am so excited to share this book with you! Both my great-grandfather and great-grandmother (along with some aunts, uncles and a great-great grandfather) immigrated here from Sweden. They didn’t arrive together, but met here and then brought more family over as they could.
I am so thankful to Lynn Austin for writing this story and giving a voice to these immigrants and giving us a glimpse into what life was like for them. 
~ Jill
Until We Reach Home
by
Lynn Austin
ABOUT THE BOOK
Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother’s and father’s suicide. Ellin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters’ welfare and when it circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.
Joining sixteen million other immigrants who left their homelands for America between 1890 and 1920, Ellin, Kirsten, and Sophia begin the long, difficult journey. Enduring the ocean voyage in steerage and detention on Ellis Island, their story is America’s story. And in a journey fraught with hardships, each woman will come to understand her secret longings and the meaning of home.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Until We Reach Home, go HERE
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Posted by jill, in Book News, Historical
Revolution, a beautiful tale of love, loss, and salvation, begins on a vineyard near Vienna. Helene Marie Neumann and her family own and run a small vineyard. When her father makes a deal with the wrong man – her best friend’s father no less – their lives are forever changed. Her family is separated and Helene finds herself in an orphanage. Life is cruel to Helene and she becomes a bitter young lady.
Until one dark day. After years at the orphanage and then living in the slums, a new roommate arrives who will change Helene’s life for the better. Helene soon decides it’s time to make a pilgrimage to see her old home. There, she finds her childhood friend, Maximilian, and through him small seeds of hope implant themselves in her heart - even though Maximilian has grown to be cold and hard like his father and plans to use Helene’s trust to benefit himself.
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Posted by jill, in Historical, Reviews
I can’t say enough good things about The Shape of Mercy. The plot is original, the story is fabulous and the writing superb. Meissner blends past and present into a tale that kept me reading late into the night.
College student Lauren Durough doesn’t need the job - her well-to-do family provides her with more money than most college students even dream of. She’s not sure why the hand-written job listing posted on the bulletin board at school calls to her. When Lauren meets the mysterious woman offering the job she’s intrigued. Then she learns she’ll be transcribing the journal of this woman’s ancestor, Mercy Hayworth, who lived during the time of the Salem witch trials. Lauren feels drawn to Mercy and to learning about her experiences. But, what she learns forces Lauren to take a look deep into her own life and she may not like what she sees.
Posted by jill, in Historical, Reviews
Award-winning romance author, Cathy Marie Hake has done it again in her recently released novel entitled, Whirlwind.
As a nanny, Millicent Fairweather poured her energy and talents into the two young charges under her care – only to have them suddenly and without explanation sent to a boarding school. Bereft and unsure of where life would lead her, she agrees to accompany her sister and brother-in-law to America. The board the Opportunity, confident a better life awaits.
Widower Daniel Clark determines to begin life anew in Gooding, Texas operating a mercantile. But when his nanny leaves him stranded aboard the ship with his young son, he finds himself in dire need of assistance. Obtaining temporary help from steerage, Daniel is initially taken aback by the pretty bundle of energy who takes over his suite. Yet Miss Fairweather’s unique child-rearing techniques and tireless devotion to his son soon win him over.
Where tragedy ensues and a Whirlwind decision is made, Daniel and Millicent’s lives irrevocably intertwine, will love soon follow?
Posted by admin, in Historical, Inspirational, Misc, Reviews, Women's Fiction
No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought.
Charity O’Connor is a woman who gets that she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is. Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won’t play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants - one way or another.
Or does she? Will her best-laid schemes win his love? Or will her seductive ways drive him away forever?
Book #2 in the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Redeemed will captivate your heart and stir your soul with a story of faith and redemption rising from the ashes of temptation, desire, and shame.
Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure and the recipient of ten Romance Writers of America awards.
Posted by admin, in Historical, Inspirational
The Kane brothers fight for their family’s freedom - and survival - as the Kane Legacy trilogy soars to a stunning conclusion.
The Kane family is caught in the midst of the Mexican-American War. And in this time of conflict and fear, the faith and courage are gravely tested.
After the tragic battle of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Guerrero, General Zachary Taylor sends Alamo Kane and his brothers Alex and Able home to rest and enjoy a joyous reunion with their family. Soon it becomes clear that - despite hopes for peace - Santa Anna is planning an attack on American soldiers.
Alamo and his brothers join General Taylor to head off the threat.
With their family back at the ranch in constant worry, the Kane brothers must fight for their freedom. But with Mexican spies infiltrating Texas towns, the brothers are not the only ones in danger. As the Kanes comes face-to-face with death, they discover they need far more than bravery on their side.
In High Is the Eagle, Al and JoAnna Lacy have created a thrilling final chapter in this amazing historical fiction series marked by faith, love, and courage.
Posted by admin, in Historical, Inspirational
Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother’s and father’s suicide. Ellin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters’ welfare and when it circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.