When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation--and the slaves she hoped to free--and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor's genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she becomes increasingly--though secretly--involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together as man and wife?Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of three brave heroines, fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart.
Lyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances! This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category. Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
Honor is the story of the title character, Honor, and her marriage to a deaf glassblower, Samuel. Very much a marriage of convenience story, it follows the couple as they move from Cincinnati to a smaller Ohio town in order to build a life for themselves. Because they are situated in an area that provides one of the quicker routes for escaped slaves to make it to Canada and freedom, Honor very soon finds herself in the thick of things, even though Ohio was considered a free state at the time of the novel.
This novel had me intrigued for two reasons - namely that Honor is a Quaker, and I remember loving a childhood book about Quakers helping escaped slaves at great personal risk, and that the male lead is deaf. There aren't many main characters that are deaf, and I really appreciated reading Samuel's story. Although he was deaf, he still lead a successful business as a glassblower, which, in and of itself, it a really cool detail in the story - talk about a potentially dangerous profession!
Although the writing style is not entirely to my liking, the storyline kept me invested in the story, and while Honor's character is admirable, I really found myself more interested in Samuel than I did Honor. Other than him, the other characters tended to blend together for me. I actually wanted more details about deafness during that time and a little more clarity on the signing that Samuel used to communicate. It seemed very easy for Honor to learn it, and I was a little skeptical that it wouldn't have taken longer to learn to communicate that way. There were a couple of times that the dialogue felt clunky, perhaps because of the way Samuel's speech had to be communicated.
Despite some of the qualms I had, overall, I did enjoy this story. If you are looking for a light romance with some neat historical details, I recommend Honor. I have the second book and plan on reading it later this summer.
2nd read through 10 years later. Just as engaging as the first time!
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I was first drawn to this book by the stark one word title and the incredible cover art. The model is the perfect match for the book's heroine. The set of her shoulders, the proud tilt of her head, the determination in her eyes. I took one look at Honor and knew I had to read her story. And then when I scanned the description on the back of the book and discovered that Honor joins in the fight against slavery I was ready to swoon right there in the bookstore! Needless to say, I devoured this book in a day.
Honor and Samuel have such a difficult start to their marriage. Both have pasts that have affected them deeply, leaving them wary of any kind of union. And if that isn't enough of a handicap to start a marriage with, they are immediately thrust into a series of dire situations, one following after another in an endless stream of difficulties.
Honor has to be one of my favourite heroines of all time. She really captivated me. Her faith in the Lord, her passion for doing right even when the personal cost is crushing, her yearning for love and acceptance from her husband. A backbone of steel and a heart filled with grace. She's both strong and vulnerable but always carries herself with a genteel dignity. Such a complex character and I love her!
Samuel is quite the opposite. His deafness has embittered him and he has turned away from his Quaker faith and spent years building up walls around himself. He lives in his own world, having as little to do with others as possible. Acquiring a wife sends his well-ordered life into a tailspin. Such a complicated romance! Full of sorrow and fear and tenderness and passion. Sublime!
Honor is the name of a young Quaker woman left homeless after she learned that her late grandfather disinherited her. Before his death she informed her grandfather of the promise she made to her father, to free the slaves. This would mean his Maryland plantation would fail. She was given her black maid, a little money, then was evicted.
Leaving the only home and privileged life she'd ever known, she and her maid, Royale, travel to the Pennsylvania home of a distant Quaker cousin, Miriam. There she agrees to a marriage of convenience with the woman's deaf son, Samuel, when she learns Miriam was dying.
His plan, which she had to agree to, was to move to Ohio where he would buy property and start up his own glassblowing business. So she, Royale, Samuel and his orphaned nephew head west.
A number of troubles beset them along the way and more after they settle outside Cincinnati. Troubles seem to be the crux of the rest of the book. Troubles and jealousies.
This was a very brief synopsis of what felt like an interminable book. It is hard for me to believe all the 5 star ratings. I've read books on abolition issues and Underground Railroad, some of which were considerably more fascinating and nerve racking. I've read books on slavery, promiscuous slave owners, and of harrowing escapes which I could not put down. I've read Quaker books that were so realistic I felt as if I was there. I've read about marriages of convenience that had me rooting for their inevitable love. This book was not fascinating, was not nerve racking, often not realistic, and I did not root for the main characters.
Honor cried too much, made assumptions and misunderstood often, and didn't communicate with her husband about important issues. Her husband Samuel was bitter about his deafness, highly unsocial, and suspicious of everyone. But he had the most reason to be, as deafness was equated with simplemindedness in the early 1800s. He had to fight prejudices his whole life.
The most unrealistic scenes were the ones around sign language. Honor had just arrived in her cousin's home and asks Miriam how to sign a few things so she could talk to Samuel. Within DAYS she was able to sign everything completely enough to converse with him, and translate for hearing persons when Samuel needed to be understood. Days!
And this whole business of worrying all through the book whether the other person loves them, even after there were nights of sweet love, gentle touches and smiles of joy between them? Oh brother.
