Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

About the Book

Miss Temperance Flowerdew is on her way to work when a stranger suddenly grabs her off the street and sends her on a Chicago-bound train before she can figure out what happened.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind the abduction, they're seen alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Gilbert is willing to propose marriage--except Temperance will have none of it. She's finally stepped out of the shadow of her relations and won't give up her independence. But when it becomes clear the misunderstanding in Chicago has escalated into a threat on her life and followed her to New York, accepting Gilbert's help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

BUY YOUR COPY HERE

My Review

The final installation in the "Apart from the Crowd" series was truly my favorite. Since I am a quirky wallflower that loves to paint landscapes, I connected with Temperance immediately. The development of her character throughout the story was truly lovely. The unfolding of the plot kept me glued from page 1 to the last page. The mystery and the involvement of the historic Pinkerton agents made the book a fun and exciting one to follow. I can promise you that you won't be able to put the book down until you finish it. The way our characters grow spiritually is truly an inspiration. The sweet romance that Gilbert (who is also a dynamic and endearing character) and Temperance find blooming between them is one of the sweetest I've read in fiction before. The language used was so rich and elegant, and I found the history to be truly lovely. Any fiction reader needs to put this one on their must-read list! Don't miss the other two installments in this series as well- they are all connected in some way and they will thrill your love for fiction all over again!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Jen Turano is a USA Today Bestselling author, known for her quirky characters and amusing story lines. Her novel, After a Fashion, was a Reviewer's Choice finalist with RT, as well as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013, and Booklist has called her "One of the funniest voices in the inspirational genre." When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver, CO. She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jenturanoauthor/ or visit her on the web at www.jenturano.com. She is represented by the Natasha Kern Literary Agency.

Evil Forebodings by Carol E. Keen

About the Book

A conservative small town. One woman with a gift. A supernatural battle with lives at stake. 

Tiffany Rodgers has been blessed with the gift of animal communication. It’s not always been easy, but she is able to help others using her gifts. For no apparent reason, a stalker is threatening her, at the same time that she’s dealing with terrifying nightmares. Will her new ally, Officer Allen Lawrence understand her gift? Can she clarify her forebodings of evil, cope with the messages written in blood, and help find her kidnapped friend before more harm comes to Newville or herself? The time has come for Tiffany to

take a stand and fight for her safety and her sanity.

BUY YOUR COPY HERE 

What people are saying about Evil Forebodings:

“When Christian belief is challenged by spiritual forces of darkness in a small town. . .who will ultimately triumph? You’ll need to read Evil Forebodings to discover the answer for yourself.

“A supernatural, paranormal novel with plenty of suspense and a bit of romance. From page one, I was getting tingles down my spine. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy supernatural, paranormal, suspense stories.”

“Jeepers, Creepers, you won't want to close those peepers! If you like scary books then you will like this one. This touches on spiritual warfare and the unseen evil that goes on in the world. I like that she wrote about the pastor and other believers praying during the town's battle with darkness and evil.”

“The storyline was fascinating and unique. I loved that Tiffany could communicate with animals and that spiritual gifts and warfare are such a huge part of the story.” 

About the Author

Carol E. Keen enjoys fresh coffee, hot tea, and a good book. She was published for several years in FAMA magazine (Freshwater And Marine Aquarium) as a contributing editor. She published her first book on CD, called Simply Seahorses. She now resides in Alabama with her husband and family and spends her time writing, reading, working in photography, and being with her much loved critters. Connect with the author by using one of the links below!

Social Media:

Book Bub link:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carol-e-keen

Amazon: 

https://.amazon.com/Carol-E.-Keen/e/B011N0L4NM/

FB Page:

https://www.facebook.com/carolekeenauthor/

Twitter:

@carolkeenauthor

News Letter link

http://facebook.us14.list-manage2.com/subscribe?u=57474c2c03ad40d6428eae3a4&id=3101868023

My Input

I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this truly creepy, suspenseful, intriguing book! Don't miss out on a one of a kind fiction! See my original review below:

