Tag: womens rights

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the SWINDLER’S DAUGHTER, by Stephenia H. McGee, 2023, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

The swindler’s daughter never even knew he was still alive.

the SWINDLER'S DAUGHTER
the SWINDLER’S DAUGHTER

The swindler’s daughter never knew him. In fact, her high society mother always claimed to be a widow.

Suddenly Lillian Doyle is sent to a small country town to claim an inheritance from him. Mid-twenties and away from her mother for the first time in her life. People staring at her fashionable clothing and taking her propriety as pretense.

What kind of person had her father been? And what is the nature of her inheritance? Furthermore, how will she fit in (or not) with her father’s family and their close friends, whose manners, thoughts, and ways are so different from hers?

Such strange choices the swindler’s daughter must now make.

The swindler’s daughter doesn’t have a clue what she’s been plunged into, but her life is turned upside down. Will she choose to return to a pretentious high society life in Atlanta, or fall in love with these sincere, straightforward, country people? What are the dangers?

Will she be seen as herself, or as a pretentious city woman, or as the swindler’s daughter?

In the context of Historical Fiction concerning smuggling moonshine during prohibition, Stephenia McGee portrays a complex picture of the times and the consequences of prohibition on families. Interwoven into the story is a romantic thread of attraction and love developing between two opposites, as well as a clear spiritual message about trusting God and waiting on Him in prayer.

Roles of mothers.

How apropos, with three mothers playing important roles in the story, that the book is being published right around Mother’s Day. Since my sons weren’t with me that afternoon, I enjoyed sitting on the beach reading, inspired to be a godly, steady, influencing force in the lives of those around me like Jonah Peterson’s mother, Melanie.

Thanks to Revell for sending me this delightful book so I could write my unbiased review. Stephenia H. McGee has a unique voice with pacing that’s easy to follow, and an amusing sense of humor. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Learn more about the author at www.stepheniamcgee.com. Click here to find out more about the book and to purchase: https://amzn.to/3BAmtMt. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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the SECRETS of EMBERWILD, by Stephenia H. McGee, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Horses, women’s rights, love and marriage in 1905 America.

Horses, women’s rights, love and marriage in 1905 America. A young woman and her horse. Family expectations, loyalties, needs and desires. Secrets brought to light.

Horses, women's rights, love in 1905
the SECRETS of EMBERWILD

What will become of Nora and her dearly loved horse now that her father has died? Her uncle takes charge, but something doesn’t seem right.

At the same time, Silas turns up, asking questions about his father’s death 15 years ago and the horse that went missing.

A series of suspicious accidents occur. Something is wrong, but what is really going on, and why? And who is the culprit?

In 1905, women’s roles and men’s roles were distinct. Men took care of horses. Women cooked and kept the house. But Nora’s horse is all she loves.

Bringing history to life

Horses, women’s rights, love and marriage in 1905 America. Stephania McGee brings to life the difficulties of an independent woman of the era. It wasn’t easy to step out and make choices. Women were expected to obey and fit into the lives cut out for them. Nora had to consider her mother, the reputation of her family, and her own needs for protection and provision. But what about the needs of her heart?

McGee has put a lot of research into the writing of this novel. We learn about horses and racing at the time, as well as the lives people lived. I particularly enjoyed the way she describes places, horses and people. The mystery combined with threads of romance is reminiscent of Agatha Christie’s style, with the real culprit revealed at the end.

Thank you, Revell, for sending me a beautiful copy of this book to review. I’m glad I chose it. I recommend it to horse lovers and readers of historical women’s fiction.

This book can be purchased at Chapters.indigo.ca, by clicking here.

Check out Goodreads reviews here.

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where the ROAD BENDS, by Rachel Fordham, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Follow where the Road Bends

"...follow where the road bends. You can have a different life."
where the ROAD BENDS

Follow where the road bends. You can have a different life. That’s the advice Norah gave Quincy, but could she do that herself? Here she was, engaged to someone she wasn’t in love with, in order to save her farm. It was all she knew, and she loved it there. It held happy memories of her parents. But alone, she found it impossible to maintain.

This is the first book by Rachel Fordham that I’ve read, and I’ll definitely read more. The characters are well defined; the main characters are refreshingly human and likeable, the villains despicable. The plot twists and turns and bends like the road in the title.

