Adult Fiction Books
I could sit on the couch and read the day away. I enjoy and learn from most books I read! But, I'm picky. Not so much about the topic or characters in the book; I'm fussy about reading books that don't contain inappropriate language, scenes, and themes. If you do the same for yourself, you will enjoy this list of books that I've found to be appropriate for most, if not all, adult readers.
The Edge of Light, by Ann Shorey (2009)
Are you a historical fiction buff? Do you enjoy reading pre-civil war historical fiction? Ann Shorey is a southern Oregon gal who has had the joy of just now having her first historical fiction novel published! The Edge of Light is loosely based on the life of one of Ann’s great-great aunts. Ann Shorey has published selections in the "Cup of Comfort" series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma’s Soul. Shorey lives with her husband in Oregon. This is her first novel.
Ann Shorey is a sweet, humble lady I met last autumn; we attend church together. I had the privilege of enjoying dinner at her home last fall with a group of young women in our church. She is a wonderful hostess and is very kind. I hope you will enjoy her new book, The Edge of Light, that was published in 2009 by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children. But when Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey and Molly has to leave her old life behind. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, keep her family together, and fend off some over-eager suitors. Book One in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series, The Edge of Light will captivate readers with true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive.
Ann Shorey is a sweet, humble lady I met last autumn; we attend church together. I had the privilege of enjoying dinner at her home last fall with a group of young women in our church. She is a wonderful hostess and is very kind. I hope you will enjoy her new book, The Edge of Light, that was published in 2009 by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children. But when Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey and Molly has to leave her old life behind. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, keep her family together, and fend off some over-eager suitors. Book One in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series, The Edge of Light will captivate readers with true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive.
The Promise of Morning
by Ann Shorey (2010)
ISBN: 978-0-8007-3333-9
$14.99, March 2010
Ann Shorey is a wonderful writer. And a wonderful, godly person. I was stunned while at her home, about 18 months ago, to learn that she had recently signed a book contract with Revell/Baker Publishing Group to write a trilogy of books that were loosely based on some of her own ancestors. How exciting!
Of course, I was intrigued! Ann, an author! I haven’t been able to spend much time with Ann, as she is a busy lady (and so am I), but I have noticed that she carefully crafts each sentence and paragraph in her books to truly "show" the story as it unfolds, instead of merely "telling" the story as some modern day authors tend to do.
I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series: The Edge of Light. When Book 2, The Promise of Morning, was released in March 2010, I eagerly volunteered to read and review a copy of Ann’s book.
While some of the characters remain from The Edge of Light, new characters appear as well. The book opens with incredible loss on the part of a mother and father who are visiting their deceased children’s gravesites. Yes, "children". Three children have passed away as the story unfolds. More loss is to come, in more ways than one. But some gains also come to visit, which are blessings in disguise.
Ann has done her research well in this story. There are so many aspects of daily life in the 1840s that just naturally show up in the storyline. I appreciate this subtleness that allows me to learn new things about the pioneer era. Christians’ views on traveling actors, ministers, and the like really hit home because of Ann’s careful crafting of the details that are woven throughout the book.
This second book in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series has a different flavor, a different tone than Book 1. While both books deal with loss, disappointment, and renewal, I found this book, The Promise of Morning, to save the "renewal" for the last bit of the book, while Book 1, The Edge of Light, seemed to have more hope earlier in the storyline.
For women who have experienced the loss of miscarriage or the loss of a child who has been born, they will easily understand the range of emotions that Ellie has throughout the story. While some of it may seem harsh, Ellie basically travels through the circle of loss and grief that is so common to women in her situation. Her behaviors and attitudes could easily draw criticism, but they are also the normal human reactions to deep loss and sorrow.
The one point that I need to make about this book is that it deals with a very sensitive topic that wouldn’t be appropriate for younger readers. While I had no problem with my 11-year-old daughter reading The Edge of Light last year, we’ve decided to not have her read this book, The Promise of Morning.
Because I want to be sensitive and appropriate here, I’ll just say that one of the key themes in The Promise of Morning is that Ellie, the main character, allows her grief over the death of some of her young children to cause her to decide to no longer fulfill all of her marriage vows to her husband. She decides that she does not want to risk pregnancy and thus possibly have another baby or young child pass away. The Promise of Morning was not "racy" by typical worldly fiction standards, but we’ve decided to read the book orally to my daughters and leave out some of the paragraphs and sentences, because I want them to love Ann Shorey’s books without feeling embarrassed and needing to blush. Don’t worry; my daughters know enough about the "birds and the bees." But I don’t want them to think that all Christian fiction books are written just like worldly fiction books. Books can be written about almost any topic, with a sense of innocence and care for others, if it is done in a subtle way.
