Genre: Christian Historical Fiction (Victorian Gothic Romance)
The shadows hold secrets darker than they ever imagined. . . .
In 1888 Victorian England, Ami Dalton navigates a clandestine dual life. By day, she strives to establish herself as a respected Egyptologist, overcoming the gender biases that permeate academia. But with a heart for saving black-market artifacts from falling into the wrong hands, she is most often disguised as her alter ego, the Shadow Broker.
After eight years in India, Oxford’s most eligible bachelor, Edmund Price, has come out of the shadows to run for Parliament and is in search of an Egyptologist to value a newly acquired collection. Expecting a renowned Oxford professor, Edmund instead finds himself entangled with Ami, the professor’s determined daughter. As they delve into the treasures, their connection deepens, but trouble emerges when a golden griffin–rumored to bear the curse of Amentuk–surfaces, and they’re left to wonder if the curse really is at play, or if something more nefarious is hiding among the shadows. . . .
“Don’t miss all the romance, adventure, and danger in [this] new page-turner.”–JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author of Shadows of Swanford Abbey
About the Author
I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.
My Impressions
“Perhaps-just maybe- all her striving to prove her intelligence and credibility didn’t matter a whit to God…perhaps her worth was in who she was, who God made her to be, instead of being measured by what she achieved. Dare she believe that?”
The name Michelle Griep is synonymous in my book with “must buy.” Her latest, Of Gold and Shadows, is a great representation of her finest work. Griep combines a female Egyptologist who wants for recognition in the field, a rich young man with a strong moral compass but a misguided way of helping the needy, and treasures, one cursed, that literally seem up for grabs.
Ami Dalton is the young Egyptologist who has two goals: gain recognition in her field and make her archaeologist father proud of her. Cataloguing and valuing handsome, young Edmund Price’s Egyptian relics is a great job that should lead her a step closer to her goals.
Edmund has recently returned from India and has a heart for the people there, wishing to help them by acquiring a Parliament seat so he can be influential in laws governing taxes on India. We quickly get the idea that Edmund is a fish swimming upstream, as we see others of influence in England only wanting to benefit from India and its people. But, as noble and faith-based as his caring ideas are, will the ends justify the means?
I loved the twist revealed at the end! I could not figure out why a certain character behaved as he did! I also loved how Edmund and Ami took turns building each other up, using their faith. But will they allow God to ultimately guide their future, or will they each continue down their pre-determined paths?
Michelle Griep always delivers a compelling story, a swoony romance, and truth nuggets carefully placed for maximum effect. Her ability to create the atmosphere by use of language ( expressions like “bosh,” “ codswallop,”and “stars and lightning”) and lyrical prose is so expressive. Sometimes I would have to stop reading, reread a sentence, and just savor the beauty of it!
I highly recommend this book for any historical romance fans!
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher through NetGalley, but I also purchased my own copy for the keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“God’s will shall not be thwarted. He always makes as way.”
“Bottling up bad memories is a recipe for broken glass.”
“…his vulnerabilities were not s sign of weakness but were in fact opportunities for God’s love to be made perfect.”
“A good journalist could make a pile of manure into a bag of diamonds. A bad one, turn a saint into a sinner.”
“That’s the thing about fathers. They tend to have a way to make us feel like needy, negligible, little children-save for our Heavenly Father, that is…We are never insignificant in His eyes.”– Ami
Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients’ physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok’s world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.
A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.
“a doctor can treat to the best of her ability, but only God can heal.”
If I hadn’t wanted to read this book before, the tongue-in-cheek descriptions of some of the characters in the cast of characters (at the front of book) would have convinced me!
I couldn’t wait to return to Stoney Creek with Suzanne Woods Fisher for more of her wonderful Amish community there. However, A Healing Touch is as much about Englischers as it is the Amish.
We get to see an intimate look at Dok Stoltzfus, the Bishop’s sister, who left the Amish ways behind. Dok obtained her MD, married an Englischer, but returned to practice among the People she left. Dok is much beloved and trusted in the community, but we begin to see her single-minded dedication to her patients is beginning to take a toll on her marriage. Will Dok find a reason to spend less time in the office and more at home?
Another major character in the novel is Bee, who is a retired Olympic equestrian racer. Now widowed, she wallows in a haze of misery as life takes yet another unexpected turn. Will she allow a frenemy from the past to help with her beloved horses? What is the story between the two former acquaintances? You’ll love Fran, an Amish woman who comes alongside Bee (an Englischer) and teaches her valuable life lessons!
I especially loved seeing shy Annie, a young Amish girl, as she learns to overcome social anxiety. Dok has taken Annie as her secretary, hoping the position will nudge her out of her shyness. What nobody foresees is the interest that Annie develops. Can Annie trust God to work in her life and others’ to take her down the path He has for her?
I received a copy of the book from Revell via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Bad thoughts can be like weeds. Pull them out quickly before they take over. There’s no point in watering the weeds.”
“Faith infuses grief the way a tea bag steeps in hot water.”
“Extra kneading ends up with the best bread of all—light and airy and delicious. A little like life, I’ve always thought. Difficult times end up making us the best we can be.”
“…a person’s past wasn’t pertinent, only who they were now.”
“If you aren’t training…“you’re untraining.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Each Stoney Ridge story seems to be even better than the last! Do we really have to leave Stoney Ridge?!!
An Appalachian Girl Seeks a Place to Belong Return to the mountains of 1910s Appalachia with beloved author Pepper Basham to discover Kizzie McAdams’s story.
Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.
Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.
Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?
Pepper Bashamis an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her historical romance novels, My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge and The Red Ribbon, and her contemporary novels, the Mitchell’s Crossroads and Pleasant Gap series, showcase her Appalachian heritage, as well as her love for humor and family. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus.
