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verydazedragon's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Predictable at times, as all romance novels are, but this is my jam.
justicepirate's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I would rate this higher if it weren't for one historical fact that got to me the entire time I read this story. American sign language was not even taught in schools in the US until 1817. Most of this book takes place two years after that. Samuel, one of the main characters of this story, is a grown man who knows sign language. He did not come from a wealthy home. How did he know sign language fluently? Where did he learn it? His family lived in Pittsburgh, PA, while the first place sign language was taught in the US was in Connecticut. Also, how in the world would Honor, the lead character be able to learn sign language in only about two months' time or so? These things got to me big time.
Other than that, this story is accurate for that time and brings up some great historical Abolitionist movements that I have studied due to being a resources adviser for an anti-human trafficking organization.
Honor was born in a slave state as a Quaker, known for being against slavery. Her grandfather leaves pretty much nothing to her in his will because he knows she would free his slaves. She is left with her maid who is a slave, whom she promptly frees. She has to move away and finds a Friend (Quaker term for those who are in the same belief system they are in) to stay with. Honor wants freedom for the slaves.
This story does reflect some realities of issues during the early 1800s. It is really quite interesting to read a book from this time, because most books I have read that are historical fiction are set near Civil War period. This is definitely a good prerequisite for that.
There is a love story within the entire book that is quite unique and interesting to read about.
Other than that, this story is accurate for that time and brings up some great historical Abolitionist movements that I have studied due to being a resources adviser for an anti-human trafficking organization.
Honor was born in a slave state as a Quaker, known for being against slavery. Her grandfather leaves pretty much nothing to her in his will because he knows she would free his slaves. She is left with her maid who is a slave, whom she promptly frees. She has to move away and finds a Friend (Quaker term for those who are in the same belief system they are in) to stay with. Honor wants freedom for the slaves.
This story does reflect some realities of issues during the early 1800s. It is really quite interesting to read a book from this time, because most books I have read that are historical fiction are set near Civil War period. This is definitely a good prerequisite for that.
There is a love story within the entire book that is quite unique and interesting to read about.
pricelessgirl's review against another edition
3.0
I adored the 4-book series of Ladies of Ivy Manor (or whatever it’s called) by Lyn Cote years ago (10? Longer? Oi! I’m getting old!
booksforchristiangirls's review
4.0
About this book:
“When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation--and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.
A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor's genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Quaker Brides” series. {Book #2 “Blessing” is coming out in Summer 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are quoted & Many Prayers are said; Church going; A lot about the Quaker Faith; Many talks about God (but ‘H’s are not capital); Honor has a very strong Faith; Honor prays that her anger and violence will go away & that God will forgive her for such thoughts.
*Note: a “h*llish”
Negative Content- a swear is said but not written; Kidnapping (but they’re okay—just drugged); a mention of hearing about Indian scalpings; a few fights & throws; Slave catchers & slavery are major parts of this story.
Sexual Content- not-detailed kisses, five semi-detailed kisses and a detailed kiss; Noticing & Imaging touching someone; Touching & Wanting to Touch (semi-detailed); Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); seven mentions of a wedding night; Samuel gets jealous when another man us around Honor & basically doesn’t trust her (which Honor tells him to knock it off); a man sexually used a (slave) women which resulted in a child; a mention of slave catchers raping women slaves (it’s mentioned once in a sentence); a prostitute walks by and talks to a few men; Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Honor Penworthy
-Samuel Cathwell
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1819-1820
368 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars*
My personal Rating- Four Stars*
{ *This was a hard book to rate…for OHS & MPR, both on boarder-line 3.5 stars and four stars.}
Wow. I’ll admit I was nervous about reading this book…especially about the arranged marriage (which normally means way more sexual content) but was pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t so much Sexual Content. Interesting enough, when you read the back cover you get the idea that “Honor” is set during the Civil War. Nope, about forty years prior. And, oh my goodness! “Honor” had such wonderful quotes! I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in this series when it’s out! :)
Quotes with my thoughts in the {{}}:
“She’d been shunned by the living and betrayed by the dead.”
“What a sad world sin had caused.”
{{I’ve been quoting this all this week with everything going on.}}
“Royale’s confidence tore something inside Honor. For a moment Honor hated her white skin, hated that this woman would fear her on that basis alone.”
“Anger tried to boil up higher inside her. She closed her eyes, praying for God’s peace. Human wrath was against the will of God and only gave Satan influence over a soul. Honor must leave these evil men to God’s justice.”
{{And my very favorite one:}}
“’My mother is bold in her caused,” George said. “We have never had a runaway slave come to our door, but I too would help him. My mother and I were forced to leave North Carolina when we freed our slaves. The anger our former neighbors and friends turned on us told us much. When a person does what is right, it stirs the rage of those who will not turn from doing the same evil.”
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2014/11/honor-by-lyn-cote.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale House Publishers) for this review.
“When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation--and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.
A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor's genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Quaker Brides” series. {Book #2 “Blessing” is coming out in Summer 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are quoted & Many Prayers are said; Church going; A lot about the Quaker Faith; Many talks about God (but ‘H’s are not capital); Honor has a very strong Faith; Honor prays that her anger and violence will go away & that God will forgive her for such thoughts.
*Note: a “h*llish”
Negative Content- a swear is said but not written; Kidnapping (but they’re okay—just drugged); a mention of hearing about Indian scalpings; a few fights & throws; Slave catchers & slavery are major parts of this story.
Sexual Content- not-detailed kisses, five semi-detailed kisses and a detailed kiss; Noticing & Imaging touching someone; Touching & Wanting to Touch (semi-detailed); Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); seven mentions of a wedding night; Samuel gets jealous when another man us around Honor & basically doesn’t trust her (which Honor tells him to knock it off); a man sexually used a (slave) women which resulted in a child; a mention of slave catchers raping women slaves (it’s mentioned once in a sentence); a prostitute walks by and talks to a few men; Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Honor Penworthy
-Samuel Cathwell
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1819-1820
368 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars*
My personal Rating- Four Stars*
{ *This was a hard book to rate…for OHS & MPR, both on boarder-line 3.5 stars and four stars.}
Wow. I’ll admit I was nervous about reading this book…especially about the arranged marriage (which normally means way more sexual content) but was pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t so much Sexual Content. Interesting enough, when you read the back cover you get the idea that “Honor” is set during the Civil War. Nope, about forty years prior. And, oh my goodness! “Honor” had such wonderful quotes! I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in this series when it’s out! :)
Quotes with my thoughts in the {{}}:
“She’d been shunned by the living and betrayed by the dead.”
“What a sad world sin had caused.”
{{I’ve been quoting this all this week with everything going on.}}
“Royale’s confidence tore something inside Honor. For a moment Honor hated her white skin, hated that this woman would fear her on that basis alone.”
“Anger tried to boil up higher inside her. She closed her eyes, praying for God’s peace. Human wrath was against the will of God and only gave Satan influence over a soul. Honor must leave these evil men to God’s justice.”
{{And my very favorite one:}}
“’My mother is bold in her caused,” George said. “We have never had a runaway slave come to our door, but I too would help him. My mother and I were forced to leave North Carolina when we freed our slaves. The anger our former neighbors and friends turned on us told us much. When a person does what is right, it stirs the rage of those who will not turn from doing the same evil.”
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2014/11/honor-by-lyn-cote.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale House Publishers) for this review.
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