Category: Historical

 Lynn Austin is a fantastic author. I’ve read almost everything she has ever written. My personal favorite is her Civil War series, but I’ll be doing a week on American War novels later this year and talk about those then (and yes there is another one coming out this year!). Wonderland Creek is no exception. If I had to compare it to another book I would say it’s like Christy by Catherine Marshall, but with more humor. This book is not as romantic as I usually like, but it’s a good story.

The story starts off with Alice who keeps her head in books so much that she misses out on life (um…sounded a little familiar), but then she is thrown into a situation where she has to put the book down and be involved. It is only then that she learns that God is not some idea in theory but a God in actuality. There is also a situation in the book that shows how bitterness can fester, causing you to do things you never thought you would do. It’s a great book, with a great takeaway.

Does anyone else have a favorite of Ms. Austin?

If I had to pick the best regency novelist of this day and age I would pick Julie Klassen. Regency is hard to do. I think it requires a lot of reasearch because the little things matter. If anybody has read Jane Austen or Georgette Heyer they completely understand. Well, Julie Klassen gets the little things right. Every book she has written I enjoy, but today I’m featuring The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. This book is so enthralling, and the romance so sweet. Margaret Macy (the heroine), a socialite who lives in a bad situation, flees home disguised as a maid. The book is as much about her changing as her falling in love. There’s even a little mystery thrown in. The book walks you through Margaret’s awakening to know God as she interacts with people she never paid attention to before. Great read and I’m looking forward to Ms. Klassen’s new book.

Does anyone have a favorite regency book or author that’s different than Ms. Klassen?

Today I’m doing another oldie, but a goodie. Ruth Axtell Morren has written a lot of books, but in my opinion, her best books were the first ones that came out, specifically Wild Rose. A good romance is a novel that has development, you can see the two people become friends, learn to respect each other, and slowly fall in love. This book does that so well. Geneva, the heroine, is so likeable from the start and you only want to see what happens next where she’s concerned. Captain Caleb is a man wronged, and at first he wants nothing to do with anyone, but eventually he let’s the grace of God deal with the pain and eventually forgives the wrong-doer (difference between Christian and secular heros!).

This book is really good, and has a follow-up (different couple, same town). I also recommend Winter is Past. Ms. Morren has a new book coming out and I have already pre-ordered it, so I highly recommend her. Has anyone else read her books? Got a favorite?

 Ms. Higley writes the best books about ancient cities. In fact, I’m almost always spouting off facts about the ancient world based off of her books (no pressure!). In Garden of Madness you have suspense, intrigue, romance, sorcery, and secrets. This book gives a rendition of what could of happen when King Nebuchadnezzar lived like a beast for seven years. What a unique and fun concept. If you have read Ms. Higley’s other books, you won’t be surprised that spirtual warfare is a must since the worship of false gods and demons was so prevalent in those days (and perhaps in ours as well). Tiamat, the heroine, has to choose whether she will serve God or one of the Babylonian gods. One of the things that I love about this book is that God isn’t crippled. In the ancient world people really had faith. Today, I think we intellectualize our way out of faith ( I step out of the pulpit now).

The romance is between Tiamat, King Nebuchadnezzar’s daughter, and her late husband’s brother Pedaiah. Can’t get anymore exciting than that! The book was a page-turner and I look forward to what Ms. Higley writes next!

 One author who I really enjoy reading is Tessa Afshar. I first read her book Pearl in the Sand last year and loved it. She just released Harvest of Rubies this month. Harvest of Rubies, what can I say? I could not put it down. I stayed up way past my bed time (you have one of these when you must get up early) and then I woke up early and continued reading the book. I was so disappointed as I turned the pages because I knew the end was near. This book had romance (always a +), suspense, intrigue…did I say romance? One of my favorite plots in books are arranged marriages, but this plot can be done poorly. There’s nothing worse to me than applying 21st century logic to historical novels. This book does not do that. There is actually a legit reason for the problems that this marriage starts off with.

Spiritually, this book was on point. I don’t want to give anything away, but the author refers to John 15 (even though this book does take place in old testament fashion) with the vine, the branches, and pruning. It had me thinking last night about whether I am being pruned to give more fruit or if I’m just growing haphazardly (essentially dying) in my relationship with God.

I was thrilled to discover that there is a book two, I just hope I don’t have to wait until May 2013 to find out what happens next with Sarah and Darius.

http://www.amazon.com/Harvest-Rubies-Tessa-Afshar/dp/0802405584/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1336134489&sr=1-1