Between Two Shores Book Review

SUMMARY:  She has always moved between worlds, but now she must choose a side.

     The daughter of a Mohawk mother and a French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval would rather remain neutral in a world tearing itself apart.  Content to trade to both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the Seven Years' War against her wishes when her British ex-fiance', Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father.  Samuel claims he has information that could help end the war, and he asks Catherine to help him escape.
   
     Peace appeals to Catherine, even if helping the man who broke her heart does not.  But New France is starving, and she and her loved ones may not survive another winter of conflict-induced famine.  When the dangers of war arrive on her doorstep, Catherine and Samuel flee by river toward the epicenter of the battle between England and France.  She and Samuel may impact history, but she fears the ultimate cost will be higher than she can bear.

REVIEW:  Like her other books before this, Jocelyn Green does not write your "typical" novel.  It does have many details other books have but the situations her heroines find themselves in and how they overcome difficulties are not the same.  That's what makes her books something I look forward to reading. 

     Catherine is a strong woman who has had to deal with prejudice and abuse most of her life.  She chooses to live as a Frenchwoman but she looks like a native.  I like how she doesn't let the narrow mindedness of others make her bitter or angry but chooses to rise above her circumstances to make things better for herself and those around her.  She is determined to keep her Mohawk roots and connections alive as much as she can. She helps everyone around her and looks out for those who sometimes can't take care of themselves.

     There are many decisions Catherine has to make, especially some that are not so easy ones.  She also purposely decides to abide by decisions made by others that affect her, some which as very hard but are very admirable. 

     Without giving away anything in the story, let me say this was a very interesting read.  It's different from others of the same style but remarkable.  This novel is one I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to rereading again so I can delve deeper into this character and those around her.  Check it out for yourself.  I think you will enjoy it as much as I did.

This book was provided by the author for review without any compensation.  The review is completely my own.

Jocelyn Green is the award-winning and best-selling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King and A Refuge Assured.  Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award and the Golden Scroll.  Jocelyn lives with her family in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

The Lacemaker Book Review

SUMMARY:  It is the eve of a new age of freedom in the colonies.  But can a proper English lady dare hope for her own independence?
     Lady Elizabeth "Liberty" Lawson has nearly everything a lady of her position could want.  Daughter of the British lieutenant governor of the Virginia Colony and a darling of fine society in a rugged land, she is anticipating an advantageous marriage.  That her betrothed is a rake and love is lacking is of little consequence - or so she tells herself.
     Though her own life seems in order, colonial Williamsburg is a powder keg on the verge of exploding, and her fiance's cousin Noble Rynallt carries the flame of revolution in his heart.  Those with connections to the British nobility are suspected as spies, and Liberty soon finds herself left with a terrible choice.  Will she stay true to her English roots? Or side with Noble and the radical revolutionaries?

REVIEW:  Laura Frantz's latest novel transported me back to the beginning of our great nation and the difficulties that were faced by all citizens - both British and Colonial.  Liberty has to make a difficult decision - go with her father and wait for this uprising to end or support the locals she has grown up with in their pursuit of freedom.  I like how the author shows her reader Liberty's struggles and how she finds a way to support herself during this difficult time.  In doing so, she discovers a way serve her new country and show support for her fellow Colonists. 
     I like how Nobel Rynallt is a gentleman and a Patriot at all times. He helps protect Liberty when events turn ugly.  When standing for what he believes in comes at a great cost, Nobel doesn't hesitate.      As I read this story, I had envisioned some things I thought might happen with different characters and during certain events.  Ms. Frantz kept me on my toes and guessing as to how she would work things out.  I like that the story was not predictable but was engaging and kept my interest throughout.  This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Laura Frantz Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, and the Ballantyne Legacy series.  She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.  Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

The Return Book Review

Amish Beginnings Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  In a wild country, the true cost of love may be more than they can bear.

     Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans - but then she never had to.  Not until the night she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid.  Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feelings she's developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances.

     Greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort.  She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Han's hunger for revenge.  But if Betsy is ever restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?

     Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of pre-revolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

SUMMARY:  Sometimes God works in ways we don't understand to take us to places spiritually, physically and emotionally we would never go on our own.  Betsy soon finds out how God uses her time as an Indian captive to help bring her to an understanding of Himself and others around her that she wouldn't have otherwise had.  It also makes her stronger than she ever thought she could be and helps her when she needs to make difficult decisions.

