Pick the period – book reviews

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Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Historical fiction fans, unite!  The genre is getting better and better with so many stories coming from fantastic authors.   What period is your favorite setting?

A Light in the Wilderness book review - savingsinseconds.com

I recently read A Light In The Wilderness which is based on the Oregon Trail.  Three stories intertwine to create this multi-textured tale.  My favorite character was Tish (Letitia), a freed slave who held her independence dear.  This isn’t the kind of book you’ll skim and set aside.  Author Jane Kirkpatrick draws the reader in, painting  a picture of the scene with beautifully descriptive words.  When I’ve read about the journey to settle the west, it’s always been about the struggle between Native Americans and settlers.  In this tale, it’s so interesting to read from the viewpoint of an African-American woman.  Prejudices run strong in many directions. It’s so hard to know who to trust, who has an ulterior motive, and who is going to save the day.  You won’t regret spending time with A Light In The Wilderness.

The Edwardian period is one of my favorite historical eras (thanks, Downton Abbey.)  It’s a bit of a contrast from my personality, since I’m about as hoity-toity and pretentious as a plastic spork.  Maybe that’s why I loved Daughter of Highland Hall; it’s such a difference from my normal life!  Reading books like this make me want to say things like, “Are you quite all right?” and “How splendid!”  All in a clipped British accent, of course.

Daughter of Highland Hall book review - savingsinseconds.com

It’s amazing how much things can change in a century.  Katherine would be shocked if her eyes saw the way that women dress today, and even more shocked at the way some women behave!  Progressive and independent for her own time, Katherine’s character slowly won my respect.  As I read the book, the scenes unfolded in my mind’s eye like Masterpiece Theater.  The Daughter of Highland Hall was an indulgent read that took me back to a different era.

A Love Undone book review - savingsinseconds.com

If you prefer to stay in our modern age yet go to a different setting, try reading Amish fiction.  In A Love Undone, Cindy Woodsmall works her magic yet again.  The book caught my heart from the start as Rosanna reflects upon her daughter Jolene’s growing up years.  Time flies by so quickly as I’m realizing with my own children.  Suddenly we’re thrust into Jolene’s world, turned from a lovesick bride-to-be into a mother  within the span of a raindrop.   Her devotion to her family made me hold my breath several times.  Although many book covers are becoming more artistic, I really wished this one had more of an indication of the book.  It would have been more meaningful to have a dogwood tree branch, for example.  I loved the romantic tension between Jolene and Andy. It reminded me of Elinor and Edward from Sense and Sensibility.   Responsibility, honor, and reputation become more important than self-gratification in this book.  If you like the slow burn of an Amish romance, check out A Love Undone!

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Comments

  1. Sherry Compton says

    I’m really glad that there are books for all time periods. I like the present day, but my mom likes to read books set in the depression area or during the early times in the midwest. My niece wants historical pieces set in England. We all love reading, just different things.

  2. I like most time settings; each has its own charm. It’s easy to relate to today’s time period and the hustle and bustle of everyday life, but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a victorian based or other period story.

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