Category: Historical

Posted in Historical, Young Adult

Cathy Gohlke’s Civil War Series

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

In William Henry is a Fine Name, they told Robert his best friend wasn’t human. Robert’s father assisted the Underground Railroad. His mother adamantly opposed abolition. His best friend was a black boy named William Henry. As a nation neared its boiling point, Robert found himself in his own painful conflict. The one thing he couldn’t do was nothing at all. William Henry is a coming-of-age story about a 12-year-old boy–and an entire country–that comes face to face with the evils of society, even within the walls of the church. In the safety of an uplifting friendship, he discovers the hope of a brighter day.
In I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires, the bonds linking family and the lines separating enemies have become very blurry for 17-year-old Robert. With his father away fighting for the Union, Robert must decide to act alone in order to help his ailing mother, extricate his injured Confederate Uncle, and bring relief to his cousin, Emily. When he unwittingly gets entangled in a Confederate escape plot, Robert must forge his anger and shame into a new determination to save his family. And, perhaps, he must also realize that the saving might not be entirely up to him. Honor and duty to God and country aren’t as clear-cut as he hoped them to be.

Review

I so enjoyed these two books! Of course it was during one of my favorite eras in history (I have so many)! Even my modern, up-to-date, little sister loves these books. Because it is two books, I will do a general review. I preferred the first book to the second, but Robert is such a wonderful character that you can’t read the first book without wanting to read the second one. The first book draws you in immediately and once again, since its from the point of view of a male, friendship is the theme. William Henry is the best friend any kid could have, and let me warn you, bring some tissue paper when you read this book! Spiritually, Robert is raised in a Christian home and knows Jesus young, but when he realizes that there is evil in this world still, it does tests his faith at moments. You should read both books to get the conclusion of his spiritual journey. Good book! Highly Recommended!

Posted in Historical, Young Adult

Heather and Lydia Munn’s How Huge the Night

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Fifteen-year-old Julien Losier just wants to fit in. But after his family moves to a small village in central France in hopes of outrunning the Nazis, he is suddenly faced with bigger challenges than the taunting of local teens.

Review

This was such a good book! But then again I like reading about the World War II era and I love the south of France (I lived there for a semester). Julien is angry with his family for moving from Paris to the south of France. He doesn’t know anyone. On top of that, his parents take in a Jewish boy his age and though Nazis are not welcome in France, Jews are not exactly popular people at the moment. He feels that his humiliation is complete. This book is so complex and so interesting, I wish there was a book two. First layer: his parents survived WWI and they bring their own fears to the table, Second, Julien has to deal with bullies of the first rate. Third, Julien has to try not to become a bully himself toward the boy in his home. Fourth, Hitler is invading. Five, there is a subplot with a girl and her brother (Jewish) trying to find safety. So good. This book is about friendship as there is no real romance in the story, but you still can’t put it down. Julien has to learn to treat people the way God would have them be treated–which is hard to do on so many levels (especially in his era!), but his character is so complex and so real you can’t help but love Julien. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Historical, Young Adult

Melanie Dickerson’s Fairytales

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

The Merchant’s Daughter– An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice. Annabel, once the daughter of a
wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse
who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made
even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf’s bailiff—a revolting man who has
made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past. Believing that life in a nunnery
is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff’s vile behavior and to
preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense
of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to
confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in
grave danger. Ranulf’s future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands,
and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the
calling God has placed on her heart.

The Healer’s Apprentice-Two Hearts. One Hope. Rose has been appointed as a healer’s apprentice at Hagenheim Castle, a rare opportunity for a woodcutter’s daughter like her. While she often feels uneasy at the sight of blood, Rose is determined to prove herself capable. Failure will mean returning home to marry the aging bachelor her mother has chosen for her—a bloated, disgusting merchant who makes Rose feel ill. When Lord Hamlin, the future duke, is injured, it is Rose who must tend to him. As she works to heal his wound, she begins to understand emotions she’s never felt before and wonders if he feels the same. But falling in love is forbidden, as Lord Hamlin is betrothed to a mysterious young woman in hiding. As Rose’s life spins toward confusion, she must take the first steps on a journey to discover her own destiny.

