Abbie Ann (Daughters of Jacob Kane, book #3)

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Abbie Ann (Daughters of Jacob Kane #3)

4.13 of 5 stars 4.13 · rating details · 120 ratings · 23 reviews

Abbie Ann Kane, the youngest of Jacob Kane's three daughters, is a busy woman. Between running the Whatnot, the family's general store, being active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and assisting the elderly citizens of Sandy Shores, Michigan, she has little time for frivolous matters. And those include matters of the heart. When the recently divorced Noah Carson...more

Paperback, 519 pages

Published April 1st 2010 by Whitaker House (first published 2010)

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Sep 25, 2011 Cindy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Third in the Daughters of Jacob Kane series, we find the youngest daughter Abbie Ann. Abbie Ann is a vivacious young lady intent on changing her world, one act of kindness at a time. A Sunday School teacher, the president of the local chapter of the temperance movement, and working in her father's store, in between all the visits she does with the elderly and people who need help, she sees these acts as part of her mission in life. Unfortunately the young man she is seeing, does not see them as...more

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May 20, 2011 Denise Ganser rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first thing that I liked about Abbie Ann is that it’s 500 pages! I love long books! Part of it may be that I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth (books, especially Christian books, can be pricey), but mostly because the plot and the relationships can be developed so much more. How can a couple be in love in 100 pages? Sometimes shorter books leave me frustrated because so much needs to be left out in order to complete the story in 288 pages. Therefore, I enjoyed the slow, easy pace of Abb...more The first thing that I liked about Abbie Ann is that it’s 500 pages! I love long books! Part of it may be that I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth (books, especially Christian books, can be pricey), but mostly because the plot and the relationships can be developed so much more. How can a couple be in love in 100 pages? Sometimes shorter books leave me frustrated because so much needs to be left out in order to complete the story in 288 pages. Therefore, I enjoyed the slow, easy pace of Abbie Ann. I was able to mentally meander through the town, visualizing the different locations and people. There was some beautiful vocabulary, another thing so often left out of shorter books. I appreciate reading words that I don’t use often, words that challenge me. I found a few of those in this book. So in that way, I thoroughly enjoyed Abbie Ann.

This book is the third in the series of The Daughters of Jacob Kane. However, the book does stand alone, and can be enjoyed without having read the other two. Abbie Ann is the youngest of three daughters, still lives at home with her widowed father, and keeps herself busy working at Kane’s Whatnot, being president of the local Women’s Christian Temperance Union and teaching young children at her church. The setting is Sandy Shores Michigan, 1907.

Abbie is working in the family store when there is an accident involving one Noah Carson. Noah is a newcomer to town, and Abbie, ever the independent woman, finds that he is extremely appealing; a fact which irritates her to no end. Noah has relocated to Sandy Shores in order to escape the pain of his past, which includes a recent divorce and the loss of his previously thriving shipworks business. He does, however, have custody of his son, Toby. The fact that Abbie is Toby’s Sunday school teacher further brings the two adults together. However, the past hurts in Noah’s life have taken their toll on his faith....or lack thereof.

Noah is working for his uncle in a window business, but his love for shipbuilding continues to draw him. He finds Abbie to be very feisty and outspoken, but can’t help finding her very interesting as well. The fact that Noah is not a committed Christian makes him off limits to Abbie, but they seem to be constantly thrown together...and neither minds it a bit!

I absolutely love the family dynamics in Noah’s life. There is such hurt, such betrayal, such deep seated anger and lack of forgiveness on Noah’s part. All understandable. But I love the way the story is written, the issues that are worked through, the softening of Noah’s heart. Very sweet. In order for him to be free of the hurt of his past, there are some pretty heavy duty things he needs to deal with. And he does. We also are able to watch a principled, devout Christian woman deal with her own rigidness, as she finds that some principles may merely be ours, not necessarily God’s. The temperance movement subplot adds interest and character to the storyline as well. This book definitely deals with some matters of the heart, and does it well. Their romance is a sweet, pleasurable journey through the pages.

All in all, I would say this is a good read. It’s not super-deep, and it is sometimes on the “sweet” side (where I often prefer a bit more of what I would term “realistic” interaction), but I definitely liked it, and would recommend it. I’d give it 4 stars out of 5.

