The Secrets of Emberwild by Stephenia H. McGee is a wonderful historical fiction and romance that was truly special.

This book creates a perfect blend of containing a captivating and addictive narrative, yet is sweet, reflective, and relaxing at the same time.

Nora and Silas are such wonderful main characters, brought together against extenuating circumstances, and at different places in their own respective lives. The growth, changes, and progression of each person, and as a pair, was quite enjoyable to follow.

I liked the backdrop of the turn of the 20th century, and the inclusion of such a rich and rewarding equine culture. There is mystery, suspense, drama, romance, history, and a positive ending.

5/5 stars

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

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 10/4/22.

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This is is a fantastic story. I loved the romance and the tiny bit of mystery. I loved all of the descriptions of the races and the horses. Nora and Silas are wonderful. I loved how both Nora and Silas grew over the months that they knew each other. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This book is for the horse lover, with a little bit of mystery, danger, and romance. with a twist.

Nora is an independent and feisty woman, that lives on a horse farm, all she wants to do is race and train horses, Silas is a horse trainer and is looking for his father's killer.

Nora has a bizarre relationship with her parents, they believe a woman is not capable of running a horse farm, and that her only choice is to marry and have children.

Both characters are opposite, but they both have mutual respect and admiration for one another and a love for horses. They both need to work together to unmask the killer of Silas's father and save the farm from ruin. Both are good people and easy to like, the relationship with Nora's mother was my favorites scenes, I love how everything turned out.

Beautifully written tale of horses, especially Arrow the amazing horse, an inspirational Christian Historical Southern Romance, Overall is a fun and entertaining read, with a good plot line, likable characters, secrets, and a mystery that needs to be solved.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the eARC, and the opportunity to give my honest opinion.

The Secrets of Emberwild was a sweet, and clean story, Nora is more interested in training horses, than getting married.. Silas has come from Texas looking for answers about the death of his father fifteen years ago.. As he comes to work at her ranch, they began to develop a friendship as they both are able to train her horse, Arrow, since they both are able to connect with him. Accidents happen and Silas begins to become suspicious, As the two are searching an office, the building suddenly is on fire and they have to escape through a window.. Who is setting up these "accidents" Why are they doing it? Great story I enjoyed reading!

This book is an absolute wonderful read! I fell in love with Arrow, what a horse! This book has suspense, romance, drama and horses. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell and Stephenia H. McGee via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE SECRETS OF EMBERWILD - 5/5 Stars

I really enjoyed Stephenia H. McGee's contemporary novel The Cedar Key so I've really been looking forward to reading this book since I saw it announced!

THE STORY
I thoroughly enjoyed this story from beginning to end, it was unique with unexpected twists and turns. There was a broad range of characters that elicited so many contrasting emotions, characters that you either instantly loved or hated. I love reading stories about new subjects and harness racing was new to me so was very interesting to read.

THE ROMANCE
Contrasting personalities always make for such good romances! Nora is fiery and spirited while Silas (just love that name!) is calm and steady. The two make quite the pair and that first kiss has become one of my favourites!

THE TRUTHS
I absolutely love romances but what this book reminded me is that romance doesn't make us whole. We can only find wholeness in God, He's the only one that can fill the empty spaces inside us and give us true peace and contentment. Being single myself, I think so often single women think that if only they had love and marriage then they will finally be happy. But if we can't find contentedness and peace in our singleness, then we won't find it in marriage. Contentment is a choice and only God can give us the strength and peace to attain it. Like Nora discovered, she didn't need Silas, she would be fine on her own but she wanted him.

A fantastic story set in the early 1900s in Mississippi. This book has mystery, some danger, secrets, and a love story that was destined to be.

Nora Fenton is reaching the age where she would be considered a spinster and is okay with that as long as she has her horses. When her father dies and leaves her with a secret that could ruin her family and their means of survival she isn't sure what to do with that knowledge, as cryptic as it is.

