Category: Historical

If I had to pick my second favorite war, it would be World War II. You can’t turn to the military channel without experiencing it a little bit. I’m a huge fan of Band of Brothers (I saw the Pacific. It was bloody. That is all) and  other such like films. Sarah Sundin is a fantastic author. Her characters have such depth and richness to them. Each one is unique and interesting in their own right. She effortlessly weaves history into the lives of her characters, and so often I feel like I’m right there with the characters. In fact, there is a scene (or two) with pilots doing interesting things (don’t want to give it away!) with their planes and when I finished reading it, I went to my dad (who was a naval pilot) and asked him if it could really happen. He assured me it could and sat me down for the next half hour to explain WWII planes (sacrifices one must make). My favorite book is probably the first one A Distant Melody. I just think I really liked Allie and Walt’s story. But you can’t read book one without book two, and then you’ll want book three. Spiritually, Ms. Sundin traditionally gives each character something that they need to work on, or that God is teaching them throughout the novel and I appreciate that it’s not always something fluffy. I can’t wait for her new series coming out this year!

Happy 4th of July! Thank God for America, and may we bless Him this year!

World War I is probably the one war that leaves people scratching their head and asking why. I love history. I still don’t know. The best World War I series I have ever read is by Maureen Lang. I have actually met Ms. Lang in person at the ACFW 2010 writers’ conference and we talked about these books. She’s as nice and gracious in person as you would think from reading her novels. Now, back to the series.You can’t read book one without book two. Book one is about Lisel Bonner, an American with German immigrant parents. Since America is at war with Germany, life is extra hard for her family. And things only get harder when the government asks her to spy on her boyfriend. I can’t say too much or else I’ll give it away, but I will say this: Lisel has to learn to seek God as she makes some hard decisions. It’s fun, it’s a treat and a great way to spend the 4th if you have no plans!

Does anyone know of any great World War I novels?

If I had to choose my favorite war in American history, it would the Civil War. No other war had the intracies that this one had. Whenever the military channel has a new Civil War documentary, I’m right there, front and center, learning all I can. Whenever we go down south, dad and I make a plan to stop at as many civil war battle sites and plantation homes as possible (where we are assured that they treated their slaves very nicely; we fail to understand why this must be said, but I digress). So with that introduction I bring you Lynn Austin’s Refiner’s Fire series. The first one is probably my favorite, but I have re-read all of them multiple times. In Candle in the Darkness, you have Caroline, a southern girl who is sent up north for her education. When she comes back home, she is a fiery abolitionist, but that doesn’t stop the chemistry between her and a wealthy plantation owner. Then war breaks out and Caroline has to decide whether to go against popular opinion and do what the Word of God would require her to do. Well, I liked Caroline so you can guess what she does. That said, her decisions have ramifications and I appreciate the reality that Ms. Austin brings to the situation. Great book that captured all the assets that made the Civil War.

Does anyone know of any other great Civil War novels?

So Courting Morrow Little is not your typical American Revolutionary War novel. There are no mentions of Washington and no Valley Forge. However, this novel still takes place during that time period, but in Kentucky. It’s further west, but you still have the worry and the fear, the prayer and petitions, the sadness and the joy that encompasses any war novel. The novel is about Morrow Little, who survived an Indian attack when she was a girl. Her mother and sister were killed and her brother taken. She leaves the Kentucky area for a while, but comes back to be with her father. Her father has learned to forgive any and all Indians for the attack on his family and welcomes two of them into his home on a regular basis, much to Morrow’s chagrin. I don’t want to go any further, but let me just say that this is one of my favorite books of all times. It’s romantic, it’s heart-wrenching, a little mysterious, and completely captivating. There are lines from the book that still echo in my head.  Spiritually, Red Shirt, an Indian in the story comes to know Christ in the middle of the novel. I love how he just believes what the Word of God says. He’s so new in the faith that he doesn’t try to add anything new or take anything away from the scriptures. He just believes God, like I hope to do daily. Looking forward to the next novel by Ms. Frantz!

Does anyone know of some great American Revolutionary novels? I know I mentioned Siri Mitchell’s The Messenger in an earlier post. Know anymore?

 The Messenger is about a woman, Hannah, who is a quaker during the Revolutionary War. This of course means that she, nor her family should take part in the war. Well, her brother runs off and joins the Americans only to be captured by the British. Then enters Jeremiah, a man who has one arm which doesn’t allow him to fight physically, but he still wants to help the Americans. Ms. Mitchell did her research and weaved it into her novel so well I felt like I was there. I think there were only two problems with this book: one I’m not going to mention as it goes to the core plot of the novel, the other is that there was no kiss. A romance novel with no kiss! It makes perfect sense for that era, but it bothered me in this era. Its not a deal-breaker though, so highly recommended!

Spiritually, Hannah has to learn that she doesn’t need to be a quaker to please God and Jeremiah needs to learn that God is still there and hasn’t given up him. He still has a purpose as we all do!

This book was a good surprise. It starts at the end of the Civil War (my favorite American War to read about) and Katie Calloway’s husband comes home and he is no good. Long story short she runs away to work at a logging company in Michigan. Usually I don’t like stories of deception. There has to be a good (and I mean good) reason for it, and then the big reveal can’t happen way at the end. In other words, there is an art to using deception in a novel and Ms. Miller did a great job with it. At no place in the novel did I feel that Katie Calloway was being annoying, in fact I really enjoyed her character. This book will make you laugh out loud, sigh in the end and learn about trusting God through the difficult times when there seems like there is no hope. Terrific!

 Nobody writes about early Great Britain history like Linda Windsor. The woman knows her research and she knows how to write a good story. Rebel concludes the Brides of Alba series. In this third book, the youngest son Alyn, returns home. He had left home to become a priest and returned home unsure of his calling. Then there is Kella who has made a mistake that has ramifications that not only effect her but everyone around her. The romance between them was really good and you have read the other books, not totally unforeseen. This book also throws in the death of Merlin and the end of King Arthur’s reign. It’s another take on the famous king. So combine the sword-fighting, druids, romance, secrets, and the love of God and you’ve got yourself an excellent book!

 So I really enjoyed this book! But I enjoy pretty much everything Lisa Bergern writes. This book starts with Cora who learns a big secret about her family that leads to her taking the Grand Tour in Europe. Since I’ve been to Europe, and am something of a francophile I enjoyed all the references to England and France. This book was so good! I thought Ms. Bergren did a fabulous job of staying in character with Cora. I emphatized, rejoiced, mourned all within the space of a few pages. There was naturally some romance, but in true modern style there are always two suitors. Spiritually, Cora has to learn to trust God throughout the entire experience because as fun as Europe is when you’re traveling with annoying people that can get rid of the joy. Highly recommended and I can’t wait till the next one comes out!

 So I read this great review of this book that said the only bad thing about this book was that it ended. I agree! This book was so cute and so much fun that I was sad every time I turned a page. Ms. Witemeyer said this book was influenced by the movie Seven Brides for Seven Brothers which I really like, so if you remember that movie, than this book is right up your alley. The romance was sweet, the brothers humorous, and there was of course a few bad guys thrown in the mix to make it things complicated.

Spiritually, Travis (the hero) has to learn to trust God in spite of the disappointments in the past which is so applicable to life. Meredith has to learn to seek God and ask him first before moving. Such a great book! Everything she writes is a joy and I can’t wait till next year!