In Name Only

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful read!
Review: Ms. Bieber's historical voice is clear and strong in this wonderful book. She has created three-dimensional characters that literally shine from the pages. Despite their seemingly at-odds character flaws, Ian and Ana embark on their journey together, bringing the reader with them. And this is one reader who rooted for them the whole way.

I highly recommend this book and am eagerly anticipating Ms. Bieber's next endeavor!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully entertaining!
Review: Ms. Bieber's talent shines through in her latest book, IN NAME ONLY. I was entraced from page one to the last and highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an entertaining, engrossing read. Well done, Ms. Bieber!

Rating:
Summary: Stand by Your Woman....
Review: Though Ian, one of Cleveland's richest, was duped into marrying beautiful Lily (who was a very loose woman, before and after marrying Ian-loose with everyone except her husband, that is), he refused to desert her or the children. Though his father-in-law scandalized his name, Ian did all he could to protect Lily's reputation in spite of her cheating and birthing children outside of marriage. (Beauty is as beauty does.)

Valeriana aka Ana, the oldest of the four daughters is considered to be the outspoken, "plain Jane", spinster. She steps right in and pretty much takes over the children after Lily's death, not knowing all Ian has been through with her sister. Of course, Ian having never got along with Ana, wants her removed from the premises ASAP until he walks in on her father physically forcing her to leave Ian's house so she can come home and keep the parsonage clean and good timely meals on the table. To save her, Ian immediately states that they are to be married. Ana later agrees to marry Ian "In Name Only" only to prevent her father from forcing her younger sister, Laurel to marry him instead.

I did not give this book 5 stars because Ana did entirely too much weeping (prior to pregnancy) and her relationship with her father (preacher-whom I still have not figured out) was left up in the air. I was given this book by my cousin, Janie and had reservations about reading a story with sister's marrying the same man. After checking the Amazon.com ratings/reviews, I put them aside and decided to give the book a chance. I'm glad I did!!!