The characters, plot, and setting would lend themselves to a series. I wonder what happens next in the lives of secondary characters, and in the growing establishments in the setting of the book.

Thought-provoking

As I read, I found myself rehashing the choices I’ve made at the twists and turns in my own life. As the characters struggle between secrecy and honesty, holding back and being forthright, I wonder how my own life might have been different had I shared from my heart rather than putting up fences. The path of life is very tricky, isn’t it?

At the end of the book there’s a list of questions for readers that would make an interesting discussion for a book club. Even just by myself, I found them thought-provoking. Could I be brave enough to change my life by following where the road bends?

Thank you to Revell for sending me this beautiful book to give my honest review. I’m so glad I chose it. Be the first to hear about new books from Revell. Sign up at RevellBooks.com/SignUp.

Meet author Rachel Fordham at RachelFordham.com.

Get your copy here. This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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Catching Katie, by Robin Lee Hatcher, 2003, RobinSong Inc., ebook edition 2018

Fighting for women’s rights while struggling with personal desires is the theme here. It’s 1916, and Katie has returned home after living in Washington DC where she got caught up in the Women’s Suffrage movement.

Catching Katie

Back home in small-town Idaho, women have already been granted the right to vote. She hopes to motivate them to exercise this right and to fight for nationwide rights and equalities.

Little does she realize how influential she is. Smart-looking, vivacious, and dynamic, she soon has many followers of both sexes. Including her closest childhood friend, Ben, now a swoon-worthy man. As the publisher of the local newspaper, he agrees to let her write a weekly column, which attracts much controversial attention.

Katie and Ben instantly fall back into their old friendship. However, it’s been years, and things have changed for both of them. Yet, despite their differences, they can’t escape their magnetic attraction to one another. What their heads tell them is contrary to their heart’s pull. What to do?

Katie has a strong calling to dedicate her life to fighting for women’s rights. But this doesn’t seem to jive with her heart’s desires. Is it possible to reconcile the two? Can Ben catch the woman he loves, and must he modify his own desires to do so?

I received this book as a free download from Kindle, and enjoyed it very much, as I do all of Robin’s books. Her writing is pleasant to read, and always thought-provoking. Find out more about the author and her books at www.robinleehatcher.com.

This website is a participant in the Indigo Affiliate Program which allows it to earn commissions from Indigo if you make a purchase on indigo.ca after linking through this website.

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The Spark of Love, by Amanda Cabot, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

1957 Small Town Texas

1857 small town Texas with a mix of charming and nefarious characters. Alexandra arrives from New York and must keep her wits on alert. Having escaped from a threatening suitor, she has come to be with her father. Sadly, she is not welcomed by him.

The Spark of Love

However, Mesquite Springs is a very friendly community. As is the guardian angel, in the form of Gabe, who feels compelled to protect her. He takes her under his wing, but all isn’t as it seems.

Who Can She Trust?

He happened to travel on the same coach, and both were surprised to find the hotel still under construction. The townspeople immediately find them lodging and befriend them. But they aren’t the only newcomers, and some are not to be trusted.

My Favourite Kind of Story

This is the third in the Mesquite Springs series. I read the first book, Out of the Embers, but missed the second one. It was nice to run into some of the characters again. I wish the series could carry on.

Amanda Cabot has a very likable writing style. I love her use of words. The characters are charming and the plot intriguing. The setting makes me wish to live in a place like that.

Visit AmandaCabot.com to learn more about the author, sign up for her newsletter, and see what other books she is writing.

Thanks to Revell for sending me this beautiful paperback to review. I’m so glad I chose it–it’s my favourite kind of story.

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The Spark of Love, by Amanda Cabot, 2022, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

1957 Small Town Texas

1857 small town Texas with a mix of charming and nefarious characters. Alexandra arrives from New York and must keep her wits on alert. Having escaped from a threatening suitor, she has come to be with her father. Sadly, she is not welcomed by him.

The Spark of Love

However, Mesquite Springs is a very friendly community. As is the guardian angel, in the form of Gabe, who feels compelled to protect her. He takes her under his wing, but all isn’t as it seems.

Who Can She Trust?

He happened to travel on the same coach, and both were surprised to find the hotel still under construction. The townspeople immediately find them lodging and befriend them. But they aren’t the only newcomers, and some are not to be trusted.

