Jennifer Allee

This story is set in Eureka CA in 1861, just prior to the start of the Civil War. Grant Diamond is on the run from the past and has assumed a dead man's identity. Of all the people to take their name, he has become a Reverend...Rev Crew from Harvard's Divinity School.
There are some very serious issues tackled here, issues of hate. Hate so strong people are willing to kill. Of Course, where do we find this heathen? In Church!
Maybe God will reach their hearts? One of these evil men wants to show more marry Heiress Lily Rose! Lily is quite the character, think I would have been in complete chuckles watching her antics in her hoop skirts. Can't you just picture her at the General Store...can just see those displays tumbling down. Later she is rolling down a hill, she does get injured, but what a spectacle!
Can't you just picture a gambler, playing a Preacher, and then asked to give the sermon? Something has to give! As I said there are a lot of chuckles, and then some ultra serious moments. The chapters are short, which I like, and it becomes a very fast read. Smell the Ocean and stay awhile.

I received this book through First Wild Card Book Blog, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

After her beloved grandmother’s death, Izzy is surprised when a stranger shows up at her door with a legacy from her grandmother – an antique quilt that has been passed down through generations of women in Izzy’s family. But it seems that her grandmother had also promised the quilt to Max Logan, a museum curator who wants it for a special exhibition he’s designing. The quilt is unique because it is documented in diaries written by the quilters...if only the diaries could be found. It show more seems that Izzy’s grandmother intended for her to go on a treasure hunt. At the same time, Izzy needs to find a way to bridge the distance between herself and her mother and brother.

On the positive side, this is Christian fiction that isn’t as preachy as some. The Christian jargon is mostly limited to the early part of the book. However, the dialogue suffers from the same fault as a lot of Christian fiction. No one really talks this way. For instance, Izzy is looking for the pastor before the funeral. The organist tells her, “Try his office. He’s probably getting in some quiet prayer time.” I’ve hunted for my share of people in church buildings over the years, and the typical conversation ends at “Try his office.” I’d probably add a “Thanks” as I head towards the office, but that would be it.

The plot of this book should really be right up my alley. However, with all the mention of the diaries and the ancestors who made the quilt, it’s disappointing that readers don’t get to meet these women or learn anything about the content of the diaries beyond an excerpt or two. Also, the author doesn’t seem to have a deep knowledge of quilting. I had a hard time buying some of the statements of the quilting expert in the story. While I am not a quilter, I suspect that readers with quilting experience might be equally disappointed with this story. show less

I’m starting to like “collections”. It’s good to have a story end then go right into another – in this case eight more times, entirely different. This is excellent Christian Historical romance with so much creativity, beautifully told by very talented authors. And they’re not the sappy predictable only-about-the-romance bridal story. Each has great depth and a Christian lesson as well as a fabulous romance. The main theme with all of these is that the women are captives – in show more other words slaves. I think it’s good to be reminded that there have been slaves who came from and went to many countries. The stories here include the Irish and Scottish. Men and women were sold, drugged, beaten and kidnapped into slavery. Some called it indentured service, but then tacked on additional years for repayment of food, clothing, shelter and medical services; in some cases they were never free. It’s not like they didn’t want to work hard or in the case with a contract to pay back their fair debt; many were worked to death and treated poorly. Many times women were forced into brothels. Each of these stories is uplifting despite the circumstances of the women starting out and are great stories of endurance and hope – and a reminder that there is good in the world as well as bad.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Barbour Publishing - Netgalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” show less

Natalie Marino is a top selling Christian romance novelist / motivational speaker, aka "the marriage expert." Life as she's known it comes crashing down when Tony, her husband of eighteen years asks for a divorce. He confesses that he's had an affair with Erin, his administrative assistant, for the past two months and she's pregnant. Natalie is at a crossroads, unable to continue with her motivational speaking career, she doesn't know what to do next. Her father suggests she come home to show more Illinois for a visit, one that she hasn't made in four years, mainly because she doesn't want to face the pain of watching her mother deteriorate from Alzheimer's. Her father asks her to bring her younger sister, Lindsay, who she hasn't seen in seven years, but there is one problem, Lindsay is six months pregnant and won't fly, so they have to travel via a road trip down the Mother Road, the famous Route 66. With thirteen years separating them, the sisters barely knew each other as kids, and now as women they don't know each other at all, essentially they are two strangers. As they travel down Route 66, Natalie and Lindsay go on a journey of discovery, reflection, forgiveness and redemption.

The Mother Road is a wonderful Christian inspirational novel about family, relationships and self-discovery. This is a beautifully written story that captivates the reader from the start. Filled with real life issues such as marriage, infidelity, divorce, pregnancy, family relationships and Alzheimer's Disease; this story will pull at your heartstrings. The author engages the reader with her thoughtful writing style, and the reader goes along for the ride on Natalie and Lindsay's journey down the Mother Road, the famous Route 66. The author does a wonderful job of describing the various scenic stops along Route 66: The Santa Monica Pier; The giant orange in Fontana, CA; the burros that freely roam the street and the Clark Gable/Carol Lombard honeymoon suite in Oatman, AZ; the 50-60s themed town of Seligman, AZ; the huge wooden lumberjack in Flagstaff, AZ; the Wigwam Village in Holbrook, AZ; and a side trip to the Grand Canyon. These scenic descriptions makes me want to go on a road trip down the Mother Road so I can visit all these places too! The author does a great job of balancing out the life issues that are predominant throughout the story, by interweaving it with the fun road trip, which makes the story that much more endearing and compelling.

The Mother Road is a powerfully compelling story of relationships, life issues, self-discovery, forgiveness and redemption. This thoughtful story is one that will leave an imprint long after you have finished reading it. For anyone who would like to read a heartwarming, realistic, funny and thought provoking story, The Mother Road, is a novel that won't leave you disappointed!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher (Abingdon Press) in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event.

Virtual Book Tour Event: On Tuesday, May 15, 2012, in association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, author Jennifer Allee participated in a virtual book tour event with an Author Guest Post on Jersey Girl Book Reviews. http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/05/author-guest-post-jennifer-all...

http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com/2012/05/mother-road-by-jennifer-allee.... show less