More from Pepper
It’s pretty easy to overlook wildflowers.
I mean, until they show off all their pretty colors, especially in the middle of a barren place, then they’re noticed and usually appreciated but did you know there’s a lot more to wildflowers that…meets the eye?
Apart from providing food and shelter for smaller animals and/or insects or assisting bees in pollination, wildflowers can be used as an ingredient for healing remedies and contribute to soil health and reduce erosion.
Especially in places where other plants aren’t likely to grow. They’re known as “hardy” because they can survive all sorts of weather conditions, extreme temperature, animal damage, even drought.
So why am I talking about wildflowers??
Because, in lots of ways, wildflowers are a great example of what hope looks like.
Hope nourishes. Romans 15: 14 “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” When we recall and reflect on what the Bible says about who we are in Christ, our hearts are encouraged and given the spiritual energy they need to remind ourselves of truth in the middle of hard times and wilderness-living.
Hope spreads – Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” A heart filled with the knowledge of the love of God is a heart filled and “overflowing” with hope…and that hope is contagious. When we know whose we are and what our future looks like because of the One who loves us, we live in joy…even when the storms come.
Hope restores and heals: “Isaiah 40:31 reads, “For those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Hope protects – Psalm 62:5-6 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Life is hard. Sometimes, bone-achingly, soul-shakingly hard. If we’re reliant on our own ability to protect our faith or mind or soul, we will fail. We’re not strong enough and neither is any of our human defenses, but God is amply able to protect us from the storms, trials, and droughts that mean to wither our hope. HE is the hero of our heart’s story and he is armed to overcome so we can trust Him with our hope and our futures.
And hope grows in the hard places. Hope does not consist of weak or wishful thinking, it grows out of nutrients squeezed from the soil it has. Hard-won, many times. Romans 5:3-4 “ Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” A life with Christ doesn’t mean that pain is taken away, but there is a promise and purpose in the pain. The promise that God is with us and a purpose that He is making us more like Him.
Hope Like Wildflowers tells the story of hope, but the main character, Kizzie, isn’t relying on her own abilities to keep her hope strong. Oh no! She learned to trust in the only One who is strong enough to BE her hope. He nourishes her heart when her life has turned upside down and she’s been forsaken. He restores and heals her when she’s been broken and cast out. He protects her from dangerous men who try to hurt her, but also he protects her heart from choosing the wrong path. And through the hard places of life, Kizzie’s hope overflows in joy to touch the lives of those around her.
And it’s beautiful and unexpected.
Like wildflowers.
How has God helped bring hope to your life? What trials has His hope helped you through?
My Impressions
“Somehow, even in the middle of broken dreams, God touches the raw, painful remnants with a teensy bit of stardust.”
Pepper Basham invites us back to the 1910s in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where people are still divided by their socio-economic and racial status. This book, Hope Like Wildflowers, is so well-titled! As Basham explains, wildflowers will fight their way up through mountain rock and other areas that one would think impossible soil. Yet, beauty springs out of surprising hardship. It is leaning into the Rock that is bigger and stronger than ourselves that gives strength to endure and overcome. We cannot do it on our own, as Nella encourages Kizzie. “Life is hard, Kizzie. You can look for easy in all kinds of places, but more likely than not, that easy turns to its own kind of hard. The real test is what you do when the hard comes. There’s bound to be more times in life than not that the hard gets too big for your own shoulders. That’s why you need someone bigger, stronger, wiser.”
What a journey you will go on with young Kizzie McAdams. We first see a bedraggled, rejected, pregnant, poor, mountain girl struggling to survive. But as Kizzie begins to spend time with her friends John and Nella, she begins to see there is a different road to life available, if she chooses. One that she will not have to walk alone. At first, it seems Kizzie will get trampled and tossed aside by those who are bigger and stronger. Every decision she makes will have you yearning with her as you see her difficult choices.
Fortunately, Faith is like a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets. As Kizzie makes decisions and moves to leave her old life behind, life actually gets harder in many ways. Will she return to her old ways, to the promised security, or will she continue to step out in faith and love?
Ms. Basham pens her novel with beautiful descriptions of the Appalachians, slices of local color, and great relatable characters with tough choices. While part of a series, this book can stand alone. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Catherine Marshall’s Christy.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought my own copy for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“It’s difficult to smile when your focus is on things that rarely lead to joy.”
“Sometimes the very best folks rise out of a second chance because they know what they’ve been forgiven of.”
“My mama says that our true self rises to the top when we’re mad or when no one’s looking.”-Kizzie
“The Lord don’t want nothing to do with the likes of me, Nella.” “Well, that just goes to show how little you know about the Lord. The broken kind’s who He’s been after from the start.”
“True compassion cared with a steel spine.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! What a poignant time to read Hope Like Wildflowers- when Appalachia must again wade through a very difficult time, but is buoyed by the strength and resilience of its people and their hope for the future!
Separated by centuries, the lives of two women intertwine through their shared pursuit of love, truth, and justice.
In 1885 London, Lillian Freemont embarks on a treacherous journey to reunite with her long-lost niece, Alice, who was abandoned at the Foundling Hospital eight years ago. Fueled by her sister’s plea and armed with the gold token that identifies her niece, Lillian teams up with investigative reporter Matthew McGivern to expose the grim reality of the shadowed streets of London. As Lillian and Matthew unravel the mystery of Alice’s disappearance, their partnership blossoms into one of shared purpose and undeniable attraction.
