Searching For You

(Orphan Train #3)

by Jody Hedlund

Description

Despite years on the run, Sophie Neumann is determined to care for two young children. She won't abandon them the way she thinks her older sisters abandoned her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing 1850s New York is her only option.

Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. When the train stops in Illinois for the first placement of orphans, Sophie faces the most difficult choice of her life.

Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that haunt him, he's in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby train pleading for his help?

Biography

Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

My Perspective ~

Searching For You is my favorite book in this fabulous series. Connecting with Sophie again and following her path through this last book of the series is a sweet and poignant journey.  It's an education into the lives of countless orphans transported out of New York City during the 1850s. This is a coming of age so to speak, as Sophie grows as an individual seeking a better life for herself and her little charges, Olivia and Nicholas. Disappointment, heartache and challenges are encountered countless times, but Sophie's love and devotion to "her" children keep her moving forward. 

Bad choices begin to change to better choices along the journey to a stronger and healthier life, but until Sophie surrenders to God her life remains somewhat chaotic. Human connections eventually touch Sophie's heart, and hope, faith and trust begin to take place. Although this is the last book of a series, it could easily stand on its own, but by all means read the entire series.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

Sold on a Monday

by Kristina McMorris

Description

From New York Times bestselling author Kristina McMorris comes another unforgettable novel inspired by a stunning piece of history. 

2 CHILDREN FOR SALE

The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.

At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.

Biography

KRISTINA MCMORRIS is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her novels have garnered more than two dozen literary awards and nominations, including the IMPAC Dublin Literary Award, RWA's RITA Award, and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction. Inspired by true personal and historical accounts, her works of fiction have been published by Sourcebooks Landmark, Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, and Kensington Books. 

Kristina's latest novel, the acclaimed bestseller SOLD ON A MONDAY, follows her widely praised THE EDGE OF LOST, THE PIECES WE KEEP, BRIDGE OF SCARLET LEAVES, and LETTERS FROM HOME, in addition to her novellas in the anthologies A WINTER WONDERLAND and GRAND CENTRAL. Prior to her writing career, she hosted weekly TV shows since age nine, including an Emmy Award-winning program. She lives with her husband and two sons in Oregon, where she is working on her next novel. For more, visit http://KristinaMcMorris.com

My Perspective ~

In 1931 rural America a sign that reads "2 children for sale" might not be extreme. The Great Depression took a toll on many families, and it wasn't unusual to seek alternatives in order for children to be fed and clothed. Featured in the news the story of two sold children ate at the heart of the nation. The reporter responsible for the story couldn't let it go, and sought to discover the whereabouts of the children he had placed in the hearts of Americans everywhere. 

Life in the newsroom and the contacts reporters depended upon for information were highlighted in this heartrending book. I found the hierarchy in the newsroom interesting. Romance was an additional aspect that created a realistic slant. There was no room for boredom throughout this story of love, life and the authenticity of the hardships in this time period. I had a hard time putting this book down, as the plot moved along swiftly, creating numerous high points. I thoroughly enjoyed Sold on a Monday!

Notice: Contains expletives and profanity.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book with no expectations for a positive review. All expressed opinions are my own.

The Crown Lord

by William Sirls

Description

After a successful revolt in 1846 that reversed the roles of slaves and masters, modern-day America is now dominated by a wealthy, black ruling class and whites are dealing with decades of oppression and prejudice. 

When his father, a civil rights attorney, is killed after defending a white man, seventeen-year-old Willie Gibbons is forced to move to Michigan with his uncle and thrust into the heart of the racial divide.

The search for his father's killer lands Willie on the wrong side of a powerful and shadowy black supremacist group known as The Crown, a dangerous place for any man—black or white.

The Crown Lord is a stark and jarring look at race, class, and the American Dream that will keep readers on edge.

Biography

Over the course of his life, William Sirls has experienced both great highs and tremendous lows--some born of chance, some born of choice. Once a senior vice president at a major investment firm, he was incarcerated in 2007 for wire fraud and money laundering, where he learned a great deal more than he ever bargained for. Life lessons involving faith, grace, patience, and forgiveness are evident in his writing. He is the father of two and makes his home in Southern California. Visit his site at: www.williamsirls.com

"The Crown Lord, besides being a boldly written political thriller, is an important reflection on the genesis of racial animus in America. William Sirls has created a new optic on prejudice and bigotry and their relationship to power, economics, and human ego. Everyone who has unanswered questions and unaddressed concerns about racial equity must read this thrilling novel."
―Louis Gossett Jr., Academy Award winner, and author of An Actor and a Gentleman

NOTE: The Crown Lord is considered mainstream fiction, and as is common in such fiction, it contains rough language and content. 

My Perspective ~

Unlike this author's previous books, The Crown Lord is a dystopian and gritty representation of race reversal in modern day society. This book may be disturbing for some readers, due to content and language. Original and creative, once I became acclimated to the atypical race reversal, the story captured my attention and continued to keep me in suspense. Characterizations are well done and believable, and there is a continuing crescendo toward a dramatic climax. I find myself still thinking about this book long after completing it.

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