Carol Keen effortlessly takes us to the world of the invisible in this thriller! Supernatural forces of evil can be a difficult concept to make clear in the reader's mind because it is truly invisible in reality to us and the author. However, Ms. Keen seamlessly explores the unseen world in a way that makes it completely clear to the reader and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time.  Suspense, mystery, action, and emotion all tied up in one neat package. I loved how the pets were incorporated into the story and capitalized upon their natural tendency to sense danger. Each page I turned, I felt the emotion of the characters- the fear, uncertainty, the literal chill down my spine. I could clearly see and feel the struggle and desperation in the scenes where we held our breath at what would happen to the characters next. I loved how the characters had to act like detectives to unlock the mystery of the origin of these evil forebodings. I loved how Ms. Keen incorporated the power of prayer in battling spiritual evil, and the trust the characters learned to have in the Lord in critical situations. I could literally smell and feel the evil presence that made its' home in Newville and it gave me the same sense of urgency the characters had to protect each other and figure out the mystery. We see the reality of spiritual evil, the damage it can do when out of control, and the power of prayer and trust in the Lord to overcome any evil, even if we can't see it. If you love suspense and mystery, this is a must read! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

Revealed by Elaine Manders

About the Book

Title: Revealed  
Author: Elaine Manders
Genre: Christian Historical Romance  
Release Date: December 27, 2018  

Nothing can be hidden that won’t be revealed. When her father dies, Katherine Levinson discovers her parents have kept secrets that render her happy childhood a farce. She and her gravely ill mother face eviction, and she has no choice but to appeal to the brother she’s never seen, the famous cattle baron, Rhyan Cason. Over her gravely ill mother’s objections, they move to Nebraska and the sprawling cattle ranch, Sollano.

Instead of the warm welcome Katherine expects, she and her mother are met with whispers and scorn in the little prairie town near Sollano. Gradually, the sins of her parents’ past surface, and Katherine begins to doubt her very identify. With her brother busy with cattle rustlers and her mother too ill to be bothered, Katherine turns to Colt Holliman, a soft-spoken neighboring rancher, for comfort.

Tired of waiting for the right woman to come along, Colt has promised to wait for Charley Ryder, an acclaimed female sharp shooter and equestrian acrobat with the Wild West Show, but it’s becoming clear Charley loves the show more than him. As his attraction to Katherine grows, he finds himself spiritually conflicted. How can he break from past commitments and follow his heart?

Then unexpected danger strikes, testing Katherine’s and Colt’s faith in God—and each other.

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

What dynamic characters and rich settings we find in Revealed! I was glued to the page from page one until the very end. We open upon a rather difficult time for our heroine, and while she is elated to meet the family she's never known, judgment lurks around every corner. Colt- a loyal, honorable settled man waiting to settle down with the love of his life that seems more interested in showmanship than settling anytime soon. Our characters are truly complex and grow so much in the Lord through the storyline. The plot takes many twists and turns and keeps you in suspense to the very last. The setting was clearly and richly depicted, and as a fan of Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons myself, I found a new story to enjoy, and hope to go back and read the others in this series. Inspiration, development, suspense, history, and a sweet romance combine to make this an unforgettable story. Any fiction reader could enjoy Revealed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Elaine Manders writes wholesome Christian romance and suspense about the bold, capable women of history and the strong, dependable men who love them. Her stories twist, turn, and surprise, told by characters who aren’t afraid to show their love for God and each other. She grew up a small town country girl and now lives in Central Georgia with her fur baby. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, sewing, crafts, and spending time with her family.

Guest Post from Elaine Manders

My Backstory

Intrigue under Western Skies Series, Book 3

Revealed

Back when I watched television, drama series were my favorite—Little House of the Prairie, the Waltons, the Virginian. I was caught up in the lives of these characters and looked forward to seeing what they were up to each week. For much the same reason, I enjoy writing episodic series. Intrigue under Western Skies, a blended genre, historical romantic suspense series falls in this category. Some of the characters show up in every book, with new ones added along the way. But the books can be read out of sequence since each one has a different premise and plot. In Revealed, Book 3 of Intrigue under Western Skies, I wanted to give Colt Holliman, previously introduced as a secondary character, his own HEA. Also, it seemed the time to reveal what happened to Rhyan Cason’s mother, the woman who’d caused so much angst in the first two books. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to introduce Katherine, the sister he never knew existed. Unexpectedly, my research led me to the history of show business, and how it developed through the Wild West shows of the nineteenth century. From that, a mystery evolved. The spiritual thread running through Revealed explores the emotions of a young woman who discovers blood relatives have been hidden from her. Can she accept and love her new family and forgive the sins of her parents? Maybe the greatest insight I gained from writing Revealed is that one can never trust his own heart without first trusting God.

