When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

 When the Day Comes

Book Summary

How will she choose, knowing all she must sacrifice?

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives--and any hope of love--are put in jeopardy.

Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about--women's suffrage--is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other--but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

My Thoughts

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer is the first Timeless Book.  I thought this historical novel was creative and well-written.  It contained realistic characters and situations.  Libby lives two different lives:  one in 1774 and one in 1914.  In one she is the managing editor of her deceased father’s newspaper.  Libby and her mother work hard to provide a living for their family and pay off their father’s debt.  Libby is in love with Henry Montgomery, but he is about to betrothed to the Royal Governor’s fourteen-year-old daughter.  

Consuelo Vanderbilt (Libby's 1914 character based on her)

In 1914, her mother is determined to marry her off to a titled Englishman.  When Libby turns twenty-one, she will need to decide which life she will live for the rest of her life.  The story is told in alternating chapters (back and forth between 1774 and 1914).  I can tell the author did her research for both time periods and locations.  She captured the grandeur of London Society, the beginning of the Great War, and the fashions (especially the tight-fitting hobble skirt that ladies had trouble walking in).  We get to experience Colonial Williamsburg on the brink of the Revolutionary War.  I like the time travel concept (unique).  When Libby goes to sleep in 1774, she awakens in 1914.  She lives both lives simultaneously.  I enjoyed reading both time periods with their vivid descriptions.  The author managed to strike a balance between too little and too much detail.  

Lady Padget--orchestrated introductions to titled bachelors for American Heiresses 

The faith elements are prominent and beautifully incorporated into the story.  We see the importance of faith and relying on God.  When the Day Comes is a fascinating and emotional split time novel.  I loved the ending and appreciated the epilogue that gives us a hint of who will be featured in the next Timeless Book.  When the Day Comes is a captivating tale with patriot printers, a bevy of balls, a merciless mother, a raging war, a sympathetic mum, an approaching revolution, and a critical choice.

Raspberry Velvet Hobble Skirt Gown

When the Day Comes is available from Amazon*.  You can find Gabrielle Meyer's other novels here.  I appreciate you stopping by today and reading my review.  I will return on Monday with Threads of Hope by Leslie Gould.  It is the third novel in the Plain Patterns series. I hope that you have a fun weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner

 A Flicker of Light

Book Summary

The Officer Girl in Blue by Fenella J. Miller is the 3^rd book in The Girls in Blue.  While The Officer Girl in Blue could be read as a standalone, I believe it is best read as part of the series.  This will allow you to get to know all the characters and their backstories.  I thought The Officer Girl in Blue contained good writing and developed characters.  I like Charlotte who is spunky, smart, and resourceful.  Dan is intelligent, dedicated, and handsome.  The chemistry between the pair is obvious from the moment their eyes meet.  I thought the author captured the time period and I enjoyed the use of the slang from that era.  I did not, though, appreciate the foul language.  I am glad we got to catch up with Nancy and Jane from the first two books in the series.  I did feel that the side story involving Marion was unnecessary.  I did not like how it was handled. The Officer Girl in Blue has suspense, danger, friendship, and romance.  Those who like to read World War II romances, will enjoy The Officer Girl in Blue.  The Officer Girl in Blue is a dramatic historical tale with corrupt cops, firm friends, blasting bombs, a disorganized desk, a plane predicament, messy mud, and a cheerful Christmas. 

My Thoughts

A Flicker of Light by Katie Powner takes us to Montana where Bea and her husband, Jeremy move in with her father, Mitch after having a run of bad luck.  Jeremy lost his job, their apartment is not fit for rats, and Bea learns she is pregnant.  With Jeremy unable to find work, moving to Montana seems like the logical solution.  They both agree that it will be just for a few months.  Mitch lost his wife, Caroline two years prior to cancer and he still misses her terribly.  He is glad to have his daughter return home even if she is brining her husband with her.  Bea’s grandmother, June and grandfather, Rand live nearby.  Unfortunately, Grandma June is having trouble with her memory.  They wrangle her to the doctor to learn Grandma June has early onset Alzheimer’s.  Her condition rapidly deteriorates which has Bea reconsidering her options.  When Grandma June gets lost during a storm, Bea learns she was searching for someone.  Using the clues provided, Bea with Jeremy’s help uncovers a big secret.  Can they get the story from Grandma June before it is gone forever?  