In present-day London, Janelle Spencer finds herself unexpectedly running the Foundling Museum. When filmmaker Jonas Conrad arrives to document the museum’s history, their collaboration takes a surprising turn as they uncover articles from the past that shed light on a haunting connection to the present. As Janelle becomes caught between exposing the truth and protecting the museum’s reputation, she must decide if she can risk everything for what she believes.
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal.
More from Carrie
Come with me to London!
My latest novel, A Token of Love, is a dual-time story set in London during the late Victorian Era and present day. That prompted my husband and I to take a trip to London earlier this year. We were especially delighted to visit the Foundling Museum which tells the story of the Foundling Hospital, the first children’s charity home in England. The Foundling Hospital and Foundling Museum tie the historical and contemporary plots together in A Token of Love.
Thousands of children were taken in by the Foundling Hospital when their mothers could no longer care for them. Some of the mothers left small items such as coins, thimbles, and pieces of jewelry with their infants as identifiers in the hope that if their situation changed, they might be able to return and reclaim their child. Those items were called tokens, and we saw several of them on display at the Foundling Museum.
Each token is unique and represents a mother’s love and desire to be reunited with her child. It was very moving to view them on display and think of all the heartache and hope behind each token.
More than two years ago, I saw an image of the tokens on Pinterest. That sparked my curiosity, and I followed the research trail to learn more about them. That led to the Foundling Museum’s website, which offers a treasure trove of information and personal stories about the mothers and children connected by those tokens. What I discovered helped me develop the characters and plot for A Token of Love. The story highlights one mother who gave her daughter into their care, then eight years later tries to reclaim her. But her daughter is missing, and that sets off a series of events that stirs all of London. Family drama, romance, inspiration, and a touch of mystery will make the story meaningful for readers.
If you like stories based on true events in history that will touch your heart and lift your spirit, then I think you will enjoy reading A Token of Love!
If you’d like to see more photos from my research trip to London and the Foundling Museum, I hope you’ll visit my website photo page!
My Impressions
“Someone had to take a stand and speak for those who could not speak for themselves.”
How often do we idealize the earlier days, thinking life was simpler or more carefree? Carrie Turansky, in her poignant dual time novel, A Token of Love, details two distinct time periods of London, one present-day and one from the 1880s. In both eras, the same ugly problem (involving misuse and abuse of girls and women) raises its head. What will the people of that era do to stop it? Will their faith be an impetus for their push for change, and can a few really make a difference?
I loved the great historical research that accompanied the writing of this book. So much that I have been unaware of. I loved learning about the Foundling Museum and its history, and how it and its fellow organization, Coram, worked to educate and better the lives of the children in both centuries. The novel is by turns romantic and suspenseful, rich in relationships, and pushes the characters to the end of themselves. Will God help mend their various broken hearts, broken families, and broken dreams?
I considered some tidbits in the book that formed a strong part of each story as very informative. It was neat to learn about the start of investigative journalism, film making and all that goes into even a small film, and also to read about Josephine Butler. Thankfully, author notes sort out the fact from the great creative writing. Included discussion questions make this book a great book club choice.
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit thru NetGalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Could she move forward and offer her heart again, knowing grief and loss could be right around the corner?”
“We are sisters, and sisters never give up on each other.”
“…terrible losses. Some we may have brought on ourselves; others happened because we live in a broken world where sin takes a great toll. We can’t change what happened to us in the past, but we can learn from it.”
“Your feelings are important, but truth is a much better guide.”
“We all have regrets, but there is no need to dwell on them. Seek the Lord’s forgiveness and let Him carry them for you.”
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Brave: The Story of Ahinoam by Mesu Andrews hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Brave: The Story of Ahinoam Series: King David’s Brides #1 Author: Mesu Andrews Publisher: Bethany House Publishers Release Date: October 1, 2024 Genre: Biblical Fiction
In the tumultuous world of ancient Israel, Ahinoam–a dagger-wielding Kenite woman–flees her family farm with her unconventional father to join the ragtag band of misfits led by the shepherd-turned-warrior David ben Jesse. As King Saul’s treasonous accusations echo through the land, Ahinoam’s conviction that David’s anointing makes him Yahweh’s chosen king propels her on a perilous journey to Moab and back into Judah’s unforgiving wilderness, only to encounter more hardship and betrayal.
Amid the challenges, Ahinoam forges an unexpected bond with David’s sister and gains respect among David’s army through her knowledge of Kenite metalworking. Though some offer friendship, Ahinoam, scarred by past relationships, isolates to avoid more pain and refuses to acknowledge her growing feelings for the renegade king. As Ahinoam’s heart grapples for footing, King Saul’s army closes in, and Ahinoam must confront the true meaning of love, loyalty, and courage. Is she brave enough to trust new friends and love Israel’s next king?
Mesu Andrews is a Christy Award-winning, bestselling author of biblical novels and devotional studies, whose deep understanding of and love for God’s Word brings the Bible alive for readers. Her heritage as a “spiritual mutt” has given her a strong yearning to both understand and communicate biblical truths in powerful stories that touch the heart, challenge the mind, and transform lives. Mesu lives in Indiana with her husband, Roy, where she stays connected with her readers through newsy emails, blog posts, and social media.
Connect with Mesu by visiting mesuandrews.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Impressions
“I will capture your heart, Ahinoam bat Toren, no matter how hard you run.”
Brave: The Story of Ahinoam, by the Biblical fiction queen Mesu Andrews, is a remarkable novel that sews together Scripture and “what might have been.” The narrator alternates between Ahinoam and David, enough so I believe both men and women could enjoy this saga of David and his rag-tag band of malcontents in the desert. Much strategy, some conflicts in the camp and without, action aplenty, and a good look at the land of Israel all make this a compelling read. Can Ahinoam, an outsider, join the ranks, and more importantly, declare allegiance to the king-to-be’s heart?
