Historical Fiction

Shadows of the White City

~ Megan

Shadows of the White City is the second installment in the Windy City Saga. This particular storyline is set in Chicago during the World’s Fair and follows Sylvie, the younger of the two Townshend sisters.

Sylvie Townshend is the proprietor of Corner Books & More. She has spent the first part of her life caring for her ailing father who fought in the American Civil War. A survivor of the Great Chicago Fire, Sylvie is resilient. She is determined to make her own way, independently. And yet, Sylvie is missing something. Enter Rose, a sweet child that Sylvie takes in so that she does not have to go to the children’s home. Sylvie raises Rose as her own, but like Sylvie, Rose is missing something as well. But when Rose herself goes missing, both women find exactly what they need.

Jocelyn Green really knows how to a take a reader back in time. Personally, I am very unfamiliar with the World’s Fair. Jocelyn’s writing allows for me to see just how grand this event truly was. Like with her Heroines Behind the Lines series, this storyline is unique and contains several twists and turns.

This book left me curious about the plight of those living in the poor areas of Chicago. I am also in awe of how orphans were treated in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is terrible to think many people just assumed they were worthless because they lost their parents! Not only that, but the fact that girl orphans could be bought and raised in a brothel?!? (A point that is also mentioned in Amora.)

Awesomeness:

-Jocelyn’s descriptions of the setting and historical research is always wonderful!

-The characters realize that you’re never to old for romance and family is not limited to blood relations.

Cautions:

-Treatment & living conditions of the orphans and poor is terrible. (And historically accurate.)

-Rose goes missing and Sylvie decided to visit the area of “ill-repute” to search for her. This is tastefully done but still, depending on the reader, this may be difficult to read.

Side note: I pre-ordered this book back in the fall and then found out that the first 250 pre-orders received a sign bookplate! Insert serious fangirl excitement!

I also had the privilege of participating in a virtual author even where I listened to Jocelyn Green share more about the creation of this book and a tiny teaser about the final installment coming next year! Oh the agony of waiting!!

Fun Fact: It was called the White City because all of the buildings were made out of white marble/stone!

So Fair a Lady

~ Megan

Interest Level: High School/Adult

This is book 1 in a 3 book series by Amber Lynn Perry. I received this series for FREE through a deal the author had with Amazon. As you have probably noticed by  now, I am a sucker for historical fiction. Add some Jesus and romance to that and you can pretty much guarantee I’ll read it!

I would like to say something right off: just because a book is Christian, does not mean it is approved for all ages. As you’ll see, the struggles faced by the characters in this novel or relatable, but mature. So, just keep that in mind.

The setting of this novel is before the official start of the American Revolution, but Boston is an occupied city. The novel opens up with the death of Dr. Campbell. Eliza and Kitty now find themselves orphaned. Worry overtakes Eliza. But soon after, she finds herself the recipient of a marriage proposal from Samuel Martin, a captain in the British Army. Though she is excited, Eliza cannot accept right away. Her father left her with a note that unravels everything she thought she knew about him. Her refusal gives us a glimpse into the true character of Samuel.

Not long after the proposal, Eliza is awakened by a pounding on her door. She opens it to find Thomas Watson, a local printer and member of the Sons of Liberty, anxiously standing there. He quickly explains that she and Kitty are in danger and must come with him. Something in Eliza prompts her to believe him. She and Kitty gather only necessary items and take off with Thomas. They make it into the family fields just as the British arrive at the house. From their hiding spot, they are able to see the British soldiers enter the house and ransack it.

Thomas manages to get the girls to Sandwich within a few days. There, they hide out and try to figure out what to do next. Meanwhile, Samuel is distraught over the “kidnapping” of his future bride. He pursues the trail wherever it may lead. And of course, it eventually leads to Sandwich.

Throughout the weeks that Eliza and Kitty are hiding in Sandwich, Eliza will begin to learn the truth: the truth behind her father’s beliefs, the truth behind Samuel’s characters, and the truth about love.

 

Cautions:

-Thomas is being blackmailed by British soldiers. This is the reason he must run.

-Samuel is EVIL!! It becomes pretty obvious early on.

-Eliza is nearly raped by two drunken sailors.

-Samuel meets a horrific end.  

Awesomeness:

-Power of friendship, love and sacrifice

-Thomas is super sweet!

-The characters continually lean on and seek guidance from the Lord.


Lesson Plan Ideas:

Discuss:

-Not feeling forced to date or marry someone

-The roles of men and women in the time. Focus on the difference between Samuel and Thomas’ feelings about a woman’s ideas.

-At the time, people were loyal to their colony and then state before they were loyal to America as a country. This will continue to be felt even in the 1860s.

 

Research:

-Diseases of the 1700s

-Sons of Liberty

-Tea Act and the colonial response (Tea Party)

-The “Join or Die” flag and it’s origination.

Respond:

-In chapter 6 we read, “Those of us in the colonies are treated like second class citizens. Our king robs us with his taxes and we have no proper representation in Parliament. Our lives will never be the same if we continue to let King George dictate his will at every delicate whim.”  Do you think all the colonists felt this way? Can you list some of the taxes? Why did the king begin to tax the colonists?

-In Chapter 26 Thomas hears Dr. Campbell’s words: “The pursuit of your righteous desires is worth every sacrifice.” How does this quote relate to Thomas and to the colonial cause?