I met Nick Drake in the first book of this series. He and his sister grew up in the poor side of a family of plumbers. Another part of that family made a lot of money and acted like they were much better, taking credit for things that were not due them.
Nick and Dr. Rosalind Werner met and sparks went off immediately. Early physical involvement may have been part of the plot to show the negative side of acting on impulse. There were setbacks in the relationship pertaining to the water system protection research in which Ms. Werner was involved. She had a personal reason to take on this challenge. Nick was hoping to move up in the world, being more than just a plumber, using his knowledge of systems in a government position in the early 1900’s. Doctor Werner was doing research to show a safer way of taking care of the water by adding Chlorine. Safety had not been proven at this time and people had fear regarding adding this substance to the water. The battle was taken to court. Part of Dr. Werner’s diligence had to do with her brother becoming ill from contaminated water as a child. Part of this story is about trust and lack of trust. Nick comes face to face with an Aunt who betrays him in the middle of the water fight. I enjoyed this book. I have read other books by Elizabeth Camden. This book was provided to me by Bethany Books. All opinions are my own. |
Book Reviews
TOGETHER FOREVER
When Marianne Nuemann took a position with the Children’s Aid Society, she had one thing on her mind. Her little sister, Sophie, had been adopted out during a recession in 1858 and she hoped to find her. New York City was running over with orphans and Marianne lost track of her sister when they had to be separated for a time. She never imagined she and a brother would be put on an Orphan Train without her permission as an older sister. Times were hard and there was not enough money in the remaining family to care for so many children after her parents passed. Marianne planned to look for her sister as she also was supporting herself and helping place children into safe and welcoming families…she hoped anyway. She went on her first trip on the train with Andrew Brady as her co-worker. He seemed to be secure in his position and really care for the children that they were responsible for on this trip. Marianne lets him know that she had a beau at one time and was still counting on the relationship to come to marriage at some time. But later as they stopped in towns, Mr. Brady was put to the test with some of the boys on the train. Tragedy happened while they were supposed to placing children and Marianne sees a different side of Andrew Brady. As feelings form between them, they are tested beyond imagination by tragedy and lies. See how this tale evolves and how God intervenes in the lives of both of these characters.
This book was provided to me by Bethany Books. All opinions and comments are fully my own.
Mary Young Robinson, Boise, ID.
“The Heart’s Appeal” by Jennifer Delamere
This book was given to me by Bethany/Baker Books. All opinions are my own. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, Idaho
Jocelyn Green, “A Refuge Assured”
Vivienne Rivard was raised by her beloved Aunt Rose. Her circumstances were not to be known or talked about in polite company. But Vivienne had become a real lady under the teaching of her Aunt as well as one of the finest Lace-Makers in France. But because of the political climate, she was actually in danger as one who served the throne and the rich. It was during the Revolutionary War that Vivienne decided to leave her home after her loving Aunt Rose had passed, and then her mysterious mother also whom she had only recently come to know. Once she arrived in Philadelphia, she met another French woman and her son, whom some believed was Louis . Some believed he was in hiding and some believed he was dead…there were some who did believe he had also fled to America. Vivienne had a hard time learning who to believe. Her French friend, Martine succumbed to Yellow Fever and her son, Henri, whom some thought was Louis, was taken in custody by Vivienne to protect and raise. Vivienne felt sparks for an Irish landowner she met in the city tavern. He ran the mail route from Aslyum to Philadelphia when he wasn’t building and planting. During the time that the new tax on alcohol came to be, Liam was called back to the military to help round up tax evaders. It was hard for Liam, as his brother who made whiskey, believed the government was wrong in the way it was handling the tax collections. Liam saw firsthand that the military was persecuting those who weren’t even questioned or proven guilty. Because of Lian’s honest, Vivienne’s feelings continued to grow even after she moved to Asylum to be safe and protect Henri. There is much more adventure after their move so enjoy reading this tale of war, love, and truth.
This book was provided to me by Bethany/Baker Books. All opinions are my own. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, ID.
