The King's Mercy

GIVEAWAY

BENTON, LORI
THE KING'S MERCY

How can a man accept mercy when it feels more like a curse than a blessing?

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy -- transport across the Atlantic Ocean and exile to the colony of North Carolina -- he's indentured as a blacksmith to Edmund Carey, prosperous owner of Severn Plantation. The arrangement devastates the Scot, who mourns the life he lost and finds life on a slave plantation intolerable.Unwittingly, Alex is drawn into the plight of Carey's slaves, particularly those connected to Casey's stepdaughter, Joanna.

A mistress longing for a different life, Joanna Carey is expected to wed the plantation overseer, Phineas Reeves, who has no patience for her kinder vision for Severn's future. For guidance, Joanna relies on itinerant minister Reverend Pauling, who travels to the plantation seasonally, bringing the gospel to all with ears to listen.

Despite his growing bond with Joanna, Alex longs to break the chains of servitude and forge his freedom, until he's faced with the choice that hounds him: continue down his destructive, rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no earthly power can steal. But the price of such mercy is total is total surrender and perhaps Alex's very life.

My Review:

"Look to the Almighty in faith. Believe that He is who He says, then you will see beyond what meets your eyes." (p 118)

Wow --- just....wow! What an epic thrill of a historical read! The King's Mercy delivered way more than I was expecting. (And I love the double meaning in the title, by the way -- so profound!) It is clear that Lori Benton is a master storyteller. She brings such depth and realism and historical accuracy to her novels and I found myself completely immersed in Alex and Joanna's story the instant I opened this book.

They are at such odds in the beginning -- Alex, a fierce warrior, willing to rebel for a just cause, he's now suffering the consequences of his actions as an indentured servant to an Englishman in the colonies. And Joanna, the mistress of a vast plantation. Neither are content with their lives; both are dreamers bound by duty. And romance between the two? Impossible!

And then the gut-twisting, tummy-churning, hair-raising stuff happens and I was a mess of nerves and heart-hurt. And broiling anger. Gah! There is this one particularly malevolent slime-ball of a brute -- shudder! I was on to him from the start but nobody else was and I could feel my insides churning with anxiety as the plot thickened and this ne'er-do-well goes unchecked.

Benton doesn't pretty up the brutality of the times or dance around tough issues but she doesn't leave her characters floundering in the darkness. The light of Christ brings them safe passage...though not as quickly as my gentle reader sensibilities would have liked! :-) My emotions were all over the place during this read! And that's just the way I like my fiction!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The King's Mercy, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 17 2019. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

Many Sparrows

GIVEAWAY

BENTON, LORI
MANY SPARROWS

Either she and her children would emerge from that wilderness together, or none of them would...

In 1774, the Ohio-Kentucky frontier pulses with rising tension and brutal conflict as colonies push westward and encroach upon Native American territories. The young Inglesby family is making the perilous journey west when an accident sends Philip back to Redstone Fort for help, forcing him to leave his pregnant wife, Clare, and their four-year-old son, Jacob, on a remote mountain trail.

When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Claire finds herself utterly alone in labor, and wondering how she can recover her son -- especially when her second child is moments away from being born.

Clare will face the greatest fight of her life as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob's life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do -- be still, wait, and let God fight this battle for them?

My Review:

"Wait on the Lord. Be of good courage." (p 65)

I love Lori Benton's books but I have to say that Many Sparrows is by far my favourite to date. And that's saying something considering how much I adore her writing. But this story just struck a cord with me. I connected with Clare right from the start. Am in awe of her courage and determination in the face of insurmountable odds. And Jeremiah, a man of solid faith, determined to do what is right. Their breathtaking story is spellbinding. So many twists and turns and the agony of waiting on the Lord plays out in gut-wrenching ways.

Benton has a heart for this time period and the Native American people. She paints pictures with her words; creates entire scenes with a simple sentence. Rich, vivid, details make me feel like I can smell the smoke of the campfires, picture exactly what the inside of a wegiwa looks like. I'm in awe of the historical details and the care with which the author does her research. It creates a living piece of history that has the power to stir emotions. And I couldn't help but see some unfortunate parallels in past and present. A moving and uplifting historical romance that has also proven to be thought-provoking.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Many Sparrows, leave a message below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and. in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held on January 7 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!

A Flight of Arrows

GIVEAWAY

BENTON, LORI
A FLIGHT OF ARROWS

It is said that what a man sows he will reap--and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he'll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald's adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William's twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

My Review:

An epic family saga that will sweep you back in time to the Revolutionary War. Benton is dedicated to getting her history right but it goes even deeper than just the facts. Her talent lies in bringing it all to life through the power of her words. I'm still wrangling my emotions under control.

Such complicated characters! Realistically flawed and all the more captivating because of it. I wept. I cheered. I fumed. And spent a good deal of my reading time with my heart in my throat barely daring to breathe. I had to pace myself, taking time to pause and absorb different aspects of the story. Reading is too mundane for A Flight of Arrows. This is the kind of book you live and breathe your way through. 

Powerful inspirational threads of grace and redemption transform an already incredible read into a truly profound one. It inspires me to renew my trust in a faithful God -- even in the most difficult times. I love when a novel reaches out and touches my life in a personal way like that. Alleluia! This is why I read Christian fiction!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  A Flight of Arrows please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday May 29 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

GIVEAWAY

BENTON, LORI
THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLE JOHN

Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love 
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance. 

Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?

My Review:

I swear this author has a time machine and travels back to the 18th century at will just so she can get all the details right. There isn't any other explanation for the rich, evocative text that creates the ambiance of another world. The scents, the sounds, the very feel of the air...I became immersed in the story from the very first page. What an incredibly rich, captivating read.

The time period is fascinating and not as popular in historical romance so that alone makes it a refreshing read. I'm beginning to appreciate the early colonists even more than the pioneers thanks to this author in particular.

There is an intricate balance in Benton's storytelling -- her distinctive voice blends faith, drama and humour into an enticing package that makes it hard to put down. A complex story, deep characterization and more than one startling plot surprise kept me eagerly turning pages.

And the romance -- oh my! Toe-curling, swoonworthy and heart palpitating! A definite must read for historical romance lovers.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday August 17 2014. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

Burning Sky

GIVEAWAY

BENTON, LORI
BURNING SKY

“I remember the borders of our land, though I have been gone from them nearly half the moons of my life. But who there will remember me? What I have seen, what I have done, it has changed me.
 
I am the place where two rivers meet, silted with upheaval and loss.
 
Yet memory of our land is a clear stream. I shall know it as a mother knows the faces of her children. It may be I will find me there.“
  Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage--the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

My Review:

Rich, evocative text creates a tapestry of images in this stunning debut novel.  I easily lost myself within the pages and was always reluctant to return to the 'real' world. This epic novel isn't meant for a marathon read though, so I had to make the transition between centuries way too often. At 400+ pages you will want to take the time to savor every word. The historical detail is exquisite -- I swear Benton time traveled in order to draw on first hand accounts to lend authenticity to her story. :-)

My heart ached for Willa and a host of other characters. Prejudice is such a horrible blight in history no matter what the time period but I've always been touched by the treatment of Native peoples throughout North American history. I found Benton's portrayal of the People's dilemma to be a moving tribute.

A complex plot with plenty of twists and turns that left me gasping for breath along with a complicated romance made this a page-turning read. Burning Sky is just plain good! An exceptional book choice for historical lovers everywhere.

Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Burning Sky please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday November 10 2013. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!