Oh, oh...(speaking of sweet love)...This one floored me...They take in a disowned deaf boy because the new stepdad considers him defective. The boy runs away in the middle of the first night, and nearly everyone is frantic. Honor and Samuel spend hours that the night crying and searching neighbor's homes and miles down the road toward town for him. When they come home without him, she's so despondent, and bawling and she goes into Samuel's arms, they start kissing, Samuel gets turned on, and this is the first time they make love. What?? There's a little boy you're in charge of, alone, scared, possibly lost and cold in his night clothes, and you pick this time to do it? I was appalled.
I don't know. Some of the relationships in the book were interesting, but this was just not well done. I don't recommend it.
I'm ready for a really good book now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This just wasn't the read I had hoped it would be. After reading the back I thought this book would encompass more of the frontier life in Ohio that Honor and Samuel were to venture into; and that's not what this book is about. This read is mostly based around the Underground Railroad and Honor's constant attention to Royale and though her intentions were good and admirable I felt she put her family at risk. There were a few sweet moments with Caleb and Eli and even Samuel but I felt like Honor was always looking in another direction. It just wasn't the read I was looking for.
Honor ( Quaker Brides #1) By: Lyn Cote This is the first book in the Quaker Brides and Lyn Cote has done it again. She has a winner in Honor. I love the cover and I think it is a very good picture of what Honor would look like, a very brave heroine who is fighting to up hold her belief in slavery and always wants to tell the truth and do what God would have her to do .. Honor Penworthy is the lady at High Oaks Maryland plantation and her wishes is to free all the slaves at High Oaks .Her grandfather's death and will changes everything for Honor. She is forced to take her maid, Royale and leave her plantation. She has no skills in work and a marriage is arranged between her and Samuel Cathwell by the Quakers. Samuel lost his hearing when he was a child. He thinks that no one would want him or could love him because of his disability. Samuel is a glass blower and has plans to move west and set up his own business. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but cannot understand that she could even love him. Honor still wants to help free slaves and help them to a better life. She is holding something back from her husband, thinking he would not understand. Samuel is very protected of Honor and suspects something is going on with Honor. This is a very moving story and you will read about a very brave woman, slavery, and slave catchers, There is action right from the start of Honor. When you start you do not want to put it down till the last word. Can there be love and a marriage between a man and woman who just meet and is thrown into marriage ? How does Honor feel about Samuel and his hearing? This is a very good book and I can't wait for book two " Blessing" in the Quaker Brides. I wa given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review, which I have given.
“When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation--and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child. A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor's genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Quaker Brides” series. {Book #2 “Blessing” is coming out in Summer 2015.}
Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are quoted & Many Prayers are said; Church going; A lot about the Quaker Faith; Many talks about God (but ‘H’s are not capital); Honor has a very strong Faith; Honor prays that her anger and violence will go away & that God will forgive her for such thoughts. *Note: a “h*llish”
Negative Content- a swear is said but not written; Kidnapping (but they’re okay—just drugged); a mention of hearing about Indian scalpings; a few fights & throws; Slave catchers & slavery are major parts of this story.
Sexual Content- not-detailed kisses, five semi-detailed kisses and a detailed kiss; Noticing & Imaging touching someone; Touching & Wanting to Touch (semi-detailed); Embraces (barely-above-not-detailed); seven mentions of a wedding night; Samuel gets jealous when another man us around Honor & basically doesn’t trust her (which Honor tells him to knock it off); a man sexually used a (slave) women which resulted in a child; a mention of slave catchers raping women slaves (it’s mentioned once in a sentence); a prostitute walks by and talks to a few men; Love, an arranged marriage, falling in love, & the emotions.
-Honor Penworthy -Samuel Cathwell P.O.V. switches between them. Set in 1819-1820 368 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Pre Teens- One Star New Teens- One Star (and a half) Early High School Teens- Three Stars Older High School Teens- Four Stars* My personal Rating- Four Stars* { *This was a hard book to rate…for OHS & MPR, both on boarder-line 3.5 stars and four stars.} Wow. I’ll admit I was nervous about reading this book…especially about the arranged marriage (which normally means way more sexual content) but was pleasantly surprised that there wasn’t so much Sexual Content. Interesting enough, when you read the back cover you get the idea that “Honor” is set during the Civil War. Nope, about forty years prior. And, oh my goodness! “Honor” had such wonderful quotes! I’m already looking forward to reading the next book in this series when it’s out! :)
Quotes with my thoughts in the {{}}: “She’d been shunned by the living and betrayed by the dead.”
“What a sad world sin had caused.” {{I’ve been quoting this all this week with everything going on.}}
“Royale’s confidence tore something inside Honor. For a moment Honor hated her white skin, hated that this woman would fear her on that basis alone.”
“Anger tried to boil up higher inside her. She closed her eyes, praying for God’s peace. Human wrath was against the will of God and only gave Satan influence over a soul. Honor must leave these evil men to God’s justice.”