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, July 17

A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 17

The Avid Reader, July 18

Moments Dipped in Ink, July 18

Remembrancy, July 19

A Baker’s Perspective, July 19

The Christian Fiction Girl, July 20

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 20

Mary Hake, July 20

Connie’s History Classroom, July 21

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, July 21

Bibliophile Reviews, July 22

proud to be an autism mom, July 22

A Reader’s Brain, July 23

100 Pages per Hour, July 23

Daysong Reflections, July 24

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 24

Maureen’s Musings, July 25

Two Points of Interest, July 25

Inklings and notions, July 26

Texas Book-aholic, July 26

cherylbbookblog, July 27

Pause for Tales, July 27

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 27

Karen Sue Hadley, July 28

Janices book reviews, July 28

Henry Happens, July 29

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 29

Bigreadersite, July 29

Godly Book Reviews, July 30

The Morning Chapter, July 30

For The Love of Books, July 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Elaine is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cee6/revealed-celebration-tour-giveaway

Firestorm by Laura V. Hilton

About the Book

Title: Firestorm  
Author: Laura Hilton  
Genre: Christian Amish  
Release Date: July, 2018

Bridget Behr and her family migrate from the bustling Amish community where she grew up in Ohio to the mostly unpopulated Upper Peninsula of Michigan after a stalker breaks into their home. While her father and brother try to find work in the area, the family is forced to reside in a borrowed RV until the house and barn are rebuilt. While Bridget is hoping for a fresh start, she’s afraid to trust anyone—even Gabriel, the overly-friendly Amish man who lives nearby. Bridget thinks he’s a flirt who serial dates and doesn’t even remember the girls’ names.

Due to not enough construction work in his Florida community to keep him out of trouble, Gabriel Lapp has been sent to Michigan to work. His father is desperate for his son to settle down. When the family walks into Gabe’s home in the middle of a thunderstorm and he discovers their circumstances, he offers to help with construction. For Gabe, the beautiful girl he teasingly calls “the recluse” once he discovers she doesn’t attend youth events, confuses him like none other.

As Gabriel and Bridget grow closer, they realize there is more to a person than meets the eye. Just as Bridget is finally settling into her new life, and perhaps finding love, tragedy strikes. Now Bridget and her family must decide if they should move to another Amish community, or dare to fight for the future they’d hoped for in Mackinac County.

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

Not your typical Amish fiction, I found Firestorm to be in an interesting setting, with an endearing yet exciting plot. I found Bridget and Gabriel to be somewhat opposite in nature. One pensive, uncertain, caring girl looking for stability meets one seemingly wild, unstable, immature, yet attractive boy. I felt that our protagonists really grew in complexity and really learned in practical ways how to depend on the Lord in their situations. I always like books that get in the character's head so you can see through their eyes while reading. I found the setting of Michigan an interesting, unknown spot for Amish communities, so that was an interesting aspect for sure. I found it a story of hardship, hope, inspiration, and truly unique especially for an Amish fiction. I feel that any Christian fiction reader could find enjoyment in Firestorm. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Laura V. Hilton is an award-winning, sought-after author with over twenty Amish, contemporary, and historical romances. When she’s not writing, she reviews books for her blogs, and writes devotionals for blog posts for Seriously Write. Laura and her pastor-husband have five children and a hyper dog named Skye. They currently live in Arkansas. One son is in the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a pastor’s wife, and homeschools her two youngest children. When she’s not writing, Laura enjoys reading, and visiting lighthouses and waterfalls. Her favorite season is winter, her favorite holiday is Christmas.

