Return to Exile by Lynne Gentry Book Review

// Return to Exile //

The Carthage Chronicles // Book #2

By Lynne Gentry

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Howard
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: January 6th, 2015
Number of Pages: 384
  Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

// Book Synopsis //
 

Taken from Good Reads

"A twenty-first-century doctor travels back in time to third-century Carthage to rescue her husband, but the arrival of a deadly epidemic forces her to make an impossible choice in this fast-paced second novel in The Carthage Chronicles series. 

Dr. Lisbeth Hastings salvaged two things from her accidental trip to the third century: her mother's stethoscope and her child. Making a life for her daughter Maggie back in the present is difficult, but returning to ancient Carthage is impossible. However, when Lisbeth learns her husband is slated to die a martyr's death, she must find a way around the impossible to save him. 

Cyprian Thascius returns from political exile a broken man. He's lost his faith, the love of his life, and his purpose. When Ruth, an old friend, proposes he marry her to restore his position and protect his estate, the disgraced nobleman accepts. But when Cyprian's true love suddenly reappears, his heart becomes as imperiled as the fledgling church. 

As Lisbeth and Cyprian reunite to battle a new epidemic and save the oppressed community of Christians, the chasm between the two of them seems too wide to bridge. But when Maggie contracts typhoid, Lisbeth must choose: stay and save the man she loves, or return home and save her daughter? 

Filled with gripping action and raw emotion, this incredibly compelling adventure of star-crossed lovers will keep you engrossed with every turn of the page."

// Bethany's Book Review //

I really enjoyed reading the first book in The Carthage Chronicles, and was eager for the release of its sequel, Return to Exile. The idea of having a 21st century doctor go back in time to ancient Carthage was one that I thought had great potential, and was very unique. However, sadly I think that I enjoyed the first book in this series, Healer of Carthage a lot more than I enjoyed Return to Exile.
 

I've always been a fan of historical fiction that involves time travel, and always jump at the chance to read these kinds of books, since there aren't many out there. However I felt like there was just something that didn't work for me with this novel. I read the first 50 or so pages and the story just didn't seem to be going anywhere. I felt like the exciting part of the story should have already started (which would the the main character finally going back to ancient Carthage). I quickly became disinterested in the story, making it very hard for me to complete the novel having given it my full attention. I was sad that this is the way I reacted to the story, as I had hopes that I'd enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first story. While the story did pick up after a while, I felt like by the time it did, I had already lost interest.

Despite the fact that I had a hard time getting "into" the story, I did enjoy reading the parts that did got exciting, although I felt like they were few and far between. While there weren't many parts that I felt really kept my interest, I will say that the few ones that did were really unexpected and really surprised me! I enjoyed the historical details of this story, and seeing the main character and how her lives were different in both time periods. It was neat continuing her story, I just wish it would have grabbed my attention more. However I by no means want to discourage anyone from giving this novel a try! Fans of historical fiction with time travel interwoven should check out this series!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Return to Exile from the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review or promote this book, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin Book Review

// Keepers of the Covenant //

By Lynn Austin

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher through Litfuse publicity group
Publication Date: October 7th, 2014
Number of Pages: 480
ISBN: 0764212710

 Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from Good Reads

"The Old Testament Comes to Thrilling Life in the Latest from Lynn Austin

In one life-changing moment, the lives of the Jewish exiles in Babylon are thrown into confusion and despair when a decree arrives from the king's palace in Susa. It calls for the annihilation of every Jewish man, woman, and child throughout the empire on the thirteenth day of Adar, in less than one year. Ezra, a quiet Jewish scholar and teacher, is suddenly called upon to lead the community as they seek God for a reason for this catastrophe. When a second decree arrives, authorizing them to fight back, Ezra is thrust into the role of military leader as they defend themselves against their enemies.

When the battles come to an end, Ezra's brother Jude is dead and Ezra is required by the Law he so diligently studies to marry Jude's widow, Devorah, and provide an heir. Fatherhood changes Ezra, and he asks God to make a way for him and the other exiles to leave Babylon for good and return to Jerusalem. His prayers are answered and the exiles move to Judea to revitalize worship at the temple--but the fight to keep God's Law is never easy. As more and more of his community are tempted, a new battle emerges...this one for the survival of God's covenant and the souls of His chosen faithful."

// Bethany's Book Review //

I love this author, and have really enjoyed several of her previous releases. But sadly, I had a hard time enjoying this book as much as I wanted to. I felt the same way about the first book in this series, Return to Me. Even though I had a hard time getting into the first book, I decided to still give this sequel a try, and am glad I did.

I've always thought that biblical fiction is such an interesting genre that has so much potential. Sadly this genre isn't as popular as others, which is why I really wanted to love this novel, being how there aren't many books out there like this one. For some reason, I just had a hard time getting into the story. I love any type of book that is girly and feminine, and I don't think this story really fit into that, as there were more male characters, and it wasn't a sparkly book due to the setting. While this is in no way a bad thing, I think all the males and the setting was something that I'm not quite used to and it took a bit of adjusting to go that far back in time. This is really only one of the things I can think of that made me like the book instead of loving it, as there wasn't anything I particularly disliked.

This book is nearly 500 pages, and for a while it was a bit daunting to look at the sheer length of it! Being that the novel was as long as it was, I think the author did a good job making the story read smoothly without getting dry. There were so many different characters, and the book covers such a long period of time, making it a bit hard to keep up at times for me personally. However it wasn't a huge deal, as things kept moving smoothly.

Out of all the characters and their stories, I think my favorite was Amina's. It was such an interesting one that I enjoyed-especially the ending! However the other story lines were a just so-so for me, making Amina's story the highlight of the book for me.