Much research of the land, the times, and the customs of the various cultures is very evident, enriching the perilous journey as David flees from Saul. We see not only Ahinoam’s romance,but a loyal, steadfast group of followers who are threatened by thirst, hunger, and poverty as they protect the man they believe is God’s anointed. Andrews offers plausible ideas for David’s rejection within his own family. Psalms are woven into the story as well as other Scriptures that tell of David’s time running from Saul.
I both loved and wanted to cry when David and his family killed the sheep for Passover in the desert. They had kept this perfect lamb in the “home” for four days, until it was like a pet. Then, it was time to sacrifice it, a true heart sacrifice as everyone now loved the lamb giving its life for them.
The hardest part of the story for me, was the acceptance of multiple wives. Whether it is the culture, or whether it seems like it is not in God’s perfect will for there to be more than two people in a marriage, Ahinoam is warned by different people before she makes her decision. “Let no man—or woman—ever question your position or God’s love for you. You have the courage of a warrior. But to live as a royal wife, you must be brave enough to forgive a thousand times simply because your husband wills it. You must have the mettle to let a gentle reply deflect criticism. And, to maintain a peaceful royal house and your self-respect, you must fight the most formidable enemy of all—the other women who will bear David’s children.”
Ahinoam is certainly going to need to realize David’s humanity will fail at some point. Every married person needs to remember this: “So, remember the only One who never leaves you, never betrays, never abandons, never dies.”
Which leads me to mention that Abigail appears in the story, bringing hope, turmoil, and help. I was disappointed that we don’t see much of Abigail and her story seems so truncated. But Andrews offers a prequel “Abigail” found by subscribing to her newsletter. I was much happier after reading that.
Still, I have to think that a family with multiple wives will have a few more problems to come. I’m sure we will see more of this possible conflict of the hearts in the following books, including the next book about Maakah.
I received a copy of the book from Just Reads and Netgalley. I also purchased my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Do you trust God’s anointed leader with the authority to make decisions that differ from your own will and judgment?”
“rebuilding the relationship meant she took on the far more difficult task of choosing to resist bitterness whenever memories rekindled the hurt.”
“I will sometimes lead my people into hard places but never into known danger. Yahweh does the same…
“The barrenness strengthens and shapes us into what the Lord wants us to become.”
“Sometimes we need to worship God even more than God needs our worship.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent!
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Brave: The Story of Ahinoam and a $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 9, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 16, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Book: Virginia (Daughters of the Lost Colony Book Four)
Author: Shannon McNear
Genre: Christian Fiction / Historical Romance
Release date: September, 2024
The White Doe of the Outer Banks Grows into Womanhood
Return to the “what if” questions surrounding the Lost Colony and explore the possible fate of Virginia Dare–the first English child born in the New World. What happened to her after her grandfather John White returned to England and the colony he established disappeared into the mists of time? Legends abound, but she was indeed a real girl who, if she survived to adulthood, must have also become part of the legacy that is the people of the Outer Banks. In the spring of 1602 by English reckoning, “Ginny,” as she is called by family and friends, is fourteen and firmly considered a grown woman by the standards of the People. For her entire life she has watched the beautiful give-and-take of the Kurawoten and other native peoples with the English who came from across the ocean. She’s enjoyed being the darling of both English and Kurawoten alike—but a stirring deep inside her will not be put to rest.
One careless decision lands her and fellow “first baby” Henry Harvie, along with their Croatoan friend Redbud, in enemy hands. Carried away into Mangoac territory, out of the reach of Manteo and the others, she must learn who she truly is—not only the daughter of Elinor and Ananias Dare but also a child of the One True God, who gives her courage to go wherever the path of her life might lead.
Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in the Deep South, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s the author of four novellas, the first a 2014 RITA® nominee and the most recent a 2021 SELAH winner, and six full-length novels. Her greatest joy, however, is in being a military wife, mom, mother-in-law, and grammie. She’s been a contributor to Colonial Quills and The Borrowed Book, and is a current member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers. When not cooking, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies.
More fron Shannon
So—here we are! I am just so, SO, sooo blessed to get to be on Celebrate Lit yet again. And book FOUR of my Lost Colony series! Initially I thought two, maybe three books. I pretty much disregarded the possibility of writing Virginia Dare’s story because, well, there’s a good bit of mythology surrounding her, and I felt absolutely no inclination to tackle any of that.
Until early last year. The idea dropped into my head and seemed too obvious to turn away. I didn’t have much idea of what would actually happen in the story, although I knew I wanted to explore the identity of the Mangoac, who held the interior of what is now North Carolina and Virginia when the Spanish and the English first arrived in the New World. They spoke an Iroquoian language and were referred to with dread and distaste among all their neighbors, including the Powhatan. Those people are what we know now as the Tuscarora.
Little was known of the Tuscarora before John Lawson wrote of his journey through the Carolinas in 1700-01. A few years later, Lawson himself met with a fairly horrible death at the hands of the Tuscarora (one wonders what he might have done to tick them off), and tensions soon escalated between settlers and indigenous peoples into all-out war. After their defeat by the English, the Tuscarora people moved northward and became the sixth nation of the Iroquois Confederacy.
They call themselves Skaru:re—pronounced sgah-ROOO-rah (with that long “ooh” held out a little extra)—translated variously as “Long-Shirt People” or “Hemp People,” for the garments they would weave from “Indian hemp,” also known as milkweed. The Tuscarora word for milkweed does indeed contain the same root as Skaru:re, but no one knows when as a people they might have made the transition from merely using milkweed fiber for cording or twine to spinning and weaving it into fabric, as the English did flax for linen.
