WITH YOU ALWAYS
Orphan Train
Book One
by
Jody Hedlund
IS PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU
BY
BETHANY HOUSE BOOK BLOGGERS
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ABOUT THE BOOK
A Riveting Look at the Orphan Train from Historical Novelist Jody Hedlund
When a financial crisis in 1850s New York leaves three orphaned sisters nearly destitute, the oldest, Elise Neumann, knows she must take action. She's had experience as a seamstress, and the New York Children's Aid Society has established a special service: placing out seamstresses and trade girls. Even though Elise doesn't want to leave her sisters for a job in Illinois, she realizes this may be their last chance.
The son of one of New York City's wealthiest entrepreneurs, Thornton Quincy faces a dilemma. His father is dying, and in order to decide which of his sons will inherit everything, he is requiring them to do two things in six months: build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and get married. Thornton is tired of standing in his twin brother's shadow and is determined to win his father's challenge. He doesn't plan on meeting a feisty young woman on his way west, though.
When a financial crisis in 1850s New York leaves three orphaned sisters nearly destitute, the oldest, Elise Neumann, knows she must take action. She's had experience as a seamstress, and the New York Children's Aid Society has established a special service: placing out seamstresses and trade girls. Even though Elise doesn't want to leave her sisters for a job in Illinois, she realizes this may be their last chance.
The son of one of New York City's wealthiest entrepreneurs, Thornton Quincy faces a dilemma. His father is dying, and in order to decide which of his sons will inherit everything, he is requiring them to do two things in six months: build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad, and get married. Thornton is tired of standing in his twin brother's shadow and is determined to win his father's challenge. He doesn't plan on meeting a feisty young woman on his way west, though.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Winner of the 2016
Christian Book Award for fiction and Christy Award for historical
romance, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational
historical romances for both youth and adults.
Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).
When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
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Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).
When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.
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MY THOUGHTS
After moving to the Seventh Street Mission, Elise and her sisters find that working in the sewing room is tense. The other women are jealous because Miss Pendleton, the benefactor seems to treat this family better than the rest.
Elise goes out for thread and when she is walking through New York, violence by gangs takes over. A kind gentleman comes to help her.
Then when things seem to quiet down, the sewing industry seems to decline. With no work, Elise decides to head West, to Illinois. TO her surprise, Elise finds that same kind gentleman, Thornton Quincy on the train with her. Is this just a coincidence or has God got something else in the works.
I was rather confused about the name orphan train. When I think of orphan, I think of children that have no family or aren't wanted. But the author uses this term in a different way. The book is well written with some good descriptions of the scenes and the times along with the complexity of the characters. . I must say that there were historical points that I learned from. Elise was a strong woman in times that were hard and filled with harshness. But she took on a lot of responsibility with her sisters, the young children and the responsibility of surviving. Thornton was a possible romance but Thornton seemed selfish to me. He was looking for a woman who would be looked up to in society and I wondered at his solid intentions. The author brought faith into the lives of Elise and the other characters. This was something they had to hold on to to keep going, to make the right decisions. So if you like historical fiction, the era of the 1800's with immigration, hard lives and strong women then try this Orphan Trains series book.
I was rather confused about the name orphan train. When I think of orphan, I think of children that have no family or aren't wanted. But the author uses this term in a different way. The book is well written with some good descriptions of the scenes and the times along with the complexity of the characters. . I must say that there were historical points that I learned from. Elise was a strong woman in times that were hard and filled with harshness. But she took on a lot of responsibility with her sisters, the young children and the responsibility of surviving. Thornton was a possible romance but Thornton seemed selfish to me. He was looking for a woman who would be looked up to in society and I wondered at his solid intentions. The author brought faith into the lives of Elise and the other characters. This was something they had to hold on to to keep going, to make the right decisions. So if you like historical fiction, the era of the 1800's with immigration, hard lives and strong women then try this Orphan Trains series book.
I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Book Bloggers and voluntarily decided to review it.
I would give this book 4 STARS.
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