Overall, this was a nice one-time read for me. Being able to go back in time to Bible times was such an exciting journey! I recommend this book for fans of biblical fiction!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Keepers of the Covenant from the publisher to review. I was not paid to do so, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz Book Review

// Love's Fortune //

The Ballantyne Legacy // Book #3

By Laura Frantz

{Book Review by Bethany}

Publisher: Revell
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Publication Date: September 16th, 2014
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 0800720431
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from GoodReads

"Sheltered since birth at her Kentucky home, Rowena Ballantyne has heard only whispered rumors of her grandfather Silas's vast fortune and grand manor in Pennsylvania. When her father receives a rare letter summoning him to New Hope, Rowena makes the journey with him and quickly finds herself in a whole new world--filled with family members she's never met, dances she's never learned, and a new side to the father she thought she knew. As she struggles to fit in during their extended stay, she finds a friend in James Sackett, the most valued steamship pilot of the Ballantynes' shipping line. Even with his help, Rowena feels she may never be comfortable in high society. Will she go her own way . . . to her peril?

With her signature attention to historical detail, Laura Frantz brings 1850s Pennsylvania alive with a tender story of loss, love, and loyalty. Fans will cheer for this final installment of the Ballantyne saga."




 // Bethany's Book Review //

This was my fourth book to read by Laura Frantz, and it probably won't be the last! I've been a fan of Laura Frantz's novels for a while now, and I was so excited to be able to complete the Ballantyne saga! 

 

Now that I've finished Love's Fortune, I've read all three books in the Ballantyne Legacy saga. While I think the second one titled Love's Awakening was my favorite (I didn't seem to enjoy the first as third ones quite as much as I did the second), I did enjoy the experience of reading this wonderful series, and learning about this wonderful family through this generational series.

 

The Ballantyne Legacy saga is a three book series about the Ballantyne family. Each book features another generation of Ballantyne women, with each one building upon the older woman who was featured in the previous book, creating a wonderful family bond throughout the series. I loved this aspect of the series since you really get to know the family, and I think it made for a strong, unique story line. The aspect of a generational trilogy has always made for a very interesting story, in my opinion, and this one was no exception!

 

Love's Fortune, the final book in the Ballantyne trilogy, was a book that I'd consider a nice read, but unfortunately I didn't end up enjoying it as much as I was hoping to. While the story was masterfully crafted and presented, I for some reason had a particularly difficult time getting "into" the story. I felt the same thing with the first book, but I'm not sure if this was due to the fact that I read it over a few weeks of time. I personally have a hard time getting "into" stories if I read them in large chunks which are spaced out (i.e. I read half the book in one day but don't get a chance to read again for a couple more days). While this was never my intention when I first started the book, I ended up being busy and didn't finish it as soon as I'd have liked. So whenever I did get a chance to read from it again I had a hard time connecting to the characters, and while the story was excellent I think this aspect on my part made the book less enjoyable for me. But I don't want you to think that the story was not interesting or constant, because it was, and whenever I did read it I never had a hard time turning pages. Personally I just think the time I read the book wasn't convenient for me, however this was not a fault in the book, but rather one on my part.

 

Concerning to the actual story thought, it was a beautiful! Laura Frantz not only creates such magical stories, she also has such a gift for writing, and tells those magical stories in such elegant ways. Her writing style never ceased to amaze me while reading this book. I absolutely love her way with words, and it's one that I fully enjoyed experiencing while reading Love's Fortune. Whether it was the front cover, or the characters or the way the story was told, Frantz just has an element of elegance to her that I really enjoyed seeing throughout the novel!

 

Overall I did enjoy this book, and while not my favorite in the series, I still enjoyed it alongside this wonderful family trilogy. I'd highly recommend this series to fans of historical fiction, or for those who enjoy close family stories, as these are sure to not disappoint!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary copy of Love's Fortune from the publisher for the purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund // Guest Post + Giveaway

Hello friends! Today I'm very excited to have a special guest here on The Literary Maidens, Mrs. Jody Hedlund, author of Captured by Love. I was blessed to be able to review Jody's newest release, Captured by Love, as well as be a part of the blog tour going on to celebrate the release! If you'd like to check out the other blog tour stops, you can view the schedule HERE. You can also read my review of Captured by Love by clicking HERE.

So today Jody is here with us, and will be sharing about the true people and events in Captured by Love. For those who have read Captured by Love already, then you'll know exactly what Jody is talking about when she shares bits of the story, and if not then I hope learning about the true events in the story inspires you to get your hands on a copy a read it for yourself! We hope that you enjoy reading this guest post, and be sure to stick around until the end because we are doing a special giveaway for a copy of Captured by Love!

// Behind the Scenes of 

Captured By Love //

The True People and Events 

in Captured by Love

Most of my readers know by now that I LOVE to write about true people and events. The books in my Hearts of Faith series are inspired by great women from history including Elizabeth Bunyan in The Preacher's Bride, Narcissa Whitman in The Doctor's Lady, Abigail Adams in Rebellious Heart.

My Michigan Brides Collection, Unending Devotion, A Noble Groom, and now Captured by Love, aren't based on big-name historical women like in my other books. But I do add in real people and facts from Michigan history that make the books especially intriguing.

If you've read any of my other books, you'll quickly realize that I explain what's true and what's not in the Author's Note at the end of my books. Captured by Love is no different. So make sure you don't skip my Author's Notes!

So what really happened and what are the wild wanderings of a writer's imagination?

The entire story itself is rooted in authentic Mackinac Island aura, from the wildlife to the scenery descriptions. I tried to stay as true to the historical setting as possible.

But here are some actual historical events and people that made their way into the book:

It's true that after the British took over the island, American men (not women) had to sign the Oath of Allegiance to the British or leave their homes. Many of the islands residents, rather than lose their land and homes, signed the Oath and stayed on the island. In Captured by Love, I had Angelique's fiancé stay loyal to the Americans and refuse to sign the Oath. Then I tried to show how difficult life would have been for the women and family left behind.