I decided to have a bit of fun in my story, then, with Ginny being questioned about the making of a linen garment, and then a later mention of a “rough, twiny fabric.” I’d meant to expand upon that a bit, or at least address it in the historical notes at the end—and then completely forgot until working through the galleys.
So I get to talk about it—now.
You might guess that both details, which may feel random to the casual reader, are a nod to the translation of the name Skaru:re, and to the influence that either the Spanish or the English might have had on various Native people groups. A good author endeavors, of course, to not have any random details littering a story. In Virginia, many small things point back to previous stories—there are hints of connection to Rebecca as well even though either story could be read before the other. By the same token, all four books are what we could term alternate history—a reach beyond what is known into what might have been. I think it most likely that as Native peoples acquired European fashions, they used what they already had (in the case of the Skaru:re, a familiarity with milkweed and other materials to provide fiber) to produce garments and other items modeled after what the Spanish and English used. They were nothing if not eager to take advantage of new technologies—and what if their contact with members of the Lost Colony was what sparked the idea behind their famed “long shirts”?
A stretch, for sure. But there’s a reason why I’ve always enjoyed writing speculative fiction as well as historical.
My Impressions
“Her firstborn, taken by the People. Just as she herself was, all those years ago…“
Any history buff with the slightest interest in the lost colony of Roanoke should read this series, Daughters of the Lost Colony, and this book in particular, Virginia. Shannon McNear has outdone herself on this one. I loved every minute of this heart-rending, suspenseful book! I would encourage you to read the prior three novels so you have a better base for understanding some of the background and people involved.
Barely a young woman, Virginia Dare, who lives in the village that is a mixture of Kurawoten and English, is taken captive, along with two young male friends. Encouraged beforehand to do what they must to survive if such a capture by an enemy occurs, how far must they go?
Will the Skaru:re tribe that took the young people make them slaves, torture them, or assimilate them into their culture? Why are Sees Far and others not coming to the captives’ rescue? How can God turn something so tragic into an instrument for good? This is a major question that resounds throughout the book, very timely in our country today.
Many people argue that tragedy shows an absence of a loving God. Not so, says Ginny as she shares her mother’s belief. “He is God, regardless. The good things we enjoy, the little miracles that come, they come because He is good and loves to bless us. But the lack of blessings does not prove His absence or lack of care.” I loved the way that McNear shows that faith has to become real and personal for each individual. I loved the heartfelt prayers of Ginny and others as all they can do is cry out to God for help.
Danger, romance, history, and a fair look at different people groups are all present in this fast-paced story. But so are the plan of salvation and an impassioned plea to see God as a loving Sovereign when all we can see is tragedy. Will we have the faith to trust God when we cannot see what only He can? “We must trust that He is able to weave our past into good for us, and indeed does so. And we must trust Him with each day. This day. And then the remainder of our lives.”
Is this easy? As Master Johson encourages Ginny, it is not. “…if ’twere easy to trust, then where would be the need for faith?”
Don’t miss this exciting conclusion to the Daughters of the Lost Colony Series! Expect a few surprises!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit and Netgalley. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But love is as much a choice as it is a feeling. Mayhap more.”
“Perhaps the difference lies in a counterquestion. What is your present commitment to Christ and to His ways? It matters not if you were born and reared a Christian, if you abandon your faith upon reaching your majority.”
“Their coming to the New World, they said, ’twas more than uprooting in body and soul and trying to make a home in a completely different country. There was a clash between old ways and new ways, between old gods and the one true God, a conflict not just of thought and ideals but of spiritual forces. How many times had she heard Master Johnson and others read the verse about not wrestling with flesh and blood but with principalities and powers? And yet … she had never truly comprehended.”
My Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Magnificent!! I will long be mulling over the McNear-based possibilities of The Lost Colonies!!
Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: Beyond Ivy Walls Author: Rachel Fordham Publisher: Thomas Nelson Release Date: August 14, 2024 Genre: Historical Romance
Reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, a recluse and a young woman discover that the scars of life are no match against an act of love.
Iowa, 1903. All of Monticello believes Otis Taylor has been away fostering his musical genius. But the truth is that his father exiled him long ago, rejecting Otis’s appearance and the scars that came with it. Now that he is the last living Taylor, Otis has covertly returned to settle his family’s affairs and rid himself of his past for good. However, he soon discovers that he may not have been the only discarded Taylor and begins a tireless search for his missing niece.
At twenty-three years old, Sadie West left her family farm and found employment at the Hoag feather duster factory. It isn’t a romantic job, but she’s hardly had a glimmer of romance since her beau went off to college, leaving her with no promise of a future together. Desperate to save money and help her family make ends meet, she trespasses and finds shelter in an abandoned building–and is thrown in the path of the town’s mysterious bachelor.
Otis’s wounds are deep, but as Sadie’s friendship with him grows, she begins to fall for the man beneath the mask. The mystery of his long-lost niece, however, is more complex than either could have imagined, and Sadie may be the key to Otis Taylor finally finding his way home.
Connect with Rachel by visiting rachelfordham.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
My Impressions
“Why can’t it be normal to be varied and different? In a world full of colors and shapes and backgrounds, who decided we were all supposed to be the same?”
Oh, Rachel Fordham! I don’t know which of your characters in Beyond Ivy Walls I love most!!
I love Sadie because she refuses to gossip meanly, works hard, and is determined to support her family, no matter the cost to herself. She is always putting others first. Whether she is in the feather duster factory or in the big house, she is looking out for others and has a strong sense of duty. Plus, she knows that people are more than meets the eye. “People are much like plants. There is so much more to them that cannot be seen. Ambitions and dreams. Fears and hopes. Buried beneath the soil, overlooked, but vital . . .”
