I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
Where We Belong by Lynn Austin Published by Baker Publishing Group on October 3rd 2017
Genres: Christian, Fiction, Historical, Religious
Pages: 480
Source: NetGalley
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The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm.
Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.
I just cannot write this review. Sorry. Can’t do it. When I first started actually reading this book my Kindle told me that it would take about 7 hours to finish. Lovely, right? I mean here it was Monday evening and I was getting ready to start my week at The Day Job (I work Tuesday through Saturday). Reading time through the week is hard to come by and tends to happen in spurts and fits. Seven hours would take me all week and into my weekend. No way Jose. And then I started reading it and was like, whoa Nellie, to have that kind of money. I mean life got messy, or hard, or stressful and immediately Rebecca’s response was ‘let’s travel abroad and figure out what God wants us to do next’. Seriously?!? And then they would be abroad, usually in the Middle East, and they would just randomly decide to extend their trip or add destinations to their trip, or just next thing you know they would be gone months. Months! For the love of all the tomatoes I need their life! Oh the life paths I could figure out by traveling ‘abroad’.
All that being said I was surprised to learn that this book was based on real people. Sorta. In a way. I mean real sisters (twins) that lived in Scotland (not Chicago) made these discoveries. They traveled to the Middle East and made ancient discoveries. I mean I thought that was just part of the story to legitimize their travels. Nope, real deal. I really can’t write this review. I mean ultimately, I loved this book. I have no idea why and can’t begin to articulate and find words to tell you about it. The situations they find themselves in, while real, sometimes scatter into the ‘wait, what?’ moments. The mindset that life decisions are made abroad, yeah well still can’t wrap my ‘I can’t afford to drive a state away and that’s like an hours drive’ mind. However, I was drawn into their lives, their adventures and their story.
The faith was consistent throughout the story and so well woven into the fiber of the characters that I can’t picture reading this book without it. Rebecca and Flora (while over the top in their wealth) were so well developed and I adored them. Even Kate and Soren were flesh and blood real for me. This book, with all these characters I can’t begin to relate too, was so very well written with amazing characters and even over-the-top believability. Seven hours felt like nothing by the time I finished this book, even during the work week. I was entertained and absorbed sitting in the car before work, ignoring friends at lunch, and staying up entirely too late at night because I loved this book. I can’t write this review. I can’t find the right words. What I can do is tell you that I loved this book.
About Lynn Austin
Along with reading, two of Lynn’s lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue graduate studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published twelve novels. Eight of her historical novels, Hidden Places, Candle in the Darkness, Fire by Night, A Proper Pursuit, and Until We Reach Home have won Christy Awards in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009 for excellence in Christian Fiction. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn’s novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
I think I may have to find this soon! I LOVED her book Wings of Refuge. (It made the little girl in me who longed to be an Archaeologist extremely happy!)
It is really really good! At least in my opinion 😁