Where We Belong: An Orphan Train Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Where We Belong

Book Summary

The life of Hester Haak, a widow with no children of her own, takes an unexpected turn when she opens her Kansas home to children from the bustling streets of New York City. The orphan asylum has entrusted her with two sisters and a young boy, and Hester is determined to provide a safe and loving environment for them. Despite the looming uncertainty of their stay, she rises to the challenge, embracing the opportunity to make a difference in their lives.

Meanwhile, Callum Holbrook is grappling with the loss of his wife and the despair that followed. Unable to provide for his family, he made the heart-wrenching decision to place his daughters in an orphanage, promising it was only temporary. Now, with a stable job and a renewed sense of purpose, Callum is horrified to learn that his daughters have been sent halfway across the country. Fueled by determination and love, he embarks on the difficult journey to bring them back.

Through their struggles and triumphs, Hester and Callum discover that family and love can be found in the most surprising places—and that the journey home is paved with hope.

My Thoughts

Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming, historical tale. I like the author’s inviting writing style.  I thought the story was well-written with developed, likeable characters.  Hester is an amazing woman.  She is a warm, kind, and patient Christian woman. The story had a good flow and moved at a steady pace.  The thread of faith is light, but it is powerful.  I liked themes the author emphasized which were:  He often puts people in our lives to help guide us, God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we want, and a roadblock can lead us to a better path.  This is a story that tugs at your heartstrings.  Where We Belong is a delightful and engaging story.  

Where We Belong can be obtained from Amazon*.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  Here are several additional books that have been published today:   Our Extraordinary Summer by Lori Wilde, Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth, and The Bush Tea Murder by Ashley-Ruth Bernier.  I am a stop on Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours on Wednesday, April 22 for Murder in a Lavender Daze by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the second book in An Aroma Wellness Mystery Series.  I hope that you have a dazzling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I agree with this one.  I always have my kindle or a book with me.

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.  Thank you for supporting The Avid Reader.

The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 The Songbird of Hope Hill

Book Summary

Driven by survival to a life at a house of ill repute, Birdie Clarkson now longs only for escape. So when Reverend Isaiah Overly and his son, Ephraim, appear and offer a better life, she jumps at the chance. Ignoring the furious raging of the madam, Birdie climbs into the back of the preacher’s wagon. 

 

The men take her to Hope Hill, the haven the reverend and his wife, Ophelia, founded so women like Birdie can be taught skills to help them rise above their pasts. Soon a resistant Birdie finds herself singing in the choir Ephraim leads at revival meetings, even though she’s certain she’s the last person who should be representing God. 

 

Reverend Overly teaches that no one is irredeemable, but even as Ephraim is falling in love with her, Birdie remains convinced that she’s past saving. After all she’s been through, can she ever believe that God’s redemption wipes every soul clean? And can Ephraim convince her that God loves her more than she can grasp—and that he does, too?

My Thoughts

The Songbird of Hope Hill by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a touching, hopeful tale. The characters’ backgrounds are complex and some of them took the whole book to unfold.  I enjoyed watching the relationships develop between the characters.  Faith is woven into the story, but I did feel it was a little heavy handed (very preachy).  The story is told from different characters’ perspectives including Birdie.  While it did allow me to understand the characters better along with their struggles, it was also confusing, and it kept me from becoming immersed in the story.  Besides trying to keep track of the characters, I was trying to remember the various subplots.  The pacing is leisurely. 

I liked that romance was not the focus of the book.  The romance was sweet, and I like that it began (and is based on) as a friendship.  The ending was hurried and tied up a little too neatly (of course, a happy ending is expected).  While there were things that I did not like, The Songbird of Hope Hill is a beautiful story.  I love that we get to see Reverend Overly and his wife, Ophelia as well as their son, Ephraim go out of their way to offer women of the evening a way out of that life.  The Overly’s treated everyone with kindness and respect.  I liked the message that none of us are without sin and that we should not judge others (especially when they are bettering themselves and putting their past behind them).  The Songbird of Hope Hill is a poignant tale with a resolute reverend, a prayed for liberation, angelic vocals, perturbing dissenters, newfound friends, and a joyful future.

