Review: Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

Review by Jill Williamson

In Scotland, in the fall of 1745, bonny Prince Charlie and his rebel army ride into Edinburgh, intent on capturing the crown. In the midst of this historical event, one family struggles to choose which side to support. Lady Elisabeth Kerr is a Highlander by birth. Her husband, Lord Donald, is aware of her loyalties to Prince Charlie, but if her mother-in-law discovered it, she would be livid. And Lord Donald has secrets of his own that threaten to tear apart their marriage.

Wow. This is quite a story. Liz Curtis Higgs can really write! Her characters are flesh and blood. I was sucked into their lives and I just couldn’t put this book down. The history was fascinating, as was the way the society dealt with what was going on. Even with Lord Donald’s terrible secret, I still found myself longing for him to change. I realize that this story parallels a biblical story, and I don’t want to give that away or you will know how the story will end. I am happy to report that there is a second book where we can find out what becomes of Lady Elisabeth and her mother-in-law. Unfortunately, I have to wait until spring 2011!

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: historical fiction
Part of a Series: The story continues in Mine is the Night
Pages: 468
Publisher: Waterbrook
Released: 2010

First Light by Bodie and Brock Thoene

Review by Jill Williamson

As Rome rules ruthlessly, the people of Jerusalem wonder if Messiah will ever come. Susanna and Manaen wish to marry, but Herod Antipas has forbidden they be together. While Susanna resists being married to a wicked man, Manaen searches for a way he and Susanna can be together. There are two other stories in this novel, that of centurion Marcus and Peniel, the blind beggar boy.

First Light was an intriguing look at life during the time of Jesus. Yeshua of Nazareth was even a minor character in this book. I liked how the authors intertwined all three stories into one, though Marcus’ story felt a bit incomplete. Perhaps his story continues in one of the next books in the series? Jerusalem—or Yerushalayim, as the Jewish characters pronounced it—was fascinating. I really admired the research the Thoenes’ must have done to write such a gripping and accurate storyworld. I highly recommend this book for readers looking for a story of love, trust, and history all rolled into one.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: Historical fiction
Part of a Series: A.D. Chronicles, book one
Pages: 438
Publisher: Tyndale
Released: 2004

Review: The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey

Review by Jill Williamson

This story takes place in Europe, 1944. The Gestapo is mercilessly rounding up suspected enemies of the Third Reich. Bruno Kassler, the fast-rising head of the Gestapo Regional Headquarters in Heidelberg, Germany, discovers a secret about one of the scientists working to create the atomic bomb. Physicist Joseph Engel was born a Jew and adopted by Christian parents at birth. Kassler is convinced that Engel is a spy and that his discovery will earn Kassler a great promotion.

Gabi Mueller is a young Swiss woman working for the forerunner to the CIA. She has a great talent for breaking into safes that impress her employers. She is asked to take on a special mission to escort Joseph Engel out of Germany before the Gestapo can catch him. The Americans believe that Engel is the key to Germany’s development of this super weapon. If they can get Engel out of Germany, his wisdom will be of great use to the United States and the Allied forces.

There is something fascinating and heroic about the stories from this historical period. Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey have added to that list. Each character hooked me into their world and agenda. I couldn’t wait to see how all the threads would weave together. The Swiss Courier is a unique look at the front lines of World War II and what everyday people sacrificed to stand up against the evil surrounding them. Everyday farmers, shopkeepers, and soldiers alike risked their lives to do what was right. This was an unexpected and thrilling adventure. I highly recommend this book for readers ages 16 and up.

Age Range: 16 and up
Genre: historical fiction
Part of a Series: no
Pages: 336 pages
Publisher: Revell
Released: November 1, 2009

Review: Beyond the Smoke by Terry Burns

Review by Jill Williamson

 

Bryan Wheeler is out hunting dinner. He shoots a nice rabbit and takes it back to the wagon train only to find everything destroyed and everyone killed—including his family. Comanche raiders had attacked while he was out hunting and they could come back anytime. Bryan quickly gathers a few supplies and sets out to find a safe place. He meets plenty of trouble on his journey including a violent slave owner, a young Indian boy, and a town with a sheriff set on giving him trouble. Will Bryan ever find a real home again?

Beyond the Smoke is the exciting story of one young man’s adventures in the Wild West. I enjoyed following Bryan as he made his way to a new life. No matter what he encountered, he always acted with integrity. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a great adventure.

 

Age Range: 8-12

Genre: Historical western fiction

Part of a Series: no

Pages: 146

Publisher: JourneyForth (a division of BJU Press)

Released: 2009

 

Review: Guns of Thunder by Douglas Bond

Review by Jill Williamson

 

As war nears, Ian M’Kethe is too young to go. His grandfather teaches him to hunt, along with Watookoog, an Indian, who hunts with a bow. Ian takes care of the farm by himself, growing a crop of corn and selling it to provide form his family. Although he really wants a new rifle, he makes a sacrifice and purchases a pair of spectacles for his cousin Roland instead. For the first time in ages, Roland can see clearly.

 

When the war arrives, Roland enlists. Ian is still too young to go. He continues to work his cornfields and take care of his family. When Roland is taken prisoner at Louisbourg, Ian in consumed with worry. Had Roland been injured? Lost his spectacles? Would the French force him to fight against his own colonials?

 

Now eighteen, Ian leaves his family and goes to war. But he doesn’t get to fight. He find himself engage in manual labor, salvaging debris, moving cannons, digging trenches, and building. One day when he is gathering firewood, he is shot at. An Indian attacks him. But before the Indian can finish him off, Frenchmen take him prisoner.

 

This is an intriguing story of a boy’s life during the French & Indian War. There is a lot of history packed in here, including some historical issues of faith. Overall the story was interesting as were the historical facts and Ian’s life on the farm. I recommend this book, especially for those looking for a bit of North American history.

 

Age Range: 8 and up

Genre: Historical fiction

Part of a Series: Book one in the Faith & Freedom Trilogy

Pages: 258

Publisher: P&R Publishing

Released: 2007

 

Review: In the Shadow of the Sun King by Golden Keys Parsons

Review by Jill Williamson

 

When King Louis’ soldiers descend on the Clavell estate, Madeline Clavell and her husband, Francois, send their two sons into hiding to protect them from the soldiers. Madeline, once a close friend of the king, travels to Versailles to persuade him to protect her family. But Louis demands a price far too dear and Madeline refuses.

 

Enraged, Louis orders the Clavell estate burned, the servants executed, and Francois sent to the Bastille. Madeline tries to race the soldiers home to protect her family from Louis’ wrath before it is too late.

 

I knew little of church history between the Catholics and the Huguenots, so I found that part very interesting. The book got off to a bit of a slow start, but once things got moving, I couldn’t put it down. The characters were complex and the storyline was gripping. The book leaves some unanswered questions for a sequel that is coming out soon. I look forward to what happens next with Madeline Clavell. Recommended.

 

Age Range: 16 and up

Genre: Historical fiction

Part of a Series: Book one in the Darkness to Light series

Pages: 360

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Released: 2008