     Tessa is like most of us; we want what we can't have.  When we finally get a taste of it, we want more, even if it isn't God's best.  Tessa makes decisions that come back to haunt her and influences others to make bad choices.  I like how she owns up to her mistakes and does what she can to make restitution.  

     The ending was different in that one character's story was left open ended while others were tied up neatly.  I liked how this novel closed with all kinds of possibilities that only God knows the ending.  This book is set about twenty-five years after the first and second ones.  Even though I read the first one but not the second, I was able to follow along without any trouble, especially since there was a Cast of Characters to help fill in any blanks.  This is a good book and a good series.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

 

Susanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna's Crossing and The Newcomer in the Amish Beginnings series.  The Bishop's Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish.  She lives in California.  Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @susannewfisher.

Newton & Polly Book Review

A Novel of Amazing Grace

SUMMARY:  "Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound

                          That saved a wretch like me!

                          I once was lost, but now am found . . ."

     Now remembered as the author of the world's most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life.  His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father - until the night he hears Polly Catlett's enchanting voice, caroling.  He's immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

     An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John's reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly.  When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever.  Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

     Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe. 

REVIEW:  Jody Hedlund does an excellent telling the story of John and Polly's love for each other.  She made me feel like I was right there, watching them as they interacted.  There were times I wanted to reach out and grab John by the collar and shake some sense into him when he would make stupid decisions.  There were so many times he shirked his duty and risked his father's and his own good name to be with Polly that I wondered if he would ever change for the better.  I admired Polly for standing up for her commitment to Christ and not forsaking it to marry John.  She followed in her father's footsteps as he stood up for the principles he held and not giving them up when society made it difficult.  The way the author describes the depths of depravity John fell to and the heights he climbed to made it feel so real.  This is a book I want to keep on my shelf for a very long time.

This book was provided by Waterbrook Multnomah and Blogging for Books 

for review without any compensation.

Jody Hedlund is a CBA best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books.  Among a variety of genres, she especially loves bringing long-forgotten women of history to life.  She is the author of Luther and Katharina, which was awarded the ECPA Book of the Year Award in fiction.  Her other novels have won the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christy Award.  She resides in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and their busy children.

Anna's Crossing Book Review

An Amish Beginnings Novel

SUMMARY:  Some endings are really beginnings . . .

     On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new life.  As the only one in her community who can speak English, she feels compelled to go.  But Anna is determined to complete this journey and return home - assuming she survives.  She's heard horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead in the New World.  But fearfulness is something Anna has never known.

     Ship's carpenter Bairn resents the somber people - dubbed Peculiars by the deckhands - who fill the lower deck of the Charming Nancy.  All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep intruding on him.  

     Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle and patience of everyone on board.  When Anna is caught in a life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his entire foundation.  But has the revelation come too late?

     Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing - and the lives of two intrepid people who braved it.

REVIEW:  In her latest novel, Suzanne Woods Fisher explores the idea of when the Amish first came to America.  Persecuted in their native Germany and Switzerland, they hope to live peacefully, worshipping the way the want and raising their families in Penn's Woods in the New World.  This story is about what life may have been like on board the ships that carried them away from the familiar to the unknown.  

     This book was different from the author's usual stories as the setting is a ship.  She describes the difficulties on board for the passengers: overcrowding, the horrible smells, seasickness and other illnesses, storms, death, and running out of drinking water. The reader is pulled into the story by Anna's reluctant willingness to step out of her comfort zone to help her community and to stand up for them when difficulties arise.  She helps them when they get sick and champions for them to get out of the hold for fresh air at least once a day. The story of Bairn's life growing up is difficult which affects his outlook on life and fuels his desire to make money.  His admiration for Anna grows as he sees how she gives of herself and makes sacrifices, one of which could have caused her death.  I was drawn into their tale and the attraction they felt for each other, even though they came from two completely different worlds.  The ending was one I had not expected.  Even though I had part of it figured out, the author took some twists and turns that made ending even better.  This is a wonderful book worth checking out and reading.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace.  She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting.  She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines.  She lives in California.  Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.