Guest Post from Laura Hilton

I read a series of books a year or so ago by another Amish author who had set her books in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. As a Michigan native, I was curious, and I researched, but found nothing about Upper Peninsula Amish except a notation that one had tried and failed. So I contacted the author. She told me that she’d never been there, and her research had all been hearsay, so with that lack of firsthand knowledge and no trip to the Upper Peninsula planned, no trip to see for myself would be possible. At least at that time. Then God intervened. My son who is in the United States Coast Guard was stationed in the Upper Peninsula this past summer (2017.) He saw the Amish driving around in their buggies. And he felt like a stalker as he followed one to see where he went and drove through the area. He even sent pictures. (Shhhh.) Yes, there are Amish in the Upper Peninsula – at least at the time this book was written. Okay, as a Michigan native, I used some terms that may not be familiar to non-Michiganders. A Yooper is someone who lives in the Upper Peninsula. A Troll is someone from the Lower Peninsula. A pastie is kind of like a Hot Pocket, except it’s a meat pie made with root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, and rutabagas. They are so good. And the straits are the area of the Great Lakes connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. As for the wildfire, the earliest wildfire I could find any documentation on in the Upper Peninsula was in April. It is generally a snowy area — trust me. I lived near the Muskegon area and saw snow drifts in May. We sometimes had over six feet of snow on the ground at one time. So, to get the wildfire when I wanted/needed the wildfire I used artistic license. Yes, fires really happened in Michigan’s history. Just not in the month mentioned in the book.  

I am attaching a meme about Michigan seasons. We’ll call the fire set in “fool’s spring.” My son got married during the “third winter” this year. April 21 and there’s snow on the ground. He and his beautiful bride got married at a water fall (Tahquomenon Falls) very near where the story is set.  

Thanks for reading Firestorm!!

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, July 10

Blogging With Carol, July 10

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 11

Moments Dipped in Ink, July 11

The Avid Reader, July 12

Blossoms and Blessings, July 12

Texas Book-aholic, July 12

God’s Little Bookworm, July 13

Inklings and notions, July 13

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 13

Among the Reads, July 14

Because I said so- adventures in parenting, July 14

Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner, July 15

Random Thoughts From a Bookworm, July 15

A Reader’s Brain, July 16

Luv’N Lambert Life, July 16

Daysong Reflections, July 17

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 17

Janices book reviews, July 17

Inspiration Clothesline, July 18

lady ansel book blog, July 18

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 18

cherylbbookblog, July 19

Two Points of Interest, July 19

A Baker’s Perspective, July 19

Pause for Tales, July 20

Ashley’s bookshelf, July 20

amandainpa, July 21

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, July 21

Bigreadersite, July 21

proud to be an autism mom, July 22

Bibliophile Reviews, July 22

For The Love of Books, July 23

Pink Granny’s Journey, July 23

Little Homeschool on the Praire, July 23

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Laura is giving away

Grand prize: Firefighter Puppet 9 (Melissa & Doug), Copies of Amish Firefighter and Firestorm by Laura Hilton.

First place prize of “I Love You to the Cross & Back” Mug (Gardenfire) & Firestorm by Laura Hilton!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cf87/firestorm-celebration-tour-giveaway

Breath of Heaven by Alana Terry

About the Book

Title: Breath of Heaven  
Author: Alana Terry  
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction  
Release Date: December 9, 2017

She hasn’t fallen out of love with her husband. She just can’t stand his church. Nobody told Katrina being a pastor’s wife would be easy. But she never imagined that the stress she and her husband would face from his new job could so easily destroy their marriage. In spite of her mother’s disapproval, Katrina marries a pastor whose job immediately plucks her away from her music, her symphony, and the city life she loves and plants her in the small town of Orchard Grove, Washington. If she knew going into her new life that she’d be sacrificing her music career for a congregation full of gossips and backbiters and that the pressure of her husband’s new job would turn him into someone she hardly recognizes anymore, she might have reconsidered marrying him in the first place. Unfortunately, it’s too late to do anything about that now. Or is it?