The Songbird of Hope Hill is available from Amazon*.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I hope I have helped you to find a new book to read (or add a book to your large TBR stack).  Tomorrow I am featuring The Poison Pen by Paige Shelton.  It is the ninth A Scottish Bookshop Mystery.  I am off to do some housework.  The house will not dust itself.  I tried to get the cats to use their tails to dust the furniture, but they did not cooperate. Dickens and Bucky (short for  Buckeye--she is a toirtoise and has the colors of a buckeye in her fur) have just turned fourteen (born at Easter).  They are sisters (Dickens is an orange tabby and lives up to her name).   I hope that you have a cheerful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 The Tapestry of Grace

Book Summary

When a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events—from the bestselling author of Freedom’s Song.

With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons.

Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs.

Mennonite Heritage Village

For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own.

Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another?

My Thoughts

The Tapestry of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming historical novel.  The author takes readers back to 1897 in Alexandertol, Kansas.  I thought Tapestry of Grace was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  I like that the characters were realistic with flaws.  I enjoyed getting to know Augusta Dyck and her daughter as well as Konrad Rempel and his mischievous twin boys.  Martina Krahn is a character that grows on you.  I like that we get to see how friends and children make a difference in Martina and Gerhard’s life.  The story is told from three points-of-view (Martina, Augusta, and Konrad).  The chapter headings with the character’s name were helpful. The alternating point-of-view allowed me to get to know the characters and understand them.  I like how the character’s stories were woven together.   I enjoyed learning about this group of people and their community.  We get to learn about their heritage and the reason the townspeople immigrated to the United States.  I can tell that the author did her research for this book.  Faith is at the center of the character’s lives.  I like that they pray before making a big life decision. There are German words scattered throughout the story.  It would have been helpful if there was a list at the end of the book with the translations.  Faith, friendship, forgiveness, and family are the main themes in this touching story.  My favorite line from The Tapestry of Grace is, “Because together, bonded through God’s amazing grace, we are going to weave a life tapestry of joy and commitment.”  The Tapestry of Grace is an inspirational tale with a widowed educator, busy brothers, a bushed blacksmith, a scheme gone askew, beloved books, and a caring community. 

The Tapestry of Grace is available from Amazon* along with other major retailers.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  The photos featured today are from the Mennonite Heritage Village.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will be sharing my thoughts on Dread and Buried by Angie Fox.  It is the twelfth book in A Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  Verity has her patience tested in this amusing paranormal mystery.  I am off to work on my closet.  It is a mess.  I can barely step inside to get my clothes.  I am not sure how it went from organized to chaos.  Spring is a good time for cleaning and organizing.  I hope that you have a heavenly day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Freedom's Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 Freedom's Song

Book Summary

Indentured servant Fanny Beck has been forced to sing for riverboat passengers since she was a girl. All she wants is to live a quiet, humble life with her family as soon as her seven-year contract is over. However, when she discovers that the captain has no intention of releasing her, she seizes a sudden opportunity to escape--an impulse that leads Fanny to a group of enslaved people who are on their own dangerous quest for liberty. . . .

Widower Walter Kuhn is overwhelmed by his responsibilities to his farm and young daughter, and now his mail-order bride hasn't arrived. Could a beautiful stranger seeking work be the answer to his prayers? . . .

After the star performer of the River Peacock is presumed drowned, Sloan Kirkpatrick, the riverboat's captain, sets off to find her replacement. However, his journey will bring him face to face with his own past--and a deeper understanding of what it truly means to be free. . . .

Uplifting, inspiring, and grounded in biblical truth, Freedom's Song is a story for every reader who has longed for physical, emotional, or spiritual delivery.

My Thoughts

Fanny Beck is an indentured servant for Sloan Kirkpatrick, a riverboat captain.  Fanny’s father indentured her in exchange for passage for the rest of his family to America.  Unfortunately, Fanny’s father did not realize the fine print indentured Fanny for seven years for each family member which is 35 years instead of the seven Fanny believes.  When a fire on the ship gives Fanny a chance to escape, she grabs it.  It sends her on a journey where she encounters people in need including Walter Kuhn, a widower with a young daughter.  Walter needs someone to watch his daughter until his mail order bride arrives.  Fanny wants to get to New York to reunite with her family, but she needs to earn more funds for the train ride.  In the meantime, Sloan is scouring the Midwest looking for a singer for his riverboat.  What is God’s plan for Fanny?  