{{And my very favorite one:}} “’My mother is bold in her caused,” George said. “We have never had a runaway slave come to our door, but I too would help him. My mother and I were forced to leave North Carolina when we freed our slaves. The anger our former neighbors and friends turned on us told us much. When a person does what is right, it stirs the rage of those who will not turn from doing the same evil.”
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author. *I received this book for free from the Publisher (Tyndale House Publishers) for this review.
I wasn't quite sure how I was going to like this story going into it. The only other Quaker character I've read about was a secondary character in another series and the "Thee" and "Thy" were a bit much to get through, but the description of this story sounded really good. Boy, I'm so glad I went ahead and read this book!
The setting of this story is unique. In many historical fictions settings, you see during the Civil War, right after the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, but not a few years before the Civil War. There is a lull it seems in that build up period. Lyn was able to bring the tension that is building on both sides of the Mason/Dixon as a powerful background for our characters. And what I loved about how the tension is on display is that historically speaking, not everyone in the South was happy with slavery and not everyone in the North was happy to help abolish the act or put their neck out to help.
It is through Honor, we are able to follow her from the South to the North and witness both sides of these thoughts. Plus, we are able to see what a hard time it was on either side of the line to be a woman...especially one that spoke her mind with such force and wit as Honor did.
Another aspect of Honor that I enjoyed seeing was that of a lead character who is deaf. Samuel is a man who hasn't heard anything or said anything since he was child. His only form of communication is through sign language that his mother sought out and learned and taught him. He has not had any thought of marriage or of family in his adult life. He only cared about taking care of his mother and his nephew, who was left orphaned, but when Honor shows up destitute on his door and illness haunting his mother, he isn't left with many options. Honor willing learns sign language and does her best to help Samuel where she can. It is there through their partnership you see things start out and grow in both of them.
Honor and Samuel are both fully flushed out characters and their emotions, thoughts, and actions bring so much to the story, and it doesn't stop there. The secondary characters add so much as well and add a further depth and emotion to the story that pulls you further along and allows for Honor and Samuel to grow or express more through them.
I enjoyed this story immensely! I'm so glad it is the first in the series, more books to come...yay! The writing and the research of this story really pull you in and make it hard to set this book down. Honor is a wonderfully intelligent character that has a very caring heart, despite some betrayals. Samuel is a broken person in several ways and has a road to travel to trust people again. Both have things that need healing and it is an interesting road they travel on.
Thank you to the Tyndale Blog Network, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars. I would rate this higher if it weren't for one historical fact that got to me the entire time I read this story. American sign language was not even taught in schools in the US until 1817. Most of this book takes place two years after that. Samuel, one of the main characters of this story, is a grown man who knows sign language. He did not come from a wealthy home. How did he know sign language fluently? Where did he learn it? His family lived in Pittsburgh, PA, while the first place sign language was taught in the US was in Connecticut. Also, how in the world would Honor, the lead character be able to learn sign language in only about two months' time or so? These things got to me big time.
Other than that, this story is accurate for that time and brings up some great historical Abolitionist movements that I have studied due to being a resources adviser for an anti-human trafficking organization.
Honor was born in a slave state as a Quaker, known for being against slavery. Her grandfather leaves pretty much nothing to her in his will because he knows she would free his slaves. She is left with her maid who is a slave, whom she promptly frees. She has to move away and finds a Friend (Quaker term for those who are in the same belief system they are in) to stay with. Honor wants freedom for the slaves.
This story does reflect some realities of issues during the early 1800s. It is really quite interesting to read a book from this time, because most books I have read that are historical fiction are set near Civil War period. This is definitely a good prerequisite for that.
There is a love story within the entire book that is quite unique and interesting to read about.
"Honor" is a great historical fiction novel with a well written plot and unique story aspects. It is a story dealing with themes of betrayal, trust, forgiveness, compassion, love, faith, and standing up for what is right.
I liked the character of Honor, a young woman who stands up for what she believes in and does what she knows is right even if it costs her everything she has. Even after she is disinherited and has to leave her home she shows courage. She is compassionate towards others including slaves who come to her for help and to Samuel, the man she marries as an arranged marriage after she was forced to leave her home. She is a good heroine whose name fits her.
Through Samuel Cathwell’s character we see a bit of what it would be like to be deaf in the early 1800s. Samuel feels isolated from others because of his deafness and has a hard time making friends and letting others become close to him because of it.
This book was interesting to read and I enjoyed it. I learned some things about the Quakers and how they helped slaves escape from slavery to freedom, even decades before the Civil War started. This is the first book I’ve read by Lyn Cote and I look forward to reading her second book in the Quaker Brides series, "Blessing", when it is released later in 2015. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading historical fiction.
Sexual related content: There are a few mentions of Honor wondering about the marriage bed and also a mention of making love.
*I received this book for free from Tyndale through Book Fun in exchange for my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It is the first in the Quaker Brides series and is packed full of characters that really touched my heart.