A Flicker of Light contains good writing and realistic characters.  I did find the pacing to be slow as we follow the characters as they go about their day to day lives of the characters (Mitch, June, Rand, Bea, Jeremy, and the cat, Steve).  I enjoyed the beautiful descriptions of the Montana mountains and Moose Creek.  It sounds like a beautiful area.  Each member of the family is having a problem.  Mitch lost his wife to cancer two years prior and misses her every single day.  June, Bea’s grandmother, is having memory issues.  Bea and Jeremy are having a rough time.  Jeremy lost his job, their apartment is in terrible condition, and Bea is pregnant.  They need a place to live until Jeremy can decide about the business he wishes to begin.  I thought the situations were realistic.  Life is full of ups and downs.  You just need to have hope and faith.  Mitch is lucky to have a generous church family, though, he has yet to realize it.  I was never able to get into A Flicker of Light.  The story moves along slowly as we follow the characters as they go about their daily lives. There is no action, and I found it to be a depressing story.  The ending is nice, but it seemed to take forever to get there.  I suggest you obtain a sample to see if A Flicker of Light is the right fit for you.  A Flicker of Light is a Christian tale about healing, regret, letting go, faith, forgiveness, hope, community, and family. 

A Flicker of Light is available from Amazon*.  You can find Katie Powner's other novel here.  Thank you so much for stopping by today and reading my review.  I am heading off to the store to pick up the items we need for Thanksgiving.  It is hard to believe that it is  next week.  I am looking forward to the Gilmore the Merrier-a-thon on UPTV.  I look forward to it each year (there are prizes to win).  I am also busy planning my outside holiday decorations.  So far, I have over 15 inflatables for outside along with signs, lights, and a cute lamppost.  I have to work out where they are all going to go (and I need more extension cords).  I will return tomorrow with Well-Offed in Vermont by Amy Patricia Meade.  It is the  debut of A Vermont Country Living Mystery.  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Forever By Your Side by Tracie Peterson

 

Book Summary

Forever by Your Side by Tracie Peterson has Connie Browning returning home to Oregon with her best friend, Thomas Lowell.  They will be working on the Indian reservation recording the stories and heritage of the Indians for the Bureau of Ethnology.  Connie and Thomas are also going to prove that her parents are not responsible for inciting the natives into war and providing them with illegal guns and whiskey.  Connie is shocked that the government believes her missionary parents could do such a thing.  Clint Singleton, the government agent, is taken with Connie beauty and spends time getting reacquainted with her.  When Connie was fifteen, she had a terrible crush on Clint.  She is no longer sure of her feelings especially as she spends time working with Tom.  Tension on the reservation is mounting.  One incident could be the spark to ignite a war.  Connie and Tom need to work quickly if they are to find who is behind the uprising and clear her parents of suspicion. 

My Thoughts

Forever by Your Side by Tracie Peterson is the 3^rd novel in Willamette Brides series.  While this book can be read on its own, I recommend reading the series in order.  There is a mystery that runs throughout the trilogy that gets resolved in Forever by Your Side.  I thought Forever by Your Side was well-written with developed characters.  The author provided word imagery that brings the scenery and people alive.  I can tell that Tracie Peterson did her research for this series and I appreciated the Author’s Note at the end.  Connie Browning is a smart, independent woman who has been living with her aunt and uncle in Washington, D.C. for the last seven years.  Her parents have been missionaries to the Native Americans for many years and now they are being accused of inciting war and providing the natives with weapons and whiskey.  Connie is using her new job with the Smithsonian Institute’s Bureau of Ethnology as a cover.  Her work partner and friend, Tom Lowell is going to help her prove her parent’s innocence.  The characters from the first two novels (Nancy, Faith, Seth, Andrew, the boarding house ladies) are present along with the evil Mr. Smith.  We get to finally learn who is the mastermind behind the violence and plan.  How the Indians were treated was terrible and the atrocities are highlighted in this book.  Christian themes are present throughout.  I like how the author incorporated them into the story.  Romance is not at the forefront of Forever by Your Side which I appreciate.  It plays out softly in the background with a lovely ending.  I like how the title was incorporated at the end.  I enjoyed the mystery and adventure in the story.  Forever by Your Side was a great conclusion to the Willamette Brides trilogy.  

Forever by Your Side is available from Amazon* along with other major booksellers (B&N, BAM, CBD, Waterstone's, Chapter's, Powell's).  The other two novels in the Willamette Brides series are Secrets of My Heart and The Way of Love.  Tracie Peterson's next release is Endless Mercy which is the second tale in Treasures of Nome series and it publishes on January 5, 2021.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere.  It is part of the Christmas Hope series.  I do hope that you have a charming day.  I am off to do more sorting and cleaning.  My mother and I have become packrats. Time to clear out anything we do not use or need. Wish me luck on getting my mother to part with stuff (everything has a memory for her).  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.