“A Dangerous Legacy”
Lucy and her brother Nick, were living a different type of life from most of their peers in early adulthood. While many were courting and seeking marriage, these two Drake sibling’s time was filled up with their individual jobs and their journey to find out what happened to the family wealth after their father died. The family business was Plumbing, and Nick still worked in that profession, although underground most of the time. While Lucy was on her own work adventure in the American telegraph office, she had no idea she would eventually be running for her life or that she might fall in love with an English telegrapher. Filled with action and great descriptions, this historical inspirational romance novel will keep you turning the page.
This book was given to me by Bethany/Baker books. All opinions are my own. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, Idaho
“An Inconvenient Beauty” by Kristi Ann Hunter
This book was provided to me by Bethany Books. All opinions are my own. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, ID
“For the Cause of Freedom”, a novel by Rebekah Colburn
Our Confederate brother Charlie, may have seemed rash when he enlisted in the Army in a whirlwind of emotion, but we see now what a deep thinker he becomes as he sees real war up close. Suffering in a prison camp, he has time to think about previous decisions and the people he cares for most. The most unexpected rescuers come to his defense when he has had all he thinks he can take. He is chased, he is ill, he is ragged. Guilt and remorse beckon to him. Just as he almost succumbs to a deadly fate, Abigail Sterret, a Maryland daughter, finds him and is able to help him to safety. But this is not a final solution to his problems. He will have to be on the move again before the wrongs have been righted. While his heart beats hard for his family, his country and a new love, he must finish what he started. Read this courageous story of brothers that must reconcile after the Civil War almost tears both apart. Will they be able to heal? Read this wonderful historical to find out! I enjoyed this novel even better than the first part of her My Brother’s Flag series.
Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, Idaho
“The Promise of Dawn” Lauraine Snelling
If you have read previous Norweigan stories/books by Lauraine Snelling before, you have to admit that her characters are very realistic. They might be warm or they might be harsh, but they are real. In this particular story I cringed as I traveled along with a new family coming to Minnesota, Amerika on cheap fare/passage across the ocean. A seeking family, parents and children, facing for the first time the pangs of hunger, sea-sickness and unsanitary conditions. But even so, there were dreams and promises swimming in their heads. And after all, they were going to live with family in this new town and country! But when they arrive in the small community where they were to live and work, something seemed amiss with the Onkle that retrieved them and the Tante that was waiting at home. Would this be the land of adventure they had been longing for or was the whole trip a sorrowful mistake? Read and find out what God has in store for them all. (And for a real treat, read her other Norweigan stories!) This book was provided to me by Bethany/Baker Books. All opinions are my own. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, ID |
Melissa Jagears “A Love So True”
So easily deceived in her youth, Evelyn Wisely is now deceived that she can never attain the desires of her heart. Ashamed to confide in her parents of a faulty teenage decision, she lives with the memory overshadowing her every day. Her pastor father and mother are not sure why Evelyn draws back from every suitor she meets, but they wait patiently for many years hoping eventually they will have grandchildren during their lifetime. She works hard in a orphanage and loves the children, thinking that these might be the only children she will ever have. When she meets a lively young businessman that wants to help her plight in raising monies to help with a the orphanage and another women’s shelter, she finally decides to try to find out what happened to the man she married. Was he dead? Was she a widow? Thinking that David Kingsman might not live in her town too much longer she sets her plan in motion. What does God have for her for the future?
This book was given to me by Baker/Bethany Books. All opinions are my own.
The Chapel Car Bride by Judith Miller
Although this might not be the best of Judith’s novels, I have read several that were excellent and look forward to reading more in the future! She is a gifted writer.
A cute story but not Judith’s best. A little too drawn-out and wordy in length. Hope lost her mother and lived rather privately with her Aunt Mattie. Her father was a traveling preacher and wanted a good and proper life for his daughter. But now she has convinced him to allow her to travel with him out of Pittsburg to a small mining town. Preaching from a train car? Yes, and living in one too! Hope becomes a vital part of the ministry with her music and lovely presence. But when she is drawn into a friendship with the coal mine owner’s son, she is put in some danger. Luke. a pastor in training with her father, falls is love with Hope and makes sure she is protected and watches out for the community as well. By the end of the story, Hope has proved herself a valuable asset and Luke shows his character and integrity.
This book was provided by Baker Books and this review is based on my own opinions. Mary Ann Young Robinson, Boise, ID