A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton - a book review

This is the second book of the Path Finders series.  I’m glad I had already read the first one. I found it very helpful in understanding the relationships and background.  The author begins the book with a short review of the story from book one, told in a folklore style. 

This is a book that requires concentrated attention to read. 

It is set during the Revolutionary War in what we now call New England, more specifically, the Mohawk Valley of New York State.  The author does a good job of portraying the confusing political and social culture of the time.

This is from the back cover:

“Hearts are Divided

Loyalties Will Be Tested 

The Fates of Two Families Hang in the Balance

 

Twenty years past, in 1757, a young Redcoat, Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy—the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins— during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry and raised him as his own.

 

No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William’s twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God’s forgiveness— and her love.

 

Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York and the Continentals, aided by Oneida warriors including Two Hawks, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture, united by love and faith, must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.”

At points the narratives seem overly long and wordy.  They didn’t hold my attention and I found myself tempted to skip them. 

There are so many characters to keep track of, many of them spies and double agents that I found it hard to keep straight who was on which side.

Christian faith is a major theme throughout the book and the merging of the Native American culture and Christianity is very well presented.  The romantic aspect of the story takes a back seat to the war aspect but it is an important part of the story.  I was a little uncomfortable with the intimacy portrayed, it was a bit too provocative for my taste.

This is a story of repentance, forgiveness, friendship, tolerance, acceptance, choices and sacrifice.

You can read an excerpt HERE

I found the author’s notes in the back of the book, and the map in the front to be very helpful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from WaterBrook Press through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz - a book review

I really liked this book.  It is set in the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, a period in time that I love to read about.  This is a clean romance with lots of excitement, mystery and emotion.  The author opens the story introducing us to Sophie, a once-upon-a-time southern belle, who now is struggling to keep her home.  The British army had taken over her home of Three Chimneys and left her with no food or supplies.   Her father fled because of his alliance with the British and her borther has disappeared while fighting in the Patriot army.  Sophie, along with two aging servants, is left to manage the estate.

This is what the publisher says:

“There can be only one mistress of Tall Acre . . .

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?”

This is a Christian romance and the faith of the characters plays an important role in the story. However, it is not at all preachy and I think any lover of historical novels would enjoy reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund - a book review

This story is set in pre-revolutionary New England.  It is apparent right from the start that the author paid special attention to be historically accurate. 

 The story opens with a trial but it varies greatly from our modern day trials.  Apparently in those days if the defense lawyer could prove his client was able to be taught to read, they could be spared the harshest sentence.  And although, that is what occurs in this story, the punishment is still, what we would think, barbaric. 

 Susanna, one of the main characters is a spunky, inquisitive, generous and impulsive girl.  Her family, the Quincy’s, are one of the more affluent families in the area. The other main character is Ben, the son of the local shoemaker.  He has become a lawyer and has a strong sense of right and wrong. He is an idealist and is not influenced by wealth. 

Susanna’s cousin, Elbridge, wants to marry Susanna but she isn’t interested.  This leads to a degree of conflict and makes the story more interesting.

This is a story with a strong historical foundation.  There is mystery, treachery, suspense, and romance.  There is not a lot of humor so if you’re looking for a little levity, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

I really liked this book and the fact that the author obviously studied the time and customs of the era made it much more believable.  The author includes a section with some of the historical background at the end of the book.

I recommend this book if you like historical romances with a spiritually faith based theme.

This is what the publisher says about it:

 
"Massachusetts, 1763

A Love That Would Shape History Forever

Because she's a woman, higher learning was always closed to Susanna Smith. But her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. And she's determined to marry well, so she'll be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Growing up with little to his name, poor country lawyer Benjamin Ross dreams of impacting the world for the better. When introduced to the Smiths he's taken by Susanna's intelligence and independent spirit, but her parents refuse to see him as a suitor for their daughter.

When the life of a runaway indentured servant is threatened, Susanna is forced to choose between justice and mercy, and Ben becomes her unlikely advisor. But drawing closer to this man of principle and intellect lands her in a dangerous, secret world of rebellion and revolution against everything she once held dear.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BethanyHouse through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”

 

Go HERE to read an excerpt    http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/rebellious-heart/340890

Meet Jody Hedlund on her website at    http://jodyhedlund.com.

The Messenger by Siri Mitchell - a book review

I haven't read many books set in the time of our Revolutionary War, so when this book came up for review, I was really looking forward to reading it.  I've heard alot about how prisoners were treated in the war prisons during the Civil War but  I never heard much about those in the Revolutionary War.  This book is a real eye opener!  It highlights a group of people know as The Friends or Quakers, and how they tried to remain passive, at all costs. Many were arrested beccause they would not pledge allegiance to a certain side. However, there were a few who decided to support the cause of freedom and suffered greatly for it.  I also had never really considered how the spy network worked in those times.  This book provides some insight into that.

The book is written from two points of views, Hannah, the young Quaker, and Jeremiah, a Colonial spy.  The chapters alternate between the two characters and it took me a little while to get into the rythym of that.

From the publisher's website:
Hannah Sunderland felt content in her embrace of the Quaker faith... until her twin brother joined the Colonial cause and ended up in jail. She longs to bring some measure of comfort to him in the squalid prison, but her faith forbids it. The Friends believe that they are not to take sides, not to take up arms. She is not allowed to visit him, even if she were able to secure a pass.

Jeremiah Jones, a Colonial spy, needs access to the jail to help rescue men important to the cause. Upon meeting Hannah, a plan begins to develop. Who would suspect a pious Quaker visiting a loved one?

But Jeremiah is unprepared for Hannah, for her determination to do right, to not lie. How can one be a spy and not lie? Hannah, in turn, is surprised by Jeremiah... for the way he forces her to confront her own beliefs, for the sensitivity and concern that he shows her despite the wounds he still carries.

In a time of war, can two unlikely heroes find the courage to act?

Hannah struggles with being torn between her faith, love of her brother and her growing attraction to Jeremiah.  She tried very hard to do what she feels she has to do while still obeying her faith's teachings.  Jeremiah, on the other hand has no such scruples.  He does what needs to be done without much concern for anyone else, until he meets Hannah.  Jeremiah has emotional hindrances and a physical handicap that has prevented him from forming attachments to anyone, until Hannah.  There are several other characters and circumstances that the author delves into. The practice of slavery is one of them.  The Quakers were anti-slavery, but in the aftermath of losing their home, Hannah and her family must stay with other family members who own slaves.  This doesn't sit well with Hannah's father and his protestations cause more difficulties for the 'enslaved ones', rather than help their cause.

I found myself not wanting to put this book down.  However, when the end finally came, I was disappointed.  It seem abrupt and a big let down. 

Read an expert HERE.

There ia a very interesting note from the author regarding the history of the Revolutionary War and another one on the Quakers. The author also includes some discussion questions for reading groups.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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.”