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

Wow did I feel Katrina's heart- I mean I really felt it. Dealing with infertility and having some positions of leadership in the church drew me to Katrina's character. Reading this book for someone who may not be in a leadership position in the church will really open your eyes to the struggles especially a pastor's wife goes through and reminds you that they're human too and need your love, encouragement, and grace more than anything. No church is perfect, and no person is perfect, but we can all be committed to allowing the Lord to work in our lives, and minister to our pastor's and pastor's families as much as they minister to us. I felt the guilt and timidness that Katrina felt because I tend to be very much that way about every little thing in my life. Sorrow in our life is meant to be shared and born together as Christians, and also something I tend to keep private and so never heal from just like Katrina. Katrina's situation of looking for love from somewhere and becoming steeped in depression because she feels cornered on every side is one that shows us how much we need the Lord every day. This book reminded me of our desperate need for the Lord, how no situation is as hopeless as it seems, that depression is a real struggle and very spiritual most of the time, and how we can't find true satisfaction in any person or anything. Satan can use our best intentions against us when we look for our strength and satisfaction from anything or any person besides the Lord. Our help comes from the Lord alone! Any Christian could read this book and glean from it. Don't miss out!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Alana is a pastor’s wife, homeschooling mom, self-diagnosed chicken lady, and Christian suspense author. Her novels have won awards from Women of Faith, Book Club Network, Grace Awards, Readers’ Favorite, and more. Alana’s passion for social justice, human rights, and religious freedom shines through her writing, and her books are known for raising tough questions without preaching. She and her family live in rural Alaska where the northern lights in the winter and midnight sun in the summer make hauling water, surviving the annual mosquito apocalypse, and cleaning goat stalls in negative forty degrees worth every second.

Guest Post from Alana Terry

I used to think being a pastor’s wife would be glamorous. Now I know better!

Although I’ve loved the different churches where my husband has been called to serve, being a couple in full-time ministry can definitely take its toll on a marriage.

Breath of Heaven is a novel in my Orchard Grove Christian women’s fiction series, which deals with real-life couples facing real-life issues. In Breath of Heaven, two newlyweds are thrown into the world of church politics, and the honeymoon period is quickly over.

I wrote this novel to give an inside peek at what it’s like if you’ve never been a pastor’s wife as well as to offer some hope and encouragement to women who know the stress of being married to someone in full-time ministry.

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 28

Ladybug Chronicles, June 28

Quiet Quilter, June 29

The Power of Words, June 29

Just the Write Escape, June 30

Splashes of Joy, June 30

Mary Hake, July 1

Lots of Helpers, July 1

proud to be an autism mom, July 2

Bibliophile Reviews, July 2

All-of-a-kind Mom, July 3

Daysong Reflections, July 3

Texas Book-aholic, July 4

Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 4

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 5

Janices book reviews, July 5

Carpe Diem, July 6

A Baker’s Perspective, July 6

Bigreadersite, July 7

Christian Author, J.E.Grace, July 8

Margaret Kazmierczak, July 8 (Interview)

A Reader’s Brain, July 9

The Christian Fiction Girl, July 9

Blogging With Carol, July 10

Jen Around the World, July 10

Godly Book Reviews, July 11

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Alana is giving away a grand prize of books 1-3 in the Orchard Grove Christian women’s series (paperback or ebook)!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/d06f/breath-of-heaven-celebration-tour-giveaway

Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

About the Book

Book Title: Minding the Light  
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher  
Genre: Historical Romance  
Release date: July 3, 2018

Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship’s hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. “Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?” he whispers in despair. Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn’t defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and “mind the Light,” finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be–honorable, wise, faithful–she finds herself falling in love with him. But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren’s business partner, cousin, and best friend–and Daphne’s fiancé. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high? Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.

Click HERE to purchase your copy!

My Review

I had high hopes for the second Nantucket Legacy installment- and I was not disappointed by any means! Taking us back to the historical and quaint world of the Quakers, we find the hope of God infused in difficult and emotional circumstances. We see our characters developed beyond even what they could hope, and we learn so much about history- whaling in particular in this book. Our author truly transported me to the place and time, and made the characters and the plot so clear in my mind I felt I was part of the story. The realities of having a husband gone 6 years for their job is one I can not even fathom enduring. I can't stand my husband to be gone on a trip for a week! I really felt how Ren came back to a different life than he left, and then is met with tragedy so soon. Daphne is a spirited yet respectful character, wanting to please but also wanting to truly be in love. Her mother's character was another one that was portrayed particularly well. I absolutely love the devotion to God, and inspiration found in "minding the Light." The rich history found in our character's ancestors diaries keeps the thread going from book 1, and gives us another intriguing tale of Daphne's history. The story is one of blossoming in hardship amid a rich historical backdrop. My heart truly hurt and smiled along with our characters in this riveting work. Any fiction lover, especially history and romance, will find enjoyment here!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions given are my own. 

About the Author

Carol-award winner Suzanne Woods Fisher writes untold stories about inspiring people. With over one million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World to the historical novel Anna’s Crossing.