Freedom’s Song by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming historical novel.  I thought it was well-written with realistic, developed characters.  Sloan is an opportunistic riverboat captain who takes advantage of a man’s inability to read or write.  Fanny is a sweet woman who has led a hard life.  She just wants to rejoin her family whom she has not seen in seven years.  Fanny is a woman of great faith.  She relies on God to direct her journey.  The romance element is sweet.  I like that it happened slowly and was not rushed.  I enjoyed the “embarrassing” moments between Fanny and Walter.  This is a clean story which I appreciated (no intimate situations or foul language).  The theme of freedom (physical, emotional, and spiritual) was woven throughout the story.  It was well-done.  I wish there had been an update on Enoch and his family.  They were such wonderful characters and I wanted to know how their journey ended.  I liked that the story had emotion, suspense, romance, drama, and faith.  There is some predictability to the story, but that did not diminish my reading pleasure.  I can tell the author did her research for this story.  She captured the time period and included good details that enhance the story (the difficulties of traveling by stagecoach for example).  Freedom’s Song is an inspiring, emotional story that was a joy to read.  

Freedom's Song is available from Amazon*.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  I appreciate you joining me today and reading my thoughts on Freedom's Song. Here are some of the other novels that were published today:  In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace, Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber, A Christmas Courtship by Shelley Shepard Gray, and Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout.   I will be back tomorrow with Dear Santa by Debbie Macomber.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care of yourself, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer

 

Book Summary

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer has Jase Edgar relocating to Bradleyville, Kansas after the death of his fiancé.  Jase is the new youth minister at Beech Street Bible Fellowship where he works with Brother Martin Kraft and his wife Sister Leah Kraft.  At his welcoming party, Jase meets Lori Fowler who helped with the food.  He loves the brownies she brought that were made by her friend, Kenzie. Lori has a whole in her heart from the loss of her mother.  She can understand Jason’s feelings.  When her hours are cut back at the quilt shop where she works, Lori takes the position as custodian at the church.  This gives her an opportunity to interact with Jase.  Kenzie Stetler grew up Amish, but she did not become baptized in the faith.  She uses her grandmother’s loom to make rugs that help support missions. She receives a large box of clothing from Texas that will be cut up to make the rugs.  Inside a pocket, Kenzie finds a diamond and gold engagement ring with an inscription.  Kenzie wants to return it to its rightful owner.  Lori, Jase, and Kenzie each have issues they need to work through with help from their friend’s, fellow church members, and God’s assistance if they are to have fulfilling and happy lives.

Youth Group and their Youth Pastor

My Thoughts 

From This Moment by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a heartwarming and emotional novel.  It is well-written with developed characters.  The point-of-view switches between our main characters:  Pastor Kraft, Jase, Kenzie, and Lori.  We get to know each of them along with other members of the congregation.  It gives us a chance to learn about their issues and struggles.  From This Moment is an emotional novel.  Jase is struggling with his faith after the loss of his fiancé, Rachel.  Lori is a bubbly, friendly woman who still misses her mother.  She deals with her problems by indulging in food.  Lori is smitten with Jase from the moment she saw him.  Kenzie may have left her Amish community behind, but she cannot give up everything she learned.  When she finds a ring in donated clothing, Kenzie is determined to find the ring’s owner.  Kenzie has not seen her family in years, and she misses them.  I enjoyed getting to know each character as they worked through their struggles.  From This Moment deals with love, acceptance, friendship, faith, humility, hope, and loss.  We get to see God at work and what happens when we follow the path He has set out for us.  We see that God truly does work in mysterious ways.  I enjoyed reading this touching story.  I especially liked the descriptions of Kenzie’s loom, the process of making the rugs, and how it made Kenzie feel.  Kenzie’s brownie recipe is included.  Kim Vogel Sawyer has given us a compelling story with From This Moment that you will not want to put down. 