It's true that the once the British took over the island, they really had no clue about how to deal with the harsh Michigan winters. They were ill prepared with both clothing and food supplies. The army rationed food to prevent starvation. They had to eat their horses. And they confiscated food from the island residents.

A close-up of the wood palisades that surrounded the fort.

At the start of 1814 (as Captured by Love opens), the war had been ongoing for almost two years. The new captain that arrived on the island, Captain McDouall, required that all the island residents spend three days working on building a new fort (named Fort George after their king). Can you imagine if you were an American woman or child forced to help fortify your enemy's position?

One view of inside of the fort.

(Mild spoiler alert!) Obviously the Americans hoped to win the island back from the British. During the summer of 1814, after much delay, the Americans finally attacked. I tried to retell the battle the way that it really happened including an odd diversion in which the British left the battlefield supposing an attack was happening elsewhere on the island. (Of course, I offer my own fictionalized theory for why that diversion happened!)

I also used the names of real war heroes, captains, and colonels as well as the names of places that exist on the island today. The fort still sits on the bluffs of the island with the original stone officer's quarters, soldier's barracks, and storehouse. In fact, you can even peer down into the infamous Black Hole.

One of the blockhouses that was a part of the wall of the fort and used for keeping watch as well as fighting against invaders.

Essentially the book is centered around that real attack by the Americans and the ensuing events.

Here's what Publisher's Weekly had to say about the book: "Award-winning author Hedlund (The Preacher’s Bride) continues to perfect her craft, combining drama, geography, and military strategy into an engaging historical romance. Superbly written romantic tension comes together with rich historical and scenic detail in this third novel in the Michigan Brides Collection that will leave readers eager for a fourth."

What about you? If you could pick one event or era from history and command an author to write a story set around that event or era, what would it be? (Who knows, maybe you'll spark an idea for a new book!)

// About Jody Hedlund //

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning historical romance novelist and author of the best-selling books, The Preacher's Bride, Unending Devotion, and A Noble Groom. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in Social Work. Currently she makes her home in Michigan with her husband and five busy children.

Where readers can find me:

I hang out on Facebook here: Author Jody Hedlund
I also love to chat on Twitter: @JodyHedlund
My home base is at my website: jodyhedlund.com
Or you're welcome to email me at: jodyhedlund@jodyhedlund.com

// Captured by Love Book Giveaway //

In celebration of the release of Captured by Love, Jody is giving away a signed copy of her newest release on each of her blog tour stops, which means that on of you will win a signed copy of Captured by Love to read for yourself or give to a friend. Yay!

To enter this giveaway, please use the Raffle Copter widget below. You can sign in using either your email or Facebook, and from there you can complete certain activities which will give you giveaway entries. The giveaway will take entries until July 25th, 2014 and is only open to U.S. residents due to shipping costs. Once the giveaway has ended, I will use Random.com to generate one random winner and they will be emailed with information on redeeming their prize in addition to their name being displayed on the widget. 

I'd like to thank Jody for stopping by and sharing about the real events in Captured by Love, as well as for giving away a a copy of her newest book to one of you readers! Have a blessed day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund Book Review

// Captured by Love //

 

Michigan Brides // Book #3

 

By Jody Hedlund

 

{Review Written by Bethany}

 

Publisher: Bethany House
Source: Review copy from the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 0764210491

Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
My Rating: Four out of five stars

Author Website // Author Bio
 Books Written by Jody/Purchase a Copy 

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

{Taken from GoodReads}

 

"It is 1814 and the British have taken hold of Mackinac Island and its fort, forcing American residents to swear an oath of loyalty to the British crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a voyageur--a fur trader who left his family home to find freedom and adventure. He's been gone five years and when he returns, his family's farm is at the mercy of the British invaders.

Torn between the life he's grown used to and guilt over leaving his brother and mother, he's drawn back into the loyalist fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique Mackenzie, a beautiful local girl who's been befriended by the daughter of the British commander. As tensions mount and the threat of violence increases, both Angelique and Pierre must decide where their loyalties rest, how far they will go to find freedom, and how much they will risk to find love."

 

// Book Review //

 

Ever since I heard that Jody was working on another novel, I knew I wanted to read it! I really enjoyed getting to read this novel and especially loved the last 100 pages. I also loved the main character Angelique's loyal character.

 

Captured by Love is the third book in the Michigan Brides series. However this series is made up of novels that completely stand alone, and aren't related to each other in any way, other than the place the story is set in. So for those who'd like to read this book but haven't read the other books in the series, it won't hinder the reading experience at all. 

 

Fans of Jody's lovely writing style full of historical detail will enjoy this novel. However I found that this novel didn't seem to have as many historical bits as previous books by this author did. I felt like all the historical details were in one chunk of the book during one particular scene that involved a lot of historical details, and the rest was just sprinkled details throughout the story. I found that while the book certainly did feature lots of history, it just wasn't to the level I'm used to and loved in Jody's previous books. However I still got a lot of neat historical details in Captured by Love, and enjoyed exploring the time period!

 

My favorite aspect of this novel was main character Angelique's personality. In the story she is faced with a difficult decision that she must make, as to who she will marry, since she is in very progressed relationships with two men. However, due to circumstances she is not sure which one she should marry. She has to choose between loyalty to the man she pledged herself to long ago, but hasn't seen in a long time, and the man whom she has known and befriended since she was a child. In the course of the story, she must decide if she should still honor her previous pledge to another man who is not present, continuing her loyalty to this man, or if she should follow her heart and marry the man whom she has been friends with since childhood.

 

This story involves  a very complex love-triangle, making for an interesting story that contains several unexpected twists! I really enjoyed seeing how the main character handled this decision, and really valued her character. She wasn't wishy-washy and didn't just throw away a promise she had made - even if it was promised long ago. Even when her views on someone seemed to have changed or got cloudy, she still maintained her promise and has such a loyal spirit, which really shined through at the end of the story. I just loved her character and though the development was wonderful! Her loyalty was such a refreshing theme in the story, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the novel!

