THE COURIER OF CASWELL HALL BY MELANIE DOBSON

About the book: 

An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

Purchase a copy: http://amzn.to/1aLxC9s


About the author: 

Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels; her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com

My Thoughts 

Lydia Caswell is caught up in the goings on during the British and Continental war in 1781. While her brother and her childhood sweetheart are both off fighting in the war her father decides to  invite the son of an acquaintance  to stay at Caswell Hall.  Since the visitor is a British officer her father must accommodate not only the officer put his several other British soldiers in order to stay in the King's favor. There is another  problem, Lydia's father tries to encourage Lydia to marry the British officer. How can she stay true to her sweetheart and keep the fact that he is a Continental soldier. This would not bode well  for her family since they are expected to remain loyal to the crown. 

She is also harboring a probable spy for the Continental army.  He was found injured and she feels compelled to help him hide out while he heals so he can return to his mission.  What if she could help him in with his mission. If she were found out she would be charged as a spy.his would not only put her in danger it would also put her family in danger. 

The author writes of two women that chose to spy for the continental army during the war. Their hearts had to be strong to take such a chance.  The historical events that were provided by the author made the story even more interesting honoring the women from this historical event. So much was lost on both sides of this war but now we benefit from their great sacrifice of life and property. 

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from Summerside Press/Litfuse Publicity Group for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.

Ruth's Redemption by Marlene Banks

About Book

Set in the 1800s, Ruth's Redemption, is an unusual depiction of the lives of slaves and free blacks in pre-Civil War America.  Bo, was educated while a slave.  He was given his freedom and now owns a farm buying slaves for the sole purpose of giving them their freedom. Bo is also a man of God and widower whose life is destined to change when he meets the proud and hard-hearted slave girl, Ruth.

Ruth has known nothing but servitude and brutality since being separated from her mother at age thirteen. Purchased and sold primarily for breeding, her heart is filled with resentment and bitterness.  Ruth wants no part of Bo's Godly devotion.  Yet Bo is unlike any man she's known and her experiences with him will leave her forever changed.

A gripping slave era novel, Ruth's Redemption is a story of love, forgiveness, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of the Nat Turner Rebellion in Tidewater, Virginia, this novel shines the light of God's unconditional love in the darkness of a culture's cruel socially accepted inhumanity.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-0217-2

Publisher:  Moody Publishers

Publish date: January, 2012
Page Count: 304
Dimensions: 5.25 x 8.25
Format: Paperback

Where to purchase:  Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo

About Author

MARLENE BANKS resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with being a prolific writer she has an associate degree in Theology from Rhema Bible Institute in Keysville, VA and is currently studying to initiate a Christian counseling ministry. Marlene is a member of Bethel Deliverance International Church in Wyncote, Pennsylvania. Her work resume includes thirty plus years in nursing and over eight years in business as a coordinator and administrative assistant. She considers her writing a means of evangelizing and relating Christian principles through fiction. It is also Marlene's goal to bridge the gap between faith-based and secular literature.

View Slideshow on Author's Website 

My Thoughts

A ex-slave Bodine Peace was given his freedom by his owner along with a large parcel of land to farm.  He did not flaunt his freedom in fact after his farm became profitable he would go to the slave sales and purchase  slaves in order to turn around and give them their freedom.  Some moved on but some stayed to become share cropper on Bo's land.  They had become a respected community of freed slaves.

Ruth was being put on the slave auction block stripped down for all to see.  When a buyer decided to check out the merchandise Ruth was told to open her mouth so the buyer could examine her teeth.  She boldly refused to open her mouth and the more they tried to physically force open her mouth she fought that much harder then bit down on the auctioneer's hand. This gained her a hit up side her head and a promise to be hauled off to be punished with a whip. No one would even consider bidding on her after the way she just acted.   At this time Bodine Peace raised his voice and said he would buy her and he did buy for a very high price.  He could have bought several slaves there freedom for what he ended up paying for her.  But he could not bear to see this beautiful creature of God being abused anymore than she already had been.

When he gets back to his farm he has Naomi clean her up and care for her injuries.  He could not believe the feeling he was having for this woman.  His wife died several years ago during childbirth and Naomi was his wife's mother.  She was like his own mother.  He speaks with Naomi and tells her to find another woman Ruth can stay with because it would not be respectable for her to stay in his house.