My Favourite Kind of Story

This is the third in the Mesquite Springs series. I read the first book, Out of the Embers, but missed the second one. It was nice to run into some of the characters again. I wish the series could carry on.

Amanda Cabot has a very likable writing style. I love her use of words. The characters are charming and the plot intriguing. The setting makes me wish to live in a place like that.

Visit AmandaCabot.com to learn more about the author, sign up for her newsletter, and see what other books she is writing.

Thanks to Revell for sending me this beautiful paperback to review. I’m so glad I chose it–it’s my favourite kind of story.

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A View Most Glorious, by Regina Scott, 2021, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

A woman of the 1890s victoriously fights her way to the top of treacherous Mount Rainier, overcoming personal challenges as well as physical.

Earning freedom for women.
A Most Glorious View

Earning women’s rights is the theme of this historical fiction, based on real history. Mount Rainier, 58 miles northwest of Tacoma, Washington, rises to 14,411 feet. The views, both of it and from it, are stunning. The setting of this story takes place from Tacoma to the top of the mountain, and we get a taste of life and circumstances in the 1890s.

The Suffragettes fought for women’s rights in an era when they couldn’t vote, or do many other things they were capable of. As a woman, I appreciate these women who took a stand in spite of adversity, contributing to the freedoms I live in now. They were hard won.

Ever relevant themes depicted in personal characters.

The author depicts well the expectations and virtual prisons that bound people of the time. But Cora, the main character, refuses to settle for all that. And she finds a match in her mountain guide, Nathan, also a person who despises the falsity and confinement of high society.

Not only the Suffragettes revolted against the status quo. Uprisings of angry men who were either out of work or were not paid fairly caused panic in the city. They also demonstrated for rights.

The author cleverly weaves all these threads into a personal story of family, conflicts, a treacherous suitor, and a mountain romance. She brings out the sense of propriety of the upper class, contrasted by the raw nitty gritty of the lower class. Her writing style is pleasant to read, exemplifying the English of the day.

Characters are distinctly portrayed. Coraline is strong and determined, a fighter for justice. Nathan undergoes change of heart as he reconsiders the life he has run away to. Coraline’s would-be fiancĂ© is truly creepy. Her mother is conniving, and her step-father an angel. There is a good balance between description, inner thoughts, and conversation.

I’m glad I chose A View Most Glorious. I will happily choose Regina Scott’s books again. Thank you, Revell, for sending me the paperback copy to review. A real pleasure.

Connect with the author at www.reginascott.com. Choose more books from this publisher at RevellBooks.com.

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Something Worth Doing, by Jane Kirkpatrick, 2020, Revell (Baker Publishing)

Something Worth Doing is a historical fiction based on the real life story of Abigail Duniway. The novel covers the years from 1852 to 1912, from when Abigail was seventeen to when she was seventy-seven. Chapter one begins with Abigail’s family travelling west by wagon train from Illinois. Her mother has recently passed away. Abigail (or Jenny, as was her nickname), felt that the move may have contributed to her mother’s early death. Men ruled in those days. Women had very little choice about anything. So, although her mother, after bearing a series of children, wished to remain in Illinois where “civilization was catching up to them”, her father had said no. He also forbid his daughters to bring anything that they treasured, however they found ways of hiding some of their mother’s possessions to sneak along.

Girls were expected to marry young, to be under the protection of a husband. Marriage had little to do with love. An older sister was forced to marry a man 20 years her senior. Abigail was fortunate to marry a man who did love her. However, she felt that she had no freedoms and a heavy workload, while he was able to enjoy time with his friends. Men had all the rights and women had none. Abigail felt it keenly and saw it clearly. She began to write articles for the paper highlighting the unfairness of it all. Then she wrote a novel to portray her concerns. But people were not reading novels at that time.

Abigail continually found ways to supplement the family income throughout her childbearing years, and her work was always in some way for the betterment of women. She eventually got involved in the suffragette movement, especially concentrating on pushing for womens voting rights. With the assistance of her family she even started up a newspaper, and later toured the country speaking.

After many years some regions gradually changed, but she met with continual opposition, even from an older brother who published a bigger newspaper. Finally, at the age of 77, she saw success and honour, even from that brother.

Persistence pays off is the message I take away from this story. Dont quit. Keep working at “something worth doing”, the worthy cause that has been handed to you.

A novel of an early suffragist
historical fiction of Abigail Duniway.