Linda Shenton-Matchett

Love is often portrayed as a journey, a series of steps towards a shared future. In “Dial V for Valentine” by Linda Shenton Matchett, this journey takes flight in more ways than one, as the paths of a career-driven lawyer and a military pilot intersect in a tale of love, commitment, and the challenges of balancing personal dreams with duty.

Celeste Hardwick and Fergus Rafferty are at the heart of the story, a couple who finds their love deep and tested. Celeste, a newly minted lawyer, sees her life upside down when Fergus, her military fiance, proposes marriage. With her law practice just taking off, Celeste faces the daunting task of planning a wedding while navigating the uncertainties of military life.

A dedicated Apache helicopter pilot, Fergus is no stranger to duty and sacrifice. For him, serving his country is not just a job but a calling that often requires him to be away from the woman he loves. Despite the imminent deployment looming on the horizon, Fergus is determined to marry Celeste and build a life together, even if it means facing the challenges of a long-distance relationship.

Matchett skillfully weaves together the threads of romance, faith, and the military experience, creating a story that is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Through her vivid characters and engaging narrative, she invites readers into the world of Celeste and Fergus, allowing them to experience the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and setbacks, of their journey towards love and commitment.

One of the most compelling aspects of “Dial V for Valentine” is its portrayal of the sacrifices made by military families. As the wife of a retired serviceman herself, Matchett brings a deep understanding and empathy to the challenges faced by those who serve, as well as their loved ones left behind. Through Celeste and Fergus, she explores the themes of loyalty, resilience, and the power of love to overcome even the greatest of obstacles.

But perhaps the greatest strength of “Dial V for Valentine” lies in its message of hope and redemption. As Celeste and Fergus navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, they are forced to confront their fears and insecurities, learning to trust in each other—and in a higher power—that their love will see them through whatever trials come their way.

In conclusion, “Dial V for Valentine” is a captivating tale of love, faith, and the courage to follow one’s heart, even in adversity. Its compelling characters, engaging storyline, and heartfelt message will surely resonate with readers of all ages. Whether you’re a romance or military fiction fan or enjoy a good love story, this book will surely delight and inspire you. So why not pick up a copy today and let your journey take flight with Celeste and Fergus?

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (mehr)

The story is a nice look at a young couple trying to decide when to marry. Celeste has just opened a very promising law practice and is content to wait to marry her fiancé Fergus. It all seems to be falling into place until Fergus gets orders from the army that he is being shipped out for a period of time. Celeste doesn’t want to rush into a marriage because she has always dreamed of a big wedding. That takes time to plan and besides she is very busy getting her practice started.

I liked when they decide to call into a radio station for advice on what they should do. The advice is quite simple the radio personality explains. “Have you prayed about it.” Such a simple solution yet they never thought to do that. I loved watching this couple work together to make a decision with God’s guidance. Problems may seem overwhelming until we seek God.

When Celeste finds her great-grandmothers diary, it was so endearing to read along with her. Their lives parallel each others as they both were to marry men in the service. What will the diary reveal that will help Celeste and Fergus make the right decision for both of them? This part of the story was very well written as we see faith play a big part in the story.

A beautiful sweet story perfect for those who like characters with grace, faith and trust in God. Did Celeste and Fergus get married? What happened with Celeste’s great-grandmother and her fiancé? Grab a copy of this book, find a comfy place to read and discover the answers to these questions.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (mehr)

Estelle’s Endeavor by Linda Shenton Matchett is a Christian Historical Romance. Estelle Johnson promises Aubry DeLuca that she will wait for him to return from war. But Aubry’s injuries during the war caused him to push everyone away – from Mitch, an orderly, to Estelle, his intended. But God has other plans for the two.

Of course, having a library be one of the main settings for this story really drew me in and kept me reading. Linda Shenton Matchett created characters and storylines that captured my attention, and this book definitely met my expectations. I found myself unable to put the book down.

Perhaps my love of history and historical fiction skew my opinions, but I definitely believe this book is worth reading. Learning to rely on God to overcome hardships in life definitely plays a major role in this story. The author takes time to illustrate how even when someone acts badly toward us, we need to respond as Jesus Christ would respond.

So. if you are looking for a Christian Historical Romance, check out Estelle’s Endeavor by Linda Shenton Matchett for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.… (mehr)

This story touches on what happens to someone who was injured while fighting in Normandy. We have read of how difficult the war was but I don’t think I’ve read one like this. The focus here is about a man who comes home from the war with an injuries that changed him. His thoughts wander from, is he good enough to stay with the woman he loves, or should he break it off. He doesn’t want to be a burden to anyone so his decision becomes difficult for him.

Aubry is a man who commanded many during the war. He was brave and was in control when needed to be during his duty of watching over his troop. He now faces a life where he is angry, and not sure he can trust again. Aubry shares his doubts with Mitch who was such a great person to speak truth into his life . He needs to stop feeling sorry for himself and give Estelle a chance to show him that she is not going to leave him.

Estelle has her hands full working at the library. One particular employee does not care for her and tries to get under her skin. I like how Estelle handles herself in situations where angry words could be used. However she shows grace when stating facts when she catches two women gossiping about Aubry. I loved how she stood up to them and stopped their unkind and untrue words. We all can learn a lesson from Estelle. When we hear gossip, take no part in it. Let the ones gossiping know that you will not participate in it and will give them a chance to apologize to the one they were saying hurtful things about.

It is a good story where prayer is a powerful weapon to help those who are struggling. We can’t do anything on our own, but when we pray, God is there and hears our cries. Aubry will learn that he is not alone when he decides to give his bitterness to God. I loved how the author used different characters to share their faith with Aubry and Estelle as they struggled in their relationship. Showing kindness when it was hard, forgiving so you can be set free and giving God all your trust makes this story very special.

“We shouldn’t be surprised when terrible things happen to us, but God is bigger than this war. He’s in charge. Never forget that.”

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.… (mehr)