Ruth’s Redemption by Marlene Banks

Ruth's Redemption
Author: Marlene Banks
Publisher: Lift Every Voice; New Edition edition (February 1, 2012)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN: 9780802402172

This book may be purchased at:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble

About the Book:

Set in the 1800s, Ruth’s Redemption, depicts slave life in the south. Bo, the main character who was educated while a slave is a freedman who now owns a farm and buys slaves for the purpose of giving them their freedom. Bo is also a widower whose life is destined to changed when he meets the stubborn, proud and hard-hearted 20 year old slave girl, Ruth.

Ruth has known nothing but harshness and brutality since being separated from her mother at age thirteen. Purchased and sold primarily for breeding and the enlargement of her master’s slave stock, Ruth struggles to understand the way of her new master. Bo is unlike any master she’s known and what she experiences in his care will leave her forever changed.

A gripping pre-Civil War slave era novel, Ruth’s Redemption is a story of forgiveness, acceptance and redemption. Set against the backdrop of the Nat Turner Rebellion in Tidewater,Virginia, this novel shines the light of God’s unconditional love in the darkness of the evils of hatred and acts of inhumanity.

My Thoughts:

Marlene Banks paints a heart-wrenching picture of slavery through this beautifully written story. She gives slavery names and faces and brings to life a time period when the worth of human life was based on the color of skin.

With a gift for story telling, Marlene accurately tells of a time period before the Civil War. A time when even when one was a freed slave, that freedom was not always respected. She tackles the subject of breeders and how damaging and degrading it was through her main character, Ruth. She also gives the reader insight on the Nat Turner Rebellion and its outcome.

From the first page, I was hooked and couldn't put this book down. I devoured it in one sitting. This book gripped me from the beginning with the realism in which it was penned. It made me feel like I was actually part of the story as it brought numerous emotions to the surface. The realism of it still has me mortified that humans can treat other humans like animals - something I still cannot grasp my mind around. Ruth's Redemption is going to stay with me for a long, long time!

About the Author

Marlene Banks is a Philadelphia, PA native. She attended Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA and has an Associate’s Degree in Theology from the Rhema Bible Institute in Keysville, VA. She is the director of ministry at Lifeline Mission of the Gospel. Through her writing ministry, Marlene’s desire is to promote the gospel and serve the needs of her community.

To find out more about the author or her work,  you can visit her at:
www.marlenebanks.com
http://www.ruthsredemption.com


View the blog tour schedule at: http://www.tywebbin.com/blog-tours/authors-on-tour/2012-tours/



I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher for this tour. I was not required to write a positive review, but instead, one that gives my honest opinion.

"Refuge on Crescent Hill" by Melanie Dobson

Refuge on Crescent Hill
Author: Melanie Dobson
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Paperback
272 pages
978-0-8254-2590-5
Category: FICTION/ Christian/ Suspense

About the Book:

This homecoming wasn’t what she expected . . .


Jobless, homeless, and broke, Camden Bristow decides to visit the grandmother she hasn’t seen in years. But when Camden arrives in Etherton, Ohio, she discovers that her grandmother has passed away, leaving her the 150-year-old mansion on Crescent Hill. The site of her happiest summers as a child, the run-down mansion is now her only refuge.


When Camden finds evidence that she may not be the mansion’s only occupant, memories of Grandma Rosalie’s bedtime stories about secret passageways and runaway slaves fuel her imagination. What really happened at Crescent Hill? Who can she turn to for answers in this town full of strangers? And what motivates the handsome local Alex Yates to offer his help? As she works to uncover the past and present mysteries harbored in her home, Camden uncovers deep family secrets within the mansion’s walls that could change her life—and the entire town—forever.

Read an Excerpt HERE


Have a look at the REAL "Crescent Hill" and see where Melanie got her inspiration from. She has many gorgeous photos posted on her blog.


Hurry as this offer won't last long!
Refuge on Crescent Hill will be available on Amazon Kindle FREE for one week starting October 31! Click Here (please note - this won't show free until Oct. 31st)



My Thoughts:

When Camden's world is turned upside down, she decides to go back to the one place where she can find refuge - her grandmother's home. When she arrives, she is shocked to find that her grandmother has passed away and no one had let her know her grandmother was even sick, let alone her dying. Along with that sudden news, Camden also discovers she is the sole beneficiary of her grandmother's home, a home that comes with secrets.

This fast-paced mystery is also filled with history of the Underground Railroad. Mixing the story of an escaped slave, a hidden tunnel and something hidden in the house, this book was a fascinating read. Everything was seamlessly intertwined and made for a very good mystery with a lesson.

There is one thing that bothered me (and yes this is picky). With the amount of apparent research that the author has done, I found it sad that when she writes about Camden picking up her grandmother's King James Bible and reading it, the quote is used is from another version and NOT the King James.

Putting that aside, this really was a great and entertaining read!


About the Author:

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of The Black Cloister; Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana; and Together for Good. A former corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family, Melanie has worked in the fields of journalism and publicity for more than eighteen years. She and her family live in Oregon.

Book was supplied by publisher for me to honestly review.

"The Golden Pathway" by Donna M. McDine - Virtual Book Tour & Review

 

The Golden Pathway
Author: Donna M. McDine
Publisher: Guardian Angel Publishing, Inc.
ISBN: 9781616330880
Genre: Children's nonfiction, slavery

About the Book (from author's blog):

"Be transported through time to the Underground Railroad, where high-pitched screams echo each night. David’s cruel Pa always chooses the same victim. Despite the circumstances during slavery, David uncovers the courage to defy his Pa. Raised in a hostile environment where abuse occurs daily, David attempts to break the mold and befriends the slave, Jenkins, owned by his Pa. Fighting against extraordinary times and beliefs, David attempts to lead Jenkins to freedom with no regard for his own safety and possible consequences dealt out by his Pa."

My Thoughts

This beautifully illustrated book is about a boy, David, who knows that his father's cruelty towards his slaves is wrong. He risks his father's wrath to help 16-year-old Jenkins by dressing his wounds after being beaten, again, by David's father. David's decision and bravery to help Jenkins escape brings to life this story of how slaves were helped by others to find their way to freedom.

A brilliantly written story suggested for ages 8-12 can be enjoyed by any age. The illustrations are large and bold, and support the story, creating interest and excitement. I personally enjoyed the story. I live very close to where the Underground Railroad ran and every day while riding to school, we passed a safe-house that was used to help those on their way to freedom.

I highly recommend this book. It would be a wonderful addition to any home school living history program.

About the Author

Donna McDine is an award-winning children’s author, Honorable Mention in the 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications, and her first book, The Golden Pathway, will be published through Guardian Angel Publishing. Ms. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Musing Our Children, and The National Writing for Children Center. Learn more about Donna at www.donnamcdine.com if you sign the guestbook, you’ll receive a FREE e-Book Write What Inspires You: Author Interviews, and http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com and http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com.

This book was supplied by the author through Pump Up Your Book for me to honestly review.