Thursday, June 29, 2017

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

As the oldest of the Neumann sisters, Elise carries the heavy responsibility of protecting and providing for her siblings as well as the two small children that live with them. Though she is a skilled seamstress, work is hard to find and her pitiful pay fails to provide for basic needs. Convinced that she can earn better wages in the west and send them back to her sisters, Elise joins the New York Children's Aid Society. However, she finds immediately that the pay and work is far worse than promised. Her history with the town's developer, Thornton Quincy, temporarily preserves her. However, Thornton contends with his own issues – issues that don't include better working conditions and the sparking attraction between him and Elise. With such different life stations, is it possible that Elise and Thornton were brought together for a purpose greater than their own welfare? Read more in With You Always by Jody Hedlund.

With You Always is the first full-length novel in Jody Hedlund's Orphan Train series. I highly recommend reading the (currently free) prequel novella, An Awakened Heart. With You Always picks up one day after An Awakened Heart ends and it flows together as one complete story.

Simply put, I thought With You Always was excellent. Equal parts romance and fiction, I found the plot unique and captivating. The immigrant plight was thoughtfully presented and the story made me sadder than I expected. The story pulled at my heartstrings, but used the conflict to present hope in God. I recommend With You Always to fans of inspiration historical romance and I'm eager for the next novel in the series.

Read an excerpt from With You Always by Jody Hedlund on the publisher's website.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar


As a young woman who grew up in the shadow of her father, a master of making purple dye, Lydia is competent in dye making. Yet her fear holds her back from embracing the complete process without her father's help. After her father is injured, Lydia must face her fear and fulfill customer orders alone. Once recovered, Lydia's father entrustes her with his precious formula secrets. Far too soon, Lydia finds herself on her own with few assets other than dye making knowledge. Through past connections and ambition, Lydia restarts with a dye business of her own in Phillippi. Yet fear follows Lydia to her new home, until one man brings an astounding message of freedom. Read more in Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar.

Bread of Angels is the latest stand-alone fiction novel by Tessa Afshar. I enjoyed the small tie-in to her previous novel, Land of Silence, but reading Elianna's story is not necessary to enjoy Lydia's. I felt that Afshar held closely to the narrative regarding Lydia in the New Testament book of Acts though the back story of where Lydia came from and why she eagerly embraced Christianity is fictional.


I enjoyed Lydia's thorough character development and commend the author for bringing Lydia to face her fear rather than concocting an escape. As usual, Tessa Afshar's writing style was beautiful and the plot flowed well. I especially enjoyed the post-conversion part of the book when it seemed the author really focused in on themes regarding fear and the power of the work that Jesus accomplished for all believers. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around some of the excellent messages in this book. I recommend Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar to fans of Biblical fiction. 

Read an excerpt from Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar on the publisher's website and see the video below to watch the author talk about who Lydia was.



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."