Things start out pretty rough for Honor and she finds it necessary to marry a man she hardly knows. Honor and Samuel are so enjoyable to read about. I really liked that I was able to see things from both of their perspectives throughout the story. Their interactions were so realistic.
Samuel lost his hearing as a child and I was just amazed at the poor way he was treated by most people. It is understandable that he has a tendency to shut himself off from everyone. It is painful to see how he believes at first that Honor would rather not be married to a man like him. But it is so wonderful when he realizes that Honor has grown to love being his wife.
Honor is such a strong woman. I love how she fully embraces the people that have been brought into her life. She has such a caring heart for everyone, including those that society deems less than worthy. I love how passionate she is about helping slaves find their way to freedom. This is such an important part of the story and I feel that I learned so much from reading this book.
I highly recommend Honor for fans of Christian, historical fiction.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.
I really enjoyed this book! Not as much as the 2nd one though. Samuel was a very beta male character and at times annoyed me expecting Honor to start things and say things men should, especially given the time period. I wanted him to man up a lot! It was realistically done as he got better towards the end but still not perfect. Also realistic about the estate at the end but I really wanted all the slaves free! I know, not historically accurate for that time!
I enjoyed this book and the character "Honor." The story involving the disinheritance of Honor and removal of her as a wealthy plantation owner to almost destitute circumstances is moving and very interesting.
Honor and her maid (a former slave that Honor has freed) travel a distance away and begin life anew. A life that is fraught with danger but she finds herself in a settled position where she has the protection she needs and the provision she also is so in need of.
As a Quaker she desires to help those in the bondage of slavery gain freedom but not all Quakers feel the same way. This is an interesting story.
I received a copy from an online contest. No review is necessary but I wanted to share my opinions.
What could a woman in 1800’s America do to help bring freedom to slaves? Honor Penworthy was a young Quaker woman who was raised to be a lady of the plantation. Circumstances can change in a moment, however, when one stands firm in her faith. Loved ones’ betrayals are almost harder to bear than being rendered suddenly homeless and nearly penniless with her former maid, Royale, who is now a freed African American woman with a secret. Honor, a devout Quaker, longed to help slaves find freedom in an age when slave catchers abounded. In this explosive era, Honor perseveres through challenges that would be too daunting for many women, yet her courage was like a muscle that became well-developed through frequent use – with God’s help. I have long been a fan of Lyn Cote’s historical fiction, and was not disappointed in her new novel, Honor, first of her Quaker Brides series. Her research, art for conversation, rich characters, and intricate relational plots are masterfully combined to craft a story that this reader found hard to put down. Honor and other primary characters are fully-developed, three dimensional people. The author admirably shows how the characters lean on God – or learn to lean on God – in spite of circumstances. The author also shows growth, as it occurs, in every aspect of her characters’ lives. Honor, Samuel, and Royale are each passionate, interesting characters in their own way, the ones that I appreciate the most. Each of the characters has had to face and deal with challenges as a result of their specific life circumstances, challenges from which they are perceived as “less than” in the eyes of government or society. Honor has been betrayed by two family members and her ex-fiancé, costing her the promised home and inheritance. Royale lives with the ongoing dangers inherent in the life of a freed mulatto woman during the decades of slavery, as well as the prior challenges of being a slave and having no immediate nearby family. Samuel has been deaf since a childhood illness. Even as a skilled artisan, there are many who do not see him as a whole person; he closed his heart and refused to see any hope for his life other than making the best living he can and staying away from others. The plot is well-executed, leaving no unaddressed issues. This reader’s attention was captured and held throughout the novel by several relational challenges and adventurous, dangerous, and scary episodes. There is a pleasing blend of history, suspense, and romance, as well as living out the spiritual lessons one learns through following God. Love, faith, and forgiveness are but three of the spiritual challenges prevalent in Honor, all of which the author builds on throughout the novel. Honor is challenged to live up to her name as she finds her place in the frontier and the abolitionist movement – and hopefully in Samuel’s heart. I highly recommend this novel to women of all ages who appreciate well-written historical fiction, the Quaker faith, the abolition movement, and the Underground Railroad. It would be an excellent choice for a book club selection with the thought-provoking questions for discussion. With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this book through the “For Readers Only” group at The Book Club Network, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
This is the first book in the Quaker Brides series. There was so much that I loved about this book, I cannot recommend it highly enough. Yes, this is a marriage of convenience story (which I love!) but it's so much more. Honor is forced to leave the only home and lifestyle she's known when she's betrayed by her family. She travels to Pittsburgh and ends up marrying a deaf man, Samuel, out of necessity. The story continues as they travel to Ohio to start a glassblowing business and Honor finds a way to help escaped slaves. I loved the relationship between Honor and Samuel. Because they were strangers when they married, their journey towards love was filled with miscommunication, sweet moments, disagreements, and growth. Honor really lived up to her name. Raised as a Quaker (and living on a plantation), she sees the atrocity of slavery and has to do something. She is brave, outspoken, and acts when she needs to act. Samuel was more closed-off due to being treated as less than a person for being deaf. He tended to be jealous or unsocial but he was also good, helpful, and committed to Honor's well-being. Although he did not support slavery, he thought slavery could never end and one person could not make a difference. The author did a wonderful job with all the characters in the novel, especially Honor's servant/friend Royale. I loved all the historical information about the beginnings of the Underground Railroad, especially since this story is set in 1819, long before the Civil War. There are several weighty issues that the novel brings up: the treatment of female slaves by their masters, slaves with white fathers (but unrecognized by them), slave catchers who could abduct freed slaves and sell them back South, and even the inequity of property laws toward women. However, the spiritual issue that I really appreciated in this novel was doing what God wants even when it's hard. It would have been easy for Honor to walk through the "broad path" and continue with the status quo but she strives to walk the "narrow path" and fight against slavery. Walking the narrow path to follow God's way is a lesson that is always relevant. There is a prequel story about Honor, Where Honor Began, and the next book in the series, Blessing (Quaker Brides Book 2), is about Honor and Samuel's daughter. Overall, I highly recommend this marriage of convenience story that also has a lot of spiritual depth.
