Darcy shares her life story as a Connemara pony. She is fast and tough and works hard for her family in Ireland. She wades through a bog to save the lDarcy shares her life story as a Connemara pony. She is fast and tough and works hard for her family in Ireland. She wades through a bog to save the life of one of her humans. She is loved by the McKenna family, and by selling her foals, they are finally able to own their own land....more
Edith has wondered for forty years what happened to her sister, Betty. Both girls had moved to Calcutta to start a new life for themselves. Shortly afEdith has wondered for forty years what happened to her sister, Betty. Both girls had moved to Calcutta to start a new life for themselves. Shortly after their arrival, Betty marries a man from Burma and moves with him to Rangoon. Edith gets married as well and stays in India. During World War Two, communication was limited, and eventually stopped all together. Now, years later, Edith discovered a journal her sister wrote. It was full of dark secrets that Betty had kept hidden for years. It also revealed to Edith how much courage her younger sister had. Once I got into it, this book was almost impossible to put down. It was intense....more
Ada lived with an abusive mother and a younger brother in a small flat in London. Since her mother was embarrassed by Ada's clubfoot, she was kept hidAda lived with an abusive mother and a younger brother in a small flat in London. Since her mother was embarrassed by Ada's clubfoot, she was kept hidden away in their little apartment and never allowed outside. However, when Ada found out that Jamie, her brother, was to be evacuated from London, she was determined to escape her home situation. Jamie and Ada end up living with Susan in a small village in Kent. There, Ada finds happiness adjusting to a new life....more
I hardly know how to rate this book. This story, based on actual happenings, alternates between 1919 and 1954. As a young child, Rachel was an orphan I hardly know how to rate this book. This story, based on actual happenings, alternates between 1919 and 1954. As a young child, Rachel was an orphan in the Hebrew Infant Home. There, a doctor, Mildred Solomon, used her and other children for experimental x-rays. Later on, as an adult, Rachel discovered that she has a tumor in her breast, with the possibility of cancer. She blames the x-rays that she had as a child. It also so happens that she is now a nurse in the Old Hebrews Home where Dr. Solomon is a patient with her own cancer. Rachel now has the doctor's life in her own hands. What will she do about it?
This was a richly written story. What made me uncomfortable was the homosexuality that was in it. I lowered my rating because of that....more
Emily was sent to live with a rich uncle in Massachusetts, but he never met her at the train station. Instead, one of the local boys was there, and thEmily was sent to live with a rich uncle in Massachusetts, but he never met her at the train station. Instead, one of the local boys was there, and they became friends of a sort. She and Seth got mixed up in a bank robbery with suspicious results. I hardly knew what to make of this book....more
Donald was a thirteen year-old Cree boy who lived in Northern Saskatchewan. He constantly faced a couple of bullies who kept trying to get him into trDonald was a thirteen year-old Cree boy who lived in Northern Saskatchewan. He constantly faced a couple of bullies who kept trying to get him into trouble. At the beginning of the school year, the community got a new teacher. Donald ended up becoming friends with his son, Billy. Donald had a fear of stormy water. One day, the bullies played a terrible prank on Billy and sister and deserted them on an island during a storm. Donald knew he had to face his fears to rescue his friends. He knew the only way he could was to ask Jesus to help him....more
Ellen and Lucas are now married and have two children of their own. They have moved to New York City and made a life for themselves. However, Lucas isEllen and Lucas are now married and have two children of their own. They have moved to New York City and made a life for themselves. However, Lucas is constantly busy with work, and their son has bad lungs. The doctor said that they should go to California for his health. Ellen and the children depart with her cousin, Gracie, as a companion. Ellen has many things to worry about. Lucas's preoccupation with work and lack of attention, Jamie's health, and Grace's scandalous behavior. When the stock market crashes, they have financial concerns to worry about. However, when they move back to Amherst Island, they realize that being together is all that they really need....more
Alfred's father has died, and now his older brother is king. John is a foolish and incompetent ruler. He only thinks of his own desires An Unwise King
Alfred's father has died, and now his older brother is king. John is a foolish and incompetent ruler. He only thinks of his own desires and not what is best for the kingdom. Alfred tries to keep an eye on things but is limited in what he can do since he has to be careful not to appear to be in opposition to his brother. John's neglect of the kingdom leads to poverty, riots, pestilence, and war. Can Alfred and the other lords save the kingdom before it is completely destroyed?...more
Adam and his father were minstrels and followed the open road. There wasn't much excitement until Adam's dog was stolen, and he and Roger were separatAdam and his father were minstrels and followed the open road. There wasn't much excitement until Adam's dog was stolen, and he and Roger were separated. Adam faced danger and misfortune while searching for his dog and attempting to reunite with his father. This was an interesting account of life in the Middle Ages....more
It was just about impossible to put this book down. The first book in the series was about a southern woman during the Civil War. The second one was aIt was just about impossible to put this book down. The first book in the series was about a southern woman during the Civil War. The second one was about a northern woman. This one was from a slave's perspective, and I love how all three books were tied together.
