New Book by Ann Shorey ~ The Dawn of a Dream

                  It's all Luellen's fault.

     Yes, I stayed up until 2 a.m. the other night, all because of Luellen. 

     Well, maybe I should blame Ann.  After all, she wrote the book!

     In truth, I can only blame myself.  I don't find much time to read books for pleasure, but I had asked to read and review Ann Shorey's new book, The Dawn of a Dream by Revell Publishers, and had already read through the first 100 pages in bits and pieces over a couple of weeks, something I prefer not to do. 

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     On Tuesday evening, I sat down around 10 p.m., after everyone had gone to sleep for the night, to curl up on the couch with the cats and Ann Shorey's third book in the "At Home In Beldon Grove" series:  The Dawn of a Dream.

     Luellen, the main character, captured me with her tenacity and determination despite the many odds against her in the 1850s.  Women had so few choices back then, and when the typical events like marriage and family didn't go as planned, it was not only heartbreaking for women, but also extremely life changing, often in a negative way.

     Around midnight, after hardly taking a breath while reading, I glanced at my watch. 

     "Only a few more chapters to read.  I can do this tonight!"

     I know, I shouldn't have stayed up so late reading a book for pleasure.  It almost seems sinful to do so.  But it isn't.  And I enjoyed every minute of it!

     Thank you to my husband and girls, who allowed me to sleep in the next morning!

     Ann Shorey combines historical details and relevant characters that have true personality, not just the standard "cookie cutter" versions of books that are written quickly and not done well.

     Her writing flows smoothly and accurately.  I found myself speeding through her paragraphs and pages, and I must say that a lot of modern writers just don't have the knack for writing in a way that flows.  Often, I'll get frustrated on how slowly I'm progressing through a fiction book, simply because the author doesn't really have the knack for writing well.

     While The Dawn of a Dream is Book 3 in the trilogy, "At Home in Beldon Grove", it definitely stands alone.  Even if you haven't read any of Ann's books in this series, you will be able to easily pick this up and be involved in the main characters' lives in no time at all.  Characters from Books 1 and 2 in the series appear occasionally, but not having a background in their lives won't be a hindrance at all.

     The Dawn of a Dream was my favorite book in this trilogy.  I wish it wasn't ending!  I'm hoping that Mrs. Shorey will be invited to write additional books along the same line as these three.  I'll have to ask her on Sunday, if I happen to be blessed to see her at church.  Yes, I first met Ann through a women's event at my church, when some of us were invited to her home for dinner.  I was genuinely surprised to learn that evening that she had just been approved to write this trilogy, and now, three years later, here they all are!

     This book will generally be appropriate for readers ages 13 and up.  There is a slight sensual phrase on the second page of the book, but even though the remainder of the book delves into mature topics, it does so in a respectful and appropriate manner.  My 13-year-old just finished reading The Dawn of  a Dream this afternoon, and she also loved it!

     Have you been able to read any of Ann Shorey's books yet?  If so, which one was your favorite?

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