Lyn Cote in her new book “Honor” Book One in the Quaker Brides series published by Tyndale House Publishers introduces us to Honor Penworthy.
From the back cover: “Who will you be, if not the lady of High Oaks?”
When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute, she is forced from her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since losing his hearing as a child.
A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she secretly becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together?
Strong women. Brave stories.
Set against the backdrop of dramatic and pivotal moments in American history, the Quaker Brides series chronicles the lives of brave heroines fighting to uphold their principles of freedom while navigating the terrain of faith, family, and the heart.
America in 1819 was an entirely different world than what exists today. Honor is a Southern Plantation lady from Maryland who loses everything and is forced to move to Pennsylvania. How a lady from The South and her maid are going to adapt to an industrial Northern city is already a shell shock experience for me. Then she meets Samuel whom she marries. More shell shock. Then the newlyweds move out West to start a new business and Honor gets involved in The Underground Railroad. Ms. Cote has given us a very exciting story. She has also given us plenty to think about: how Black people were treated, how women were treated and how God has to work through individual problems so that each can heal and move into destiny. Great stuff and I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the first page, Honor drew me in. In a contradiction to her name, Honor is viewed quite disfavorably by the society in which she grows up, prompting her to move to a new area. There it seems that everything that could leave her further destitute will happen. With every page and every event, this novel moved beyond my expectations.
The characters in this novel are extremely well developed. The emotions that Honor and Samuel have for each other feel quite realistic given each of the situations that they find themselves in. Each time one of them reacted with anger or frustration, I could relate because in my mind, I would react the same way.
As independent characters, Honor and Samuel definitely have their own passions driving them. For Honor it is her strong desire to actively work to free slaves. For Samuel, it is to maintain his privacy and not be the focus of people’s attention because of his inability to hear. Sometimes their passions help their budding feelings for one another, and at other times, like a good book should, those passions create tension and problems. But I enjoyed seeing their relationships develop.
I was blown away by the way Samuel came across on the pages. To write dialogue for him, there had to be constant references of signing and gesturing. Lyn Cote made sure to never let the reader forget that Samuel was deaf. But these “dialogue tags” never became redundant but rather added to the mental movie screen playing in my mind.
With every chapter, Lyn Cote included many scenes that would have taken up the bulk of many other novels. However, she used these scenes to develop tension in the story and further the development of characters. I had a hard time putting this novel down, and at one point was surprised (and disappointed because it was so good) that I found my self over halfway through the book.
If you enjoy novels with abolition as part of the storyline, novels that have characters who identify as Quakers, or just a good love story, I would suggest you consider reading Honor by Lyn Cote.
**I received a free copy of this book from the Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review**
Honor Penworthy is comfortable with her Quaker roots. Her grandfather who has raised her since her parents death is not comfortable with his. He has denounced his upbringing in favor of a more liberal faith that allows him to keep the slaves that make the functioning of his Maryland plantation possible. Now he is dying and Honor is his heir. She has promised her father that when she inherits the plantation she will free the slaves even though it means the end of the plantation as her family has known it for several generations. Unknown to her, her grandfather has changed his will to forestall this occurance. He is leaving the plantation to Honor’s cousin who is not even related to the old man. In the process he has left Honor almost penniless. After her grandfather’s death Honor and her former maid Royale, whom she has freed, head to family in Pennsylvania in hopes of starting a new life there. When she arrives she finds that things are not as she had hoped. The household is made up of an elderly cousin, the cousin’s grown son who is a deaf mute, and the cousin’s orphaned grandson. Due to circumstances that Honor never even dreamed of, she finds herself married to Samuel, the deaf mute, and on her way to Ohio with the child Eli and Royale. Follow Honor’s story as she and Samuel learn to live together and love one another in the harsh wilderness of Ohio. Watch as Honor and Samuel come to realize what the life of freed and runaway slaves is like and strive to do their part to help. See what happens to Honor’s cousin Darah as a result of inheriting the family plantation. Become involved in Honor’s life as she grows into the strong woman God intended her to be. I recommend this as an engaging look at life in the frontier wilderness of Ohio in the early 1800’s. It is a glimpse into the hearts of those who to strove to better the lives of others at an uneasy time in the history of our country.