Silas Cavallero has wanted answers to his father's tragic death for fifteen years and after his mother passes he means to get them or try. When he arrives in Mississippi he finds more secrets and it seems someone is set on causing him harm. He had no intention of finding love on this journey but the feisty Nora has given him feelings he never thought to have and maybe the truth isn't as important as this woman anymore.

This book will keep you guessing as to what really happened and if Ember does in fact belong to the Fentons or to the Cavelleros. I loved Nora and her spunk. She was making ripples in her time for sure and was determined to not let any man hold her down. Silas is not only handsome and strong but he has a sense of humor which I also enjoyed. The author painted a picture I could see in my mind of where they were and what was happening. It was a great journey back in time.

I have never read any books by Stephenia H. McGee before. I was interested after reading the summary. Overall, the book is a good read. It has likable characters, a good plot line, and a mystery that the main characters need to solve.

The main character is Nora Fenton. She loves horses and her family's horse farm. She has tried to connect with her father all her life, but he is stubborn and neglectful. He believes a woman's only purpose is to marry and have children. Therefore he has sternly tried to steer Nora away from horses and push her into matrimony. When he becomes sick and close to death, her father tells her that he has a secret that would ruin their reputation and their livelihood. The other main character is Silas Cavallero. He is determined to find the man who killed his father and stole their best breeding stallion. He beings where his father died and follows his last footsteps. He ends up at Nora's horse barn. As circumstances point to their lives intersecting long ago, they must work together to unmask the killer and save Nora's farm from ruin.

My only criticism criticism of The Secrets of Emberwild, is the constant complaining that women are just as capable as men. It was just repeated too many times and tries too hard to make Nora just as strong as a man, or just as good a horse trainer as a man. I felt it a bit excessive. But I enjoyed the book very much and anyone who loves horses or historical fiction will like it too!

"Freedom rushed through Nora Fenton's veins, erupting with each breath. Invisible shackles didn't bind out here." I thoroughly enjoyed The Secrets of Emberwild and was captivated from the first line to the last. I could not put it down, in fact, I kept reading until I finished at 3 am!

Beautiful romance in this historical fiction tale of horses, freedom to be who you are meant to be, treachery, and how God can weave evil and tragedy into something good.

Nora's life in 1905, is first under her father's control, and then her uncle's. She resents the box of home and hearth that she doesn't fit into, instead longing to be free of her cage to train horses. She is a feisty and gifted trainer.

Silas Cavallero is in town to solve the 15 year old murder of his father. He happens to overhear some farmhands mention Emberwild and he goes there in hopes of a temporary job. He is hired on a trial basis to train the horse that Nora has been training. "He simply stood there, waiting with a quiet confidence that drew the horse in a way Nora had never seen." Silas is the only one who appreciates the solid foundation of training that Nora has provided until this point.

"Perhaps it was no wonder after all why Arrow's curiosity about this man had gotten the better of him. The same could probably be said of her."

I highly recommend The Secrets of Emberwild to lovers of historical fiction. It is a moving tale that I could not put down.

Thank you to the author, publisher and net galley for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.

“Something was wrong at Emberwild. It stirred beneath the surface like a monster slowly rising from the depths. Indistinguishable yet dangerous.”

I always have high expectations for a McGee book, and this one definitely exceeded my expectations! Set in Mississippi in the early 1900s, this well-paced, smoothly flowing story grabbed my attention with the first line and held it to the end. I loved the headstrong, independent heroine Nora and the honorable, resolute hero Silas. I enjoyed how their relationship developed despite the secrets, manipulation, and other roadblocks they encountered. Well-developed and memorable characters, an expertly crafted plot filled with mystery and emotion, a gentle and inspiring faith thread, a bit of sweet romance, and extensively researched historical detail are skillfully woven together to make this a captivating, satisfying read. I highly recommend this book especially for readers who love horses, mystery, and romance.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have to admit that it was the cover of the boom that really drew me in. I mean, as a horse lover all my life, how could I not want to read the story with a cover like that? Kudos to the graphic design team. The story is a gentle and somewhat predictable read of the genre, which is sure to delight fans of both Historical and Southern romance.