Guest Post from Suzanne

8 Curious Facts you Probably Didn’t Know about Nantucket Island

This beautiful island, thirty miles off Cape Cod, is steeped in history. Here are just a few interesting reasons to add a visit to Nantucket to your bucket list.

1) During the first half of the nineteenth century, Nantucket was considered to be the wealthiest port in the world…all because of whale oil.

2) Petticoat Row is a 19th century nickname for a portion of Centre Street between Main Street and Broad Street. Many shops on Nantucket were run by women while the men were off to sea in whaling ships for years at a time. Quakerism, with its emphasis on equality, provided working women with community respect, value and esteem. The next time you’re visiting Nantucket, be sure to stop by the Petticoat Row Bakery for a morning glory muffin.

3) The use of laudanum (opium) was described by a visiting French as prevalent among the women of Nantucket. Loyal Nantucketers vehemently denied his claim. However, in the 1980s, construction workers digging to Nantucket’s sewer lines found heaps of opium bottles buried in the ground. For centuries, laudanum was considered to be not only harmless but beneficial. Its very name in Latin is landare, which means to praise. Other names for it: Mother’s Helper (to sedate children), Sea Calm (for seasickness). It was used for all kinds of ailments, from sleeplessness to menstrual cramps to treatment of chronic pain, and available without prescription up until the twentieth century, when it was found to be highly addictive.

 4) Nantucket Cent Schools were a carryover from England and the cost was exactly what the name implied. In New England they were kept by refined, thrifty women who often taught their own or their neighbors’ children until they were old enough to enter schools of a higher grade. I came across a story of a boy whose mother stuck a penny in his mouth each day so that he would remember to pay the teacher.

 5) Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville in 1851, was based on a true-life event that occurred in 1820 to the Nantucket whaleship Essex and her crew. You can find out more about this ill-fated voyage if you visit Nantucket’s awesome whaling museum.

6) Speaking of…the whaling museum on Nantucket Island is called the Peter Foulger Whaling Museum. Peter Foulger was one of the early settlers to the island, and could be considered a Renaissance Man: inventor, surveyor, teacher, missionary to the Wampanoag Indians. And his grandson was none other than Benjamin Franklin.

7) Nantucketers were, for the most part, related to each other in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. The prosperous island was settled by a small group of families, with less than a dozen surnames: Coffin, Macy, Starbuck, Bunker, Hussey, Gardner, Mayhew, Swain, Barnard, Coleman, Worth, Mitchell. Those names are still common on the island.

8) There’s a good reason those surnames sound familiar to you—many of those early settlers had descendants who started business empires. Recognize these? Macy (retailer) and Folger (coffee).

Blog Stops

Carpe Diem, July 3

Livin Lit, July 3

midnightbookaholic, July 3

The Avid Reader, July 4

Margaret Kazmierczak, July 4

The Power of Words, July 4

A Baker’s Perspective, July 5

Blossoms and Blessings, July 5

A Reader’s Brain, July 5

Just the Write Escape, July 6

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 6

Bibliophile Reviews, July 7

Mary Hake, July 7

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 7

Texas Book-aholic, July 8

Simple Harvest Reads, July 8 (Guest post from Mindy Houng)

Janices book reviews, July 9

Captive Dreams Window, July 9

Book by Book, July 9

Back Porch Reads, July 10

Reading Is My SuperPower, July 10

Splashes of Joy, July 10

The Morning Chapter, July 11

Vicky Sluiter, July 11

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, July 11

Among the Reads, July 12

proud to be an autism mom, July 12

Two Points of Interest, July 12

Abbas Prayer Warrior Princess, July 13

Tell Tale Book Reviews, July 13

Blogging With Carol, July 13

Truth and Grace Writing and Life Coaching, July 14

Maureen’s Musings, July 14

Southern Gal Loves to Read, July 14

Godly Book Reviews, July 15

Inklings and notions, July 15

Bigreadersite, July 15

Connie’s History Classroom , July 16

Locks, Hooks and Books, July 16

Pause for Tales, July 16

Have A Wonderful Day, July 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a $10 Starbucks gift card to five winners!!

Be sure to leave a comment on one of the blog stops for 9 extra entries into the giveaway. Click link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/d1c4/minding-the-light-celebration-tour-giveaway