I received this book through The Book Club Network for my unbiased review.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Everyone had such depth, from the main characters of Honor and Samuel to the secondary like Tuck and Zeb. I think I was especially impressed how the author portrayed the slave catchers. They’re vile men who will do anything to profit, including kidnap and selling children. Yet, in the latter half of the book, the reader gets a view into a side that respects women (at least the white ones) and will stop to help a stranded traveler on the road, all the while keeping their slimy natures. It’s an interesting characterization dichotomy that I felt the author did fantastically. And that’s just one great example.
The time frame portrayed also fascinated me. The author brings to life the opening of Ohio and Illinois for full settlement and the beginnings of the Underground Railroad. She does a great job in exploring the societal issues of the day, how free blacks are viewed even in supposed free states and the status of women after marriage. Seeing how society portrayed the deaf also made for interesting reading; people’s reactions to sign language and the abandonment of children due to a characteristic they have no control over tugged at my heart and made me really feel this book. I liked that the author paid attention to the research and details, all the while exploring some very meaty subjects.
Overall, this was a very enjoyable novel, more than I was expecting going in. The characters shine vividly with life, and the story itself made for engrossing reading. The author took the time to get the details right; it shows in her writing to fantastic effect. I’d definitely recommend this novel to any lover of historical fiction, Christian romance, or just a dang good story.
Note: Book received for free from the publisher via the Good Reads First Reads program in exchange for an honest review.
Honor thought she would follow her father’s wishes and free the slaves on their plantation. This was in agreement with both the teachings of their Quaker beliefs and her personal feelings. The problem became, her father died before he could inherit the land and her grandfather was so opposed to this idea that he disowned Honor so she could not inherit the property. Additionally, she had to leave the property with only $100 to her name and the company of her maid, Royal, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Honor. The only place Honor has to go is a distant relative in Pittsburgh. When they arrive, this relative is at death’s door leaving behind a deaf adult son and an orphaned grandson. The only solution for Honor, Royal and now Samuel and Eli is for Samuel and Honor to marry. Honor rapidly learns to communicate with Samuel and becomes his voice and ears in a harsh, hearing world. Samuel is a gifted tradesman, planning to move to Ohio where he can open his own glassblowing shop. Leaving behind everything and everyone she has known, Honor heads west. She is anxious to become involved in the anti-slavery movement, despite her husband’s objections. Can she pursue this goal in addition to breaking through her husband, Samuel’s ,walls which he has erected to protect himself against an insensitive world. When voices from her past invade their fragile relationship, will they be able to forge a genuine and strong union. This book covers the very early days of the abolitionist movement. We see how the Quakers were often lone voices standing against slavery even in states that were supposed to be free. The interjection of a hearing impaired hero was a great touch. This is the first in a Quaker Brides series. I look forward to reading the rest. I received this from The Book Club Network in exchange for my honest opinion
Honor the name of the book and main character was a story I never wanted to end, and became absorbed in the time before the Civil War. Being a woman during this time, was really not having an identity, and being black was being subhuman. We observe Christians interpreting the bible to fit their needs and owning slaves, the cruelty they displayed towards their fellow man was atrocious. Of course, not all Christians felt this way, thank God, and thus we have Honor, and her Quaker religion, as she personally fights the injustices of slavery. She is forced to give up everything, and end up penny less, but could hold her head high by maintaining her beliefs. We learn about some very deep and dark secrets, and I felt she was better off leaving Maryland, but she was raised to do nothing but be a lady, a not marketable skill. We travel with her to the Quaker community in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, and it takes weeks to get there, of course we are in the early 1800’s. Loved the family who takes her and her maid Royale in, and felt it was not by chance, but by God’s hand. A life changing stop for her, she meets her future husband. What you think, just met and gets married, life has strange twists and turns. We find both Samuel with his deafness, and Honor with her loss of all she knew, fighting their demons. Will they both be able to accept their marriage as more than a convenience? Will they be able to make a difference in the world as far as slavery and the brutality that came with it? As I said I didn’t want this book to end and cannot wait for the next book in this series. A must read!
I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Tyndale House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Honor: Quakers Brides***** series by Lyn Cote—from BFN
August of 1819 Quaker Honor Penworthy learns that she has been disinherited and is forced from her beloved plantation in Maryland. She is allowed to take her clothes, a hundred dollars and her slave-maid, Royale—whom she frees. Heartbroken, Honor and Royale travel to Pennsylvania to stay with a distant relative until she can figure out what to do. When she arrives she learns that Miriam is very ill and is dying. The house has been sold as Miriam and her son Samuel and his 3 year old nephew, Eli plan to move to Ohio. Samuel plans to start and operate his own glass blowing shop there. Miriam teaches Honor sign language in order to speak to Samuel, who lost his hearing from a childhood illness. He tends to keep to himself since then, even from God. It is Miriam's wish for Samuel and Honor to marry.