From This Moment can be purchased from Amazon*.  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  Thank you for joining me today.  Next time I am featuring Furbidden Fatality by Deborah Blake.  It is the first book in A Catskills Pet Rescue Mystery series.  I hope that you have a lively day.  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.

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Book Summary

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer transports readers back to 1936.  Addie Cowherd is completing her junior year at the University of Kentucky.  Then she learns that she cannot finish the semester because her tuition has not been paid in three months.  Addie discovers that her father lost his job at the bank and has been unable to locate another position.  Addie is determined to help her parents who are currently living in one room at a boarding house.  She is fortunate to get a job as a horseback librarian in Boone’s Hollow as part of Kentucky Pack Horse Project created by Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.  This small community is wary of outsiders.  Superstitions and grudges go back centuries.  Addie encounters unexpected difficulties because she is boarding with the kindly Nanny Fay.  Addie becomes determined to overcome the locals’ animosity and prejudice.

Emmett Tharp is the first person in Boone’s Hollow to attend and graduate from college.  He is surprised at the difficulty in finding employment and is forced to seek work in the coal mines.  When the director of the library project is forced to relocate, Emmett is fortunate to get the position.  When Addie is unable to deliver any books, Emmett worries that he will have to let her go.  He wonders how they can overcome the residents’ attitude.  Then things begin disappearing from the library and one librarian seems determined to cause difficulty.  Emmett and Addie work together and pray that with God’s help, they will succeed.

My Thoughts

The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a beautifully written historical novel.  The author captured the time-period and locale.  I felt that the author transported me into the hills of Kentucky where working in the coal mines was the main occupation.  There are some great characters in this story.  Addie Cowherd was fortunate when she was adopted by Fern and Penrose Cowherd.  They raised her to be resilient and to rely on God.  Emmett Tharp is proud to have completed high school and college.  He is a hard worker and a gentleman.  Nanny Fay was my favorite character.  She had such a cheery attitude despite how she is treated and the hardships she endures.  Nanny Fay was a woman of strong faith.  It was fascinating learning about the Kentucky Pack Horse Project.  Eleanor Roosevelt wanted to feed people minds.  Women worked long hours transporting reading materials by horseback or mule to remote farms.  The point-of-view switches between Addie, Emmett, and Bettina (a horseback librarian from Boone’s Hollow).  The author captured the mountain vernacular spoken by Bettina and the other mountain folk.  I like how the Christian message was present through the whole book.  It is wonderful that we are reminded to be kind to others and despite how one may be treated to “kill them with kindness” (a phrase my mother used with me when I was growing up).  I also liked the Scripture passages used in the book that supported the various messages.  The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow was a joy to read.  There are references to physical abuse in the story which, unfortunately, was common.  I like that the romance was not at the forefront.  Some wonderful classic books are mentioned in the story.  My favorite phrase came from Addie who loved books and said, “nothing more magical or as satisfying as a book.”  If you like to read Christian historical novels, then you should read The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow.  The Librarian of Boone’s Hollow is a special Christian tale with beloved books, a stubborn steed, a persistent person, a missing manuscript, surprising superstitions, and a gracious God.

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow can be obtained from Amazon* as well as other major booksellers (Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Waterstone's, Chapter's, Powell's).  You can find Kim Vogel Sawyer's other novels here.  The photos I included today are of actual horseback librarians. To learn more about the Pack Horse Librarians, click here.  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will be back tomorrow with The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson.  Today is my birthday!  I am off to enjoy dinner out with my mother.  I hope that you have a very special day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Happy Book Release Day!  Some of the new books out today are:  Read or Alive by Nora Page, A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette (I will feature on May 15), A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison, To Kill a Mocking Girl by Harper Kincaid, Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer, and A Study in Murder by Callie Hutton.  Which one do you wish to read first?

