Burning Sky - Fiction, American frontier

Burning Sky

By Lori Benton

Willa Obenchain was captured by Mohawk Indians as a teenager and taken to live with the tribe.  Given the opportunity to do so, she has returned to her family’s homestead after many years in captivity.  Nothing is the same.  Her mother and father are gone and the town folk are saying her parents were loyal to King George during the Revolutionary War.  Though she’s working hard to reclaim the homestead after many years of being uninhabited, a new law states that it can be taken from her and sold to the highest bidder at an auction because of her parents allegiance to the Crown.  Willa doesn’t believe that her parents were Tories, but what sort of unmitigated proof can she find after so many years away?  Willa is also struggling to find her place – does she belong to the white race where she was raised, or to the Mohawk Indians with whom she has come to identify? 

I thought this book was well written and interesting.  I enjoyed learning a little more about how the Revolutionary War affected the Northern regions of New York and up to the Canadian border. There was also a lot of history about the northern Native American tribes and their role in the political climate of the Revolutionary War.  Finding healing after much hurt was a prominent theme of the book.   I would be glad to read more books by this author if she chooses to continue this series.  Overall I give this book an A – grab it for a cold day, and cozy up to the fireplace. 

I received a free copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The Governess of Highland Hall - Fiction, Historical

The Governess of Highland Hall

By Carrie Turansky

Julia Foster loved her life as a missionary working alongside her parents in India.  However, they were forced to return to England when her father became ill.  Now Julia must find work to support her family during this hard time.  She soon finds a position as a governess at a nearby estate.  She loves the small children she has in her care though they can be unruly; and the elder girls Julia teaches are difficult at best.  Julia’s greatest struggle, however, is in relating to the master of the estate, Sir William Ramsey.  Both Julia and Sir William are fraught with hardships each their own.  Can they come together to share one another’s burdens and find love in the process?

I think this is the first book I have read by Carrie Turansky.  I thought it was well written and engaging.  I enjoyed unexpected twists and turns for the different characters in the book – some finding love where it was least expected; others learning how to live with heartbreak.  I’m so glad to see a male lead character that emphasizes faith with his household and leads them in daily devotions and prayer.  It’s sad to say that is a unique feature to find even in Christian fiction.  Faith in God is a major theme of the book, and I think the author did a good job of exploring the troubles we all face in trusting Him.  Overall, I thought this was a good read – an A for quality Christian fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Multnomah Books in exchange for my honest review.

Return to Me - Fiction, Biblical

 

Return to Me - The Restoration Chronicles Book 1

By Lynn Austin

The Israelites have lived in captivity for many years.  Just as the prophets foretold, when the people turned their back on God and began to worship other gods, their homeland was destroyed and the people were enslaved to their conquerors.  Iddo was carried off to Babylon as a boy with the last remnant of the Israelites who had remained in Jerusalem.  He is of the Levite line, and is burdened to see his people return to the Lord even while in captivity.  When the unthinkable happens and King Cyrus declares that the Israelites may return home and begin rebuilding the temple of God, Iddo is overjoyed.  But will the obstacles that come before Iddo tear his family apart and will the people of God continue in their sin despite the promise of restoration God has set before them?

I have been waiting for Lynn Austin to write another book of Biblically based fiction!!  Her first series “Chronicles of the Kings” has long been my favorite series of Bible fiction ever.  I fell in love with King Hezekiah’s story through those books.  Now I have a whole new set of characters to love.  I couldn’t help but pull my Bible out and try to “read ahead” to see the end of the story of the remnant that returned to rebuild Jerusalem.  When I read the Biblical account I found that so much of what I read the character’s saying in the book was pulled right out of Scripture.  This book is so well done.  Though the character’s lives are fictionalized, they become so real in the pages of Scripture when we realize that they struggled with the same things that plague us even now.  It is also thrilling to know the fulfillment of the promises God gave through these Scriptures about God dwelling among the people – Jesus is coming to you Israel!  The ancient Jews were just beginning to see that God’s desire was not for them alone to worship, but that every nation, tribe, and tongue worship Him.    I think you can tell by now that I thought this was an excellent read – A+ once again Mrs. Austin!!! (And hurry up with book 2!)

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Rebellious Heart - Fiction, Historical

Rebellious Heart

By Jody Hedlund

Susanna Smith is different than most young ladies of her class – a bit stubborn, desperate to better her mind through learning, and not at all concerned with finding a husband.  Her sister is the fair-haired beauty after all, so Susanna really can’t see any suitors clamoring for her affections.  Plus, her mother is determined that she will marry someone of equal or better class.  Benjamin Ross is determined to break into a higher class and society.  The son of a shoemaker and farmer, Benjamin tried to better himself by going to college and becoming a lawyer. But even that doesn’t make him fit for Susanna’s society.  Ben and Susanna soon find themselves working for a common cause – to help a runaway indentured servant girl escape her cruel master and the bounty hunter who pursues her.  Can Ben and Susanna save the girl’s life?  And can their growing affections be realized, though Susanna’s mother ardently opposes the match?

This pre-Revolutionary war story well describes the lives of American colonists under British rule.  The beginnings of the struggle against “taxation without representation,” are the backdrop for Ben and Susanna’s mission for good.  I like how the author portrays Susanna’s struggle to know whether she should honor the King of England, or do what is right.  She is constantly trying to decide if righteousness is following the law, or protecting the innocent.  The storyline moves along pretty well and there are many moments of suspense.  My only disappointment was the romance side of the story.  I felt like Ben and Susanna were WAY to back on forth on whether they loved each other or not.  I’m not an author, but I secretly longed for them to be head over heels in love, and trying to keep it concealed from Susanna’s mom (though in the utmost propriety).  Overall I give this story an A – good, clean, historical fiction.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review. 

A Simple Change - Fiction, Historical

A Simple Change

Home to Amana Series

By Judith Miller

Jancey Rhoder loves teaching the young orphans at the Kansas City Charity Home, where she donates her time each day.  Her evenings are spent helping her father care for her terminally ill mother.  Jancey is shocked when her parents suddenly announce their intention to move back to the Amana colonies in Iowa where they were raised.  She must decide if she will leave the city, the children, and her steady beau to begin a totally different way of life.  The desire to be with her mother during the late stages of her illness secures her decision to leave her childhood home and begin anew.  While Jancey anticipated many changes in her way of life, she never planned on losing her heart to a young man in the colonies.  But, when her Kansas City beau shows up determined to win her back and take her home, Jancey must decide where her heart and future lie – will she leave for the familiar life she had, or stay and live the simple life of the Amana colonies?

I have really enjoyed the Judith Miller books I have read previously, and this one was no exception. I have not read the first of Miller’s “Home to Amana” series, but I was not lost reading this book.  It seems the stories are independent reads.  The storyline is well developed and easy to follow.  The turns and twists of the book keep you turning pages to find out what happens next.  I like how the authors depicts Jancey as having previously trusted God, but she still struggles to depend on Him for her needs, and wait on His timing for her life.  It is a battle with which many Christians can identify.  Overall I give this book and A – an interesting and enjoyable Christian fiction read. 

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House publishers in exchange for my honest review.