass, follows the adventures of Eliana Van Horn, a young female photography assistant, and Yiska Wilcox, the trail guide who has stolen her heart. The second story, Pride’s Fall, is about Muriel Gallagher, a talented actress, and Rex Pride, the director of the silent movie she is starring in. The first takes place at the marking of the boundaries at Four Points, the place where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Utah meet. The second is not far from there, in the desert wilderness near an Indian village.
Love’s Compass is a sweet story about how love can overcome any boundaries. Eliana works with her father, who is a photographer. She plans to dress as a man to assist him on a photo shoot. They are going to Four Points, to put the official marker in place. Before they can leave, she is almost killed by a speeding horse and buggy, but Yiska, who is part Indian, saves her life. From this moment, their lives seem to be inexorably entwined. When he is hired to be the guide on their trip, she is quite happy to be able to get to know him more. However, the trip meets with an unexpected tragedy and she must make a choice for her future. Will they be able to find happiness in each other, or will her life be forever altered by what she learns?
Pride’s Fall is also a charming story that follows Rex and Muriel as they make a movie based on the Navajo Indians. Rex is a difficult director and he demands the best from everyone who works with him. Muriel is a talented actress who is grateful for this opportunity, but she also wants to share her faith with the people of the Indian nation, as well as Rex. The more they work together, the more their attraction grows. But, can Rex overcome his pride and accept that he needs God in his life. And, can Muriel trust that God has a plan for her as well?
Both of these stories are great reads and I enjoyed them. I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and romance. They will certainly put a smile on your face!
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Two sweet stories set in New Mexico. Love’s compass features a young photographer who works with her father. She loves traveling with him when he goes on assignments in the backcountry, disguising herself as a young man. She meets a young “ half breed” scout who documents his journey as he travels. This leads to a part-time job for the local newspaper when he continues his scouting . They become close friends along the way.
The second story Pride’s Fall stars a movie director that I loved to hate. I don’t think that was the intention of the author, but it is how I read him. The storyline is good and kept my interest.
The star of the new movie technology is a dedicated Christian and most of the story follows her care for the other coworkers and native Americans that filled in as extras on the set. Great storyline and a first for me on both Authors.
Thank you NetGalley and Barbour Publishing for an e-copy of this book
I was not required to review this book and all opinions are my own.