The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd – Wonderful Inspiring Story with Interesting, Likeable Characters

 

I had never heard of the tragic 1917 Halifax explosion that devastated this city in Nova Scotia, which impacted thousands of people.  People were gravely injured; over a thousand were killed in the explosion, and hundreds died from their injuries in the weeks that followed the devastating accident.  Families searched for their loved ones, not knowing if they were dead or alive. 

 

I had never heard of author Terrie Todd before or read any of her books.  But she did a tremendous job in telling this account of the Halifax catastrophe in her historical fiction novel The Reluctant Healer of Halifax.  

 

She brought the story to life by focusing on two families, the Campbells and the Hamiltons.  She told how their family, friends, and community rallied together in the face of horror to save lives, bury the dead, house the orphans, provide for the needy, and slowly rebuild their community and lives. 

 

Days earlier, Oliver Hamilton had been shipped home from the WWI war front where he had sustained injuries and lost an eye.  As he lay on his bed in the Veteran’s Hospital, he couldn’t imagine going on with this life as he had planned.  He was certain that it was best to break off his relationship with Pearline Campbell and let her go on with her life. 

 

But in Halifax, on the morning of December 6, 1917, a clear sunny day, who would imagine that the only two ships in the harbor would collide?  That the collision would set off an explosion that would destroy the city?  All members of the community would need to pull together, including those injured war veterans who had recently returned. 

 

I loved reading this story and learning about Canadian history.  Terrie Todd did a great job in bringing these characters to life.  She told the story of how they pulled together to meet the overwhelming needs of so many, while trying to find out about their own family and friends.  Instead of turning inwards, by God’s grace and through His strength, they moved forward one day at a time.  They showed compassion and care when their own hearts were hurting. 

 

It was amazing to learn about the care that poured in from outside communities and countries.  Aid came to help individuals, families, and the city rebuild their community.  Help came after the disaster and continued over many months.

 

My favorite part of the book was the maturity depicted in the characters and their ability to grow, adapt, and change.  Their faith sustained them.  Instead of growing bitter or turning away from God, they turned to God and depended upon Him in the hours and days of their greatest need.  I loved the prayers and the good theology included in the storyline and reflected in the characters.  When reading this book, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would have responded to a devastating tragedy like this.

 

The Reluctant Healer of Halifax by Terrie Todd is a wonderful historical fiction account of the horrific tragedy that brought people together to rebuild.  Rebuild their community and their lives. 

 

I want to thank Barbour Publishing for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of The Reluctant Healer by Terrie Todd.  This novel is part of the Enduring Hope series from Barbour Publishing.  I look forward to reading more of Terrie Todd’s novels and more Christian fiction from Barbour Publishing.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review.

 

Through the Valley by Patricia Johns – An Enjoyable, Interesting, and Satisfying Story with Likeable Characters

I enjoy Amish fiction as was excited at the opportunity to read Patricia Johns’ newest novel Through the Valley, the third book in The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill series. 

 

Through the Valley is a story about two Amish women who are not like traditional Amish women.  Miri Schrock would rather be out in the field and tending to the cows and the farm rather than be inside cooking, cleaning, and sewing.  She doesn’t have farm of her own, but is hopeful she will in the future.  For now, she will settle for boarding her three cows at the Yoder farm. 

 

Tabitha Schrock, years ago during her rumspringa, had left the Amish community to become a veterinarian.  She ended up marrying an Englisher, Michael.  Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce.  Tabitha never really felt at home with Englishers so she decided to return to her Amish people.  It would take time for her to earn respect and trust from the people in her community.  The one barrier she couldn’t break down was being a divorced woman.  Despite her longtime friendship with Jonas and a growing love between them, she knew she would never be allowed to remarry as long as her former husband was still alive.  She needed to move on with her life and she encouraged Jonas to move on, get married and have a family.