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Nov 10, 2010 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars

Title: ABBIE ANN
Author: Sharlene MacLaren
Publisher: Whitaker House
April 2010
ISBN: 978-1-60374-076-0
Genre: Inspirational/historical

Abbie Ann Kane is the youngest of Jacob Kane’s three daughters. She works at the Kane’s store, teaches Sunday school, and leads the local women’s temperance union in promoting women’s rights and prohibition. She also helps abused women. Her causes aren’t popular and she keeps her brother-in-law, Sheriff Gabriel Devlin busy investigating threats directed at Abbie Ann....more

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Jun 04, 2010 Molly rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: everyone

Recommended to Molly by: FIRST; Sharlene MacLaren

Shelves: book-review

My word, this was the best Kane daughter story yet! I don't know how she does it but Sharlene MacLaren just makes each book better with her tender words and beautiful characters!

I think Abbie Ann is undeniably my favorite of the three daughters. She was such a tender hearted young woman with a compassion to make the world a better place. She has an undeniable, strong desire to seek God's will in everything she does. And poor Noah and Toby. I prayed countless times for them. They were the depth o...more

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Mar 26, 2010 Margaret Metz rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have been not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of this book ever since finishing book 2 in The Daughters of Jacob Kane Series. :o) Let me just get my praise for the cover out of the way. Isn't it gorgeous? All the covers in the series have been just phenomenal. The model really exemplifies the character and the boat and scenery are really beautiful.

Now for the book itself ~ I love how the author draws characters that live and breathe. I'm a character person. It doesn't matter how good your pl...more I have been not-so-patiently awaiting the arrival of this book ever since finishing book 2 in The Daughters of Jacob Kane Series. :o) Let me just get my praise for the cover out of the way. Isn't it gorgeous? All the covers in the series have been just phenomenal. The model really exemplifies the character and the boat and scenery are really beautiful.

Now for the book itself ~ I love how the author draws characters that live and breathe. I'm a character person. It doesn't matter how good your plot idea is, if the people in it aren't interesting and you don't care about them it just won't be a good story. You don't have to worry about that with this story. Jacob Kane's daughter's have all been strong, sassy and wonderfully three dimensional. Abbie Ann is no different.

She can't cook, doesn't think marriage is in her future and is bent on closing down all those dens of iniquity otherwise known as saloons. Since that pretty much makes her anti everything your normal woman is expected to be, she is sure to ruffle more than a few feathers. One of them is the man who she's been courting for nine months and the other is a mystery man who has threatened to harm her if she doesn't stop her "meddling."

Noah Carson comes into town hoping for a fresh start. He was a very successful ship builder until his wife and business partner cheated on him with each other and wanted the company instead of their child. So Noah lost everything but Toby and is working in the window business for his uncle. His wagon is run off the road and into Jacob's display window. Nobody is hurt, but Noah and Abbie Ann are drawn together in a way that neither welcome.

Noah doesn't trust women and wants to keep to himself. Abbie Ann is drawn in by both Noah and his son, but doesn't believe in divorce and knows Noah isn't a committed Christian. Throw in Abbie's beau who dislikes all her causes, refuses to help her and tries to force her to stop now ~ and an unexpected offer for Noah, a couple surprise visitors ... and there is plenty to keep this story hopping.

I liked the way both Noah and Abbie weren't perfect. Noah regretted not being a better dad and realized how carried away he got when building a ship and how that meant he wasn't giving his son his best. He even was willing to accept his part of the blame in his marital problems. He didn't suddenly become better either. It was realistic. I could see him as a real person.

Abbie was the same way. She felt more comfortable out doing her charity work than doing cooking and domestics. She worried that she wouldn't make a good wife because of it. She is stubborn but dedicated to the people and causes she feels are important. It can take quite a lot to change her mind once she's made it up, which can be unfortunate if she's come to a wrong conclusion.

The romance was bittersweet and filled with pitfalls they both had to navigate. I think the dedication they showed towards each other (in different ways and times) is part of why this was such a powerful love story. You watched as they grew individually over the course of the story - as people who were better able to understand and love each other. It was a masterful job by a terrific author.

