FAVORITE QUOTE:
“I couldn’t speak. I didn’t want to be her friend. I didn’t want to know her secrets. But she looked so lost and vulnerable that I felt sorry for her. And I could tell that she was about to confide in me whether I wanted her to or not.”
Lynn Austin, whose books I’ve loved for a long time, has always been a favorite of mine. Her new book, The Lumber Baron’s Wife, made me remember how much I like the way she tells a story. This dual timeline novel delicately and authentically explores women’s issues in an imaginative plot easy to identify with.
Though one hundred fifty years apart, the three women share a sisterhood bond in these stories, their struggles and triumphs unfolding amid the sights and sounds of their unique time periods. By the end of the novel, it’s impossible not to feel a deep connection with Kate, Hannah, and Ashley, considering them as friends.
The rich historical details about Michigan’s lumber boom after the Civil War transported me back in time, letting me experience the era firsthand. The modern storyline, reflecting the intricate choices that women face today, made this novel more relatable than typical historical fiction. Austin skillfully merged the two narratives with historical resonance, creating a seamless and brilliant literary effect.
But what really captured me was the mysterious ambiance, which created a suspenseful experience that compelled me to keep reading. I simply had to find out what happened to Kate. The ending was superb, wrapping things up with a strong faith thread that had me near tears. This book is just another treasure in Lynn Austin’s amazing repertoire as an author.
I received a complimentary copy from the author but was not required to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own. Click on the book cover for the synopsis and purchase link.
About the Author
For many years, Lynn Austin nurtured a desire to write but frequent travels and the demands of her growing family postponed her career. When her husband’s work took Lynn to Bogota, Colombia, for two years, she used the B.A. she’d earned at Hope College and Southern Connecticut State University to work as a teacher. After returning to the U.S., the Austins moved to Anderson, Indiana, Thunder Bay, Ontario, and later to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It was during the long Canadian winters at home with her children that Lynn made progress on her dream to write, carving out a few hours of writing time each day while her children napped. Lynn credits her early experience of learning to write amid the chaos of family life for her ability to be a productive writer while making sure her family remains her top priority.
Extended family is also very important to Austin, and it was a lively discussion between Lynn, her mother, grandmother, and daughter concerning the change in women’s roles through the generations that sparked the inspiration for her novel Eve’s Daughters.
Along with reading, two of Lynn’s lifelong passions are history and archaeology. While researching her Biblical fiction series, Chronicles of the Kings, these two interests led her to pursue studies in Biblical Backgrounds and Archaeology through Southwestern Theological Seminary. She and her son traveled to Israel during the summer of 1989 to take part in an archaeological dig at the ancient city of Timnah. This experience contributed to the inspiration for her novel Wings of Refuge.
Lynn resigned from teaching to write full-time in 1992. Since then she has published 27 novels. Eight of her historical novels have won Christy Awards for excellence in Christian Fiction: Hidden Places (2001), Candle in the Darkness (2002), Fire by Night (2003), A Proper Pursuit (2007), Until We Reach Home (2008), Though Waters Roar (2009) While We’re Far Apart (2010), and Wonderland Creek (2011). She was inducted into the Christy Award Hall of Fame in 2013. Fire by Night was also one of only five inspirational fiction books chosen by Library Journal for their top picks of 2003, and All She Ever Wanted was chosen as one of the five inspirational top picks of 2005. Lynn’s novel Hidden Places has been made into a movie for the Hallmark Channel, starring actress Shirley Jones. Ms Jones received a 2006 Emmy Award nomination for her portrayal of Aunt Batty in the film.
Devoted Steps 