A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy

 

This is the book that has made Duffy a must read on my reading list. In A Tapestry of Light, Duffy introduces readers to Ottilie Russell, a young woman of European and Indian ancestry, caught between two worlds and surrounded by grief.

This is an easy book to get lost in. Duffy skillfully brings India of the late 1800s to life as she invites readers into Ottilie's hometown. I really appreciated her attention to the smaller but important details using things like the spices and the scents of Ottilie's daily routine to bring the narrative to life. You can feel Duffy's excitement for history and storytelling come through with this care. I was glad to see this detail maintain it's pace throughout the story as Ottilie left India for England, eventually ending up in London.

One of my biggest issues with Duffy's last book was an inability for me, personally, to connect with the main characters, that wasn't a problem at all here. I really appreciated how Duffy tackled so many universal issues amid her backdrop, things like racism, poverty, loss, and love. The characters weren't rushed through their stories and many had more complicated backgrounds than their initial introduction hinted at.

I also really appreciated Duffy's treatment of faith within Ottilie's story. Ottilie isn't the typical heroine I see so often in the genre. She wrestles with her faith, she feels the questioning about having questions, she knows her own brokenness, she fights in the midst of loss. Her grief and questions feel so real. I love how Duffy chose to keep Nani and her Bible as such a central part of Ottilie's journey and her interactions became a favourite part of the story for me.

For people wanting a vibrantly painted setting, deeply realized characters, and a plot to keep the pages turning A Tapestry of Light is well worth diving into.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

Destined For You by Tracie Peterson

 

Tracie Peterson is one of those authors who have been around forever and generally I don't expect a lot of surprises from her anymore, just solid and predictable historical fiction with some romance thrown in. Destined for You, however, completely blew me away and is my new favourite in Peterson's collection.

The characters themselves feel very familiar to the genre. Gloriana is the patient, nurturing female lead who is wrestling with God while Luke is the handsome protector standing true among life's hurdles. Peterson gives them a small town backdrop that feels warm and familiar with the energetic J.T, the wise and comforting Pastor Sedgewick and his wife, right down to friendly pup Jack.

It's Peterson's plot with its handling of grief as well as how grief can affect one's interactions with God that really made this a book to be remembered. Throughout the course of the story Peterson touches upon multiple types of loss including loss of parent, loss of sibling, and even grief that comes from broken relationships and loss of potential. 

While fans of Peterson's will find themselves with a resolution they'll be pleased with, I enjoyed how, even with Glory's more traditional gender roles, Peterson allowed the character to sit in her grief, fear, and anger over the losses and changes she's encountered over the past number of years in her life. Glory gives voice to a lot of hurt I'm slowly seeing given space in the church for discussion and it was refreshing and moving to see Peterson's treatment of it.

Luke is the dashing male lead but I also liked how Peterson wrote his acknowledgement and respect of Glory's fears and grieving as well as his relationship with  J.T. While their connection still leaned into the grief they shared J.T. and Luke's relationship brought some lighthearted moments into the novel's conversation.

5out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."

My Dear Miss Dupré by Grace Hitchcock

 

It's historical fiction meets The Bachelorette when Willow Dupre finds herself faced with 30 potential suitors under her roof and 6 months to find a husband or face loosing control of her family's sugar business.

In my opinion, Hitchcock has given the historical romance genre a fun and intriguing twist on the standard. Willow's a great main character with her mix of intelligence, capability, and vulnerability. Hitchcock does an amazing job writing Willow's journey from initial reluctance, to slowly softening heart, to eventual conclusion.

Of course, the cast of suitors made the story even more interesting. 

I'll be honest, even though I'm perfectly content with how Willow's story resolved, there was more than one suitor I was rooting for! Hitchcock really worked hard to give the men compelling stories through their personalities, histories, and interests. Between former boxers, flower aficionados, childhood friends (and rescuers) there was a breadth of options. It also really made Willow's confusion more believable as she sorted out her feelings and connections (and added some great moments of interest like Fritz's use of flowers to communicate).

Since this is only book one in the American Royalty series I'm truly hoping that some of the other suitors find their own happily ever after in subsequent books.

For those that aren't into poor romance there are lots of other elements that make this story enjoyable. While there are the obvious moments of romance with Willow's search for romance, there are also moments of intrigue and drama as the men and Willow seek out threats to Willow from within their own. There was also an interesting side story involving Dupre Sugar's rival within the business world that added elements of mystery and betrayal for extra tension.

While there were a few points that made me shake my head a little (letting the final three beaus look into the businesses secrets while under threat from their main rival for example), the book is still a fun read and a great start to a new series.

4 out of 5 stars

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."