Lisa Tawn Bergren

Right now, there are 2 types of people in the world: 1) those who have read The River of Time series and 2) those who have never read it. If you are in that second group, then please do, these books are epic.
(SPOILER ALERT=some spoilers)
Okay, now for those of you in that first group, get ready to feel like you will burst from all of the emotional energy you will have while reading this book. It is pure epicness.
Even though the central goal in the beginning is to get Fortino back. That is show more just a small battle in the whole war. Actually this book made me realize how big this really was. In Waterfall, we aren’t really aware of just how high the stakes are raised, everything is tense, but life does go on. In Cascade, we are made aware of the waging war, but it still doesn’t hit us. It’s not until book three, Torrent, that we fully acknowledge the scale.
In Waterfall, Gabi is brought into the past, unprepared, and even a bit naive (not much though). Throughout Waterfall and Cascade she learns that in order to survive and protect the ones she loves, she has to make choices and sacrifices. Almost every one of them are not easy. Most are dangerous and life threatening. But through all these experiences she learns that life is short, and is meant to be lived. Gabi is tested, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In Torrent, Gabi starts to feel the stress from everything she has done. All the exertion, all the fighting, everything pushes her to her limits.
What I love most about this series is Ms. Bergren’s ability to really pull the reader into the book. Every chapter had me screaming, crying, smiling, and jumping out of my seat. I started this book while on a plane and I think the kid sitting next to me thought I was crazy. I was so into this book that I completely forgot where I was and started tearing up, making exclamations out loud, and moving around in my seat when the energy from all the suspense was too much to take sitting still. There were so many of these moments throughout the book, that it never lags. The pace is perfect!
Another reason why I love this series, is the characters. All the characters grow and change throughout the books. As a reader, we are only keyed into Gabi’s thoughts and feelings. Like every normal teenager, she is constantly questioning everything: her faith, her relationships, her morals, etc. Ms. Bergren takes the reader on the adventure with Gabi, which is so cool!
The Plot: Ms. Bergren doesn’t disappoint at all. After reading Waterfall, I had no clue how Cascade would hold up. Well, it exceeded all my expectations and more. Then, I began to feel the same about Torrent. How would this epic series end? With a bang? Or with disappointment? I was seriously hoping to love the ending. And….I DID! I was constantly left guessing what would happen next; Torrent was completely unpredictable. In fact, when books get too suspenseful, I usually end up sneaking a peak at the end (please don’t yell at me!). It took everything, and I mean everything, I had not to do this. I love this series too much, to ruin it for myself.
The action, was a huge bonus in this book. Seriously, it is action-packed up until the very end. I’m not exaggerating. Just when you think its all over, its not. Which is GREAT!
Now onto our swoon-worthy heroes.
Dear Marcello, ahhh, my love. I love him! I do, but about half-way through, I decided to accept the fact that Marcello and Gabi were made for each other. So my sights moved onto Greco. Oh My Gosh! Lord Greco is now my favorite swoon-worthy Italian man in this series. He completely shocked me with his loyalty. I didn’t really like him in Cascade, but I loved him in Torrent. And now I’m gushing just thinking about him. Ahhh.
Ms. Bergren, you are my hero! I love this series. In fact, the second I finished Torrent, I said “This series is better than Twilight!” (Please Twi-hards, don’t kill me!) I love Twilight, but the writing, plot, characters, and setting of The River of Time series were all so much better. This series is definitely one of my favorite series EVER. I can’t recommend this these books enough! It deserves 5 BILLION Kisses! show less

I loved being back in this world and in Gabi's head. She is so fierce, open, and so easy to pull for. I wanted the best for her, and of course, I desired to see her and Marcello reunited.
On this trip back in time, Gabi, Lia, and their mother show up, and it doesn't take long for the action to get going. There are still skirmishes, the threat of the plague coming, Rossi, danger, love, and adventure that fill the pages, and I was sucked into the story.
So many things were moving this plot show more forward as well as letting me get to know not only Gabi and Marcello better but also Lia and Luka, their mom, and through Gabi's memories, their father. You really see what people are made of when those around them are hurt or sick, when your land, home and those you love are threatened. We see Gabi in some really tough spots, with huge decisions on her shoulders, and I couldn't help admire how she faces it all with bravery, common sense, loyalty and love.
The ending was a pleasant surprise, and I can't wait to see how things go in the next book especially with the new plot developments towards the end. I have never been more eager to go back in time!

