The Ragpicker: Salem Village - Novella by Pegg Thomas

 

Salem Town and Salem Village 1691, taking place before the Salem witch trials. There were struggles between the Puritans and the Quakers - had been for many years before. Little 8 yr old Verity's family all died, and the Puritans gave her to an old, widowed woman who lived in very run-down conditions. She had other orphans as well and took all that was given to her for their care yet provided very little to the children, turning them out to work to support themselves. Verity is pitied by the others in town, but one family, Quakers, especially showed her kindness and determined to get her away. Heart wrenching at times - you'll need tissues and will hold your breath wondering how it will turn out, so believably written. Good faith lessons. It will leave a mark.

I received this book free from the author and publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#TheRagpicker #PeggThomas #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianMystery&Suspense #SpinnerOfYarnsLLC #ReligiousHistoricalFiction

Synopsis:

In the shadows of Salem Village in 1692, one young girl must navigate the complexities of a divided society.

Often cold and hungry, eight-year-old Verity Manton, an orphaned ragpicker, clings to the scraps of love and kindness in her harsh world. Things get tangled as the village Puritans' strange behavior grows more alarming. Verity is caught between the safety of her life and the promise of a better future with a Quaker family who reaches out to her. Yet, she has been warned her whole life that Quakers are evil.

Will Verity have the courage to trust her heart and choose a path that defies everything she has been taught? This powerful prequel novella to the Salem Village series will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Fans of historical fiction and strong female protagonists will love this captivating tale.

About the Author:

Pegg Thomas lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with Michael, her husband of *mumble* years. She creates American stories with real history and fictional characters inspired by her ancestors who immigrated here in the early 1600s.

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Shadow Among Sheaves by Naomi Stephens

"Most days she found her own past too painful in its vastness."

England 1861. Intricate tale of a young Indian woman who married a British soldier, heir to a fortune. Similar to the biblical Ruth, when he and his father both died, she left India to follow her mother-in-law back to England. Neither realizing just how tough it would be. Severely rejected because of her race and nationality, both women were rejected and shunned by everyone and forced to live in a way neither had experienced before.

Lord Barric grudgingly felt compelled to help these women,  relatives by marriage. At first, he just allowed Rena to glean from his field. The story is excruciatingly painful to read at times, vividly brought to life by this talented author. Unfairness of discrimination, both of race and because they were women in the society of this day and age. And the customs of both countries. Through Rena, the beauty of the Indian people is unfolded. Although in India, the people didn't respect widows at that time; treated them harshly. In many parts of India, widows were beaten and shunned, cursed and spat upon, their clothes stripped away and ornaments ripped from their piercings so even their skin and flesh were broken. In the Indian state of Punjab, the term for widow was synonymous with the word for prostitute. But love has no racial boundaries.

“We are so much more than our reputation,” she finally managed to reply, her face warming. “Stories cheat; truth is found only in friendship.”

I was blessed to meet and work with people from India for a while, even more blessed to call these beautiful people friends. A time and friendship that I will always treasure. I didn't learn nearly enough about them and the land that they came from. The beauty and dignity of the main character in this story made me think of them.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. 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.”
#ShadowAmongSheaves #NetGalley #NaomiStephens  #BooksYouFeelGoodAbout
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