"Daughter of Twin Oaks" by Lauraine Snelling

 Daughter of Twin Oaks by Lauraine Snelling is the first book in her Secret Refuge Series that I enjoyed.  It is at the time of the Civil War and Jesselynn is the daughter left to run the family's tobacco plantation called Twin Oaks.  Her brother is off at war, her parents are both dead and her two sisters are living with an Aunt in Virginia.  Twin Oakes is in Kentucky and she is trying to keep her few horses from being taken for use in the war.  After giving all her slaves their freedom, they decide to stay and keep working at Twin Oaks anyhow.  She proceeds to take the horses to her Uncle's farm in Missouri until the war is over, thinking they will be safe there.  She takes a few of her former slaves along, a wagon, a mule and her little brother Thaddeus.  Dressing like man, she and her group start their trek, trying to keep from soldiers seeing them along the way.  The other story line was about Jesselynn's sister in Virginia who volunteered at the wounded soldiers hospital.  The faith of the daughters is challenged by all the bad things that happen.

This book is full of action and adventure.  I was beginning to wonder if they ever would make it.  It is a quick read and left me wanting more.  Interesting characters and it made me more aware of the obstacles families in the south had to deal with during the Civil War.  I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)     

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"Prepared for a Purpose" by Antoinette Tuff with Alex Tresniowski--an Amazing Story!

Prepared for a Purpose by Antoinette Tuff with Alex Tresniowski is an amazing true story about how Antoinette stood up to a gunman who came into her school where she works and her own personal story.  Both are really good because this woman has been through a lot!  I enjoyed reading it and believe it will keep your interest as it did mine.  
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Prepared for a Purpose by Antoinette Tuff with Alex Tresniowskiis mostly about Antoinette's personal life and very little about the gunman at the school who she confronted.  She is definitely a strong woman, coping with many problems while praying for God's help which is mostly what this book is about.  I liked it all right but it didn't really grab me.  I did feel sorry for her though having to deal with so many issues.  It's worth your time.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

"The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monk Kidd is GREAT! (Updated)

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd set in the early 1800s tells the story of Sarah, a young white Quaker girl and Handful, a young black slave girl given to Sarah for her 11th birthday.  The story concentrates on both of them as they grow up and face their own adventures.  It is a great read right from the start.  I loved both girls.  This is the number 1 fiction book right now and I am not surprised.  I think it would make a fantastic movie and highly recommend it!  
(Gerard's review, 5++ stars)

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd is about slavery in Charleston during the early 1800s.  The story is told by Sarah, the daughter of a Judge, and Handful, the slave Sarah was given for her eleventh birthday.  It is the story of the lives of both these girls and their families.  Not only does it point out the injustice and brutality of slavery, but also addresses the women’s rights issue.  From a young girl, Sarah’s desire was to be a lawyer but no one encouraged her because she was a girl.  She gave Handful back to her mother but later offered to buy her back several times so she could set Handful free, but her mother would not give in.  Sarah searches for purpose and meaning to her life while Handful seeks to fulfill her mother’s dream of one day being free.

Although this book is very sad, it held my interest because I had to keep reading to find out what happened to Handful and her mother.  This is  great historical fiction novel about slavery and the abolition movement.  If I hadn't recently read the Sisters of Shenandoah series by Michael Phillips, I would have given this book 5 stars, but since I liked that series a bit better, I have to give this one 4 stars.

(Karen's review)

 

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!

Joining in with the Feline Friday hop.  It's easy, just post a picture of a cat.

Teaser Tuesday: Four Today

Gerard's:

She reaches into her pocket and pulls out the haemanthus I gave her.  It is smashed and flat.  Then loudly she screams to all those gathered, "Break the chains!"

From page 3 of Red Rising by Pierce Brown.  (Review up tomorrow.)



But now I am not sure what is real or what the consequences of a wrong answer will be.  While my classmates are concerned about the test affecting the years ahead, I worry I will not survive the day.

From page 1 of Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau.  (Click link for Karen's review.)

Karen's: 

Well, so much for propriety.  She'd practiced lying, gone on a political tirade, and deeply offended her pastor, all in a few short minutes.

From page 25 (Loc. 404) of Daughter of Twin Oaks  by Lauraine Snelling.

Still, I felt that same urgency to play Luke's game that I had when we were playing chess.  Maybe, like in the chess games we played, he was way ahead of me--his moves already planned, and my demise already assured.

From page 112 of In the Blood by Lisa Unger.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should  Be Reading. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just do the following

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page (well, we cheat and choose specific ones)
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on  that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away!   You don’t  want  to  ruin the  book for others!)
• Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can  add the book to their TBR  Lists  if they  like your teaser.   

Happy Reading!

"Independent Study" by Joelle Charbonneau (Updated)

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau is the second book in this Dystopian series about revitalizing the United States after it became devastated by wars.  It is now called the Commonwealth and a University is set up for training leaders.  Cia, at 17, is very smart and is eager to continue on with her studies after passing the initial testing because she wants to make a difference.  She has a good heart and helps others even though it puts herself in greater danger.

I really liked this book a lot because it's about leadership and what qualities make good leaders.  It was a page turner for me and I like that Cia, the main character, has so much integrity.  I'm hoping she can keep it intact throughout the next book titled Graduation Day.  I highly recommend this but only after you read The Testing.
(Karen's review, 5 stars)

Independent Study by Joelle Charbonneau picks up where The Testing left off.  We continue to follow Cia who has moved on to the University.  The first part of this book sets the stage for the second half which I found much more interesting.  I'll have to read the third book (Graduation Day) to see how this all plays out. 
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. Happy Reading!