Bottom Line: Great second book. show less

With its exotic locale, interesting time period, and relatable characters, Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren is a good choice for fans of historical fiction. The first book in The Sugar Baron’s Daughters series set on the Caribbean colonial island of Nevis, this novel doesn’t cover up the hardships or moral dilemmas facing the planters that sought to subdue nature and provide sugar to England. I can recommend this well-researched and richly detailed novel.

Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson is a show more determined woman who is facing down her fears by journeying to Nevis to reclaim her family’s fortunes. But while determination is a fine attribute, she soon finds that it alone will not make her plantation successful, nor prevent disasters that endanger its prospects. Along with her sisters Verity and Selah, Keturah must learn to trust in others for help and in God to provide.

Bergren does a great job of bringing the world of the late 1770s alive in Keturah. I loved the attention to detail — from the ship journeying to Nevis to the sights and smells that awaited the characters on-island. Nothing is prettied-up. It was a tough time that called for men and women to put aside sensibilities and manners to survive. The main characters are well-drawn. I could relate to Keturah as she sought to provide for and protect her sisters. Her childhood friend, Gray Covington was a wonderful character as well. A reformed playboy, Gray’s reliance on God’s providence proved an effective influence on Keturah. There are a few hard issues explored in Keturah — slavery and abuse. While I appreciate the author’s willingness to include subject matter that was commonplace in that time period, I would have liked her to delve a bit deeper. The main characters are much opposed to the ill-treatment of slaves, but justify owning them. Slavery is seen as an economic necessity even as they abhorred the practice. While modern readers can easily see the fallacy of their views, it would be good to remember that in our contemporary lives we too often tolerate sin for the sake of economics. Keturah struggles with her personal abuse at the hands of her deceased husband. I liked that she was able to overcome its hold on her life, but felt that it occurred a bit too quickly.

All in all, Keturah proved to be a fascinating look into a mostly unknown (at least to me 🙂 ) time and place. If you like historical fiction set in the colonial period of the New World, then this one is a definite must-read. There are two more books promised in this series — Verity and Selah; those are definitely on my TBR radar!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to LitFuse and Bethany House for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) show less

What an incredible start to a new time-traveling series by Lisa T Bergren! I have not read the River of Time series so now I need to go back to her first time-traveling series to get the background scoop. My lack of previous knowledge about the Betarrinis and Forellis did not interfere with my understanding of the plot or my complete enthrallment with the book and the characters. The backdrop of 1372 Toscana, Italy was beautiful, dangerous, and engaging. The history of medieval Italy and the show more constant warfare among the city-states were fascinating to "live" through as first person voices of present day Luciana and 1372 Tiliani guided the story. The battle scenes were realistic and action-packed, the romance slow and tender, the faith thread present and grounding.

And the characters! Luciana is careful but fearless in her loyalty and Domenico, her twin, is bold and passionate. I loved the fierce warrior brother-sister duo Giulio and Ilaria and can't wait for what will happen next with them. Valentino was a swoony hero - mighty warrior in battle and loyalty yet gentle and compassionate as a healer. Tiliani and Valentino are star-crossed lovers from warring clans while Luciana and Giulio (and Domenico and Ilaria possibly, though we haven't seen a whole lot from these two) are star-crossed lovers from different time periods. The ending is a cliff-hanger and I'm bouncing on my toes for the next book to release!

If her Gifted series is any indication of what's to come, I'm totally excited about the adventure that will come my way in medieval Italy through this series. I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own. show less