This book is an amazing journey into the life of Afton, a young vilein with many siblings. She is taken into the castle to be a companion to the earl's daughter. After falling in love with the earl's handsome young son, they marry her off to a cruel man. This is a remarkable story about one woman's determination for revenge...and all-consuming love for a brave young knight named Calhoun.

I see that "Afton of Margate" has been published again. No wonder, it is a fabulous read. This book has started me on reading just about everything she has written. I am now up to about 20 of her books. I love her hint of romance. You are drawn into her characters and into the period of time that she writes about. She writes about strong women. If you want a "never put it down book" this is the one!

One could write for hours on end praising the obviously thorough reasearch Ms. Hunt has put into this novel. the reader is ushered into the plot in a very rare manner -gently, without being "talked down to". Somehow, every term seems clear although one may not have been familiar with it before reading the story. This is a very special quality. Even more time could be passed gushing over how smoothly the plot flows and how real the characters seem. One actually feels a part of the story. But all this seems useless to cite. The novel is of such incomparable matter that one simply has to read it to believe it. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book!

As a young woman is cleaning a church, the pastor's widow arrives for a last look around. They find a jar filled with little trinkets from previous church members. The widow explained the jar was "a story jar" and that each item had a special story behind it. Thus three stories emerge about some of the items.

*** A special book just in time for Mother's Day! In between each novella are poems and short true tales from various other people. Many of them are author names I recognize. However, several are not. I saw some poems from children about their mothers. It was so special and gave me such a warm feeling. The stories are inspirational. I found myself near tears of sadness at times, joy at others, and a few times a feeling of awe and wonder that only another mother could understand. Fabulous! ***

This book isn't just for Mother's Day--if you are a mother, have a mother, or would like to BE a mother, this book is for you. The three authors have given us such different stories--they cover all aspects of motherhood, including the desperate wanting to be a mother an infertile woman feels. A lovely book that's as honest as anything I've read lately. There are no easy answers, but God is faithful. I highly recommend!

A collection of heartwarming stories that honors mothers of all ages can be found in "The Story Jar." Top inspirational writers Robin Lee Hatcher, Deborah Bedford and Angela Elwell Hunt team up to produce a continuity story about an ordinary jar that holds an extraordinary power to encourage and heal the heart. The story jar was placed on the alter of a small country church each Mother's Day, and the mothers of the church would each contribute some small memento that has meant something to them during the previous year. Those mementos are the basis for a tale that weaves through several generations of women, and how they drew strength and encouragement from the lessons learned. Also included in "The Story Jar" are tributes from some of the country's top inspirational writers to their mothers including Lori Copeland, Linda Windsor and Jerry Jenkins. This book will inspire women everywhere to rejoice in the gift of children, and after all, this is the reason behind Mother's Day! Now, go get your mom a present!

This book is moving...I thought that it brought a new eye to the Civil War. Flanna is in Boston, studying to get her medical degree so that she can return to Charleston and help her father in his practice. However, the Civil War breaks out and Flanna is forced to figure out how she will get home. As in the other Cahira O'Connor books, she dresses as a boy and becomes a soldier.

I thought this book was very well written from beginning to end. The death of the professor is Kathleen's impetus to get back to work on the story of the heirs of Cahira O'Connor. What she finds leads her to wonder what HER role in this will be.

I highly recommend this book to anyone, but please read the other 2 books in the series first. This book will make you want to rush out and pick up the 4th.

Novelist Angela Elwell Hunt has done it again! Her exciting historical women's fiction series shines with complex stories of gifted women seeking to make a place for themselves in a world, dominated by narrow ideas of women as little more than man pleasers.

Velvet Shadow is the third in a Cahira O Connor series. Flanna O'Connor a Southern bell who defied convention to study medicine in Boston Mass on the eve of the Civil War. Her hopes to take her degree back to the south are shattered by the outbreak of war, cut off from her family she tries to enlist in the Army as a Doctor and prejudice turns her back.

This theme runs throughtout the story as the wealthy Bostonian abolitionists bemoan the fate of slaves, while mistreating their Irish servants. Her keen eye for hypocrisy in society is entertaining. I had not known that some freed blacks also had slaves. Her devotion to research illuminates the Zeitgeist (ruling ideas) of the times. When an aspiring politican pursues her to marry him and forsake medicine, Flanna, like her ancestor and many actual women in the Civil War impersonates a man to join the Union Army. She hopes to make her way home to the south and desert but her destiny as a Doctor calls her to steal supplies to treat the wounded, in spite of threat of exposure, court martial or worse. As a surgeon she becomes the Velvet Shadow who saves men who would have perished without her. Hunt has captured the misery and mismanagement of troops, supplies etc in this heartbreaking war that redefined the history of our country. Again, we are led through a series of heart breaks and changes the character must conquer to survive and thrive.

This book will spark your appetite to read the earlier books in the series that began with The Silver Sword, set in 1400's Anika of Prague must pretend to be a knight in order to escape unwanted attention of a nobleman's son. She plays in integral part in story of Jan Hus, burned at the stake for his religious beliefs.

In the second book, the Golden Cross opens in 1642 when Aidan O'Connor penniless after the death of her father at sea ekes out a living in the slums of Colonial Batavia while her spirit longs for artistic expression. A master cartographer recognizes her talent and senses God leading him to train her. Aidan enters the aristocratic world as apprenticing artist and is coached in fine manners of high born women. She longs to learn and become a wealthy artist to lift her friends from the web of wharf poverty and degradation. Aidan casts aside the brocade to masquerade as a cabin boy aboard the exploration vessel of Captain Tasman to pursue her dream. The voyage is fraught with danger, slaughter and brings Aidan to cling to God. Aidan's voyage leads to unexpected danger, treasure and you'll need to read the book to find out if she settles or succeeds.

As readers we learn in pursuing the talents God has placed within us, we can experience Kairos time creative expansion of time, versus everyday chronos time. This writer broadens my view of the past and gives inspiration to my future.

After the artsy perspective of Hunt's The Golden Cross, I found Flanna O'Connor of the 19th century to be more practical, though still an interesting character. I enjoyed the plot a great deal, and each character was well-developed. Roger and Alden, brothers and foils, bring an element of tension and frustration into the plot, because they both love Flanna. The struggles the three must endure make for a great, unpredictable story. The whole book, however, does not come together until the end. By the time I came to the last page, I finally felt like all the strings had been tied together. It is not an overwhelmingly easy, lush book to read, but it is realistic, heartwarming, and it all points to the wonderful power of God through Jesus Christ. Bravo, Mrs. Hunt.

My three daughters, ages 2, 4 and 6 absolutely love this book. The illustrations are beautiful and the story well-written. A great book teaching the value of work, kindness, joy and love. Encourages a strong bond between daughters and their father. If you have young children (boys will like this, too) but especially girls, you should have this book.

O.K. I am just 12. But I have to admit it. I loved this book as a child and still do. The book is one of the few I remember very well. (Even if it was just a few years ago) Parents, get this for your girls. It is the best!

This book is well written and has beautiful illustrations. Even my son likes this book! It is a wonderful gift to give along with dress up clothes. What a beautiful lesson to teach little girls about being beautiful inside. It will also teach little boys what to look for in a truely beautiful woman when they grow up. Excellent fairytale!

As a primary school teacher I am always looking for ways to share with my students Christianity. This book does an excellent job of sharing God's most awesome gift, his son Jesus. I like to read this story to my students and family at Easter. Sometimes I just love to sit down and read it myself to remind me how very thankful and lucky I am. This story truly warms my heart and always brings a tear to my eyes.

I bought this book as a gift for my 3-year-old cousin. She enjoys it when I read it to her, but it is even better to watch her 7-year-old brother read it to her. This book tells a tale of three trees that dream of what they want to become when they grow up. All three are cut down and used in purposes far from what they had envisioned of themselves. However, by the end of the story, it is clear that the way they were used is not only exactly what they dreamed of, but they were used in the way that God wanted them to be.

This book serves well when speaking to your child about what he or she wants to be when all grown up. It will serve as a reminder to them that whatever they do, God will be with them and guiding them. God will use them in the way that he (or she) sees fit.

This leather-bound edition is beautiful. The front cover is heavily padded and is embossed with gold lettering. The price may be a little stiff for a children's book, but it will be with you and your child forever.

My first reading of this book was to a group of 6 and 7 year olds at bedtime at a Christian summer camp. I had never read the book before (not something I normally do) and I was so moved by the story and beautiful illustrations that I began reading every night to every group of kids that I had.

Why 5 stars?: This book, though somewhat pricey, teaches an enduring lesson through its words and wonderful pictures. This edition is very nice with its padded cover and gold lettering. It is on a level that second-graders can read. Perfect for them to read by themselves or possibly to a younger sibling. I would recommend this story to anyone who has ever had trouble seeing God in his or her life. His work is not always evident to us, but it is always there.

I heard this story spoken one year during a summer camp evening program. When you hear this story it hits straight into your heart and stays there.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to buy this book for all the families I work with. Now whenever "Auntie" is around the children request "The Tree Story". This book is always in the car to be read to any child.

I read the other recommendations, and yes, it does bring a lump to your throat. No matter how many times I read it, this book never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

This book belongs in every library and is a great influencer in the lives of young and old. The campfire I where I first heard this story took place years ago - yet I remembered the story long before I purchased the book.

A story for the ages......

A few years ago, our family vacationed in the Outer Banks (islands off the coast of North Carolina. We saw a live play on Roanoke Island called "The Lost Colony". This play has been running for 60 years in the same location! It was fascinating to learn about these colonists from England who came over before the other colonists that we're traditionally more informed about - the settling of Jamestown in Virginia in 1607, then Maryland in 1632 and Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1620 and 1630.

Angela Hunt's book contains characters that were real people in history - Governor John White, Ananias Dare and his wife Eleanor, and Virginia Dare, John's grand-daughter who was the first English baby born on American soil, in August of 1587. After his grandchild is born, John White returns to England to get more food, supplies and more colonists. Because of England's war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth doesn't allow him to return! A few years later, he finally gets there and doesn't find his colony!