Review

Who loves a fairytale? I do! I love, love, love a good fairytale so I was more than a little excited to discover that Melanie Dickerson was redoing some of the famous fairytales and I was not disappointed!. This will be a kind of general review. I loved both of these novels and really its a kind of a toss-up as to which one was my favorite, but I will go with The Merchant’s Daughter because Beauty and the Beast is my favorite fairytale (dad had to take me to see the Disney version 3 times when it came out and I was only 3). I just really like that the couple has to get to know one another first; that there has to be a solid foundation to the relationship. Of course, by redoing fairytales it’s a little predictable, but to me the only thing that’s predictable is the core of the story and that the guy and girl get together in the end. So great novels and though they are considered YA, neither of these books really feel YA to me. Highly Recommended! And I’m so excited for her verson of Snow White this December.

Anyone else a lover of fairytales? Got a favorite you would love to see redone?

Posted in Fantasy/Sci-Fi, Historical, Young Adult

Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time Series

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Waterfall: Gabriella has never spent a summer in Italy like this one. Remaining means giving up all she’s known and loved … and leaving means forfeiting what she’s come to know—and love itself. Most American teenagers want a vacation in Italy, but the Bentarrini sisters have spent every summer of their lives with their parents, famed Etruscan scholars, among the romantic hills. In Book One of the River of Time series, Gabi and Lia are stuck among the rubble of medieval castles in rural Tuscany on yet another hot, boring, and dusty archeological site … until Gabi places her hand atop a handprint in an ancient tomb and finds herself in fourteenth-century Italy. And worse yet, in the middle of a fierce battle between knights of two opposing forces. And thus she comes to be rescued by the knight-prince Marcello Falassi, who takes her back to his father’s castle—a castle Gabi has seen in ruins in another life. Suddenly Gabi’s summer in Italy is much, much more interesting. But what do you do when your knight in shining armor lives, literally, in a different world?

Review

I decided to just let you know what book one is about. This is one of those series that, in my opinion, must be read in order and you don’t want to know too much about the next book before you read the first. So, who likes time travel books? Me, me me! Waterfall is just pure gold: time-travel, knights in shining armor, realistic situations. Loved it. Gabi is such a great character. I love how she does what she must to fit in and yet, you can’t erase 21st century ways. She’s herself without being offensive (if that makes any sense). The only drawback I saw to these novels is that of course she and her sister were familiar with the old Italian language and they just happened to be excellent swordswoman/archers but in all fairness, they weren’t exactly Angelina Jolie. And the guys in these books? Well, lets just say they make me want to go back to Italy for a second look. A love triangle does pop up in one of these novels, and I’m not a huge fan because I liked both guys, but then you feel guilty, but then you want to shake things up a little, and at the end of the day I’m like was that necessary? It certainly added a new layer of tension to the story though. The last tidbit that I love about these books is that war is real in these novels. It’s not fluff and that gives these stories even more substance. Spiritually, Gabi must learn to trust God, but this is a thread that is interwoven throughout these novels as well as the last two that aren’t mentioned. Highly Recommended!

PS. Here is my other review of Tributary: https://remaininhislove.com/2012/06/12/lisa-t-bergrens-tributary-3/

and Glamorous Illusions, another YA book by Ms. Bergren (also excellent!):

https://remaininhislove.com/2012/06/05/lisa-bergrens-glamourous-illusions-4/

Does anyone have a favorite by Ms. Bergren? Did anyone really love the love triangle?