But how can Honor marry someone she just met? Samuel can't believe his mother even suggested such a thing. What woman would want to marry him when he can't hear? They marry not long before Miriam dies, fulfilling her wish to see them married. There is a lot they will learn about each other as they travel to Ohio and as they set up their home. Honor has a strong passion to free the slaves and secretly becomes part of the underground railroad. Samuel knows she is hiding something and plans to find out what her secret is. Will he help her or forbid her to continue? Can they learn to love each other despite their differences and the challenges they face? Will Samuel finally turn back to God and allow Him to direct his life or will he remain locked in his own deafness?
~~I received a copy of this book from the Book Club Network for my review~~
The cover of this book drew me in right away. It is such a haunting picture, almost robot-like looking. The story begins in 1819. Honor is about to inherit a large estate when her grandfather passes. All she wants to do is let all the slaves go free and sell the estate. When her grandfather hears this he leaves her out of his will and passes the estate on to her cousin. Honor Is forced to leave with little money and her servant, Royale. She goes to a relative of her mother's only to find her dying. The woman's son is deaf from a childhood illness and she teaches Honor how to sign. The only option Honor has is to marry the son when Miriam is on her deathbed. She moves with Samuel, and his young nephew to Ohio, where he has purchased a house and land sight unseen. Honor hates slavery and does whatever she can to help free those under bondage, one at a time. Ohio allows for blacks to be free but it's against federal law to harbor one and help them escape, which Honor does several times without her husband knowing. There are several twists and turns along the way including slave catchers who are always pursuing escaped slaves for rewards. Honor and Samuel, forced to marry, learn more about each other along the way and their relationship develops throughout the book. I love reading fiction based on real history. Lyn has an historical note in the back giving more information about abolition during this period of time. I learned lots that was never taught in my schools through this fiction story based on real history. I'm looking forward to her next book, Blessing, about Honor and Samuel's daughter. I won this book in a contest sponsored by the author.
Honor by Lyn Cote is an extraordinary tale of one Quaker woman’s faith and endurance during the time period of 1819-1820. Standing up and having faith in her late father’s abolitionist beliefs, she goes against her grandfather’s stubborn will and pro-slavery beliefs. Raised on the High Oaks plantation, Honor was set to inherit her family’s legacy however, she was betrayed by her grandfather after he passed on. Now left with only $100 and her maid Royale (a former slave she set free), these two women must leave the only home they have ever known and embark on a new way of life. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, Honor finds herself in a marriage of convenience, quite literally, to a man who is deaf and his three year old nephew who needs a mother. As they head west to Ohio to start their new lives, they come against prejudice, peril, and man’s inhumanity to man. Facing all kinds of trials and circumstances, Honor and her little family must learn to trust, depend on, and love each other. However when secrets come to light and are revealed, Honor will need to learn to forgive. I was very caught up in this very riveting yet heartbreaking tale. The cover is beautiful and just looking at Honor peering back at me I knew she had an intriguing story to tell. The history of Ohio and its stand on slavery and its role that it played in the Underground Railroad was also very interesting to read about. This was my first Lyn Cote book and I look forward to reading her previous books and the second in the Quaker Bride Series, Blessing. I received this book from The Book Club Network, (TBCN) however, my opinions are my own and I highly recommend this book.
Honor Penworthy dreams of freeing the slaves from the plantation where she lives with her grandfather. Her dreams vanish when he dies and disinherits her. Honor is stunned that he has left everything to a distant relative rather than to her. Left penniless she leaves Maryland to go to Pittsburgh to live with her cousin Miriam, her son Samuel who is deaf and her deceased son's little boy Eli. Her maid Royale is with her. Once there, a dark secret is revealed about Royale. Honor draws strength from Her Quaker faith. Shortly after arriving Honor's situation has altered and will leave her homeless again. To avoid being destitute she marries Samuel and they move to Ohio where he plans to open his own business. Samuel loves his mother and nephew and would do anything for them. Miriam begins teaching Honor how to sign so she can communicate with Samuel. He is very aloof and angry as he feels no one thinks of him as a man who can do things despite his handicap. Having married out of convenience will there ever be more in their relationship. Will they learn to love one another? Honor continues to fight to abolish slavery. How will this effect her family? Lyn Cote Has done a marvelous job in writing this story of faith, strength, surprises, mystery, abolition, women's rights, historical details and a heartwarming love story. This looks like a great series. I really enjoyed reading this book.
I received a copy of this book from bookfun.org for my honest opinion and review
Honor by Lyn Cote was an exceptional read! I hadn't read any by this author, but the description on the back intrigued me.
I have heard complaints that main characters are always perfect, never have a disability, and are handsome and/or beautiful. If you are one of those read this! It's insightful and inspiring.