 

While Captured by Love wasn't my favorite book by this author, I still enjoyed it a lot! But I feel like maybe the reason why it wasn't a favorite was due to several little things I found in the novel that I wasn't completely a fan of. One of those details was the romance and story-line. While both where well-done, I felt like at times the romance was a bit more detailed and descriptive than I'd have preferred, though never inappropriate. Also, the story-line often felt like the main theme was the love story, and I would have liked to see more sub-plots with other characters. While obviously the idea of the romance being the main story is to be expected, I was hoping to get to know some of the other characters better. While there was some other stories involving other characters in the book that were woven into the story, I felt like I would have enjoyed a bit more of that, versus the main attraction being on the main characters without any other themes. However it just depends on whether or not you like a lot of romance in the novels that you read, which will determine if you'd enjoy this book, or not so much.

 

In all I enjoyed this story. The beginning of the story felt a bit slow to me, however the last 100 pages and the superb ending made up for it! While I wished there were more sub-plots with the other characters, I did enjoy getting to know the main character and loved Angelique's loyalty. The history was very well-researched and involved neat details. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend, and hope you'll try it sometime if you enjoy historical fiction!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Captured by Love from the publisher through the author, to be a part of the influencer team to promote this novel. I was not paid in any way to promote this book, and all thoughts expressed in the review were my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Special Announcement: Stay tuned for a special Captured by Love blog tour post featuring author Jody Hedlund and a Captured by Love book giveaway right here on The Literary Maidens in July! To check out all the blog tour stops, and view the tour schedule, click HERE.

Annie's Stories by Cindy Thomson Book Review

// Annie's Stories //

 

Ellis Island // Book #2

 

By Cindy Thomson

 

{Review by Bethany}

 

Publisher: Tyndale House
Source: Review copy from the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction
Number of Pages: 400
ISBN: 1414368453

Publication Date: July 1st, 2014

My Rating: Four out of five stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

{Taken from GoodReads}

 

"The year is 1901, the literary sensation The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is taking New York City by storm, and everyone wonders where the next great book will come from. But to Annie Gallagher, stories are more than entertainment—they’re a sweet reminder of her storyteller father. After his death, Annie fled Ireland for the land of dreams, finding work at Hawkins House.

But when a fellow boarder with something to hide is accused of misconduct and authorities threaten to shut down the boardinghouse, Annie fears she may lose her new friends, her housekeeping job . . . and her means of funding her dream: a memorial library to honor her father. Furthermore, the friendly postman shows a little too much interest in Annie—and in her father’s unpublished stories. In fact, he suspects these tales may hold a grand secret.

Though the postman’s intentions seem pure, Annie wants to share her father’s stories on her own terms. Determined to prove herself, Annie must forge her own path to aid her friend and create the future she’s always envisioned . . . where dreams really do come true."

 

// Book Review //

 

This was the second book that I read by Cindy Thomson, the first being Grace's Pictures, and I really enjoyed continuing the Ellis Island adventure! While I think that Grace's Pictures is my favorite of the two novels, I did enjoyed Annie's Stories and really enjoyed getting to meet Annie as well as see how Grace was doing after her story came to a temporary close in Grace's Pictures.

 

While there are many similarities between Grace's Pictures and Annie's Stories (book one and two in the Ellis Island series), they are both stand-alone novels that don't have to be read in order. While it's nice to know Grace's background from reading the first book, it's completely optional, and not necessary in order to enjoy Annie's Stories.

 

The Ellis Island novels focus on Irish immigrants who have recently traveled to Ellis Island in hopes of a better life, and Annie Gallagher is no exception. Following these young women's journey in this new land, it highlights their joys and trials experienced while living in a new place. In Annie's case, there is some "baggage" from her past in Ireland that she has to deal with and heal from, and seeing that journey unfold on the pages was very inspiring. As a woman who unjustly suffered abuse in her past, the healing process is very detailed and tedious, but when she meets a fellow boarder who is going through the same trials, she is able to offer an understanding hand brought up by experience, and is able to make a difference. While there is a bit of sensitive content in this portion of the book, I don't think it ever got inappropriate, and was handled well. However I did wish to mention it so readers are aware of this before diving into the story.

 

The Wizard of Oz, which was really becoming quite popular during this time that the story takes place, in the early 1900s, had a big role in this story as Annie read it and related with a lot of the themes. I always love books based on characters who also share a love for books, or those that have a thread of books themselves in the novel, and really felt like there was a lot of The Wizard of Oz in this novel, which I loved!

 

One of the things I love about this author is the writing style that often reminds me of Janette Oke in the simplicity of a slow romance that is very clean and doesn't clog up the story-line. The main story-line focuses on Annie's story in Ellis Island, so her budding romance with the mailman wasn't the main focus. That makes for a good book choice for those who don't like as much romance in their reading material, however on the flip side, it probably wouldn't be the first choice for those who like lots of romance and a suspenseful story. Unlike a lot of novels, this book focuses on Annie and her journey in a new land and her relationships with her friends, versus a romance. But the down side to this is the fact that often times I felt like this novel was slow, and while it never really bothered me all that much, it was still something I noticed. The story-line was very good and interesting but I felt like it was somewhat dragged out at times.

 

In all, I really enjoyed this heart-felt novel following one Irish immigrant's journey to healing. While sometimes a bit dragged out, it was still a very pleasant read, and is on my bookshelf of novels that I am definitely keeping despite space restrictions. Fans of Grace's Pictures should read this second installment in the Ellis Island novels!

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of Annie's Stories through the publisher for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed are my own, completely honest and unbiased.