Little Rock, Arkansas

Unveiling the Past by Kim Vogel Sawyer has Detective Meghan DeFord-Eagle with the Arkansas Cold Case Investigations Department working on a case that hits a little close to home.  Sheila Menke’s father, Anson never arrived home from work back in 2002, and then was found guilty of embezzling funds from the bank where he worked.   Sheila took care of her sick mother while raising her two brothers.  Her mother did not want to find out the truth while she was alive, but, since she has passed away, Sheila wants answers.  Meghan was raised by a single mother and never knew the identity of her father until recently.  She wants to find her birth father in the hopes of learning more about herself.  Meghan feels she cannot start a family with her husband, Sean until then.  Can Meghan get the resolution she needs while helping Sheila?  Unveiling the Past is a story of forgiveness, redemption and second chances.  I like that we get to see three generations of Meghan’s family.  I liked Meghan’s mother, Diane who teaches Honors English in Las Vegas and lives with her mother, Hazel.  I just loved Hazel and enjoyed the humor she added to the story.   Sean Eagle is Meghan’s husband and a detective with the Arkansas Cold Case Investigations Department as well.  They have been married three years and Sean is ready to start a family.  The thought of having a child fills Meghan with fear.  The couple has a few issues they must deal with which will test their marriage.  I thought Unveiling the Past contained good writing and it moved along at a nice pace.  I did, though, have trouble with the switching point-of-view.  It took me a while to get into the story with the POV going between Diane, Meghan, Sean, and Kevin.  Christian elements were nicely incorporated into the story, but I did feel it was a little heavy handed (felt preachy at times).  Forgiveness and having a relationship with God were two of the prevalent themes.  I like how Unveiling the Past ended.  I did wonder, though, if there was a previous book featuring these characters.  There is mention of a previous case involving Meghan and Sean when they searched for Hazel’s sister. Update:  I have learned that Bringing Maggie Home is the book that involves Hazel's sister and where we first meet the characters in Unveiling the Past. It is said that they can be read on their own, but I believe I would have benefited from reading Bringing Maggie Home first. Unveiling the Past is an uplifting story about acquiring forgiveness, a missing father, family, new beginnings and forging new paths.  

Unveiling the Past can be purchased from Amazon*.  For other retail options, click here.  You can find other books by Kim Vogel Sawyer here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be featuring Secrets of the Treasure King by Terry Ambrose.  It is the 4th novel in A Seaside Cove Bed & Breakfast Mystery series.  I hope that you have a cheery day.  Take care, stay safe and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Happy April Fool's Day!  Mother's Day Mayhem by Lynn Cahoon will release tomorrow along with The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis.  The Patient One by Shelley Shepard Gray and An Amish Reunion by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kelly Irvin and Kathleen Fuller are out on April 9.  Dragons of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase releases on April 16.  It is the ninth book in The Jade Calhoun Series.  There are many delightful new books coming out this month (there needs to be more hours in the day)!

A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer takes readers back to September 1895 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Laurel A. Millard is eighteen years old and lives with her mother, Adelia.  She is surprised when her siblings (all five of them) stop by while their mother is napping.  They expect her to give up marriage and family to take care of their mother until she passes away.  Laurel hopes that she can find a man that loves her and is willing (and wealthy enough) to let her mother live with them.  The city is preparing for the upcoming Cotton States and International Exposition.  Laurel applies to be a silk weaver at the exposition in the hopes of finding a wealthy suitor.  Langdon Rochester has been told by his father that he is to become his apprentice at Rochester Steam Powered Engines, and he has one year to marry a suitable woman.  Failure to comply means losing his substantial inheritance.  Langdon runs into Laurel at the exposition where Rochester has a booth and feels she is the right woman for him.  Langdon believes he can mold Laurel into the type of wife he desires and would still be able to pursue his extracurricular activities. 

 

Willie Sharp is a factory worker at Rochester Steam Powered Engines and has been caring for his father since his stroke.  His father, Otto needs to be in a convalescent home to recover his lost abilities and working at the exposition would provide him with the necessary funds.  Willie is hired as a security guard and his best friend, Quincy Tate is hired as a groundskeeper.  Willie is surprised by the attitude of his co-workers toward the black employees especially since one of them is his best friend.  After a terrible incident in the Silk Room, Willie is assigned to guard it.  Laurel gets to know Willie along with Quincy.  Langdon does not want Laurel associating with Willie and attempts to thwart their friendship.  When a terrible injustice is done to Willie, Laurel and his friends rally to assist him.  Is Langdon the right man for Laurel?  Come along for an eye opening journey to Cotton States and International Exposition in A Silken Journey.

