The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper - A Book Review

  

I truly enjoy learning something of Australia's history through Tea Cooper's historical fiction. Of course I appreciate her historical notes at the end which help me to separate fact from fiction. The Butterfly Collector is a dual timeline story that centers around the horrible but lucrative baby farming business in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. As Verity Binks, a fledgling journalist, researches a well known charity that assists unwed, expectant mothers, she stumbles across the long running existence of a baby farming operation originating in the town of Morpeth. Further exploration revealed her own family's connections, both past and present.

The Butterfly Collector is a clean work of fiction that deals with a difficult reality. I believe this well-written, sensitive story will appeal to readers of Christian and secular historical fiction. Even though it does not include a Christian element, it but does have a strong theme of social justice. Cooper skillfully unfolds the story of Verity's family maximizing reader engagement with the story and encouraging bonding with the story's characters.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Butterfly Collector from Harper Muse via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.  

To Spark a Match by Jen Turano - A Book Review

  

After reading several really heavy novels, To Spark a Match was the perfect lighthearted read. Jen Turano's quirky, Gilded Age, romantic mysteries are always delightful. Mr. Gideon Abbott, a member of the Four Hundred, strives to balance his place in society, his secret occupation, and participating in a plan to reintroduce a new and improved Miss Adelaide Duveen into society. Adelaide's penchant for finding trouble and her working her way into his heart makes finding and keeping that balance a difficult proposition. Author Jen Turano's ability to turn a phrase and her sparkling sense of humor combine to give her reader abundant smiles and chuckles. Her ability to plot an interesting mystery with well-paced developments keeps readers fully engaged with the story. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a truly fun read.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of To Spark a Match from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own. 

The Warsaw Sisters by Amanda Barratt - A Book Review

    

Twins Antonina and Helena Dabrowska were only eighteen years old in 1939 when their father, their only living parent, was called back into military service. The day following his departure Germany invaded Poland. Their lives, their city, everything changed, and over the next more than five years, so did the sisters. Each in their own way became resisters, toiling against those who would see the destruction of the Jews and steal the independence of the Poles, killing so many along the way. This is a story of having the courage to do what is right in the face of tremendous danger and significant loss. May Antonina and Helena be inspirations to us all. Amanda Barratt's writing certainly makes them real enough to be that inspiration.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Warsaw Sisters from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander - A Book Review

  

A Million Little Choices is an outstanding work of women's fiction. It is a story of God's prevenient grace, of healing in one's soul through engaging with God's Word and mature Christian mentors, and of gaining insight into one's own life through coming to view that life through the lens of eternity. All that sounds very deep and theological, however, these themes are developed within a raw and compelling story of great loss and great love in the life of the main character. Author Tamera Alexander has created the story in a way that encourages readers to apply the discoveries made by her characters to whatever life situation they find themselves in. While a work of fiction, A Million Little Choices contains much truth.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of A Million Little Choices, a Focus on the Family Resource, from Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Knowing You by Tracie Peterson - A Book Review

 

Knowing You is the third book in Tracie Peterson's Pictures of the Heart series set in Seattle at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in 1909. While the characters refer to events that took place in the first two books of the series, Knowing You does work well as a stand-alone read. This time with the Camera Girls working for Fisher Photography, we focus on May Parker, a young woman of Japanese-American descent. May touches up photographs with paint to colorize attendees' memories of the exposition. May does not feel Japanese enough or white enough as she has rarely been accepted by either culture due to prevalent prejudices of the time. A chance encounter with a dear childhood friend, Lee Munro, has the potential of making May feel less alone in the world, as does her growing friendships with the Camera Girls.

Tracie Peterson has addressed the themes of racial prejudice and forgiveness in a way that is easily translated into today's society. She has created memorable characters using plain, simple language. I recommend this book to historical fiction fans who want a book with important themes and that is written with an emphasis on hope. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Knowing You from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.