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Book Review and Giveaway: "Summer on Sunset Ridge" by Sharlene MacLaren

1/19/2017

2 Comments

 
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Click here to purchase your copy. 

​About the Book

Brought up on a Quaker farm near Philadelphia at the brink of the Civil War, plainspoken Rebecca Albright is charitable, peace-loving, submissive—and a feisty abolitionist. Determined to aid the Underground Railroad no matter what the cost, her path collides with that of formidable slave-catcher Clay Dalton. When Rebecca is assigned to nurse Clay back to health following a near-fatal gunshot wound, her uneasiness around him and the questions surrounding his mysterious past complicate their strained but developing relationship.

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​Sherriff Clay Dalton is grimly fighting several battles of his own as he stays on at the Albright farm to work off his debt to the family that has saved his life and taken him in. He is torn between his past commitments in the South and his unlikely present among this quiet Quaker community in the North. Almost against his will, he begins to ponder the impossible idea of a future with Rebecca.…
When tensions between North and South escalate, Rebecca and Clay find themselves propelled on a journey to discover just who God has called them to be, and they soon realize that each holds a key to the other’s answer.

My Review

​I do not know much about the Quakers or the time where this story takes place. I mostly read Regency historical romance so it was exciting to read a book taking place in a different time. Summer on Sunset Ridge is set in the mid-1850s in Pennsylvania.
 
Summer on Sunset Ridge is the first book I’ve read by Sharlene MacLaren, and I’m happy to say it won’t be my last. Her characters drew me straight into the book, and the lovely descriptions of setting and everyday life among the Quakers is interesting while also informative.
 
Rebecca is the heroine, and she’s wonderful. At twenty-one, she’s technically an adult, though unmarried and still living at home. Rebecca is kind and helpful, and she also feels God calling her to help with the Underground Railroad, which her father already does. Rebecca’s struggles with honoring her parents as she is torn between duty and a growing love for the hero, Clay, and unsure of how to know which of her own dreams and thoughts are part of God’s plan.
 
Clay, the hero, is a sheriff who loses his memory during a scuffle trying to catch an escaped slave. He stays with Rebecca’s family while he recuperates, and begins to fall in love with Rebecca. Clay’s a great hero and a wonderful complement to Rebecca. Because of his amnesia, he is unsure of who or what he is and so becomes uncertain of the path he’d been following before. Watching him realize his previous life held little appeal is an encouraging journey for all of us who struggle with what we’ve done in our pasts.
 
Ms. MacLaren has researched thoroughly and I was fully immersed in the setting and lives of these characters. All of the characters are people with concerns and desires of their own, but the focus doesn’t waver from Clay and Rebecca’s story. Each of the other characters complement the story without being cardboard. I enjoyed reading about the Quakers, a group I have never studied before.
 
I recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a pre-Civil War romance with excellently researched historical detail, compelling characters who drive the story rather than the story driving them, and give the book 4/5 stars.
 
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author through CelebrateLit. All opinions are my own.**

​About the Author

​Sharlene MacLaren Born and raised in western Michigan, award-winning, bestselling author Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. After graduating, she traveled with a nationally touring Christian vocal ensemble, returning home to Spring Arbor to marry her husband, Cecil, whom she’d known since childhood. Together they raised two daughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, “Shar” enjoys reading, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. 
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Her novels include the contemporary romances Through Every Storm, Long Journey Home, and Tender Vow; the beloved Little Hickman Creek series (Loving Liza Jane, Sarah, My Beloved, Courting Emma, and  Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek, a novella), and three historic romance trilogies: The Daughters of Jacob Kane (Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and Abbie Ann); River of Hope (Livvie’s Song, Ellie’s Haven, and Sofia’s Secret); Tennessee Dreams:  Heart of Mercy, Threads of Joy, and Gift of Grace.

​Blog Stops

​January 19: Reading Is My SuperPower
January 19: Giveaway Lady
January 19: A Reader’s Brain
January 20: Books. Books. And More Books.
January 20: The Power of Words
January 21: Bigreadersite
January 21: just the write escape
January 22: Moments Dipped in Ink
January 22: For The Love of Books
January 23: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses
January 23: Genesis 5020
January 24: Pause for Tales
January 24: His Grace is Sufficient
January 25:  Book by Book
January 25: A Simple Life, really?!
January 26: A Greater Yes
January 26: Connie’s History Classroom
January 26: A Baker’s Perspective
January 27: Christian Author: A.M. Heath
January 27: Splashes of Joy
January 28: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
January 28: Christian Bookaholic
January 28: History, Mystery & Faith
January 29: Stuff & Nonsense
January 29: Bibliophile Reviews
January 30: cherylbbookblog
January 30: Daysong Reflections
January 31: Blossoms and Blessings
January 31: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
February 1: Reader’s cozy corner
February 1: Rhonda’s Doings

​Giveaway

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To celebrate Sharlene’s tour, Whitaker House is giving away:

Grand Prize
Brown and tan fashion purse with cross, multiple interior and exterior pockets and 
Five Sharlene MacLaren titles: Summer on Sunset Ridge (Forever Freedom #1); Heart of Mercy (Tennessee Dreams #1); Livvie’s Song (River of Hope #1); Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Kane #1); Loving Liza Jane (Little Hickman Creek #1)

Second Prize
“Keepers of the Light” Orange/Cinnamon/Clove candle from www.acheerfulgiver.com and Summer on Sunset Ridge
​

Third Prize
Summer on Sunset Ridge
Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway!
https://promosimple.com/ps/af21
2 Comments
Sharlene MacLaren link
1/22/2017 06:08:06 pm

Thank you so much for reading my book and writing the lovely review.
It is so appreciated.

Reply
Christina Scotton link
1/26/2017 01:41:29 am

Thank you for writing such a great book! I enjoyed reviewing it.

Reply



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    Writer/Editor. Voracious Book Reader. World Traveler. Veteran. Bakery Owner.

    ​Find me on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/cdscotton. 

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