Raptor 6 By Ronie Kendig Book Review

Raptor 6

Review Written By Madi

Book Title: Raptor 6

Author: Ronie Kindig

Source/Sponsor: Litfuse Publicity Group

Genre: Christian Fiction

Number Of Pages: 352

ISBN: 978-1-61626-040-8

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing Inc.

Year Of Publication: 2014

My Rating: Two Out Of Five Stars

Favorite Quote From This Book:

"Don't Need Brains to be a terrorist." -page 31

Book Description

Captain Dean Watters keeps his mission and his team in the forefront of his laser-like focus. So when Dean’s mission and team are threatened, his Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Failing to stop hackers from stealing national security secrets from the military’s secure computers and networks isn’t an option. Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. And a target. When Zahrah is captured because of her expertise in quantum cryptology, compromising the US military, Dean is forced to crack the lockbox around his heart—a move that might come at the highest cost.

Book Review

I am giving this book two (2) out of five (5) stars. Let me explain why I gave it such a low rating. I like to read books that keep me on my toes, books that have so much suspense that I can't put it down despite my best efforts. Raptor 6 didn't really do that for me. When I ordered this book, I read some reviews on Good Readss before it arrived and I was super pumped to start it. I went into this novel hoping that I would enjoy it even though I don't read a lot of military novels (not because I don't like them, but because good ones are hard to find). The reviews for this book were amazing. It seemed like everyone really liked it and looks forward to the next book in this series. When I started reading it, I had a hard time getting interested in it. "It must be one of those books that makes up for it in the middle," I thought. Nope. The farther I got into this book the more I started to realize that finishing it was going to be a chore. I got way behind on my reading and blogging trying to finish this book. It seemed like it went on forever, even though it is an average sized book. Right off the bat the thing that stuck out to me the most was that the author didn't really describe the characters very well. I didn't feel like I fully understood where the characters were coming from, I didn't know what their personalities were supposed to be like, and I had an especially hard time connecting with the main character (which is a large part of the book, of course). Maybe it's because the lead character in the book was a guy, and I'm not really used to reading a lot of novels without a woman in the lead, but I recently read a novel by Chuck Black with a male lead, and I LOVED it, so I don't really think that was it. Maybe it was because of the setting or some other nonsense, I really don't know, but no matter the reason, I don't think I will be reading any more books from this author. The one  thing that I did like about this book is that it was 100 percent American. I think it's time that author's took it upon themselves to incorporate American pride into their writings. I loved seeing things from the perspective of one of our soldiers. This is a great country (despite our lack of leadership), and I think it's great that Ronie Kendig wrote about something of such significance. Now, just because I didn't like this book, doesn't mean that you won't. Like I said before, this book has a lot of really good reviews, so I encourage you to read some of them before you decide if this is a book that you would be interested in.

~Madi For The Literary Maidens

Note: I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion by The Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not further compensated to review this product and all thoughts and sentiments expressed above are completely my own and unbiased.



While Love Stirs By Lorna Seilstad Book Review

// While Love Stirs //

The Gregory Sisters // Book #2

By Lorna Seilstad

{Review Written By Bethany}

Source: Complementary review copy from the publisher
Genre: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 0800721829

 Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: May 6th, 2014
My Rating: Three out of five stars

// Book Synopsis //

{Taken from GoodReads} 

 "After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

Fan favorite Lorna Seilstad is back with a breezy, lighthearted love triangle that will keep readers guessing. Attention to historic detail adorns the timeless story of a young woman looking for true love and making her way in a rapidly changing world."

// Bethany's Book Review //

I had never had the opportunity to read this author prior to requesting While Love Stirs, so I really didn't know how I'd like this book. Really the only thing that made me want to read it was how the main character, Charlotte was a chef. Since I share that common interest, I thought it'd be a neat book to read, as I also love to craft things in the kitchen. That was the main attraction I had to the book, and what made me decide to read it. While I'm happy I was able to read this book, I probably won't be re-reading it; but consider it a nice, light one-time read.

Now don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this book; I just felt like it was more in the middle range for me, as far as how much I enjoyed it. When I requested to review this book I knew that it was the second in a series, and that I'd not read the first book. Normally I am very big on reading books in order, but these novels are stand-alone novels about sisters (each book is about a different sister, so it's not necessary to read them in order, though it certainly does enhance the reading experience). I didn't have a problem reading this book without reading the first book in the series, titled When Love Calls which is about the oldest Gregory sister. However if I had to do it over, I'd prefer to read the books in order as there are characters that I assumed were in the first book that I would have enjoyed already knowing coming into the second book.

I really enjoyed how this book was focused on a chef, and found that unique and a great opportunity for a truly enjoyable plot. I loved all the scenes where Charlotte baked, and being that her personality is so spunky and strong-willed I found it to be a humorous addition to her love for food. Her personality was very unique and rather bold, so that added a aspect of excitement to the novel. However I felt like at times the plot was rather simple and somewhat slow. I also wished there would have been more baking involved in the novel, as I was really hopping for a good thick thread of it in the novel since that is what made me want to read the book in the first place. I realized that the main plot was Charlotte and the love triangle she was in, and that the baking was a small bit that was only a minor portion of the novel. To some extend that is to be expected, I'd just have enjoyed seeing more baking scenes.

Another thing I will comment on is Charlotte's personality. I always enjoy a good spunky and opinionated character, but I felt like Charlotte was occasionally overly feminist in thought at times; by trying to be superior to men and not accept offers of a gentleman's help. I just didn't like the attitude that was behind the feminist actions and would have enjoyed seeing a more head-strong lady who though opinionated, was still feminine at the same time and had a good balance.

Overall, I enjoyed this book as a one-time read, and was glad to have read it; though there were a few disappointing aspects to me. While I was neither overly fond or overly displeased with this novel, I'd say it was a middle-range novel for me. However others with different reading styles might really enjoy this novel. So I recommend you give it a try if you have the chance!

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a complementary review copy of While Love Stirs from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. I was not paid to write this review. All thoughts expressed in my review are my completely honest, my own and unbiased.

The Calling By Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Review

// The Calling//

By Suzanne Woods Fisher

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 336

ISBN: 0800720946

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: January 21st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"Twenty-year-old Bethany Schrock is restless. Her love life has derailed, her faith hangs by a thread, and she is spending the incredibly hot summer days wading through a lifetime’s accumulation of junk at the home of five ancient Amish sisters. About the only thing that holds her interest is the spirited and dangerously handsome Jimmy Fisher–and he seems bent on irritating her to no end.
When the sly old sisters and a guest at the Inn get Bethany involved in running the local soup kitchen and starting a community garden, she suddenly finds herself wondering, Shootfire! How did that happen? Despite her newfound purposefulness, a gnawing emptiness about a childhood mystery continues to plague her. Encouraged by Jimmy Fisher, she will seek out the answers she craves–and uncover a shocking secret that will break her heart, heal it, and point her to love.
Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher delivers her trademark twists, turns, and tender romance in this delightful and exciting visit to the deceptively quiet community of Stoney Ridge."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

Prior to reading The Calling I'd read the first book in The Inn at Eagle Hill series, The Letters, and didn't really like it as I felt like I couldn't connect with the characters, and felt an overall dragging out of the story-line. When the opportunity to review the second book in the series, The Calling came up, I decided to give this series another go and try out the second book, even though I didn't really feel like the first one was for me; and hoped I would like the second book better. However unfortunately, I found the second book to be a lot like the first book in the case of the storyline feeling slow and dragged out as well as the inability to connect with the characters.

 

I will say that in overview, I do think I enjoyed The Calling better than the first book in the series, mainly because the first book was about an older woman and this one was about a girl more my age. Plus we share the name Bethany, which I liked. :) While there was improvement with the story-line and characters, I just didn't ever feel I "clicked" with this novel.

 

I really did want to enjoy this story, and while I thought it a nice one time read, at times it was a bit slow, I sadly don't think I'll end up keeping this book on my favorites shelf and most likely wouldn't re-read it. While I didn't really feel a connection with this book, I have seen friends who did enjoy this series. So I by no means want to give it a bad review, as I know several people really like this series; it just wasn't for me.

 

However on the positive side, this novel was very low-romance and was a slower read, which can be a con for someone who likes a more relaxed, easy going read. I found myself liking the "Sisters" and loved the ending of this story when things really got going.

 

Disclaimer :: I received a free copy of The Calling from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group, for the sole purpose of reading and review it. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and was not required to give a good review, if in fact I didn't like the book. All thoughts expressed in my review are my own and completely unbiased.

A Promise Kept By Robin Lee Hatcher Book Review

// A Promise Kept //

By Robin Lee Hatcher

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 304

ISBN: 1401687652

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publication Date: January 7th, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"God was going to save her marriage, Allison was sure of it.
 

But neither her husband nor her marriage had been saved.

What had become of His promise?

Tony Kavanagh had been Allison’s dream-come-true. They were in love within days, engaged within weeks, married and pregnant within a year. Her cup bubbled over with joy . . . but years later, that joy had been extinguished by unexpected trials.

The day Allison issued her husband an ultimatum, she thought it might save him. She never expected he would actually leave. She was certain God had promised to heal; it was clear that she’d misunderstood.

Now living in the quiet mountain cabin she inherited from her single, self-reliant Great Aunt Emma, Allison must come to terms with her grief and figure out how to adapt to small town life. But when she finds a wedding dress and a collection of journals in Emma’s attic, a portrait of her aunt emerges that takes Allison completely by surprise: a portrait of a heartbroken woman surprisingly like herself.

As Allison reads the incredible story of Emma’s life in the 1920s and 1930s, she is forced to ask a difficult question: Does she really surrender every piece of her life to the Lord? For a woman accustomed to being someone else’s savior, that will be even harder than it sounds.

Drawing from her own heart-wrenching story of redemption, A Promise Kept is Robin Lee Hatcher’s emotionally charged thanksgiving to a God who answers prayers—in His own time and His own ways."

 // Bethany's Book Review //

This was a very nice contemporary inspirational fiction that stresses the importance of faith and the importance of marriage, and that the Lord works all things good, and for His glory-even divorce and difficult marriages.

 

Previous to reading this book I'd only read one other book by this author, so seeing that the book synopsis looked promising, I thought I'd give it a try. Overall I was pleased that I got to read it, however I do think that since I am currently single and this book is about two divorced women whose marriages God redeems; it did make the novel a bit un-relatable for me and in some ways made it seem like it wasn't "the novel" for me at this time in my life. Thus the three-star rating. However that had nothing to do with the story itself or the author's writing, it completely depends on your current stage in life. For anyone who is married or has gone through the heartache of divorce, I'm sure this novel would be a great inspiration and a comforting book to read as it really displays God's design for marriage being a permanent binding for life, in a very inspiring way.

 

I personally enjoyed the aspect of getting to know two ladies with similar marital situations in this book. In the story Allison gets to "meet" her Aunt Emma through her old journals and I liked how these two women's stories were played out in the novel, especially the ending. It was neat getting two different perspectives with the same ladies in two completely different time periods. I really admired Emma's character and her love towards her husband, even when he treated her wrong and deserved every right to be bitter towards him. I also enjoyed reading about how this novel is based on the author's true story of her own marriage to an active alcoholic, and how God worked through that situation to not only strengthen her faith, but strengthen her marriage as well.

 

One nice thing about this novel is that even though it is written about and most likely for married women, I did find it completely clean for young people to even read. Even though the topics discussed are geared towards people who are married, it can also be interesting for a young person to read it as it gives the very real picture that you don't see a lot now days which is how marriage isn't always rosy and bright like everyone makes it out to be. The author did an excellent job portraying this without belittling the importance of staying together for life as promised in wedding vows, and helps portray the fact that though marriage is difficult, it is totally worth it.

 

DISCLAIMER :: I received a free copy of A Promise Kept from the publisher through Litufse Publicity to read and review. I was not paid in any way to review this book, nor are any of the thoughts expressed in my review biased. All thoughts are my own, and completely honest.

  Enter Today | 1/20 - 2/6!

Shadowed by Grace By Cara C. Putman Book Review

// Shadowed by Grace //

By Cara C. Putman

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 352

ISBN: 1433681781

Publisher: B & H Books

Publication Date: January 1st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

"Shadowed by Grace is the first in a stirring new series of stand-alone historical suspense novels by acclaimed author Cara C. Putman. Desperate to save her dying mother, Rachel accepts her newspaper’s assignment to travel to Italy to captures images dangerously close to the front lines of WWII. Her real motive – to find the father she never knew -- an artist she hopes can offer the comfort and support both she and her mother need to survive. It’s an unlikely situation for love and faith to flourish, but soon Rachel not only finds herself, but also her long-lost earthly father, and ultimately, the man her Heavenly father created to cherish and provide for her." 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

I have always has an acute interest and love for novels set during the second World War. I love the history involved, as well as the things that took place during this time period, and overall find it very interesting. So whenever I come across an opportunity to review a novel set during this time period, I jump at it which is exactly what happened with this novel. I was very excited about reading it and hoped I'd enjoy it, but unfortunately, I found it a bit difficult to get through, for me personally.

 

When thinking over the novel after completing it, I was trying to evaluate it as a whole and decided on what rating to give it. While I didn't think it was worthy of two stars, this rating seeming too harsh considered how I did in some ways like it, and three stars being a bit more than I enjoyed it, I finally decided to settle with 2.5 stars, in the middle ground.

 

I really think that the reason why I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought was because of the writing style, as it was different for me. When requesting to review this book I had never heard of this author nor the publisher, and requested it only because the synopsis looked very interesting. The reason why I think this book didn't settle with me so well was because of the writing style. While the synopsis and story line were well plotted out, I felt like the way it was delivered was different than what I'm used to; and in some ways I found it hard to connect or "get into" the story because of how it was written. It seemed to be written in a very slow way, and I often found myself loosing interest in the story and not really having an interest in turning pages. While I loved the plot and time period, I just felt like the ways it was written was much more different than I'm used to, and somewhat hindered the way I experienced the story. I am not sure if I was just expecting a very action packed novel due to the setting, or if I just didn't experience the story like others may have, but for whatever reason I just couldn't get into the story.

 

Sadly this novel wasn't for me, however I am by no means saying it is the same for everyone, as I've had friends who really enjoyed this book and were able to really enjoy it. So please do give it a try if you are interested, and realize that just because I couldn't get into the story doesn't mean you couldn't enjoy it. I just wanted to share my personal, honest thoughts on my experience with this novel.

 

D I S C L A I M E R :: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity Group for the sole purpose of this review and sharing my honest opinion of the book. I was in no way paid to write this review; and all thoughts expressed my review are completely honest and unbiased.

  Enter Today | 1/21 - 2/8!

The Dancing Master By Julie Klassen Book Review

// The Dancing Master //

By Julie Klassen

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 432

ISBN: 076421070X

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Publication Date: January 2014

Bethany's Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

Taken from GoodReads

"Leaving London, dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire---but is stunned to discover that dancing is prohibited! He finds an unlikely ally in Miss Julia Midwinter, but her questions about his past are becoming harder to evade. Together, can they bring new life to this quiet village---and heal long-kept-secret scars?"

// Book Trailer //

 

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

Julie Klassen is the author of the book I deemed my favorite fiction novel that I read in 2013 which was her previous release, The Tutor's Daughter. So naturally I was overjoyed to be able to read her newest book, The Dancing Master. While The Tutor's Daughter still takes first place for me, I did enjoy The Dancing Master, and consider it a wonderful read which I enjoyed greatly. I am already the kind of girl who just can't get enough regency fiction; so I knew I'd love this book even before reading it. Being that the regency time period was combined with Julie Klassen's expert story telling and lovely writing style, I knew I was in for a treat-and I was!

 

One of the things that sets this book apart from the other Julie Klassen books I've read, is how the main character is a male versus the typical female main character you normally see in novels. While it isn't a con or pro either way, it just depends on what you are used to and what you prefer as far as main characters. While it did take me a while to get used to having a male character being the focus of the novel, I don't consider it a negative thing, and think it added a new, unique aspect to the story. While the main female character Julia did play a big part in the story, I felt like Alec's story took place more often that hers, but it was a nice balance, even if unexpected at first.

 

I did enjoy seeing how Alec and Julia's stories were woven together, especially during the later portion of the story, however I will say that for the longest time their relationship was very basic and a mere friendship. While this is another thing that may be a con or pro for you, depending on taste, I liked how the romance was relatively low being that their relationship didn't go beyond just being friends until the epilogue.

 

A neat aspect of this book was both the interesting facts on dancing and what a big part of society it was during this time period, as well as the mystery that was in the story with Julia figuring out the truth about her past and real biological family. Both added greatly to the story and kept it interesting which is a huge pro considering the lengthy 400+ page count, which makes keeping the story from getting dry patches much more of a challenge for an author. I loved reading all the excerpts from the advertisements from the newspapers of those days, as well as the quotes concerning dancing that were at the beginning of each chapter. I also loved the small bit of mystery that was in the story when Julia was the main character of that chapter, and loved traveling the journey to figure out her parentage with her as the story progressed. It was a wonderful journey of forgiveness that I enjoyed reading about.

 

Overall I am yet again impressed with Julie Klassen and am delighted to have been able to journey back in time and learn all there is to know about dancing masters, as well as meet Julia and the other characters in this story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Julie Klassen's other novels, or regency fiction enthusiasts, as this is a true treat!
 

DISCLAIMER :: I received a free copy of The Dancing Master from Bethany House publishers through Litfuse Publicity Group for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and all thoughts expressed in my review are completely my own, honest and unbiased.

  Julie Klassen’s “The Dancing Master” giveaway and “All Things Jane” webcast 1/23!   Enter Today - 1/6 - 1/23!

Carolina Gold By Dorothy Love Book Review

// Carolina Gold //

By Dorothy Love

{Review By Bethany}

Title: Carolina Gold

Author: Dorothy Love

Source: Litfuse Publicity Group

Number of Pages: 320

ISBN: 140168761X

Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishers

Publication Date: December 10, 2013

Bethany's Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

 

"The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father’s once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick’s quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery—and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love’s winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman’s struggle to restore her ruined world."

 

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

Carolina Gold is an exciting new novel from author Dorothy Love which excellently portrays the true story of a woman battling to save her family's rice plantation right after the war in the 1800s. Full of historical accuracy, courage, bravery and hard work, this novel is sure to delight and inspire any historical fiction reader.

 

Before reading Carolina Gold, I'd never read any other book by this author, and though I'd heard good reviews of her novels, I didn't know from experience if I'd love this author. However after reading Carolina Gold I've proclaimed Dorothy Love to be a favorite author, and have put her newest release on my favorite reads of 2013 list! I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this novel and would love to see similar works or historical fiction from this author in the future!

 

One of the things that really made me love this book was how it was based on the true story of Elizabeth Waties Allston Pringle who lived from 1845-1921. I always love learning about remarkable women of the past who went above and beyond what was expected of them and made history-and this lady certainly fits this bill as she definitely was a woman who was a hard worker who wasn't afraid to get dirty and do what needed to be done. I love a good fictional story, as well as an interesting true story on a woman from the past, so to have the two combined with the addition of a beautiful writing style; it made for a very enjoyable read. I loved all the historical details that were in this story. I felt like while I was reading a fictionalized story, I was learning, and it inspired me to want to learn more about this woman. The historical details found in the book made it obvious that Dorothy Love took her research for this book seriously, and I really think it added so much to the story. Anyone who loves reading books that are very informative about history should read this book!

 

Another big plus for me in this story was how low the level of romance was. However even though there wasn't a bunch of romance, there was enough to keep it interesting and was very clean, but it wasn't the main focus of the novel. I always admire an author who is able to - and sees the value in writing an interesting story that is always keeping you engaged in the story, without needing a lot of romance to bring you to that point. I think the romance involved was the perfect amount and made it a sweet story.

 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves history and a good read. I eagerly look forward to reading more books by this author in the future!

 

N O T  E :: I received a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity and the publisher to read and honestly review. I was not paid in any way to review this book, and all thoughts expressed in my review are completely honest and unbiased.

 $100 Visa Cash Card “Carolina Gold” Giveaway from Dorothy Love, over on Litfuse!

  Enter Today - 1/4 - 1/14!

The Redcoats Are Coming! By Marianne Hering & Nancy Sanders Book Review

// The Redcoats Are Coming!  //

The Imagination Station Series // Book #13

By Marianne Herring & Nancy I. Sanders

{Review By Bethany}

 

Source: Tyndale Publishers Book Review Program

Number of Pages: 144

ISBN: 1589977742

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication Date: January 1st, 2014

Bethany's Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

// Book Synopsis //

"The first of a three-book story arc about the American Revolution, "The Redcoats Are Coming" follows Patrick and Beth as they assist the revolutionaries by waking up the sleeping citizens of 1775 Concord before the Redcoats come. In this adventure, the cousins meet Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. They help smuggle musket balls, sound the alarm that the Redcoats are coming, and deliver a secret message to Paul Revere. Along the way they learn that most of the revolutionaries leaned on God's direction and even pastors helped in the cause. Christian parents and teachers will appreciate the historical facts as well as the biblical worldview training their kids and students will absorb. The kids will appreciate the excitement and tension of an America at war with England, and in some ways, with itself."

// Bethany's Book Review //

 

My siblings have all enjoyed The Imagination Station books based on the popular Christian radio drama Adventures in Odyssey, and would eagerly snatch up the latest book whenever the library had it available to check out. So when the opportunity arose to review the newest book in the series, The Redcoats Are Coming! I thought it would be neat to try the books out for myself;  as well as to own a copy for my siblings to read and enjoy as well, since they love this series so much already.

 

This book, as well as the rest of the series, is written for a younger audience of beginner readers, as a first chapter book age level; due to the easy-to-read words used in the shorter sentences, and wonderful illustrations that accompany the story. While I was aware of this book being for a beginning reader, I did feel like the book went beyond my expectations of an average children's book; and despite the fact that I am older, I still enjoyed the story. I think that the story was written in an easy to understand/read way, and was very engaging, even to me! I also particularly loved how bits of history were interwoven into the story, when the characters go back in time to 1775, and meet important men from that time such as Paul Revere and Samuel Adams. This book had the perfect balance of history and fiction and was very fast paced and exciting; being sure to keep young readers engaged and turning pages! I also think this whole series would be a wonderful resource to home-schooling families, as it involves important events in time that help children learn while going back in time in the imagination station.

 

I was able to read through this book in about 45 minutes because of the beginner reading level and larger font, and really enjoyed it. The ending was very exciting and leaves you on the edge of your seat, wanting to get your hands on the next book to continue the story. Overall I'd recommend this book to beginner readers as a fun way to dive into chapter books and also learn about history!

 

DISCLAIMER :: I received a free copy of The Redcoats Are Coming! from Tyndale publishers for the sole purpose of this review. I was not paid to write this review, and all thoughts expressed in my review are completely my own, honest and unbiased.