The King's Mercy-A Great Addition to Historical Fiction

 

About the Book

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life. (Goodreads)

Buy Here

My Thoughts

Lori Benton is one of my favorite authors. I love historical fiction and she is such a talented author when it comes to creating characters and settings. This book seemed a bit different compared to her previous novels. The writing style and flow weren't quite what I was expecting. But all that to say it is a wonderful historical fiction read! I loved the setting and I really thought the characters had a lot of depth, especially Alex. There were a lot of difficult issues and uncomfortable situations brought up throughout the book. I think this added to the story making it more realistic. There isn't anything graphic but there are some situations that are unpleasant. I think this story also shows how great God is and how people can change even when we doubt.

 If you enjoy historical fiction this would be a great book for you to pick up. I also highly recommend any of Lori's other books-they are all fantastic. 

Five Stars.

"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

 

Top Ten Tuesday - Top Ten Books of 2016

Here are the top ten books for the year! I love doing this post every year so I can look back and see what all I read. This wasn't the best book year for me. I read quite a few that I didn't really enjoy, but these books are definitely worth reading! 

Here is to a new year with new books and fresh perspective!

Happy New Year!

The best book of the year hands down. I adore this story and the characters.

 

This is general fiction so there is some language etc. I have become a huge fan of Kristin Hannah though and I look forward to reading more by her.

 



 



 

This is an older book but it is fantastic for historical fiction lovers!!

It's Dani Pettrey-need I say more?!

 

This book was published by a different company than her other books so if you haven't heard of it or read it you need to!

A Flight of Arrows Book Review

 About the Book

 October 1776--August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap--and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he'll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald's adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William's twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.(Goodreads)

My Thoughts

 

I am such a huge fan of Lori Benton. Her writing is superb and her historical research is extensive. Get ready to go back to 1777 and take off right where the last book, The Wood's Edge, left us. Now if you haven't read the first book, you really shouldn't read A Flight of Arrows. You won't understand half of the plot line or any of the back history. Though the author did a great job in reminding me the small tidbits from the first book that carried over that I had forgotten. The setting is wonderful and this book has all of the same characters whom I love. I think Benton could continue on with this family and history of that time though I am unsure if she will. I will say this one wasn't quite as captivating as the first, mainly because a lot of it is war history and setting. I don't mind it and I think it necessary for the story but it's not as interesting to me. Otherwise everything about this book is wonderful and the ending I did not see coming. 

I highly recommend if you have read the first book. If you haven't read The Wood's Edge you must. 

Five stars. 

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review."

The Wood's Edge Review (Five stars!)

 

About the Book

 

At the wood's edge cultures collide. Can two families survive the impact?

The 1757 New York frontier is home to the Oneida tribe and to British colonists, yet their feet rarely walk the same paths.

On the day Fort William Henry falls, Major Reginald Aubrey is beside himself with grief. His son, born that day, has died in the arms of his sleeping wife. When Reginald comes across an Oneida mother with newborn twins, one white, one brown, he makes a choice that will haunt the lives of all involved. He steals the white baby and leaves his own child behind. Reginald's wife and foundling daughter, Anna, never suspect the truth about the boy they call William, but Reginald is wracked by regret that only intensifies with time, as his secret spreads its devastating ripples.

When the long buried truth comes to light, can an unlikely friendship forged at the wood's edge provide a way forward? For a father tormented by fear of judgment, another by lust for vengeance. For a mother still grieving her lost child. For a brother who feels his twin's absence, another unaware of his twin's existence. And for Anna, who loves them both--Two Hawks, the mysterious Oneida boy she meets in secret, and William, her brother. As paths long divided collide, how will God direct the feet of those who follow Him? (Goodreads)

My Review

I just don't know where to start! This story was fantastic and surpassed my expectations in every way!  I love Lori's writing and the depth of history that she includes in her books. The story is about Anna and Two Hawks, but we don't really get to them until later in the book. The start of the book is all about Reginald and his wife escaping and surviving and then raising Anna and William. I actually really liked how there were so many years detailed in this book. Anna is ten months when we meet her and we get to watch her grow up! 

I also really loved reading about the Oneida's! Such a fascinating history and culture are intertwined within these pages it's simply wonderful. The writing is top notch and captivating until the end. ALL of the characters are very well developed and I feel like I got to know them personally. Another aspect that blew me away was very strong belief in God and living it out. Lori did a great job portraying our Creator to shattered lives in this book and it makes it a winner all the way around. There is romance and forgiveness and anger and family and then-the books ends! I truly did not want it to end but I am so excited to read the next book in the Pathfinders series!  

Five stars and highly recommend especially for historical fiction fans! 

Find out more about Lori and her books here!

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review." 

 

Burning Sky Book Review

Picture Credit

About the Book

Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure. (Goodreads)

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

 My Review

Burning Sky by Lori Benton is the first novel published by this author. The setting is beautiful and created with full imagination. Lori did a great job with her historical research, she included a ton of detail within this story. Set in 1784, Burning Sky whose English name is Willa Obenchain returns home after living with her Indian family that kidnapped her years ago. This type of story line always intrigues me and I was impressed with this book, especially for being a first novel! While at some points in the book seemed to drag on for me, the overall storyline is a good read. I really enjoyed the characters, they were fully developed and historically accurate. There is a love triangle that seems to keep the story going, while at times irritating-I just wanted to know the her choice! This is a much larger book than anticipated, 400 pages, so not a fast read.

 I would recommend this to fans of Jane Kirkpatrick, it is written differently but with the same depth. I give it four stars.

 "I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah for free in exchange for an honest review." 

Stop by Waterbrook Multnomah to order this book and read an excerpt.

Also check out Lori's website!