Review: Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book One in the Nantucket Legacy series

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she's doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a "minder" on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary's journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe's shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way--just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

My Review

So rich in historical detail! I loved learning about an era and location in history that I knew pretty much nothing about, and now I'm fascinated. I'm not usually a fan of a dual time-line story, but the author balanced it perfectly, with Phoebe and Matthew's perspectives told in third person POV, and the journal entries of her great-grandmother Mary in first person. The majority of the book is about Phoebe and her growth through harsh trials, which is enhanced by the parallels of Mary's growth in the well-placed excerpts. The pace of the book was rather slow at first, but I've found that with this author's beautiful writing I appreciate the time she takes to build the setting and develop the characters so that when the pace quickens and the plot climaxes, I'm completely enthralled and invested in the outcome. Hard lessons are learned, secrets are revealed, yet Phoebe's stalwart faith supports her and encourages those around her when they need it most. I'm loving this new series by one of my favorite authors and am looking forward to more!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

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Check out the next book in the Nantucket Legacy series . . . 

Book Two

Synopsis

Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship's hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. "Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?" he whispers in despair.

Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn't defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and "mind the Light," finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be--honorable, wise, faithful--she finds herself falling in love with him.

But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren's business partner, cousin, and best friend--and Daphne's fiancé. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high?
 

Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.

Lucky is Reading! Giveaway Hop

A book that I feel lucky to have read is the newest from Carrie Turansky, Across the Blue! I felt like the history really came to life and the characters were great. Enter to win a copy below and check out the other blogs on the hop! Special thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for providing the giveaway!

Synopsis

Set in Edwardian England and ideal for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen novels, this romance about an English aviation pioneer and the girl who falls in love with him is filled with adventure and faith.

Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don't approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Drake, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson's new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson's newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella's heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella's faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?

Entry-Form

Review & Excerpt: Sweet Briar Rose by Lena Goldfinch

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

A delightful historical western romance from the author of The Unexpected Bride.

Colorado 1880

Once upon a time, Rose was a barefoot dreamer, carving whimsical creatures from the driftwood she found on the beach. However, after the death of her father, Rose finds herself cut adrift. So she answers an advertisement to become the bride of a blacksmith in Sweet Briar, Colorado, bravely leaving behind the coast of Maine and her beloved sandy beaches.

Living in the shadow of the Rockies, Emmett Southerland is a bit of a hopeless romantic. He’s been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the dark-haired beauty in the photograph he keeps over his heart. However, once Rose arrives, he finds himself snowed in with her during the worst storm Colorado has seen in twenty-five years.

This sweet mail-order bride romance very loosely reimagines the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty, complete with a satisfying happily-ever-after. Sweet Briar Rose is a short novel of approximately 42,000 words.

My Review

I love a good mail-order bride story, and this one delivered! I loved the contrast between Rose and Emmett- she is numb from grief, he has already given away his heart to her. Her emotions are slowly awakened as she learns to trust and love Emmett in a new and very different part of the country. Emmett was pretty awesome- a true romantic inside a burly blacksmith, I loved how he was such a gentleman to Rose and also appreciated her individuality. Their romance is sweet with chemistry that had plenty of sparks ;) While the story felt a little too-good-to-be-true, that same quality contributed to the fairy tale feel. Both settings- the east coast and the snowy mountains of Colorado, were very much a part of the story and they were easy to picture. I'm happy to have discovered a new-to-me author that I enjoy and look forward to reading more!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Excerpt

It was eerily quiet now in Emmett’s kitchen, alone, with just the snapping of the fire.

Rose strained to hear the sounds of Emmett and his burly dog, Boston, as they left to go downstairs and outside through the front entrance to Emmett’s shop. She heard the creak of the door to the stairwell opening and closing again, and the sounds of them climbing down the stairs. And then nothing. She pictured Emmett lacing his boots and putting on his coat. She pictured Boston too, standing beside him, the long brown plume of his tail swaying, awaiting his own morning ritual.

It was impossible to sit still, simply waiting, a sense of foreboding gathering around her. If anything happened to them, she’d well and truly be alone.

And then she heard it, a crash like a thousand pounds falling. She didn’t know what it was, but she leapt to her feet and scrambled down the stairs after them.

On the final step, she stopped. Emmett and Boston stood before the open door. Snow had spilled in around their feet. Thin swirls drifted across the floor and settled. More snow was piled high in the doorway, all the way to the top. Not only snow—a wall of ice.

“What was that sound?” She stood on the last stair, gripping the handrail.

Emmett turned his head toward her, as if startled by the sound of her voice. He brushed snow from his coat and quickly shut the door against the cold. His leather hat lay on the floor at his feet. It too was covered in snow.

“What was that?” she repeated, frightened by the look on his face. He looked so grim. Had he been hurt? She tucked her robe more tightly about her. It felt too thin, not nearly enough to keep her warm. Her teeth began to chatter.

“A sheet of ice. Up on the roof. It must have formed overnight. All that icy snow... I just opened the door and it broke free.” He said it so matter-of-factly. Despite his grim expression, it didn’t seem as if he was nearly as concerned as he should have been.

“And it fell in the doorway?” she pressed. At his calm nod, she blurted out, “You could have been crushed—you and Boston.”

Did he not see that they could have been severely injured, that they could have died?

She swallowed and asked, “Are you hurt?”

“No, I’m not hurt. And thankfully Boston didn’t push out ahead of me, like he usually does.” For one brief instant, a sickly expression crossed Emmett’s face. He did realize they could have been crushed. That Boston might’ve been killed if he’d rushed out the door first. Emmett reached down to ruffle the dog’s neck fur. Boston simply sat there with his eye on the door, perhaps waiting for his master to open it again, not understanding they were quite literally snowed in.

About the Author

LENA GOLDFINCH is the Amazon-bestselling author of sweet historical western romance, inspirational romance, and books for teens. She's always been a sucker for a good old-fashioned romance, whether it's a novel or short story, young adult or adult, fantasy or realistic, contemporary or historical. Lena has been a finalist in several national writing contests, including the RWA Golden Heart and ACFW Genesis contests.

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