As Ruth healed physically it was apparent she was not healing mentally or spiritually no matter how kind Naomi and Bo were to her and her needs.  As hard as they tried to convince her she would have a good home staying with a freed slave by the name of Mae, but Ruth would become fearful and beg to stay in Bo's house because it felt like it was her home.  Ruth thought that Bo was the most kind-hearted and generous man she had ever met.After many talks with Naomi, Ruth revealed bits and pieces about her life.   She was what they called a Breeder, a female slave which main purpose was to produce children and she had been abused beyond imagination since she was twelve years old.  

Bo tried to keep the woman out of his head but the temptation of this beautiful woman living in the same house to him was unbearable for his soul.  Why had God brought this woman into his life?  Could she be the answer to his loneliness?  Is it God's will to take her as his wife?  She admits to not wanting to know his God because of the life she was forced to live without help from his God.  Can God break through her pride and hardened heart and reveal to her the love He has for her.  She can't see how God will ever free the slaves from their bondage, but Bo has great faith in the Lord our God that He will one day free His children from slavery because he had sent His Son to free mankind from sin.  

The story is told from the view of freed slave and many that were not free.  It shows how strong their faith and belief was in God and His will.  They faith that He would give them freedom as He did for the Hebrews who were finally freed.

The author included the historical figure and event of Nat Turner and the Rebellion in Tidewater, Virginia.  An uprising of slaves against the white plantation owners which killed many on both sides.  The story gave me another look and lesson into history that I will gladly pass on to my children and grandchildren.  

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure:  I received a free copy of this book from MPNewsroom/ Moody Publisher for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.


If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here.

All Things New by Lynn Austin

About Book

The war is over. The South has lost.

Josephine Weatherly struggles to pick up the pieces of her life when her family returns to their Virginia plantation. But the realities of life after the war cannot be denied: her home and land are but a shell of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken.

Her life of privilege, a long-ago dream.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak--but a bitter hatred fuels her.

Can hope--and a battered faith in God--survive amid the devastation?

All Things New

ISBN: 978-0-7642-0897-3  

ISBN-10: 0-7642-0897-7

Paperback: 5.5 x 8.5

Number of pages: 416

Publication Date: Oct. 2012

Where to buy: 

• Baker Retail
• Amazon.com
• Barnes & Noble
• Christianbook.com

About Author

Lynn Austin, a former teacher who now writes and speaks full time, has won eight Christy Awards for her historical fiction. One of those novels, Hidden Places, has also been made into a Hallmark Channel movie. Lynn and her husband have raised three children and make their home near Chicago, Illinois. 

Visit Lynn's Web site at www.lynnaustin.org


My Thoughts

The Civil War has ended and now Josephine, her mother and younger sister are ready to go home to White Oak Plantation after a long stay with her Aunt.  She is not even sure what condition the plantation will be in when they arrive.

She was surprised to find a few slaves had stayed even though they had been declared free of slavery.  The house was a shambles but it was still standing. It just needed some cleaning and she was sure her mother would make sure things were put in order.  Josephine was shocked by her mother's attitude that she was going to make everything the same as it was before the war.  As far as Josephine was concerned nothing would every be the same again.

With the one male ex-slave whom now is to be called a servant there was no way to get the fields planted with cotton.  His wife, two young sons and daughter were taking care of the cooking, cleaning and the other chores that Mrs. Weatherly expected to be done daily.  Yet there still was not enough hands or time in a day to get everything done according to Mrs. Weatherly's liking.  Mrs. Weatherly seemed to treat the servants as if they were still slaves. Josephine tried to help with some of the gardening and chores but it just angered her mother. So Josephine took to doing the chores around the time her mother was napping.

Then things really got out of sorts when Josephine's brother, Daniel came home from the war.  It was hoped that he would be able to take over running the plantation.  But he was never trained for that position.  He had not excepted the fact that the war was over.

Why is it that some people are so focused on the past that they can't seem to go forward?   Most wanted to blame God for the war and loss of loved ones.  When they lost the war they also lost their faith in God.

The story brought out how wealthy women in the South were so sheltered they had no skills other than how to catch a husband and keeping the servants in line.  They had no idea how the clean clothes appeared or the silver polished, etc.

The author wrote of their lack of money, food, clothing, shoes especially trust and they were too proud to ask for help from their new government.

In this book you will see the Post Civil War through the lives of ex-Slaves, southern land owner and Union soldiers.

It was a hard book to put down.  I want to say so much more about this book but then you wouldn't have to read it.   I really want you to read this book.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book from Baker/Bethany House Publishing for review.  I was in no way compensated for this review.  It is my own opinion.

If you found this review helpful vote yes or no here