 

In recent months, Miri has been helping Tom Yoder whose health continued to decline.  She’s the one who has been tending to Tom’s daily needs as his grandsons, Moses and Benuel, are outside taking care of the farm.  As his time draws near, while working Miri still continues to chat with Tom and keep him updated on his cows.  When Miri lets Tom know that Tabith has arrived to check on some sick cows she is met with silence.  Tom Yoder has passed away. 

 

While Tom’s family knew that he was sick, his sudden passing was a surprise.  But that surprise would pale in comparison to reading of Tom’s will.  The farm had been in the Yoder family for many generations.  His grandsons anticipated that one or both of them would inherit the farm.  They already had plans on what they would like to do with the property. 

 

Those plans came to a halt upon hearing the reading of Tom’s will.  That jolt would be the cause of much rumor and speculation and threatened to divide families and their community.  Both Miri and Tabitha’s lives would be shaken up by recent developments in their lives.  Would they see the hand of God guiding them through the valley of the shadow of death?  Giving them much needed wisdom, guidance, and direction that they needed?   

 

What I love about Patricia Johns’ novels are how the characters are developed and grow through their interactions with one another and the circumstances that going on in their lives.  Both Miri and Tabitha wanted to do the right thing in what seemed like impossible situations.  I loved the support they had from family and friends, even when challenged to make hard decisions.  I appreciate that faith was an important part of the characters’ lives.  Patricia does a great job in weaving multiple storylines and characters together.  I like how the characters are carried over from early novels in the series.  I really enjoyed reading Through the Valley by Patricia Johns.  

 

I would like to thank Patricia Johns and Bethany House Publisher for the opportunity to read Through the Valley by Patricia Johns.  I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. 

  

Ambushed in Yosemite by Kellie VanHorn – Suspense, Mystery, Intrigue, and a Little Romance

 

After reading the description of Kellie VanHorn’s new novel, Ambushed in Yosemite, I wanted to read it. 

 

Skylar (Sky) Jansen invested nearly four years of her life with Chris and thought they would soon marry.  She was hoping for a proposal, but instead Chris announced that he wanted to end their relationship.  On the heels of their break-up Skylar wanted to get out of New York City, reset and figure out what she wanted to do with her life.

 

For the time being, Sky decided to work as a seasonal interpretive ranger in Yosemite over the summer, something her father had done during her childhood.  Eighteen years ago, her dad Andy Jansen disappeared and was never seen or heard from again.  It devastated his family, but in Yosemite Skylar had good memories of her father.  Perhaps, it was a good place to start over. 

 

Before starting her morning shift, Sky decided to take a walk on a trail, the last place her father was seen.  As she got further off the beaten path, she saw something strange.  A man in dark clothing with a shovel.  As a park ranger, she decided to let the man know that people are not allowed to dig in the national park.  But there was something about his response that seemed really off.  Sky decided it was time get out of there.  Right now, leave, go, run!  Sky hightailed it out of there with the man is in pursuit.  As she finally got to safety she slammed right into a climber.  Not just any climber, but Special Agent Bode Tucker, the right man, at the right place, at the right time. 

 

Ambushed in Yosemite by Kellie VanHorn is filled with suspense, mystery, and intrigue starting on page one.  The characters are very likeable, decent, kind, and caring.  The kind of people who will do what it takes protect the innocent, get answers, and seek justice.  The setting in Yosemite is beautiful.

 

What I especially appreciated about the story and characters is their faith.  In their daily life and when their lives are in peril, they turn to God in faith, pray, and trust God.  Knowing that their salvation is secure no matter how the circumstances turn out.  I enjoyed the growing relationship between Sky and Bode, and his little girl Harper and his family.  I appreciated that the story was clean. 

 

If you like mystery, intrigue, suspense with a little romance, read Ambushed in Yosemite by Kellie VanHorn. 

 

I would like to thank the publisher Harlequin – Romance and NetGalley for an opportunity to read Ambushed in Yosemite by Kellie VanHorn.  I received a complimentary copy of this book and was under no obligation to give a favorable review.