Review and Giveaway: Summer on Sunset Ridge by Sharlene MacLaren

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About the Book

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Book: Summer on Sunset Ridge, Freedom Series Book 1

Author: Sharlene MacLaren

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Brought up on a Quaker farm near Philadelphia at the brink of the Civil War, plainspoken Rebecca Albright is charitable, peace-loving, submissive—and a feisty abolitionist. Determined to aid the Underground Railroad no matter what the cost, her path collides with that of formidable slave-catcher Clay Dalton. When Rebecca is assigned to nurse Clay back to health following a near-fatal gunshot wound, her uneasiness around him and the questions surrounding his mysterious past complicate their strained but developing relationship.

Sherriff Clay Dalton is grimly fighting several battles of his own as he stays on at the Albright farm to work off his debt to the family that has saved his life and taken him in. He is torn between his past commitments in the South and his unlikely present among this quiet Quaker community in the North. Almost against his will, he begins to ponder the impossible idea of a future with Rebecca.…

When tensions between North and South escalate, Rebecca and Clay find themselves propelled on a journey to discover just who God has called them to be, and they soon realize that each holds a key to the other’s answer.

My Review:

Summer on Sunset Ridge was an enjoyable read that took many twists and turns throughout.  Rebecca Albright lives with her large Quaker family on their farm and her father participates in the Underground Railroad.  With a heart and a passion to help the slaves reach freedom, Rebecca wants to aid her father in his nighttime excursions.  Enter Sheriff Clay Dalton who is pursuing a runaway slave, wanted for murder, and only wants to bring him back for justice and hopefully a fair trial.  As Rebecca and Clay meet at a crossroads one evening, their worlds become irrevocably intertwined.

I really enjoyed this story of forgiveness and hope.  For a little bit of this story I was aggravated at some of the characters and their actions that stemmed from their losses.  I felt a real stress at how some of the decisions were being made and I was tempted to peak at the end.  Rebecca especially needed to stand up for her rights as a person and I did not like her fiancé at all.  Her explosive first meeting with Clay changes the course of both their lives forever, showing them that there is more to life than just settling.  This was a romantic read with some well-placed stolen kisses.  I liked reading about the Quakers and seeing them as a family, a community, and their very important role in history in regards to the Underground Railroad.   I hope the author continues this family’s story. 

I received a copy of this book for free.  I was not required to post a positive review and all views expressed are my own.

About the Author

Sharlene MacLaren Born and raised in western Michigan, award-winning, bestselling author Sharlene MacLaren attended Spring Arbor University. After graduating, she traveled with a nationally touring Christian vocal ensemble, returning home to Spring Arbor to marry her husband, Cecil, whom she’d known since childhood. Together they raised two daughters. Now happily retired after teaching elementary school for 31 years, “Shar” enjoys reading, singing in the church choir and worship teams, traveling, and spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Her novels include the contemporary romances Through Every Storm, Long Journey Home, and Tender Vow; the beloved Little Hickman Creek series (Loving Liza Jane, Sarah, My Beloved, Courting Emma, and  Christmas Comes to Little Hickman Creek, a novella), and three historic romance trilogies: The Daughters of Jacob Kane (Hannah Grace, Maggie Rose, and Abbie Ann); River of Hope (Livvie’s Song, Ellie’s Haven, and Sofia’s Secret); Tennessee Dreams:  Heart of Mercy, Threads of Joy, and Gift of Grace.

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Giveaway

To celebrate Sharlene’s tour, Whitaker House is giving away:

Grand Prize

Brown and tan fashion purse with cross, multiple interior and exterior pocketsand

and

Five Sharlene MacLaren titles: Summer on Sunset Ridge (Forever Freedom #1); Heart of Mercy (Tennessee Dreams #1); Livvie’s Song (River of Hope #1); Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Kane #1); Loving Liza Jane (Little Hickman Creek #1)

Second Prize

“Keepers of the Light” Orange/Cinnamon/Clove candle from www.acheerfulgiver.com and

Summer on Sunset Ridge

Third Prize

Summer on Sunset Ridge

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post to earn 9 extra entries in the giveaway!

https://promosimple.com/ps/af21