 

A Silken Thread is a tale of friendship, social inequality, racial prejudices, faith and love.  It was interesting to learn about the Cotton States and International Exposition that occurred in Atlanta in 1895.  It is located in what is now Piedmont Park.  The authors descriptions brought the venue alive.  I found A Silken Thread to be well-written and it progresses at a gentle pace.  I like how Kim Vogel Sawyer incorporated the historical (she captured this period in time) and Christian elements into the story.  They are interwoven with the characters storylines and enhance the book.  The characters are complex and realistic.  Laurel is a naïve eighteen year old who wants to find someone to love her.  A man who will make her heart sing the way her father did for her mother.  She is not worldly or sophisticated which draws Langdon to her.  Laurel is a Christian woman who does not understand people’s prejudices.  Willie is a kind man with a big heart.  He wants what is best for his father and is willing to work hard to make it happen.  Langdon is a selfish man who only thinks of himself and how he can manipulate others to get what he wants from them.  Quincy has a sweet family and a good friend in Willie.  The point-of-view switches between the four characters as their stories unfold.  One of my favorite lines In A Silken Thread was that we should treat others as we want to be treated (Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you).  Having faith, importance of prayer and following God’s path for your life are some of the Christian elements incorporated into the story.  I thought the author captured how each character would speak.  I liked learning more about silk, the process of extracting it, and how it is woven.  It is explained in easy to understand terms.  The author addressed sensitive topics deftly in A Silken Thread (racial injustices, social inequality).  Friendships are tested in A Silken Thread along with individuals’ beliefs.  There are discussion questions at the end of the book. A Silken Thread is a compelling and poignant historical novel. 

A Silken Thread will be published on April 2.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return tomorrow with my review of The Memory House by Rachel Hauck.  Please take a moment to stop by & see what I thought about this Christian novel.  May you have a blessed day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Ours for a Season: New Novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Welcome!  Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower will be available on September 25 along with Silver Anniversary Murder by Leslie Meier and Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke.  Pecan Pies and Dead Guys by Angie Fox comes out on September 18.  It is the seventh book in The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries.  Verity and Frankie have two murders to solve, and Verity's ancestral home is on the line along with Frankie's freedom. 

Ours for a Season is the latest novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer.  Martha “Marty” Hirschler lives with her husband, Anthony in Pine Hill, Indiana.  Anthony owns Hirschler Construction and is frequently gone on construction projects for weeks at a time.  The pair have grown apart since they learned that they cannot have children of their own and adoption is not a venture they can afford.  Marty has lost her faith in God since her prayers have failed to be answered and desperately wants to get away from her family oriented community.  Marty is surprised when she gets a letter addressed to both herself and Anthony from her English friend, Brooke Spalding.  Brooke along with a group of investors have purchased land in northeast Kansas that used to be a thriving town.  Her plan is to restore the town into a resort and she wants Anthony to oversee the construction.  Brooke hopes the time away will help Marty and Anthony repair their marriage.  When Brooke is diagnosed with cancer, she needs Marty’s help to get through this difficult time.  It draws Brooke and Marty closer together along with giving Brooke an opportunity to learn about God.  Anthony becomes faced with a moral dilemma when he learns Brooke plans to have a casino on the property.  Then a runaway teenager is discovered on the grounds and the group learns the horrors of human trafficking and the difficulties teen’s experience in the foster care system.  Anthony, Marty, Brooke and their workers will face a variety of challenges while in Kansas.  Will they be able to overcome these hurdles and how will it impact their future?