The characters are incredibly well written, and falling into Ohio in the 1800's happens so easily! The story is unique which I think is what I loved most. There is a lot of tension in the book but it is in no way over dramatized. Honor wants to do what is right AND obey her husband, but she is so afraid he won't see the need to be of help to slaves. Samuel lacks any self esteem, and he cannot imagine that any woman would want a loving relationship with him. After all, he has been put down send jeered at for years, isn't that how a woman/ wife would feel? That he is inferior?
I truly loved this unique story. Much history is here of Ohio and its place in the Underground Railroad, the laws Ohio makes regarding slaves, and truth about how they were treated. Both Honor and Samuel are strong leading characters, but the other characters in the book add so much to the story telling.
The great history, sweet romance, overcoming of disabilities, and beautifully written story line all make this a must read and give it room on my keeper shelf! Don't miss this tremendous read! It is my first by Lyn Cote....I don't plan on it being my last! Four and 1/2 stars. I received this book through The Book Club Network for my honest opinion which I have given.
I read Blessing first and then Honor, which is all cattywumpus, since Honor was the first book. In a way that took all the stress out of what was going to happen to Honor.
I like these book. I am a Christian (although not a Quaker). If I was not firmly wedged into my own faith tradition, I might try Quaker meeting, I have always been attracted to their way of worship and commitment to social justice and non-violence.
I am also listening to the audiobook of the new book about Justice Thurgood Marshall's confirmation to the Supreme Court, and have just listened to story after story of how the after-effects of slavery lasted well into the 20th century. This book addressed how years before the Civil War, some people thought about the situation and made decisions that put them against the law of the land, because they had to live with themselves and their consciences.
I especially like the character of Royale. She is Honor's enslaved maidservant, then her free employee, her friend, and Royale is strong and hard-headedly practical. She has had a hard row to hoe in life, and of all the people in the story, faces the most actual danger, but she does not let it make her bitter.
I think there is another book to come after this that is going to take place during the civil war, and that book is about one of Royale's daughters (or granddaughters?) so I have that to look forward to.
I enjoy reading Historical Christian fiction and this was one worth reading! Honor is the first book in the Quaker Brides series by Lyn Cote. I found Honor Penworthy to be a strong and brave young women who finds her life as she knew it changed drastically when her Grandfather passes away and writes her out of his will. She finds she must move to a new town where she marries and starts a new life with Samuel, someone she hardly knows. Honor feels strongly about helping slaves to find their freedom and she secretly helps them travel along the trail of the Underground Railroad. This story shows a time in history of how people helped slaves along the path to freedom and those whose wanted to stop them. I have read books on the Underground Railroad and found it to be a well written story. Honor has a strong belief in freedom and she is keeping a secret from Samuel. With problems in their arranged marriage, there soon is a trust issue between them. Honor and Samuel's relationship will be tested time and time again. Will they find the understanding and the trust that will give them the relationship they both want? I liked this book and look forward to the next in the series. I was gifted this book from The Book Club Network (Bookfun.org) for my honest opinion which I have given.
The first book in the Quaker Brides series is HONOR by Lyn Cote. Honor Penworthy was one of my favorite Quaker women. Unfortunately she finds herself homeless, no money or hope for the future. Her future relies on Samuel Cathwell who she intends on marrying.As a child, Samuel had lost his hearing and learned sign language. He became a successful business man. He has little self confidence in spite of his success. He has withdrawn from the hearing world and feels everyone thinks of him as a problem.
Samuel and Honor with a few servants, are westward bound to start a new life. Honor has a real passion about slaves. She wants them freed. She soon becomes involved in the Underground Railroad. Honor is hiding something from her husband but he doesn't know what it is.
The reader could relate to the characters so easily. The author wrote a very well written book which will keep you turning pages from the first to the last. You just can't get enough.After the last page, you start waiting for the next book. There has to be one.
If you are a reader of historical fiction, please get yourself a copy and follow Samuel and Honor on their journey to a new life.
I was given a complimentary copy of HONOR from Lyn Cote, the author and Tyndale Publishers for my view of the book. No other compensation took place.
As soon as Lyn Cote’s Honor introduces Honor Penworthy, the novel’s namesake, decision after difficult decision becomes swiftly set before her and as a result, she finds her life taking unexpected turns. With constantly arising challenges, life is certainly not easy for this resolute and resilient heroine, but as she determines to hold to the principles of her Quaker heritage, her story is worth reading. Through Honor and the variety of authentic characters she meets, Cote highlights several issues of the day, including abolition of slavery and the barriers of deafness. I haven’t read much fiction focused on these issues within the context of the early 1800s, so the unfolding story continually and securely held my interest. I definitely enjoyed reading Honor (especially with its added benefit of some heartwarming romance) and it will surely please other fans of historical fiction, too. Now, I can’t wait to see where Cote takes the Quaker Brides series next.
Thanks to Tyndale BlogNetwork, I received a copy of Honor and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.