This is one of those books I can see myself reading again. As the last daughter, I imagine it's the end of the series. I'm sad to see them go. This has been a wonderful family to read about and I thank Sharlene for sharing them with us. (less)

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Jan 27, 2012 Trinity Rose rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the third and last book of the series The Daughters of Jacob Kane. Abbie Ann is quite a lovely, spirited young lady who knows what she wants and how to get it. She doesn’t let other people control her and make her go against what she believes the Lord wants her to do.
This book has many surprising twist and turns. I was really intrigued by it and like the way when I thought it would make a good ending another thing happened to cause havoc and shook things up.
One thing happened in thi...more

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Oct 17, 2010 Kristy rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: historical Christian fiction fans

Shelves: read-in-2010, historical-fiction

Abbie Ann is the last book in Sharlene MacLaren’s Daughters of Jacob Kane trilogy. As you may already know, I absolutely loved the first two in the series and couldn’t wait to get started on the third. Abbie Ann is Jacob Kane’s youngest daughter. She is free-spirited, independent, and, should I say, stubborn at times!

Abbie is the leader of the local Woman’s Christian Temperance Union who advocates Prohibition and women’s rights. However, not everyone supports their efforts. Someone is very disp...more Abbie Ann is the last book in Sharlene MacLaren’s Daughters of Jacob Kane trilogy. As you may already know, I absolutely loved the first two in the series and couldn’t wait to get started on the third. Abbie Ann is Jacob Kane’s youngest daughter. She is free-spirited, independent, and, should I say, stubborn at times!

Abbie is the leader of the local Woman’s Christian Temperance Union who advocates Prohibition and women’s rights. However, not everyone supports their efforts. Someone is very displeased with Abbie and the W.C.T.U. Abbie starts receiving threats from someone and finds out that whoever it is, is also stalking her.

All the while, Noah Carson is the new man in town and something about him catches Abbie’s attention. However, Noah came to Sandy Shores with his son in an effort to flee a very complicated life and Abbie questions whether or not they are right for each other. After all, can Abbie have a serious relationship with a man who doesn’t share her strong faith? Can Noah learn to forgive and put his trust in the Lord? Also, what will happen when the situation in Sandy Shores becomes dangerous and people turn violent?

When I began Abbie Ann, I was so looking forward to get started reading...However, as I neared the end, I was so NOT looking forward to it being the end of the series! I became so immersed in the Kane family over the course of these three novels, I just didn’t want it to end! Having said that, I really did enjoy reading about Abbie – she is spunky, lively, and so free-spirited. It was delightful to read about her story.

I was pleased to find that, like the first two books, this one was filled with inspiration. Abbie has a strong faith but has questions that she wrestles with also. I was glad how things worked out in the end. Noah learns some important lessons and, once again, an important overall theme is trusting God in every situation.

I highly recommend these novels and, while they could be read as stand-alone books, you should really read the whole series. I really loved reading about all three sisters and found something unique and refreshing in each of their personalities. I SO wish I could be a part of the Kane family! I appreciated that this series was filled with inspiration. These books have earned a permanent place on my bookshelf and I have no doubt that I’ll continue to think about Hannah, Maggie, and Abbie as time goes on. Thank you, Sharlene, for creating a series that features such strong, faithful women!(less)

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Jun 02, 2010 Renee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Since reading Sharlene's first historical series, Little Hickman Creek I've been really excited to read her latest series, Daughters of Jacob Kane. Of course I started with book three, Abbie Ann as reading books out of order seems to be a habit of mine but I really enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to reading Hannah Grace and Maggie Rose!

Abbie Ann, is just as spunky as her older sisters but she's rather quirky. She loves to tell bad jokes and yet has a serious side as a advocate for abused wom...more

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Jul 18, 2010 Lori rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Lori by: Compliments of FIRST Wild Card Tours -- for review

Shelves: 2010-books-i-ve-read, books-i-ve-reviewed

And last, but not least, we have the youngest Kane sister, Abbie Ann. I would have to call her the "spitfire" of the family, as she leads her local Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WTCU) chapter. They help promote women's suffrage and Prohibition. It seems they have been ruffling a few feathers, as Abbie Ann has received several threats, which are being investigated by Sheriff Gabriel Devlin, Hannah Grace's husband.