Ours for a Season contains good writing, but the story is a slow starter.  I had a hard time getting into the story.  Ours for a Season improved as I got further into the book along with the pacing.  It was hard to like Marty in the beginning. Marty is depressed over her childless life.  She sees families, pregnant woman, babies and children every where she goes in her town.  Marty does not want her husband going away so often for work because she feels alone.  However, Marty does not want to be around family or friends.  When the opportunity from Brooke arrives, Marty feels it is the perfect solution (to run away where there are no children).  Anthony could have been more understanding (though it has been two years) and sympathetic to Marty’s feelings.  I began to warm up to the characters as the story progressed.  I did feel that the first part of the story was too long (it became a Marty pity party).  I liked Brooke Spalding.  She is a strong, smart female who had a dream and did everything in her power to achieve it.  However, Brooke was kind, thoughtful and never ruthless. I would have liked more on Brooke especially at the end. The point-of-view switches between Marty, Anthony and Brooke.  It can be confusing (at first), though it does allow a reader to learn what each character is thinking and feeling.  Ours for a Season has a good flow as we transition between the characters and situations.  The ending was good, but it felt rushed.  The author handled the subject of human trafficking deftly.  It is a serious problem and I liked the solution presented in the story.  My rating for Ours for a Season is 3.5 out of 5 stars.  The Christian theme is present throughout the book (having faith, power of prayer, God is in charge of our lives).  There are good spiritual insights presented and you will continue to ponder on them long after you finish Ours for a Season.

I appreciate you stopping in and reading my review today.  I will be reviewing Fatal Flip by M.E. Bakos tomorrow.  It is the first book in A Home Renovator Mystery series.  May you have a blessed day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

Beneath the Prairie Moon: A novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Happy Book Release Day!  The Broken Girls by Simone St. James, Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer, The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman, A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot, and The Library, the Witch and the Warder by Mindy Klasky are some of the new releases.

Beneath a Prairie Moon by Kim Vogel Sawyer is a historical romance novel that takes readers back to 1888.  Mrs. Helena Bingham owns Bingham’s Bevy of Brides in Newton, Massachusetts.  She is not surprised to find that Abigail Grant has returned once again.  Abigail was raised to be a lady with a genteel education and refined manners.  After the downfall of her father from his illegal dealings, Abigail found herself without a home and a fiancé.  Helena knew Abigail would be a challenge, but she took her on anyway.  The last gentleman (I use the term loosely) found her too “hoity toity”.  Mrs. Bingham agrees to give Abigail one more opportunity.  She has had a request from sixteen men in Spiveyville, Kansas who are looking for brides.  Mrs. Bingham wants Abigail to give the men lessons in manners, table etiquette, how to court a woman, teach them to dance and proper decorum.  They are met at the station by Mack Cleveland, the hardware store owner.  Mack did not request a bride because he believes that only God can make a heart match.  The enthusiastic grooms are not happy with the delay of their brides nor with the required lessons, but they will do what it takes to get wives.  Events keep throwing Abigail and Mack together, but Abigail’s attitude makes it hard for him to get close.  As time passes, Mack begins to see a different side of Abigail.  Is there a chance for these two different individuals?  Will Abigail realize that perfection will not bring her love and happiness?

Beneath a Prairie Moon is a delightfully entertaining novel.  The book is well-written and has a steady pace.  I enjoyed the mail order bride angle that the author used in this story.  It was unique (hooray).  There are a wide variety of characters from the oh so proper Abigail to Athol Patterson who ran the restaurant (and did not appreciate anyone else cooking in his kitchen) to the evil Elmer Nance.  It was nice to see the townspeople work together to help each other in times of turmoil (a bad storm and a kidnapping).   I like how humor was interlaced throughout the story.  Abigail and her sunburn (ouch) provided me with some laugh out loud moments (you would have to read it to understand).  Beneath a Prairie Moon is a Christian novel and the author handles it beautifully.  There are good lessons woven into the story about forgiveness, pride, the power of prayer, having faith, and following the path God has laid out for you.  The story has a villain in Elmer Nance and a hero with Sheriff Bill Thorn.  I kept hoping Sheriff Thorn would end up with a certain lady, but it did not happen.  The ending will leave you with a smile on your face and a good feeling in your heart.  My rating for Beneath a Prairie Moon is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).

Tomorrow I will be sharing my review of The Broken Girls by Simone St. James.  I appreciate you visiting today.  May you have a fulfilling day.  I am off to pick up more leaves in my yard.  They are falling faster than I can dispose of them (due to lack of rain).  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader