Book Review & Giveaway: Swept Into Destiny by Catherine Ulrich Brakefield


Title:  Swept Into Destiny
Series: Destiny, Book 1
Author: Catherine Ulrich Brakefield
Publisher:  CrossRiver Media Group
Release Date:  May 16, 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction


One Brave Decision leads . . .

... to serious consequences. When Maggie Gatlan’s father hires cheap Irish labor to dredge out the snake-infested swampland she clashes with a fiercely proud Irish immigrant named Ben McConnell

Spirit Wind Manor's cavalier serenity is threatened by abolitionist John Brown and a new republic looms on the horizon with Abra­ham Lincoln's presidency. Succession spreads across the southern states as the fires of Civil War glow amber beams upon the hori­zon. Maggie is swept into its embers realizing she is in love with handsome and swashbuckling Irishman Ben McConnell.

Ben joins the Union Army. An unexpected chain of events leads her to question her loyalties. Conscience and consequence — did she care more for Ben or for her beloved South? Was Ben right? Had this Irish immigrant who’d adopted these United States as his, perceived the truth of what God had predestined for America?



Swept Into Destiny really works so well as the title. Author Catherine Ulrich Brakefield did a great job in presenting readers a time period that is at the brink of chaos. Pre-Civil War and the tumultuous beginnings of hate and discourse of slave-owners versus others. I like our hero and heroine. Their characterizations are intriguing at times and it brings in the action towards the storyline. The swamp scenes all gets to me and kind of teeth clenching type. There's a lot of grit in it that makes it visually impactful, and I think at times, it's a little much. With that said, I think Swept Into Destiny is rich in historical details, while giving readers strong characters to really want to get to know. 



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

For my review policy, please see my Disclosure page.

TO PURCHASE A COPY

   


DON'T MISS the INTERVIEW WITH CATHERINE:



Catherine says, “My readers inspire my writing! 
She is the author of three faith-based historical romances; The Wind of Destiny, Wilted Dandelions, and the first of a four-book Destiny series, Swept into Destiny scheduled for release in May 16, 2017. She has also written two pictorial history books: Images of America: The Lapeer Area, and Images of America: Eastern Lapeer County.  

Her short stories have been published in Guidepost Books True Stories of Extraordinary Answers to Prayer Unexpected Answers and Desires of Your Heart; Baker Books, Revell, The Dog Next Door and Horse of my Heart; CrossRiver Media Publishers, The Benefit Package and Abba’s Promise; Bethany House Publishers, Jesus Talked to me Today. 

She enjoys swimming and horseback riding and lives in Addison Township with her husband, Edward, and their Arabian horses. Now that her children are grown and married, she and Edward are the blessed recipients of two handsome grandsons and a lovely granddaughter!

Visit www.CrossRiverMedia.com for book purchases and sales.  Her books are available at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Christianbook.com.   

TO CONNECT WITH CATHERINE:  website | facebook | twitter | google+ 


(1) Winner will win a copy of Swept Into Destiny courtesy of Catherine. 
US Addresses only for Print copy / Open internationally for ebook


                                                                                                                        
Thank you for reading my posts. For full blog information and links to giveaways, head over to the blog: http://justcommonly.blogspot.com.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm back.... with Bible Giveaways

Image
Hello. I've hinted on my Instagram (@justcommonly) that I'm in the process of coming back after years away from blogging.  @justcommonly I had the very intention to be posting within a week of the first hint.  Yet life is full of surprises. As I was trying to reinstate my original blog (Just Commonly), I, unfortunately, had multiple technical issues due to the time length the blog was deactivated. Once I had it up and running, several "reports" had Google banned certain old posts, and eventually the blog itself. At this point, I had seriously doubted if it means I should just forget about it. Was my blog that bad and/or offensive that it was reported for malicious content and Google violations?  I submitted a review request, with the response that the blog link was no longer available to be reactivated. After some prayers and deliberation, I have changed the handle from justcommonly.blogspot to alwaysjustcommonly.blogspot.  I have uploaded and republished...
Read more

Choosing my Bible to work around migraine

Image
How did you choose your current Bible? Is this your first Bible?  I'll get into how I chose my current Bible, at least my main one. First, I would like to explain why I needed a new one. It all started with my determination to focus on reading the Bible if that's the only reading (and accomplishment) I get done in the day.  Since my migraine became chronic, reading had become unbearable for a variety of reasons associated with the symptoms.  This includes reading the Word, let alone studying it. In truth, there was a huge spiritual warfare going on during the time. That's another focus for another day.  My Bible has been with me for years. I loved everything about it, and to be unable to read it, I was frustrated and lost. Then an epiphany came on a lucid morning. By this time, I had already transition to mostly analog - physical planners, notebooks, minimal screen time on tablet, no TV and back to basic with my smart phone - mainly for calls and text between...
Read more

Migraines is not just a headache + Announcement

Image
June is National Migraine & Headache Awareness Month.   It's only since being diagnosed with migraines have I started understanding how vast and severely debilitating a disease it is. Migraine is a disabling disease that affects 37 million people in the United States. If you know someone with migraines, be it a love one or a friend, co worker or even just an acquaintance, get to how the migraine is affecting them, and not just assume. Take 15 minutes to watch the video below to get a better understanding of what is a migraine.   For more info, you can get more information from the following organizations: American Headache Society American Migraine Foundation Migraine.com Migraine Research Foundation Readers here will know my sporadic schedule has been ongoing for the past year since I was first diagnosed with migraines. About several months ago, it has progressed and officially diagnosed as chronic migraines. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a goo...
Read more