About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Passages of Hope (Doors to the Past) by Terri J. Haynes

Passages of Hope (Doors to the Past)
ABOUT THE BOOK


Discover the Story Behind a Secret Passageway
 
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Gracie Kingston begins renovations on the Philadelphia house inherited from her grandmother and finds a secret room. It is connected to a house nearby, the home of William Still, the man known as the father of the Underground Railroad. As she researches, she discovers a mystery in her house’s ownership. In 1855, Olivia Kingston helps a mother and her young child by hiding them in a secret room in her home. As she helps, she learns that there may be an impostor conductor in their community. As Gracie’s and Olivia’s stories intertwine, they learn the meaning of sacrifice and love.



MY THOUGHTS.....

I've long been fascinated with the history of the Underground Railroad and this book offers a fascinating look at this historic movement. Author Terry J. Haynes shares the stories of two different women, separated by over 165 years, and a house that may connect them in a way that doesn't seem possible. Gracie is a present-day young woman who is beset by many problems after inheriting her grandmother's house in Philadelphia. Olivia is a heroine who does everything possible to help runaway slaves reach freedom before slave catchers capture them and return them to their masters. Her story is set in 1855 and Haynes allows us to slip back and forth between Olivia's past adventures and Grace's present dilemmas. I was fully engaged by this dual-time plot, and I couldn't wait to learn the connection between Gracie and Olivia. Could Gracie's house with its secret room be the same house used by Olivia?

Passages of Hope is entertaining on so many levels. It has sweet romance, an inspiring faith thread woven throughout its plot, and an intriguing mix of fictional and historical events. Haynes poignantly portrays the pain and trauma associated with slavery, the hope and faith that spurred the quest for freedom, and the brave people determined to help their fellow men. Passages of Hope is a powerful addition to the Doors to the Past series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. These are my own thoughts.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Terri J. Haynes, a native Baltimorean, is a mom, prolific knitter, freelance graphic artist, and former Army wife (left the Army, not the husband). She is also the owner of AT Haynes House Yarns, a hand-dyed yarn business. She loves to read, so much that when she was in elementary school, she masterminded a plan to be locked in a public library armed with only a flashlight to read all the books and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As she grew, her love for writing grew as she tried her hand at poetry, articles, speeches, and fiction. She is a storyteller at heart. Her passion is to draw readers into the story world she has created and to bring laughter and joy to their lives.

Terri holds a Bachelor's Degree in Theology, a Master's degree in Theological Studies and a certificate in creative writing and graphic design. She serves on Project Knitwell’s board of directors and is the chairwoman of DMV Fiber Friends. She lives in Fort Washington, MD, just outside Washington, DC with her husband and three adult children.  

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