This whole series is a MUST READ! Each book will keep you locked in. They each one show the tenderness, chastening and forgiveness of God. How He has his hand on us and wills us to come to Him. Each of us has value to God regardless of our station in life. If we are willing He will use us. Like Esther we all have things to learn in life, none is perfect, but we can have a fulfilled life. She thought running was the answer but found God had other plans for her.

She wanted to leave it all behind – her past, her vocation and all the ugly rumors. She slipped out in the middle of the night without leaving a note.

She ended up way out in the boonies as a teacher. It was an odd situation that put her in the middle of a family feud.

As a nurse, I know you can't really leave behind the healer in you. Esther couldn't. It could even get her killed. It might also bring about her redemption. Esther's dilemma will touch your heart as you see possibilities for a love match on either side of the feud.

I'm definitely enjoying Ms Eakes series, The Midwives.

***A special thanks to Donna Hausler for providing a review copy.***

Laurie Alice Eakes in her new book, "Choices of the Heart" Book Three in the Midwives series published by Revell brings us to Virginia in 1842.

From the Back Cover: She thought she had left her old life behind . . .

Esther Cherrett comes from a proud line of midwives and was trained by her mother to take over the family calling. When a terrible scandal threatens all she holds dear, Esther flees, taking a position as a teacher in the wild western mountains of Virginia. But instead of the refuge she was seeking, Esther finds herself in the midst of a deadly family feud—and courted by two men on opposite sides of the conflict. All she wants is to run away again.

Yet could it be that her past holds the key to reconciliation—and love?

In this gripping story of trust, deception, and bittersweet loss, you'll discover the true meaning of choices of the heart.

In "Choices of the Heart" Laurie Alice Eakes gives us the story of Esther, a girl on the run from a terrible scandal. "Choices of the Heart" is a story that has a long family feud, two men vying for Esther's affections and Esther who really is trying to have nothing to do with men. It is a tale loaded with the past that, unless dealt with, will prevent all the characters from really moving forward and reaching their destiny. "Choices of the Heart" is a great way to finish a wonderful series and Ms. Eakes creates really fun, believable characters that you care for as they live through this adventure. I am sorry to see this series come to an end however I am looking forward to the next series from this very talented author.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. 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."

Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

It was wonderful. I would recommend this book to others in fact I have passed it on to my daughter already.

The intrigue of who would win the heart of this honest-to-goodness heroine, Esther, had me gripped from page one. I thoroughly enjoyed this third of the Midwife series. What I especially liked were the realistic blurs between what appears the bad guy or woman in the story, and that by going beneath the veneer of a person, you find a troubled heart.I think this is my favorite of the Midwife series because of that fact.

In real life, the lines between hero and villian are not so clearly defined. Wounded hearts make it hard to make the best choices in life. Very apt title for that reason.

I recommend Choices of the Heart as an intelligent, gripping human historcal drama, written with deft artistry.