A Tapestry of Hope (Peterson, Tracie. Lights of Lowell, 1.)

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: I've read both of the first books of Bells of Lowell, and I must say that Peterson and Miller did 100% better on the first book of this series. I've never read any of Miller's, but I have read a lot of Peterson's work, and although I like her, her stories seem a bit too young and easy to read. I was very happy with this book, though. I thought the writing was much more creative and the depth in the characters really showed. I look forward to reading the next in this series.

Rating:
Summary: A good read
Review: In 1846 at The Willows Plantation near Lorman, Mississippi, Jasmine Wainwright is stunned that her Papa included her in a business deal with the Massachusetts mill owner Bradley Houston. Besides selling cotton to Bradley, Papa's daughter Jasmine will marry the Yankee to cement the deal. She will soon learn that her spouse is an ambitious man willing to destroy anyone to achieve his goals including annihilating his Southern Belle

Irish siblings Kiara and Paddy O'Neill work as indentured servants to Bradley. Though he is married, Bradley desires Kiara and willingly uses the threat of obliterating her brother to make Kiara acquiesce. These are two women from diverse backgrounds with two things in common: surviving the abuse of Bradley and turning to God to help them succeed. Separately neither can make it, but together their prayers and their joint courage give both hope.

This debut of the "Lights of Lowell" tales is an exhilarating inspirational historical novel. The story line brings to life the first major American industrial area as well as plantation life in the south just after the Mexican War. The key to the warmth and faith that the story line projects is the two female characters. Kiara and Jasmine are solid portrayals representing two diverse lifestyles yet through their beliefs share A TAPESTRY OF HOPE. Though Bradley has no redeeming qualities, readers will enjoy this slice of Americana long the Merrimack.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring tale
Review: In 1846 at The Willows Plantation near Lorman, Mississippi, Jasmine Wainwright is stunned that her Papa included her in a business deal with the Massachusetts mill owner Bradley Houston. Besides selling cotton to Bradley, Papa's daughter Jasmine will marry the Yankee to cement the deal. She will soon learn that her spouse is an ambitious man willing to destroy anyone to achieve his goals including annihilating his Southern Belle

Irish siblings Kiara and Paddy O'Neill work as indentured servants to Bradley. Though he is married, Bradley desires Kiara and willingly uses the threat of obliterating her brother to make Kiara acquiesce. These are two women from diverse backgrounds with two things in common: surviving the abuse of Bradley and turning to God to help them succeed. Separately neither can make it, but together their prayers and their joint courage give both hope.

This debut of the "Lights of Lowell" tales is an exhilarating inspirational historical novel. The story line brings to life the first major American industrial area as well as plantation life in the south just after the Mexican War. The key to the warmth and faith that the story line projects is the two female characters. Kiara and Jasmine are solid portrayals representing two diverse lifestyles yet through their beliefs share A TAPESTRY OF HOPE. Though Bradley has no redeeming qualities, readers will enjoy this slice of Americana long the Merrimack.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Very inspiring and gives you a lot to think about.
Review: This book caught my interest right away. It was an interesting look at what life was like shortly before the Civil War. It is the story of Jasmine Wainwright. Her father owns a cotton plantation which is worked by slaves. Jasmine only sees what her father wants her to see when it comes to the treatment of the slaves. Enter Bradley Houston who's interested in buying Wainwright cotton. He will go to any lengths to get it. Part of his plan includes marrying Jasmine. 

As the pages of this novel unfold you see how Jasmine grows from a spoiled daughter to a very intelligent young woman. The writers uses an interesting tactic: half way through the book, they introduce several new characters. The writers quickly get you to care about these new characters, Kaira and her brother Paddy, orphans who come to the U.S. from Ireland. We're given a glimpse at what Ireland was like during the potato famine that devastated Ireland during this time. These two come to the home of Bradley and Jasmine. The book then takes a rather somber turn. 

I would not recommend this book for younger readers. There are some facts of life that younger children should be sheltered from. Although the events covered in the book were hard to read at times, the writers' basic theme, that the Lord is with us even when horrible things happen in our lives, was really brought home. The book was very inspiring and gave me a lot to think about.

--- reviewed by Lynn Worley for Christian Bookshelf

Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Read!
Review: This is the first time I've ever read either of these authors and they have created a story that was amazing for so many reasons. The characters were complex, the storyline was moving and very consuming.

Jasmine is the only daughter of a cotton plantation owner who has dreamed of marrying for love. This dream comes to an end when she has been forced into a marriage that will benefit the family. She will move North and be the wife of a cotton purchaser. Everyone keeps telling her that with time she may grow to love her husband. Jasmine knows that, that day will never come. Bradley is ambitious, driven, and puts work and money first. He has no belief in God, and thinks that the only one that can help him is himself. He wants Jasmine and is willing to mold her into the wife that he needs, and wants especially if it means professing his love.

Jasmine though knows that his words are false, and with the help of her grandmother, and brother-in-law she finds hope and friendship in the cold north. That is not the only change that Jasmine is forced to face. She is also faced with the problems and lies of her former lifestyle considering the fact that her family owns slaves, and she has finally faced the fact that what she has always thought was also a lie. Now she must make sense of what she always thought and what is real.

This is truly an aspiring read. Jasmine is both at the same time, spoiled and willful as well as being brave and grown-up. In other words she is complex and her story will pull the reader in until the final page. Secondary characters are essential to the story and are wonderful additions. I look forward to the next book in this series and I highly recommend this read and these authors.

Official Reviewer for www.romancedesigns.com