Shenandoah Home (Mitchell, Sara, Sinclair Legacy, Bk. 1.)

Rating:
Summary: Truly Her Best Work To Date
Review: I have read most of Sara's books and this truly is her best book yet--from the lovely cover to the size of the book-- but best of all what is cover to cover! She takes you into the lovely Virginia country side and the city so many years ago. You are there-- you know the characters-- you get into their lives. You feel their pain and joy.

What beautiful names for the characters--Sloan, the doctor, Garnett- the middle of three daughers, Jacob the father, Meredith - the eldest daughter, Leah--the youngest daughter, Phineas-the domesticated fox and of course J. Preston-- the villian!!

When you start reading this book (which is really two books in one) you won't be able to put it down. The first half of the book is Garnet's story and the second half is Meridith's story. Two of three sisters who are quite different but both find their way to depend on God for things that matter.

As usual, this includes a beautiful (actually two) love stories--not sappy but just beautiful. There is no doubt that Sara puts herself and her personal love story in each book and this is no exception.

It is evident that much research went into making this book a reality. You ride in the buggy in the countryside and dine in the lovely hotel.

I have only one thing to say--when will the next in the series be ready????? I can't wait!!

Rating:
Summary: Truly Her Best Work To Date
Review: I have read most of Sara's books and this truly is her best book yet--from the lovely cover to the size of the book-- but best of all what is cover to cover! She takes you into the lovely Virginia country side and the city so many years ago. You are there-- you know the characters-- you get into their lives. You feel their pain and joy.

What beautiful names for the characters--Sloan, the doctor, Garnett- the middle of three daughers, Jacob the father, Meredith - the eldest daughter, Leah--the youngest daughter, Phineas-the domesticated fox and of course J. Preston-- the villian!!

When you start reading this book (which is really two books in one) you won't be able to put it down. The first half of the book is Garnet's story and the second half is Meridith's story. Two of three sisters who are quite different but both find their way to depend on God for things that matter.

As usual, this includes a beautiful (actually two) love stories--not sappy but just beautiful. There is no doubt that Sara puts herself and her personal love story in each book and this is no exception.

It is evident that much research went into making this book a reality. You ride in the buggy in the countryside and dine in the lovely hotel.

I have only one thing to say--when will the next in the series be ready????? I can't wait!!

Rating:
Summary: My review
Review: Jacob Sinclair is a widowed man trying his hardest to raise three young daughters in a world domineered by males. Having done his best, one daughter, Leah, chooses to pursue a college education, the other two sisters, Garnet and Meredith, remain home hoping to discover their talents. Both Meredith and Garnet receive a beautiful, handcrafted heartwood chest complete with a secret drawer that hides an object Jacob has handpicked as a gift to each. What lies within SHENANDOAH HOME are Garnet and Meredith's journeys to grow emotionally and spiritually, while they find their heart's desires and the meaning behind their Father's gift.

The first story is Garnet's story, "The Cardinal Feather." Artistic Garnet has always been free willed, but her independence often lures her into troublesome situations. Hiding a ghastly secret, Garnet becomes reserved; a change that her sisters and father cannot ignore. When Dr. Sloan MacAllister comes to town, he soon finds himself unwillingly doctoring both Garnet and an injured fox that she risks her life to save. As Garnet heals, she reveals her past to Sloan. Both Sloan and Garnet feel their budding attraction, but can they find faith in a God they feel has forgotten them? Will they muster the strength to face their feared pasts and start anew?

Next is Meredith's story, "The Gingerbread Girl." Meredith is the obstinate oldest sister who wants to become a successful businesswoman. When a prosperous businessman, J. Preston Clarke, comes into town after insulting Meredith's boss, Benjamin Walker, in a local paper, Meredith prepares to battle the fiend. However, once she meets Preston, she is soon entranced by his charm and quickly finds herself falling in love. Love is not always as it seems, however, and Meredith has to face intense challenges before realizing the heart never lies.

While SHENANDOAH HOME starts with an exceedingly slow pace, it transforms into a beautiful piece of fiction. Strong characters shine through realistic dialogue and thought provoking narrative. There are subtle religious themes mentioned within the story, but the author never preaches-only makes you stop and think about your choices in life.

The second story is, by far, the stronger of the two. Meredith is constantly battling to remain a woman within a male-dominated business world. She remains strong despite the men's vocal perceptions of her friendly attitude. Meredith's strength endeared her to this reader's heart.

I do wish, however, that the third sister, Leah's, story was contained within SHENANDOAH HOME. It seems slightly unfair that the two sisters get a heartwood chest, while Leah remains in the background. I anxiously await Leah's story, VIRGINIA AUTUMN, next spring.

Rating:
Summary: Her best book yet!
Review: You can always count on Sara Mitchell to deliver three things: Characters you love. A setting that makes you wish you lived there. And a great love story. She does it again with Shenandoah Home. I think I've read all her books by now, and I'd rate this one as her best yet. She drew me into her story on the first page, and by the time I reached the last few pages, I realized I was putting off reading the ending, because I didn't want to let go of these characters or their stories.

An excerpt in the back of the book indicates there's a sequel, and I can hardly wait until it's on the shelves!