For Otis’s part, I love him for the horrors he endured as a boy, the actions and attitudes that he should have been safe from, occurring in his own home. Yet, he returned. He struggles with staying, but who wouldn’t? And he discovers as he opens up to Sadie and their friendship develops, that he can challenge her in her weak spots, too. And what he does for Sadie!
Leon and Mildred- I love them because they are like catalysts in a slow chemical reaction. Loving Otis, seeing the real man, encouraging both Otis and Sadie as they learn to tolerate each other, making the big house a pleasant place to be.
The mystery is well-played and adds a beautiful counterpoint to the storyline. All in all, I am just plain in love with this Beauty and the Beast retelling. *Sigh*
I highly recommend this Christian historical romance novel. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy!
I received a copy of the book from Just Read Tours via NetGalley. I also purchased my own Kindle copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Unwanted. It was a label no child, no person, should have.”
“Just remember there is more to you than what happened in the past. I’ve seen pieces of your heart—others will too. Come and meet my family and you can see pieces of mine.”
“beside the grief was happiness. Somehow, pain and joy were walking side by side. He did not understand it, but he felt it.”
“Love, acceptance, abandonment, trust. He wanted to run from it all and in the same breath to make sense of the scattered pieces and find peace.”
“It’s a shame, the way we shun when we should rally around those who struggle. And no matter how others behave, in the pit of their stomachs, I think they know it too.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! I love Rachel Fordham’s sweet, unhurried prairie style and the way she makes me adore her characters!
Tour Giveaway
Rachel Fordham is the author of The Letter Tree, Where the Road Bends, A Lady in Attendance, A Life Once Dreamed, The Hope of Azure Springs, and Yours Truly, Thomas. Fans expect stories with heart and she delivers, diving deep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She loves connecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about future projects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological, adopted and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.
(1) winner will receive print copies of the author’s previous 6 novels: The Hope of Azure Springs, Your’s Truly, Thomas, A Life Once Dreamed, A Lady in Attendance, Where the Road Bends, and The Letter Tree!
(2) additional winners will receive one Rachel Fordham backlist print copy of their choice!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 7, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 14, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
While the century began with such promise, it is 1910 when Mira Dean’s hopes of being a wife and mother are dashed to pieces. Her fiancé dead from tuberculosis, Mira resigns herself to being a spinster schoolteacher–until Gordon Covington shows up.
No longer the boy she knew from school, Gordon is now a preacher who is full of surprises. First, he asks Mira to come to Sourwood in eastern Kentucky to teach at his mission school. Second, he asks her to marry him. Just like that. And all at once the doors that had seemed firmly shut begin to open, just a crack.
With much trepidation, Mira steps out in faith into a life she never imagined, in a place filled with its own special challenges, to serve a people who will end up becoming the family she always dreamed of.
From the pen of bestselling author Ann H. Gabhart comes a heartwarming story of the unexpected blessings that can come when we dare to follow the Lord’s leading.
About the Author
Ann H. Gabhart caught the writing bug at the age of ten and has been writing ever since. An award winning author, she’s published many books for both adults and young adults. Her books cover several genres from historical to small town family stories to cozy mysteries (mysteries published with author name A.H. Gabhart). Her ideas are sparked by events in Kentucky history and by experiences in her own family. Her first Shaker novel, The Outsider, was a finalist for the ECPA Christian Fiction Book of the Year. Love Comes Home won the Selah Book of the Year award, and These Healing Hills was the Faith, Hope & Love Readers’ Choice Women’s Fiction Book of the Year.
Ann lives on a Kentucky farm not far from where she was born. She and her husband have three children and nine grandchildren. Ann enjoys hiking on her farm with her grandkids and her dogs, Frankie and Marley. See more about her books at http://www.annhgabhart.com or join the conversation on her Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/anngabhart.
My Impressions
“‘Would you consider marriage, Miss Dean? To me’…He not only had said the words, he was implying the Lord wanted him to do so.”
*Sigh.* There is something so romantic about the turn of the century (early 1900s) and the people who lived in the hollers and mountains of Kentucky.
Ann H. Gabhart spins her tale, The Song of Sourwood Mountain, and soon you are caught up in its melodic web. The heart and soul of the people of that era rise hauntingly to the forefront of a hard life. The people are hard-working, fiercely independent, and suspicious of strangers who are “ brought in” from the outside. They rally around their own and protect secrets that shouldn’t escape the hills and hollers.
It is into this world that Mira Dean, a young teacher, enters, very reluctantly, as part of a marriage of convenience. Gordon Covington has started a church and a school. He is the pastor, but he desperately needs a teacher. And he thinks God is telling him Mira, a former acquaintance, is the one.
Mira tries to run away from the idea, but boy, does she resemble Jonah of the Bible as God places roadblock after roadblock in her path, until finally, as Mira consults her erstwhile landlady, Miss Ophelia, Mira tells the woman Gordon’s approach to the issue and faith in general: “He claims that sometimes the Lord expects a man to step onto a path that is thick with the fog of the unknown. A path where he has to simply take the next step without knowing if there is a firm path there.”
I enjoyed the stern, no-nonsense- approach to life of Miss Ophelia. Surprisingly, she provides several laughs!
What a not so propitious start to a marriage! Can Mira and Gordon make a go of this marriage, as Gordon believes?
“I can’t marry you. I don’t love you.” She looked directly into his eyes. “You don’t love me.” “But I love the Lord. You love the Lord. I believe he will honor that love, and with a common mission in both our hearts, the Lord will grow love between us as he did so many of those he brought together in the Bible.”
