One of
my favorite genres of books to read is historical fiction. I was excited for The Sound of Rain because it was historical fiction, but it was set in a time
period that haven’t read much from; the 1950s.
The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas
is a novel set in 1950s South Carolina. Larkin Heyward lives a relaxed life in
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. But she dreams of one day leaving and helping the
people in Appalachia. When she tells this to newcomer Judd Markley, he laughs
in her face. He knows how life in the Appalachia can be. He’s lived there all
his life and he finds it difficult to believe the privileged daughter of his
boss. The whole point of coming to South Carolina was to escape his life in
Kentucky. But he feels drawn to Larkin, despite his annoyance of her dream to
help the poor people of Appalachia.
I will
say this book started out kind of slow for me. I wasn’t too invested into the
characters and the storyline was dragging a little. I was waiting for it to
pick up, but it didn’t for me. I felt like the story wasn’t going anywhere. It was
quite frankly, and I hate to say this, boring. I really didn’t like any of the
characters. I thought Larkin was childish and unlikable. Judd was stupid for
liking Larkin. I really couldn’t stand anything about this book. It was just a
big bore. There was no solid plot.
I hate
to give my opinion so harshly about a book that I know the author worked hard
on, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I know some people will like this book; I
just wasn’t one of them.
I
received this book from Bethany House for my honest review.
A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden
is set in the early 1900s and centers around Lucy Drake, a telegraph operator. For
years now her family has been tangled up in a lawsuit against her uncle. After her
father’s death it is up to her and her brother to win this lawsuit and see
justice being made. She doesn’t want her father’s death to be in vain. It’s the
least she can do for her father.
A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White is
set in 1914 in England right before World War I begins. The two main characters
are Rosemary and Peter. Rosemary has had a hard life ever since her parents
died when she was a child. She did what she could to survive, even if that
meant breaking the law. Now, even as an adult she is willing to do just about
anything to see her ‘family’ thrive in a life of crime. When she is approached by
a man to investigate into Peter Holstein’s life and to see if he’s loyal to the
crown, she jumps at the offer. This assignment could set her for life if she
can prove Peter’s name disloyal. So she poses as a librarian for the Holstein estate.
But as she tries to dig up dirt on Peter’s name she is soon unsuccessful. As
Peter and Rosemary grow closer she sees Peter is loyal to the British crown, despite
him from being of German decent. But is he still hiding something?
I love
this series! I was hooked the moment I read the first book (Counted with the Stars). Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette is the third book in the Out of Egypt Series. I was excited to
begin reading this book because I loved the first two so much. And let me tell
you, it did not disappoint! I loved this book. It could very likely be my
favorite of the series. It seems like with every book Connilyn Cossette writes
it just keeps getting better and better.
I’ve been wanting to read more non-fiction books and I thought this would be a good book
to start with. It sounded interesting and I thought the topic was relevant for
this time. Known: Finding Deep Friendships in a Shallow World by Dick and Ruth Foth is about just
what the title suggests. After reading the back description I was intrigued and
interested. The topic is one that can benefit everyone and isn’t exclusive. I
also like the idea of a book like this out there. I feel as if there are a lot
of books of there about relationships, but friendships is one of those that are
past by frequently.
The Chapel
Car bride is a historical fiction book set in 1913. It centers on our two main
characters Hope and Luke. Hope Irvine is
the daughter of a preacher who travels around the country in a train car
converted into a chapel. Hope decides to join her father after her aunt passes
away. Despite her father’s hesitation Hope feels as if God is calling her to
ministry work with her father. When they finally stop in Finch, West Virginia
for an extended period of time Hope becomes fast friends with local miner Luke Hughes.
But when a mine manger arrives in town with less than noble intentions, Luke
and Hope’s relationship is put to the test.
I was
really excited to read this book because I knew it was historical fiction and
it was set during a war, which are one of my favorite genres to read. I read
the description but wasn’t sure about the time period, I was guessing some time
during World War I. But I soon found out that it was set during and after the
Spanish-American War in 1898. I loved reading about this time period because it
was something I wasn’t as familiar with. Elizabeth Camden did a good job of
infusing a lot of historical elements which I greatly enjoyed because I love
history. So not only did i enjoy a great story but i learned some things on the
way.
Shine like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky
is set in the early 1900s in England. It follows main character Maggie who was
left raising her six year old sister because of her parent’s and older sister’s
untimely death. Four years later she and
her sister live with her grandmother and work at their own millinery shop. As
events unfold she has doubts that her parent’s and sister’s death was not just
an accident. And if things couldn’t get any worse, the one who she suspects has
something to do with their deaths is her old friend’s stepmother.
Set in
England during the early 1800s, An
Uncommon Courtship by Kristi Ann Hunter follows our two main characters,
Lord Trent Hawthorne and Lady Adelaide Bell. Trent and Adelaide are forced to
marry because of an incident. And of course the only right and proper thing to
do is to marry. Adelaide and Trent have to learn to love each other through the
ups and downs of marriage.
Liz Curtis
Higgs is one of my favorite non-fiction authors. I have read several of her
other books and thoroughly enjoyed them. The Women of Easter was no exception.
Liz Curtis Higgs does it again by writing a book about all the women Jesus
encountered on the way to the cross. She breaks down each verse in an
understandable way that anyone can follow.