Posted in Historical

Sarah Sundin’s With Every Letter

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Lt. Mellie Blake is a nurse serving in the 802nd Medical Squadron, Air
Evacuation, Transport. As part of a morale building program, she reluctantly
enters into an anonymous correspondence with Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer in
the 908th Engineer Aviation Battalion in North Africa. As their letters
crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not
knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two
are poised to meet face to face for the first time. Will they overcome their
fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage to their
past? And can they learn to trust God and embrace the gift of love he offers
them?

Review

I really enjoyed this book. It picks you up and takes you away to 1942. Mellie is a relatable character, especially for those who have ever come across as socially awkward. Tom is such a sweetheart. You can see his desire to have people like him, even to his detriment. This is Ms. Sundin’s fourth book and I really like how each of her characters are so unique. They each have a struggle that only God can help them with and I love that they turn to God when they see that something is going wrong. There are so many things that I like about this book, but I don’t want to mention them as it may spoil the novel for you. Just trust me that when you read this book, it’ll take you to World War II and introduce you to some people that you can’t help but fall in love with!. Highly Recommended!

Posted in Historical

Anne Mateer’s At Every Turn

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

Caught up in a whirlwind of religious fervor when two missionaries speak at her church, Alyce Benson impetuously pledges three thousand dollars to mission work in Africa. She’s certain her wealthy father will simply hand her the money. But when he refuses, she must either stand up in front of the congregation and admit failure, or raise the money herself.
Alyce harbors a secret passion for speed and automobiles. It’s 1916, and the latest advancements in car engines allow some to post speeds upwards of seventy miles per hour! When she discovers her father’s company has sponsored a racing car that will compete in several upcoming events–races in which the driver will be paid and could win as much as five thousand dollars in prize money–she conspires with her father’s mechanic, Webster, to secretly train and compete.
But as Alyce comes across needs in her own community, money slips through her fingers faster than she can earn it. And when her friends cast aspersions on Webster’s past, she believes she might have trusted the wrong man with her secret. Will Alyce come up with the money in time, or will she have to choose between her promise and the man who holds a piece of her heart?

 Review
  This book was fun and light-hearted. It takes you back to simpler times and sometimes that is just the kind of novel you need to read. Alyce is a girl to be admired. I loved how she gave of herself to be a blessing to others. I love that she wanted people to see Jesus in her time after time. Her heart to get people saved challenged me.  I was a little skeptical that deception was the way to get things done, but overall I enjoyed this novel. Webster was a sweetheart of a hero and you couldn’t help but like him too. I think the only real problem with this novel was that it was too short! I really wanted to find out more about Webster and Alyce. Recommended!
Posted in Historical

Tamara Leigh’s The Unveiling

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

12TH CENTURY ENGLAND: TWO MEN VIE FOR THE THRONE: KING STEPHEN THE USURPER AND YOUNG DUKE HENRY THE RIGHTFUL HEIR. AMID CIVIL AND PRIVATE WARS, ALLIANCES ARE FORGED, LOYALTIES ARE BETRAYED, FAMILIES ARE DIVIDED, AND MARRIAGES ARE MADE. For four years, Lady Annyn Bretanne has trained at arms with one end in mind—to avenge her brother’s murder as God has not deemed it worthy to do. Disguised as a squire, she sets off to exact revenge on a man known only by his surname, Wulfrith. But when she holds his fate in her hands, her will wavers and her heart whispers that her enemy may not be an enemy after all. Baron Wulfrith, renowned trainer of knights, allows no women within his walls for the distraction they breed. What he never expects is that the impetuous young man sent to train under him is a woman who seeks his death—nor that her unveiling will test his faith and distract the warrior from his purpose.
Review
When I saw what this book was about I inwardly groaned. It’s a little bizarre to me when women dress like men and somehow the hero falls in love with them. But still, since Ms. Leigh wrote it, I read it. And I liked it. A lot. It was better than the usual. I don’t want to give anything away, but the heroine had a good reason to dress like a man, and I never got that impression that the hero was falling for her while he thought she was a man. The book picked me up and swept me away to 12th century England and I didn’t want to leave. I’m excited that it’s a series.
Spiritually, Annyn feels that God does not answer prayers and rejects Him. But God slowly woos Annyn back and its well worth the wait. Wulfrith already has an established relationship with God that is so deep it affects everyone around him and usually has a way of making them better. Just how we should be. Highly Recommended!
Posted in Historical

Ruth Axtell’s Her Good Name

Posted on by remaininhislove

About

In the 1890 thriving coastal town of Holliston, Maine, the leading lumber baron’s son, Warren Brentwood, III, returns from his years away at college and traveling to take up his position as heir apparent to his father’s business empire.
Esperanza Estrada, daughter of a Portuguese immigrant fisherman and a local woman, lives on the wrong side of town, surrounded by a brood of brothers and sisters and a careworn mother. She is unable to pretend she is anything but “one of those Estradas.” When she overhears of a position to clean house at a local high school teacher’s home on Elm Street, she jumps at the opportunity–to be able to run into Warren Brentwood now and again, but also to imbibe of the culture and intellectual atmosphere of the Stocktons.
When rumors about Espy and her respected employer begin to circulate, the entire church congregation and then the community pronounce judgment on her behavior. Warren believes the lie and his loss of faith in her causes Espy to give up without a fight. She leaves her family and hometown for the nearest city with little money and no acquaintances and is forced to spend the night on the street.  A man who heads a mission for the homeless finds Espy and offers her shelter. Espy finds the true love of God while working at the mission. Will she be able to forgive the townspeople and return home?
Review
For me, this book was a page-turner. It wasn’t as good as some of her other books, but it was still a good read. I enjoyed that the main character was Portuguese. Sometimes it’s nice to have a different kind of heroine. I really liked all of the interactions between Espy and Warren and how you could see the romance develop overtime. However, although realistic, Warren was a bit annoying in his pretentiousness. The whole book, I kept hoping Espy would have a little more backbone. That said, I loved that spiritually, Warren and Espy grow in God through their quiet time and by spending time in His Word. So realistic and so pratcical as anyone could do this to further their relationship with Christ. The novel was slightly predictable, but Ms. Axtell is such a good writer I was carrying the novel with me everywhere. Recommended.
Posted in Historical

Catherine Richmond’s Through Rushing Water

Posted on by remaininhislove

 Sophia Makinoff is hoping for a marriage proposal, and when she doesn’t get it she joins the mission field. Sophia is then sent to the Dakota Territory to work with the Ponca Indians. Sophia is a wonderful character who manages to shine through in tough circumstances. I really enjoyed the romance in this book because it was built on the foundation of friendship and mutual respect. I think the only thing I didn’t like was that the back of the book was a bit misleading so I kept expecting something that never happened. Other than that, I really enjoyed this novel and learned a lot about the history of the Ponca Indians. Their history is a sad one, but Ms. Richmond adds just enough humor to the story so that it’s not overwhelming. Spiritually, Sophia doesn’t start off with much of a relationship with God, but as she lives with the Ponca Indians, she comes to know God in a way she never expected. Highly recommended.

Posted in Historical

Vietnam War- Catherine West’s Yesterday’s Tomorrow

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When I finished reading this book, I remember thinking my collection is complete. This is the only Vietnam War novel I have ever read and it is so good. The Vietnam War to me is kind of sad (Platoon anyone?), but it happened and it lasted forever so it should definitely be mentioned. Kristin Taylor is a journalist who goes to Vietnam to write a winning piece and find the brother she hasn’t heard from in some time. Luke Maddox is a moody photographer with secrets of his own. The book was written so well, when I put it down I felt like I could tell you a thing or two about Vietnam. Towards the end it gets to be a little predictable, but I still so enjoyed this novel.

Spiritually, Luke has some serious trust issues with God due to his past and Kristin has no need for God…at first. This makes for a bit of an unusual Christian romance (you have to read it!), but they get themselves together and get right with God in the end and that’s all that matters. Highly recommended!