For Love or Loyalty by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
Book Description:
To atone for her father's evil, Lauren Campbell agrees to help Malcolm MacGregor. By the time she realizes she's the bargaining price to free Malcolm's mother from indentured servitude, it's too late.
Malcolm MacGregor only wants to free his family and exact revenge against Duncan Campbell. As the pride and joy of Duncan's life, his daughter Lauren is the perfect answer, but during the voyage to America, her faith continues to witness to Malcolm. He becomes enraptured with her, and upon their arrival, discovers he's sold her into a fate worse than death. Now Malcolm has the dilemma: free his family or rescue Lauren? Time is short and with little means, he needs a miracle.
My Opinion:
Love love love this book! I was SO blessed by this story! For love or loyalty is such an adventure and full journey! Lauren is the kind of Christian woman I want to be and yet this book also holds the reality that even the strongest in Faith have their moments of fear and, sadly, doubt. It also shows how as humans we can't always see the big picture like God can, but that doesn't mean He leaves us! :) Starting out in Scotland Jennifer takes us across the sea to America. The hardships of travel for both the people able to pay and the indentured servants is shown realistically from sickness to danger. There are many great characters in this as Malcolm and Lauren find friends on and off the ship, but their are also many enemies with terrible intentions. Through it all God watches over them as He shapes them into the people they need to be through the trials they face and the decisions they make. Twists and surprises abound within these chapters. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen Jennifer threw in another turn that I didn't see coming. For Love or Loyalty is a great read with adventure, suspense, Faith, love, courage, hope and so much more! I cannot wait for For Love or Country!!! This is a MUST READ!!! :)
Songs: "My Deliverer" by Mandisa, "He Leadeth Me" by The Cluster Pluckers, "Not For A Moment (After All)" by Meredith Andrews, "What Scars Are For" by Mandisa, "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" by Alan Jackson, "Lily Of The Valley" by The Cluster Pluckers, "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" by Women Of Faith Worship Team, "Blessings" by Laura Story, and "Love Lifted Me" by Alan Jackson
Jeremiah 29:11
~ASC
*I received this book because I was interested in it an wanted to review is. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about For Love or Loyalty. ~ASC
P.S. Thank you Jennifer for getting me a copy of your great book to read and review. I was greatly blessed by it and can't wait for more of the MacGregor Legacy! :)
The Quilted Heart (3 in 1) by Mona Hodgson
Book Description:
Like a beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace.
Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace?
Dandelions on the Wind
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find another job. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan?
Bending Toward the Sun
Dedicated to her education and to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is convinced she doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie’s eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own?
Ripples Along the Shore
Change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boone's Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed Caroline’s husband. Despite her dislike for him, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with them, will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?
My Opinion:
A Lovely Collection. I had wanted to read these stories when they first came out separately, but never got the opportunity. So I was very happy when I got the chance to read them all in one! The first story Dandelions on the Wind is great! I love the characters especially the three main ladies Mrs. Brantenberg, Maren, and Gabi! The whole concept of this first story is a great one as these people try to pick up their lives and move on after the Civil War. Showing how God provides in ways we never expect, and that sometimes His ways aren't always our plans at all but they are far better! :) I was SO glad after reading the end of this novella that I didn't have to wait for the next one! Funny, sweet, and lovable.
The Next Novella Bending Toward the Sun was a little slower paced for me, but when I got into it I was deeply rooted! I LOVE the end of this one and the whole set up. Bending Toward the Sun touched on prejudices and letting go. I love the spunk Mona gives to each of her characters especially Emilie as she grows up and steps out! A very sweet read!
And Finally Ripples Along the Shore! Caroline's story was highly entertaining. Her courage and faith grows throughout Ripples Along the Shore which turns out to be just a taste of her tale. Hard decisions are made in this one, secrets are hinted at but not reveled, and good byes are on the horizon throughout. At the attempt to not give too much away; as the end came the good byes are bitter sweet and lovely. This is where I was torn up! Caroline and these other character's stories are cut short as they prepare to move on with their lives. The ending is so sweet with good byes and thanks to God, but there are untied ends, unfinished stories, and unanswered questions! I definitely need more! After reading the Authors Note I found that these characters stories go on to the first in Mona's Hearts Seeking Homes series Prairie Song! I really enjoyed reading the Author's Note as Mona goes into the stories behind the stories in a way.
Overall I love how these books show the different lives and changes after the Civil War and enjoy the whole quilting circle. All of these stories show God's provision and great love for His children! And I absolutely Love how Mona plants the title within the book so it drives home why she titled them thus; as well as the way she weaves scripture throughout. The thing that gets me is I NEED MORE!!!! LOL!!! I don't like where it ended and I REALLY want Prairie Song to see where Mona takes these characters!!! I highly recommend these Novellas, just maybe after you've already got Prairie Song in your hot little hand and can immediately go on! LOL!
Songs that were mentioned in the book and/or that fit: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" by Chris Rice, "Sweet Hour of Prayer" by Yoshie Ueno, "Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Nashville Harmonicas Band, "Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed" by Sovereign Grace Music,
"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" is also mentioned in this book but I couldn't find a clear enough MP3 on Amazon so I didn't link it up. Songs may change or be added in the future and if I find a version that's clear and I like I'll add links.
Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 4:23, James 4:10, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 119:103, Proverbs 3:5-6, 1 Samuel 16:7, James 4:6
~ASC
*I requested and received this book from Blogging for Books for the purpose of review it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about these Novellas. ~ASC
