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Wednesday, October 10, 2012

All Things New -Review

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
All Things New
Bethany House Publishers (October 1, 2012)
by
Lynn Austin


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband's work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she'd earned at Southern Connecticut State University to become a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Five of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn's novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak...but a bitter hatred fuels her.

With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale.

If you would like to read the first chapter of All Things New, go HERE.

My thoughts:   As most of you may know by now, I love all things to do with the Civil War.  I'm a huge history buff and this is my major focus.  I enjoyed reading this book.  I feel that they did show more than one view of the Southern soldier and the Southern women who stayed back home. I highly recommend this book and hope to follow Josephine on her journeys, though I also am very interested to learn how Harrison changes after his new discoveries!




I received a copy of this for free to read as part of the CFBA. However, all opinions in this post are mine and not influenced by others. I was not compensated in anyway for this review other than a copy of the book Pin It Now!

17 comments:

  1. I have never heard of Lynn Austin but this book sounds interesting and I might just check it out. Thanks for the review!

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  2. I'm a HUGE Lynn Austin fan! I have to read this!

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  3. Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the review.

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  4. It sounds really good--
    I'm glad to hear they showed more than one side to the soldiers and wives!

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  5. This looks like a good read, I will have to check it out.

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  6. Looking forward to reading this book! I truly enjoy Historical Fiction, especially relating to the Civil War.

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  7. Sounds like a really good read!!

    Ann Cluck
    ann.cluck@att.net

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  8. Nice review. Will share with friends.

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  9. Thanks for the review. Sounds like an excellent book.

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  10. this sounds so interesting. i too like things about the civil war and i enjoy that period of time. thank you for the review i look forward to seeing more about this book
    mrs.jamie_tucker @ hotmail.com

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  11. The book sounds really interesting. I love stories than span generations of family.Stories that actuaily have meaning.

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  12. Oh; awesome. I'm gonna have to check this out! I love her Gods and Kings series.

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