Brought up on a Quaker farm near Philadelphia at the brink of the Civil War, plainspoken Rebecca Albright is expected to be charitable, peace-loving, and submissive. However, those traits don’t always come naturally to the feisty abolitionist. Spirited and spunky, Rebecca’s chief ambition is to aid the Underground Railroad no matter the cost – until her path collides with slave-catcher Sheriff Clay Dalton who’s grimly fighting battles of his own. When tensions between the North and South escalate, the two find themselves propelled on a journey to discover just who God has called them to be and to determine whether their newfound friendship can stand up to a myriad of conflicts.

 

My Thoughts: From the beginning, I connected with Rebecca and Clay and was soon swept up in their story. I found the later half of the story a bit too predictable and the loose ends wrapped up a little too conveniently for my tastes. But I greatly appreciated the message MacLaren weaved into her story about how God works out all things for good. This theme kept coming up again and again and it was truly well done. I also liked how she brought to life the Quaker beliefs while not compromising anything. I had read a Quaker-based story some months back and found the message unbalanced. I applaud MacLaren on how she always brought the focus back to Christ, explaining that the Quaker beliefs were a lifestyle and not necessary for becoming a child of God. Overall this was a good story and I’m interested in seeing what happens next in the series.

Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving it 4 stars and recommend it to anyone who enjoys Christian Historical Fiction or Quaker-based stories.

~I received a copy from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to give a favorable review. All thoughts are my own.

About the Author: Sharlene MacLaren Born and raised in western Michigan, award-winning, bestselling author Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. After graduating, she traveled with a nationally touring Christian vocal ensemble, returning home to Spring Arbor to marry her husband, Cecil, whom she’d known since childhood. Together they raised two daughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, “Shar” enjoys reading, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her novels include the contemporary romances Through Every Storm, Long Journey Home, and Tender Vow; the beloved Little Hickman Creek series (Loving Liza Jane, Sarah, My Beloved, Courting Emma, and  Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek, a novella), and three historic romance trilogies: The Daughters of Jacob Kane (Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and Abbie Ann); River of Hope (Livvie’s Song, Ellie’s Haven, andSofia’s Secret); Tennessee Dreams:  Heart of Mercy, Threads of Joy, and Gift of Grace.

Giveaway Details: 

To celebrate Sharlene’s tour, Whitaker House is giving away:

Grand Prize

Brown and tan fashion purse with cross, multiple interior and exterior pocketsand

and

Five Sharlene MacLaren titles: Summer on Sunset Ridge (Forever Freedom #1); Heart of Mercy (Tennessee Dreams #1); Livvie’s Song (River of Hope #1); Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Kane #1); Loving Liza Jane (Little Hickman Creek #1)

Second Prize

“Keepers of the Light” Orange/Cinnamon/Clove candle from www.acheerfulgiver.com and

Summer on Sunset Ridge

Third Prize

Summer on Sunset Ridge

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway!

https://promosimple.com/ps/af21

Check out what others are saying about Summer on Sunset Ridge: 

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