I will recommend this book, but with a bit of hesitation. I would have felt more "refreshed" if one of the main topics had been left out altogether or very slightly mentioned in a cautious way one time only, instead of going into more detail.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Promise of Morning by Ann Shorey. I look forward to reading Book 3 of her trilogy when it comes out in another year or so. God has given her an incredible talent, and I pray that she will continue to use her gift of of writing to glorify and honor Him.
A complimentary copy of The Promise of Morning was given to me by Revell for the purpose of providing a review of this book.
$14.99, March 2010
Ann Shorey is a wonderful writer. And a wonderful, godly person. I was stunned while at her home, about 18 months ago, to learn that she had recently signed a book contract with Revell/Baker Publishing Group to write a trilogy of books that were loosely based on some of her own ancestors. How exciting!
Of course, I was intrigued! Ann, an author! I haven’t been able to spend much time with Ann, as she is a busy lady (and so am I), but I have noticed that she carefully crafts each sentence and paragraph in her books to truly "show" the story as it unfolds, instead of merely "telling" the story as some modern day authors tend to do.
I thoroughly enjoyed Book 1 in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series: The Edge of Light. When Book 2, The Promise of Morning, was released in March 2010, I eagerly volunteered to read and review a copy of Ann’s book.
While some of the characters remain from The Edge of Light, new characters appear as well. The book opens with incredible loss on the part of a mother and father who are visiting their deceased children’s gravesites. Yes, "children". Three children have passed away as the story unfolds. More loss is to come, in more ways than one. But some gains also come to visit, which are blessings in disguise.
Ann has done her research well in this story. There are so many aspects of daily life in the 1840s that just naturally show up in the storyline. I appreciate this subtleness that allows me to learn new things about the pioneer era. Christians’ views on traveling actors, ministers, and the like really hit home because of Ann’s careful crafting of the details that are woven throughout the book.
This second book in the "At Home in Beldon Grove" series has a different flavor, a different tone than Book 1. While both books deal with loss, disappointment, and renewal, I found this book, The Promise of Morning, to save the "renewal" for the last bit of the book, while Book 1, The Edge of Light, seemed to have more hope earlier in the storyline.
For women who have experienced the loss of miscarriage or the loss of a child who has been born, they will easily understand the range of emotions that Ellie has throughout the story. While some of it may seem harsh, Ellie basically travels through the circle of loss and grief that is so common to women in her situation. Her behaviors and attitudes could easily draw criticism, but they are also the normal human reactions to deep loss and sorrow.
The one point that I need to make about this book is that it deals with a very sensitive topic that wouldn’t be appropriate for younger readers. While I had no problem with my 11-year-old daughter reading The Edge of Light last year, we’ve decided to not have her read this book, The Promise of Morning.
Because I want to be sensitive and appropriate here, I’ll just say that one of the key themes in The Promise of Morning is that Ellie, the main character, allows her grief over the death of some of her young children to cause her to decide to no longer fulfill all of her marriage vows to her husband. She decides that she does not want to risk pregnancy and thus possibly have another baby or young child pass away. The Promise of Morning was not "racy" by typical worldly fiction standards, but we’ve decided to read the book orally to my daughters and leave out some of the paragraphs and sentences, because I want them to love Ann Shorey’s books without feeling embarrassed and needing to blush. Don’t worry; my daughters know enough about the "birds and the bees." But I don’t want them to think that all Christian fiction books are written just like worldly fiction books. Books can be written about almost any topic, with a sense of innocence and care for others, if it is done in a subtle way.
I will recommend this book, but with a bit of hesitation. I would have felt more "refreshed" if one of the main topics had been left out altogether or very slightly mentioned in a cautious way one time only, instead of going into more detail.
Overall, I enjoyed reading The Promise of Morning by Ann Shorey. I look forward to reading Book 3 of her trilogy when it comes out in another year or so. God has given her an incredible talent, and I pray that she will continue to use her gift of of writing to glorify and honor Him.
A complimentary copy of The Promise of Morning was given to me by Revell for the purpose of providing a review of this book.