Nora is a strong, independent young woman who wants nothing more than to ride and train horses. Her independence always came at a price. What would the price be this time?

The author has given us a story that will keep your attention right up till the end, trying to figure out what the secrets are that Nora’s father alluded to just before he died. The horse farm needs more than stud fees to continue on, but will Arrow be the one to bring Emberwild out of the red and into the racing world? Someone is sabotaging her efforts - but who? Accidents, jealousy and lies - will the truth ever come to light?

An early copy was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

This is the perfect horse lover’s book. There’s a bit of a mystery and some romance added in.
Nora is a strong woman determined to live her own life and running their horse farm. Her horse Arrow is the answer to everything. However there are some working against her and want nothing more than to take it all away.
It’s a good story, moves pretty quick.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I have adored reading previous books written by Stephenia H McGee and was excited to have the opportunity to read her latest release, The Secrets of Emberwild. How is it possible that her books just keep getting better and better? This is definitely among my favorites that I have read of hers to date. I admired Nora so much with her determination, bravery and courage. I especially loved her in the scenes with Silas. I am so happy to have gone back in time to the early twentieth century and taking an adventure with them.

I am giving The Secrets of Emberwild five plus stars. I believe fans of clean historical romance will love as much as I did. As always, I will be eagerly waiting for stories written by the Stephenia H. McGee in the future.

I received a paperback copy of The Secrets of Emberwild from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

What an exciting read! I fell in love with it the very first chapter. Plenty of excitement, some suspense and a little romance to spice it up a bit. Arrow is definitely the star of the show. Excellent read.

Nora is an independent woman in a time where independency is frowned upon. She would rather train horses and be in the barn than in the kitchen or doing housework. She loves the freedom she feels on the back of her horse, Arrow. The only one that can handle Arrow is Nora, until Silas shows up.
Silas is a man on a mission. When his mother passes away and no one is left to care for he packs up to go in search of answers to what happened the night of his Father's death many years before. His father was brilliant with horses and Silas doesn't believe that his father was killed in a horse accident and that the horse ran off and was never seen again. Silas decides to return to the town of Philadelphia where the 'accident' happened. He gets a job at Emberwild and meets Nora.
Not everything is as it appears at Emberwild. With questions that are hard to find answers to and accidents that keep happening, it may be all that Nora and Silas can do to stay safe and possibly get the answers they need.
This book is well written and interesting. Even though I pretty much knew the mystery from the beginning it was still fun to see it play out.

This felt like a Christian book. I love the horses. Sometimes I like books that have animals in them. If you like a good animal story you will love this book. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher

The Secrets of Emberwild is a very well written inspirational romance. I enjoyed the plot and well developed characters. I definitely recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance book. This is my unbiased review.

A perfect book for horse lovers! Set in 1905 in Mississippi, Nora was fighting for her right to train her beloved horse. The odds were against her dream when her uncle inherited the farm after her father's death. When all the secrets are revealed, what will Nora's future hold. Readers will enjoy this heartwarming story. Recommended!

*I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

I'm not sure if it really qualifies as historical fiction, but it takes place in 1905, so I'm marking it as such. This book was enjoyable to read and well written. It had feminist themes but wasn't crazy feminist, if that makes sense. Basic rights like voting, property rights, and a woman's ability to decide her own future fit naturally into the story and into the characters' lives. It did not, however, turn into a man-bashing book, which I appreciated. I can't stand books like that. This is a Christian book, but it's not done in an overwhelming way. (I am Christian, but for some reason I don't like to read fiction that feels preachy.) I didn't even realize it at first, and it all fit quite naturally.

Nora (28) and Silas (27) fit well together, and I loved the dynamic between them. They had a mutual respect and admiration for one another. Plus they were both just good people who were easy to like. Nora's relationship with her mother evolved throughout the book, and I'm happy with how things turned out.

Note: Nothing bad.