Grady and Kitty, aka Anna, were two slaves who were very different but still loved each other. Grady was seething with anger and bitterness towards his white oppressors. Kitty meekly accepted the abuse from her mistress. This made Grady angry, and his anger made his wife afraid. When the Union army arrived near their plantation, Grady high-tailed it out of there and eventually joined forces with them. Anna was too afraid to leave and stayed behind. However, when her mistress threatened to get rid of her baby, Anna finally understood her husband's anger and hatred towards the whites.
It was an exciting day when Grady's troops were finally able to free Anna and her fellow slaves. Most importantly, Grady and Anna were eventually freed in Christ. Gradually, Grady learned that not all white people were evil. That realization showed him that Jesus came to set him free. Anna learned that in Jesus, she had self-worth. She was as precious in His eyes as any white woman. I loved how the author portrayed character growth in these two individuals' lives....more
One day, on a whim, an American multimillionaire decided to buy the most prestigious hotel in London. The former owner warned him that he might be getOne day, on a whim, an American multimillionaire decided to buy the most prestigious hotel in London. The former owner warned him that he might be getting more than he bargained for. He had suspected that devious going-ons were happening under his roof, but he chose to keep his nose out of other people's affairs. The new owner wasn't so inclined. It wasn't long until he and his spirited daughter got entangled in the intrigues of European royalty. I greatly enjoyed this riveting book....more
The five Jenkins sisters lived together in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. One day, a young teenage girl arrived at their home. SheThe five Jenkins sisters lived together in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. One day, a young teenage girl arrived at their home. She had been shot and was obviously pregnant. The sisters took her in, nursed her back to health, and helped deliver her baby. However, it was not safe for the young girl and her baby to remain in their home. Heartbroken, the young mother decided to give her baby up for adoption.
Thirty years later, a young man comes to the mountains looking for the midwife who had delivered him when he was born. At first, he was angry when he learned that he was adopted. Gradually, after learning the danger his birth mother had faced, he was touched by the knowledge of her bravery to protect her son. By giving him up for adoption, he was given a better life than what she could have provided.