Ada June broke my heart and captured it at the same time. I wondered if I would have had the wisdom to deal with her many fears and her difficult past?
Don’t miss Joseph, Elsinore, and Bo! And the connections within the community were amazing! People are very complex in this novel, just as in real life, and a couple threw me for a loop!
Song… can be reminiscent of Catherine Marshall’s Christy, yet it is different. Making one’s heart desires those that please God is one of the main themes. God, in turn, gives us happiness in those desires. This beautiful novel is covered by a fantasticly colorful and appealing scene that begs you to read the book.
I received a copy of the book from Revell and Library Thing Early Readers via NetGalley. I also bought a pb copy for myself and one to give away. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Ours would be a mission school with our own rules for the position of teacher. A teacher chosen by the Lord.”
“When I see a bluebird, I can’t help but think of the love with which the Lord surely formed that first bird. Through that love, the Lord gifted us with joy and hope whenever our eyes delight in its sight. May this little bird help you remember not only my love but the Lord’s as well. A bluebird of happiness.”
“One doesn’t have to know everything about one’s destination when one begins a journey.”
“What were the desires of her heart? She had a ready answer. To teach them. To let her light shine. Sometimes she would quote the next verse to them. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. That was her way of letting them know that the Lord would, as her mother always said, provide. He would plant the proper desires in their hearts and show them the way to reach those goals in life. Had she taught that and never truly believed it?”
“He isn’t my young man, and I haven’t received a call to be a missionary.” “Are you sure? I think that is why you ran away this morning. You are afraid of the call you are feeling. Fear has a way of paralyzing us, coloring our thoughts, making us want to believe we know more than God.”
“Do you want me to live out your dream?” “No.” Miss Ophelia shook her head. “I want you to live out your dream. One the Lord appears to be pushing you toward.”
“Don’t we all have choices?” “We do, but sometimes until we walk the same paths as others, we can’t understand the choices they make. It’s a hard life.”
“Pain on the outside helped her not feel the pain on the inside that never went away.”
“Do more than hope. Pray.”
“The Lord doesn’t limit our prayers. He’s ready to answer abundantly if it is in his will.”
“I’m not in the reforming business. Just the spreading the gospel business. I let the Lord do what reforming he thinks needs doing.”
“Sometimes niceness was just a coating like moss on a wet rock that was slippery if a body depended on stepping full on it.”
“We often think we know the best way and have a sure idea of what should happen, without considering if those ways we want to choose will delight the Lord. What we should do, what I feel the Lord wants us to do, is let him plant those desires in our hearts.”
Every family has its secrets. Josephina Harris wouldn’t mind if her family still had a few of their own after a lawsuit tarnishes their name. When an opportunity opens to become a temporary keeper of a decommissioned lighthouse on a North Carolina island, she jumps at the chance to escape her small town to oversee its restoration.
As the work begins, “Joey” discovers strange notes tucked deep in the crevices of the old stone walls–pages torn from a lighthouse keeper’s log signed by someone named Mae who recounts harrowing rescues at sea. Fascinated by a woman lighthouse keeper, Joey digs into the past only to discover there’s never been a record of a lighthouse keeper by that name.
When things start to go amiss on the island, locals are convinced that it is the ghost of the lighthouse keeper and his daughter who were lost at sea during World War II. As Joey sifts through decades of rumors and legends and puts together the pieces of the past, what emerges is a love story–one that’s not over yet.
Multiple Christy Award winner Amanda Cox is your guide upon the raging seas of young love, heartbreaking loss, and learning to risk it all for a chance at happiness in this timeless novel.
About the Author
Before becoming a stay-at-home parent, Amanda Cox spent her time counseling children, families, and individuals through life’s challenging moments. Now she uses those same skills to develop layered characters and stories, bringing them on a journey of hope and healing. A journey she hopes her readers experience in their own lives as they read.
A few of her favorite things are the sanctuary of the great outdoors, the feeling of pen on paper, the sound of her children’s laughter, and exploring new places with her husband of 18 years. (Oh, let’s not forget good fiction and good coffee. She’s addicted to both.) You can stay connected with her latest writing updates at http://www.amandacoxwrites.com. You can find her on social media by searching Amanda Cox Writes
“Regret is a strange animal, son. It makes you create alternate realities inside your head with hindsight as your guide. You long for those imaginary outcomes until it’s a sickness. But there’s also another side to regret… I knew how much it cost to get it wrong.”
Indeed, this twisty, dual-time novel of Amanda Cox, Between the Sound and the Sea, is full of regrets. Walter is desperately trying to make up for his regrets from 60 years earlier. Finn doesn’t know how to step away from his broken past into a safe life. And Joey thinks she can somehow solve her problems by proving her worth to a town who has rejected her. Can these three work together to restore an old Outer Banks lighthouse and solve the mystery of the light keeper and his daughter who disappeared years ago?
Cheers for obscure history revealed! Never would I have guessed WWII was this close to our mainland! Why weren’t we taught this in US history?!
I found myself with the characters saying in my head, “I wish this or that would happen, or wouldn’t have happened.” Or I was guilty as I read, of saying, “Why? Why did [character] do that?!” Whether in reading or real life, it’s so easy to get caught up in the “if only” rut. You can see Amanda Cox’s background as a therapist come through as she explores the characters’ actions and feelings. “It was past time to leave behind the ‘if onlys.’ ‘I’m not sure going backward is ever the answer. We learn what we can from the hard times and keep moving forward.’”
This mesmerizing novel will have you reaching for the Kleenex more than once as Cox visits themes of regret, fear, and heartache. Is there a path for these characters I now love to find peace, forgiveness, hope, and restoration?