This novel portrays what might have happened - how these people lived and loved and worshiped and dealt with Indians and with each other. Jocelyn, the main character and Eleanor Dare's cousin, is married to Thomas, the pastor of the colony. Her loving patience with a husband who feels that it is sinful to love his wife is truly inspiring. The book takes place over about 20 years.

This series is continued with 3 children who escape Indian attack and escape to what will be Jamestown. The next book is entitled Jamestown.

If you are at all interested in history (or even if you're not!), this is a marvelous book, mixture of fiction and fact, and speculation of whatever happened to The Lost Colony.

I'm starting the next book in the series - I hope the next one is as good as this one!

Please check out my other reviews of Christian books and music.

God bless you!

I really enjoyed this book. I felt like I was really in the Roanoke Colony. I was enthralled with it both times I read it. I even cried both times. I might cry once but never twice! Angela Hunt transports you inside the mind of Jocelyn. I can feel her pain. This is a book worth reading.

Angela Elwell Hunt has done it again. Another story of actual people, done convincingly and as close to fact as possible. She leaves no time for fantasy, this is real life, along with the pain and joy. What a blessing this book was to me, in that Jocelyn was the wife God called her to be, even through the hurt and pain of rejection...I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

This book is engrossing, to say the least. Be prepared to lose hours of your time in order to finish this book. The book moves quickly, with secrets and dastardly plots. Aidan O'Connor seeks to escape her life in the slums by using her art. Her patron sees her talent and seeks to have it brought to the light of day.

The characters are rich and well rounded. The conversions and realizations of self are truly well written and believable. Personally, I like how the beginning and end of every book begins with Kathleen setting up the story, and then giving a postscript.

This is a wonderful book that can bring to life an entirely new world.

This book surprised me! (in a VERY good way) I read the first book in this series, "The Silver Sword", and didn't think much of it so I wasn't really looking forward to reading this one so I was amazed when I couldn't pull myself out of this one. Some of the other reviewers said that the book captures your attention and you won't be able to put it down. This is sooo true! I found myself taking it everywhere with me so that I could read it, including the grocery store. I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next with Aidan! So definitely read this book one and all and also check out my other reviews! :)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I liked it better than the first in the series, although that was good too. Stories about the sea always interest me and the book held my interest all the way through. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to paint as well. The character's faith in God was brought out through the whole book. I am looking forward to the third in the series.

Youve got to read this one it is full of entrige just as all the ones before it.But donot read this one untill youve read the first 4 or you will be left hanging wondering what is going on.

I really enjoy Angela Elwell Hunt's creativity as she mixes romance and adventure with history in her novels. I have never read any book like these. I really hope that she will continue to write them because many people enjoy them!

I enjoyed this book so much. Toward the end I couldn't read fast enough, I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. I too wish it wasn't the end of the series. It certainly could be continued, the ring could be passed on again. I will now start another series by Angela Hunt, I hope it is as good!

I devoured the first 3 books of this series. They were moving and wonderful. This book is just as good as the other 3. In this book, we find out the story of Cahira O'Connor. A brave young woman who stood up to her father/king and an opposing force for the man that she loved. We also finish the story of Kathleen O'Connor, who has been doing the research on the descendants of Cahira. She is in Ireland for the wedding of her best friend Taylor and his fiancee (whom she introduced) Maddie.

This book describes the journey of Kathleen's faith, and how she comes to rely on herself for her own happiness. She realizes her own role in the Cahira tradition is not to chronicle the stories, or to take up arms to fight, but to live. She finds her own way in Ireland, and the ending of the book brings everything full circle and to a satisfying conclusion.

I picked up this book for two reasons. Number One: Angela Hunt is an amazing author. Number Two: I had to find out how the O'Connor story ended, of course! I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised. Not only does The Emerald Isle tell of Kathleen's adventure, it also goes back eight hundred years to tell how the story began, with Cahira O'Connor. At the end, I couldn't decide which side I liked more. Both characters are women of incredible faith and courage. I highly recommend this book, indeed, the whole series.

The stories of Cahira and Kathleen are juxtaposed beautifully in this wonderful story of God's grace and sovereignty and people's shortcomings. A lovely story of Ireland, past and present. If you love Ireland, this is for you.

I don't ordinarily like this kind of book, but The Truth Teller captured me from page one and held me spell bound. Ms Hunt once again exhibits the art of true storytelling in a tale so profound only a writer with Angela's exceptional talent could pull it off. Bravo Angela!

Angela Hunt is one of the premier storytellers of our day, never failing to deliver a wonderful read. But her talent shines as never before in THE TRUTH TELLER. Thought-provoking and suspenseful, this book grabbed my interest on page one and didn't let go for an instant.

--Robin Lee Hatcher, author of THE FORGIVING HOUR and WHISPERS FROM YESTERDAY

TheTruth Teller is the most fascinating book I've read in a long time, raising many questions about ethics and character. The characters are so well developed that they become real to you. The author masterfully makes a sensational story become very realistic. The world could certainly use more truth tellers. Angela Elwell Hunt has outdone herself. Don't miss this fantastic book!