I absolutely loved this beautiful story and will be looking for more books by this author....more
Sophie and George were newly weds when they arrived in New Zealand in the 1800s from the United Kingdom. Pioneering in the new country was a challengeSophie and George were newly weds when they arrived in New Zealand in the 1800s from the United Kingdom. Pioneering in the new country was a challenge, and unfortunately, George was killed in a drowning accident. Sophie ended up marrying a local shepherd. He was falsely accused of stealing sheep by some wandering crooks. Fortunately, after some investigation, his charges were dropped, and he returned to his family, friends, and homesteading. His name was James MacKenzie, and this fictional story was based on a true character with this name....more
The Middle Ages was a time of violence when people seemed to be hell-bent on destruction. During this time of turmoil, lived the Waldensians, who pefeThe Middle Ages was a time of violence when people seemed to be hell-bent on destruction. During this time of turmoil, lived the Waldensians, who peferred the way of peace. It wasn't easy for them, especially Marie, who had been nearly killed and left scarred and blinded for her devotion to Christ. Perci, who was partly to blame for her injuries, couldn't forgive himself and left the Waldensians to return to a life of violence. Marie travels to Ireland with her adopted father and prays for Perci's redemption....more
Mandie and her travel companions are now in Rome. They get lost in the catacombs and somehow get tangled up with a couple of jewelry thieves. Even thoMandie and her travel companions are now in Rome. They get lost in the catacombs and somehow get tangled up with a couple of jewelry thieves. Even though Mandie and her friends try to stay safe, adventure seems to follow them wherever they go....more
Isabel married Tom and moved with him to Janus Rock, where he was in charge of keeping the lighthouse. After three miscarriages Isabel was devastated.Isabel married Tom and moved with him to Janus Rock, where he was in charge of keeping the lighthouse. After three miscarriages Isabel was devastated. One day, a boat drifted to the shore. Inside was a dead man and a newborn baby. Isabel was sure that God had sent the infant to her and was determined to keep it. Tom, a man of principles, was unsure if that was the right thing to do. For several years, they had a happy life on the small island until they discovered that somewhere a mother was grieving the loss of her daughter. This is a heartbreaking story of difficult choices....more
Heather returns to her family cottage in England to prepare it for selling after her father's death. While going through his things, she discovered seHeather returns to her family cottage in England to prepare it for selling after her father's death. While going through his things, she discovered secrets that were long buried in the past. Her sister Libby was a free spirited, artistic woman who, in modern days, would likely have been considered autistic. Libby had been missing for many years, but with searching, Heather was able to find her. While digging into the past, Heather was able to help heal old wounds and find hope and promise for the future. This is a beautiful story of forgiveness and restored relationships....more
The author tells her grandmother's story. When Hattie was a child, her parents went hunting, and a gun went off, killing her mother. Mysterious Death
The author tells her grandmother's story. When Hattie was a child, her parents went hunting, and a gun went off, killing her mother. Rumors flew around that Hattie's father killed his wife. He was arrested and consequently went to trial. Even though he was declared not guilty, the rumors never completely died away. Jodie shares about the challenges of her grandmother's life and how Hattie eventually eloped at sixteen to escape from her messed up father's home. I just skimmed this book to discover the main details of this story. It was interesting, but I wasn't in the mood for more of an in-depth read....more
Iris Bagshott is thinking of selling her place. she strolls through the garden, she visits every nook and cranny. As she tours, the ghosts of the pastIris Bagshott is thinking of selling her place. she strolls through the garden, she visits every nook and cranny. As she tours, the ghosts of the past walk along beside her. For a thousand years, the Bagshotts and Salts have taken care of this beloved garden. From the days of Saxons and the Norman Conquest, her ancestors have lived and loved in this beautiful garden. They survived the Black Plague and the English Civil War. They continued to survive through the centuries and the World Wars. Iris revisits her own personal memories. She realizes that this beautiful garden is too much a part of her personal and ancestoral life. She decides that it is impossible for her to ever part with it. This is a beautiful tale of time and space....more
Bella was a young orphan living in Philadelphia during the American Civil War. After her parents died, she ended up fending for herself on the city stBella was a young orphan living in Philadelphia during the American Civil War. After her parents died, she ended up fending for herself on the city streets. She barely escaped a terrible fire that destroyed several city blocks. One day, she got very sick and nearly died. Fortunately, someone found her and brought her back to health. Since they were unable to adopt her, she was brought to an orphanage. At first, she had a happy time at Gettysburg Homestead. Then the matron got married, and a new one took over. Miss Carmichael was a cruel woman who abused and starved the children. After Bella witnessed the woman poisoning a child, who later died, Bella knew she had to do something. She wrote to one of the directors who had Miss Carmichael arrested and the children sent to safer places. This is a story that is based on a true account. It is sad and heart-breaking....more