Because I love to spotlight secondary characters, I will name Pete as my fave such character. I loved how God used him in the narrative and also how he grew!
I received a copy of the book from the author and publisher via NetGalley. I also pre-ordered a pb for my keeper shelf. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“But that’s the beauty of love and grace, Cay. The real kind. We don’t have to earn it.”
“God meets us right where we’re at. And maybe things in our lives get broken down and beaten up along the way. The good news is restoration work is kind of His specialty.”
“When people are hurt and scared, they aren’t always able to reason through things well. They can’t see past the pain and fear.”
“I feel like I’ve slipped and fallen into an episode of Scooby-Doo. Send help.”
My Rating
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Magnificent! Cox proves once again why she is a multiple Christy award winner!
Book: The Sisters of Corinth (The Emissaries: Book 2)
Author: Angela Hunt
Genre: Biblical Fiction
Release date: May 21, 2024
“Angela Hunt takes her craft to new heights–and depths–as she fully immerses us in the lives and struggles of first-century followers of Yeshua.”–Tamera Alexander, bestselling author on The Woman from Lydia
When the new provincial governor arrives in Corinth, the esteemed Chief Magistrate Narkis Ligus, father to Mariana and Prima, is delighted. He sees a golden opportunity to propel himself to greater power and fortune by uniting his and the governor’s households through the marriage of one of his beautiful unwed daughters to the governor’s firstborn son.
Yet complications quickly arise in Narkis’s own family. Mariana, his stepdaughter, holds steadfast faith in Yeshua, rendering her hesitant to marry a man devoted to the Roman gods, despite Narkis’s urging. On the other hand, Prima, his daughter by birth, yearns for a life of wealth and status and is willing to go to great lengths to secure a marriage that fulfills her desires–even if it means betraying Mariana to do so.
Angela Hunt is a New York Times bestselling author of more than 160 books, with nearly 6 million copies sold worldwide. Angela’s novels have won or been nominated for the RWA RITA Award, the Christy Award, the ECPA Christian Book Award, and the HOLT Medallion. Four of her novels have received ForeWord Magazine‘s Book of the Year Award, and Angela is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from both the Romantic Times Book Club and ACFW. Angela holds doctorates in biblical studies and theology. She and her husband make their home in Florida with mastiffs and chickens.
More from Angela
Hello!
Thank you for helping me kick off the book tour for THE SISTERS OF CORINTH. This book is the second in my Emissaries series, but don’t worry—it reads like a stand alone.
The series features Gentiles who became believers in Christ through the ministry of Paul. The first book was about the woman called Lydia who lived in Philippi, and this book is about two step-sisters who lived in Corinth, the “Vegas” of the Roman Empire. What happened in Corinth stayed in Corinth, if you get my meaning, and there was a LOT going on in that pagan city.
I couldn’t help but think of Cinderella’s story as I wrote the opening of this book. The novel begins when the two sisters hear about the new governor coming to Corinth. He has a handsome and eligible son, and Narkis, the head of their family, is determined that one of his daughters should marry him. Prima is like her father, power-hungry and pretentious, while quiet Mariana is a believer in Yeshua. There’s a great deal of primping and preparing, scheming and scowling as the banquet draws near, and you’ll never guess which daughter the young man chooses—or maybe you will.
I hope you enjoy THE SISTERS OF CORINTH and thank you so much for taking part in this book tour. I am so grateful!
Always,
Angela Hunt
My Impressions
“Hester and Mariana could have their strange new god, but Father and I would remain true to the deities of Rome. They had made us part of an empire that brought its citizens power, slaves, and unimaginable luxuries.”
In The Sisters of Corinth, Angela Hunt spins a Biblical fiction tale so real, so suspenseful, and so engrossing that you want to put it down until you can finish it.
It is the story of the Roman world in the Apostle Paul’s time, during the reign of Nero. It is the story of a divided house. In a second marriage for both Corinthian statesman Narkis and his wife Hester, both bring daughters into the marriage. Prima and her father follow the Roman gods; Hester and her daughter, Mariana, have learned from Paulos and Acquilla & Priscilla to follow Yeshua.
Hunt’s novel is consists of two basic conflicts. As we read alternating chapters narrated by the sisters, we see sister pitted against sister for the love of the son of the new governor of Corinth. The other conflict pits all the gods of Rome against the God Who created the Universe. “How could the gods disappoint me? Mariana’s God could not be stronger than Aphrodite, Jupiter, and Asclepius. She had one God; I had dozens. Impossible that one foreign God could have prevailed against the gods of Rome.”
Power, lust, and greed are very real and driving forces in Corinth ( and Roman) politics. How far will Narkis and his daughter, Prima, go to ensure they climb the social and political ladder leading to Rome?
I was amazed by the attitudes toward slaves of the day. Yet, I think that Hunt probably went light on her description of the depravity there.
I loved how a daily witness of love and kindness in their homes influenced people around Jeshua’s followers. I also loved discovering that this is a second book in a series of three. So I must find the first book and prepare for the way Hunt will wrap up things in the third. My little experience with Hunt and this time period says it may not be as pretty as I’d like!
I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via Netgalley. I also purchased my own ecopy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Freedom was found in truth, and truth was found only in Adonai and His Son.”
“Your Adonai,” she said, her voice firm, “He must be the true God…Because He is the only God who asks His followers to do what they cannot do without His help.”
“Even the small mistakes of rulers loom large in history, and that thought is what terrifies me.”
“Perhaps it is the same with your God—if you know He is good, you can trust Him to be kind.”
To celebrate her tour, Angela is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of The Woman from Lydia and The Sisters of Corinth and a $15 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions 