I had the pleasure of reading two books that were sent to me by Waterbrook Multnomah for the purpose of review.
The first book,
Yesterday's Promise, by Linda Lee Chaikin, is set in Great Britain and South Africa during the diamond and gold rush in South Africa. From the book's cover:
About This Book
He fought to seek his fortune.
Would he lose a greater treasure: the love he left behind?
As the son of the squire of Grimston Way, aristocrat Rogan Chantry has fought hard to win his independence from Sir Julien Bley and the British South Africa Company. Now, his pursuit of a mysterious deposit of gold, marked on a map willed to him by his murdered uncle, Henry Chantry, is challenged by a new complication: the impending British colonization of South Africa. Can Sir Rogan find the gold in the midst of escalating tensions among the native tribesmen, the missionaries sent to win them, and the new colonists?
Meanwhile, Evy Varley, the woman Rogan loves back in England, is headed for a brave yet dangerous confrontation with Henry’s killer–but at what price? With so much against Rogan and Evy, a reunion seems improbable, if not impossible. Can yesterday’s promise hold them faithful to the hope of future freedom and a victorious love?
Imagine you are in love and the person you love is continents away. The challenges you face you have to face only with God. You hear vicious rumors about the one you love as if everyone is trying to turn you against them or them against you. You long to be with them but know that you cannot...
While it took me a few chapters to get into this book, once I was drawn in to
Yesterday's Promise but once I was drawn in, I had to finish reading to find out what happened. I love that the author included a rich historical background to support the stories of the main characters. This was important since I did not read the first book in the series.
The only thing that bothered me a bit is that this is Christian fiction but it seemed like faith was an afterthought. It wasn't really apparent until later in the book that the characters were Christians.
Even so, I thought the book was well written and would recommend it to my friends. I give this book three pairs of reading glasses! \oo\ \oo\ \oo\
The second book I read was
Deep Harbor by Lisa Tawn Bergren. This is book two of the Northern Lights Series. From the cover:
SOME TIES CAN NEVER BE BROKEN
As they build new lives in America, Tora, Elsa, Kaatje, and Karl each experience a personal tragedy that threatens to destroy everything they left Norway to find. Tora’s web of lies has cost her a successful future with the man she loves. When tragedy strikes, Elsa must draw upon her faith and the strength she can muster to discover who she is and the path she must follow. After her husband’s disappearance, Kaatje struggles to raise two young daughters and tend her farm, and Karl finds himself caught in a life of loneliness and emptiness. Only by placing their trust in God—and in each other—will they pass through these rough waters and find the safety of the harbor.
From the richly forested banks of the Washington Territory to the burgeoning city of Yokohama and across the turbulent, danger-filled waves of the open sea—experience the epic saga of perseverance, pain, faith, and calling in the Northern Lights series.
From the beginning of
Deep Harbor you are drawn in with excitement and expectation. Even though I didn't know the story of how each character arrived at the starting points, it was easy to figure it out the more I read on. The author did a good job of making this a freestanding book, meaning you didn't have to read the first book to enjoy it.
I loved the characters in this story. Through the author's writing I was able to connect with each one. I felt sadness, hopelessness, hope and fear along with the characters. I loved that from the beginning, the characters showed a strong faith and it was apparent throughout, woven in as part of their stories. She did a wonderful job of weaving in challenges and demonstrating how God helped each of them overcome. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
This book gets four pairs of reading glasses! \oo\ \oo\ \oo\ \oo\
I hope you'll take some time to read these books! They are both available at
Waterbrook Multnomah.
While Waterbrook Multnoma provided the books for the purpose of review, the opinions expressed are completely my own!
Love and Blessings!
Margaret