When Abbie Ann meets Noah Carson, a renowned shipbuilder, and his adorable six...more And last, but not least, we have the youngest Kane sister, Abbie Ann. I would have to call her the "spitfire" of the family, as she leads her local Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WTCU) chapter. They help promote women's suffrage and Prohibition. It seems they have been ruffling a few feathers, as Abbie Ann has received several threats, which are being investigated by Sheriff Gabriel Devlin, Hannah Grace's husband.

When Abbie Ann meets Noah Carson, a renowned shipbuilder, and his adorable six-year-old son, Toby, they find themselves caught up in an instant attraction. Abbie Ann tries her best to ignore her feelings, especially after she finds out Noah is a divorcee, nor does he seem to be a devoted Christian. He is harboring hatred and unforgiveness towards his own father; not to mention his rage at the people involved in the events that caused his sudden and shocking divorce. Along with his divorce, he also lost his lifelong best friend, and his highly successful shipworks business. Needless to say, he arrives in town with a very sour outlook on life.

One of Abbie Ann's dreams for the WTCU is to eventually be able to open a shelter for battered and abused women. She knows for a fact that there are a few living in her relatively small town, and would love nothing more than to be able to help them. As she works hard to put her dream in motion, she is forced to deal with even more threats, which in turn cause her father and Sheriff Gabe to recommend she drop the WTCU meetings until things calm down. They want nothing more than to keep her safe.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the Kane sisters, I have to tell you that Abbie Ann's story was my least favorite. It seemed to move along much slower than the first two and I had to make myself buckle down and keep reading a few times. I'm so glad I did though, because everything came together just fine in the end. I'm really sorry to say good-bye to all the wonderful folks I met along the way -- I'll really miss them!

If you've not had the pleasure of reading Sharlene MacLaren's The Daughter's of Jacob Kane series, I highly recommend that you give them a try. Be sure to check out Sharlene's website and blog to find out more about her and her books.

***A special "thank-you" to FIRST Wild Card Tours for providing my copy of Abbie Ann for review. *** (less)

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Jun 05, 2010 Holly (2 Kids and Tired) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Third in the Daughter's of Jacob Kane series, I think this was my favorite. Abbie was the somewhat annoying younger sister in each of the first two books. Here, she comes into her own and readers will find a delightful young heroine.

As Abbie falls for Noah, she must also work through her issues of his divorce and her fear that he doesn't completely walk with God. Noah must heal from the struggles of his past and as he does, he learns about forgiveness.

I found the subjects of boat building and w...more

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Sep 21, 2010 Tressa (Tressa's Wishful Endings) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian

Spunky Abbie Ann is the youngest daughter of Jacob Kane. She is the president of the women's group and very outspoken about women's rights and prohibition. She has always believed that she doesn't really need a man, he would be more of just more fluff in her pillow (her words). Of course that was before she laid eyes on Noah.

I enjoyed this last book of the series, although it was a little draw out and it could have been shorter.

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Mar 03, 2011 Zette rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm so sad that this is the last book in the Daughters of Jacob Kane series! I enjoyed all three of the books and will read them all again in the future. My favorite part of the story was seeing Noah's feelings for both his father and his wife change as God brought healing and forgiveness into his heart. The romance between Noah and Abbie had the right amount of spark and conflict to keep my interest and it was fun to see Jacob surprise his daughters with a romance of his own!

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Oct 25, 2010 Carman rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love Sharlene’s books. I have read all of her books except one, and I have never failed to be thrilled by them! You can see her love of children in each of her books, and this was no exception. Abbie is a character that, despite her flaws, you love. Her drive to defend others and stand up for what she believed in was really inspiring. I loved her idea for the Hope House! That was great. :) Noah had been hurt by so many people and was struggling just to get by, day-by-day. I really liked him as...more

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Jan 30, 2011 Donna added it

Great book. "Abbie Ann Kane, the youngest of Jacob Kane's three daughters, is a busy woman. Between running the Whatnot, the family's general store, being active in the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and assisting the elderly citizens of Sandy Shores, Michigan, she has little time for frivolous matters. And those include matters of the heart. When the recently divorced Noah Carson comes to town with son Toby in tow to pursue a shipbuilding business, Abbie Ann tries to keep her distance-espe...more

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May 12, 2013 Brooke Barenfanger rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: hannah-grace

Abbie Ann was the third book in MacLaren's Kane Sisters series. It was longer than the first two so I thoght that it would be too long, and drag on. But, surprisingly, it didn't. The author needed the extra 100 pages to complete a sweet, lovely tale about a hurtiing young man and an enchanting woman named Abbie Ann, the youngest of the Kane sisters. As always, MacLaren did a wonderful job in creating the characters. If you're looking for a book to get lost in, it would be Abbie Ann.

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Mar 15, 2013 Lisa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Another wonderful read by Sharlene MacClaren. I loved this series. Sharlene's books are a cut above. The story lines are creative, original and very inspiring. Everything about this book was believable - nothing felt contrived. Now I've read all her books and will have to patiently wait for another. It won't be easy!

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Aug 20, 2010 Olean Public Library rated it 3 of 5 stars

-This is the final book in the trilogy about the daughters of Jacob Kane. It takes place in 1907, which was interesting to see how things in that time differ from now. Some things, however, like our love and desires, are still the same.

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Aug 03, 2012 Cindy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Slow and too many cliche sayings in this book for my liking. The characters were characters, they didn't feel real or alive. I wasn't drawn in. On to the next book.

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Oct 17, 2011 Lena Dooley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I love this series by Sharlene MacLaren. It's my favorite so far.

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Aug 06, 2010 Lisa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: america-mid-west, christian-fiction, historical, edwardian, romance

2.5 stars It was good, but not as good as the first in the series.

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Oct 22, 2012 Jennifer rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: maclaren-sharlene

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Apr 14, 2010 Margaret marked it as to-read

Recommended to Margaret by: FIRST

Shelves: historical, christianfiction, whitaker-house, romance

*Thanks to Whitaker House for providing a copy for review.*

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Mar 04, 2011 Mackenzie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Book 3 of 3

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May 09, 2013 Debbie added it

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About Sharlene MacLaren

After 31 years of teaching second and fourth grades, Shar decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" and it's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, and inspiring adventure. One thing she knows for certain—God dropped a seed of passion for writing in her heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. She signed on with Whitaker House Publishers in...more After 31 years of teaching second and fourth grades, Shar decided to say, "Bye-bye, Students!" and "Hello, Writing World!" and it's been an interesting, exciting, challenging, and inspiring adventure. One thing she knows for certain—God dropped a seed of passion for writing in her heart back in the summer of 2000, and He's been growing it ever since. She signed on with Whitaker House Publishers in early 2006 and in December of that same year released Through Every Storm, a general fiction title that finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers Book-of-the-Year. Another general fiction title, Long Journey Home, hit shelves in 2008. (It is her pleasure to announce that both of these titles are also available in SPANISH.)

Sharlene’s beloved, bestselling “Little Hickman Creek Series” released in 2007-08. This 3-book series set in 1895 KENTUCKY won the “Road to Romance” Reviewers’ Choice Award and a third place standing in the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest in 2008 and 2009. Also, in 2009, her historical series, “The Daughters of Jacob Kane”, began hitting bookshelves in stores countrywide. In late summer of 2010, Tender Vow, another general fiction stand-alone, will release, and following that, a 1920s 3-book set called “River of Hope”. The first in that series, River Song, should become available in the spring of 2011. Yep, you guessed it – Shar is BUSY!!!

Shar has done numerous book-signings across the country, appeared on many national television and radio shows, and participated in countless interviews. She has been married to the love of her life since December of 1975, has two wonderful daughters and two handsome sons-in-law. The joys of her life, however, are her adorable grandchildren. Besides her involvement in music at her local church, Shar has been a speaker for the local MOPS organization, is involved in KIDS’ HOPE, USA, a mentoring program for at-risk children, counsels young women in the international APPLES OF GOLD program, and attends two bi-weekly Bible studies. She and her darling husband, Cecil, live in Spring Lake, Michigan with Peyton, their loveable collie, and Mocha, their big, lazy cat.(less)

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Hannah Grace (Daughters of Jacob Kane, book #1)

Sarah My Beloved (Little Hickman Creek series #2)

Courting Emma (Little Hickman Creek series #3)

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Abbie Ann (Daughters of Jacob Kane #3)

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