Judith PellaCritiques

Family Saga

Family Saga

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Woman discovers her deceased mother was an escaped slave.

A angry young man leaves home and hopes never to see his father again.

No, grabbing a woman, putting a gun to her head, and threatening to kill her is not a good basis for a romantic plot.

I take it because "Lucie MacCallum sees in Micah a haunted heart that only love can reach," she's likely going to fall in love with him and try to lead him to Jesus, but I'm not a fan of "missionary romances" either.

Still, whether or not this will turn out to be a missionary romance situation, I'm already turned off. Even if a "bad boy" hero is going to reform later, his badness should not include violence toward the heroine. I'm not one for romanticizing that type of thing, not even in the Wild West.

Between my issues with the first book and the fact that I won't be finishing the sequel, this just wasn't the series for me.

Because I wasn't really enjoying the novel after a third of it or so, I switched into skimming mode.

But, after the first two novels in the trilogy left a lot of loose ends rather than coming to satisfying conclusions for me, and I do want to read the related series after this one, I stuck with this novel just enough to get the important facts.

I'm semi-disappointed that a certain instrumental good guy from the previous book doesn't appear in this one. So unless he or something of his shows up in the following series for some reason, I'm assuming that character is the kind who just doesn't get what he really wants. The saga could leave him behind without a satisfying conclusion of his own because the main story arc didn't need him anymore.

Anyway. Even though I haven't cared for the writing style or the characterizations in this trilogy, I remained interested in the overall story, and I was pleased to see the saga's loose ends come together at long last. Even if it felt a little contrived to resolve so many details at once to finally make the ending happy, my sentimental side is still glad for the plot's sake.

Hence, I'm doing what I normally don't do: picking a rating to signify how I feel about a book I didn't finish. (That is, even though I made it through to the end of this one, I skipped around and skimmed my way there.)

Once the dangerous secret comes out that Elise, a young mother, has Negro blood, it spells the end of her marriage—and the beginning of her enslavement. A minister's compassionate wife may be able to provide some urgent help for Elise, but it'll mean facing the fire and brimstone of the minister, Benjamin, who's determined to convert the lawless sinners of Texas in Texas Angel by author Judith Pella.

Some time ago, I read and enjoyed The Russians series, a sweeping historical saga by this ChristFic author, even though I had some issues concerning the style. So when it came to this historical Western novel, I wasn't surprised by the occasional overuse of exclamation points, some overdramatic depictions of the main characters, and an overdone villain.

On a different note, I expected I'd probably be somewhat uncomfortable with the handling of race in this book, but I was curious to see how that aspect of the plot would play out.

On at least two different occasions, certain characters speak almost as if they (and Jesus) are there for Elise in spite of the fact that she's part Black. Of course, being a person of color isn't an offense or an inadequacy, something that Christian grace must overlook. While it unfortunately wouldn't be unrealistic for the white characters in this setting to see Elise's mixed race as a flaw, the story doesn't make it clear that they'd be wrong to see her that way.

Later on, Benjamin reflects on how God's love is simple enough for the "savage Indian[s]" in the story, and he doesn't grow past using the "savage" label in his thoughts regarding the indigenous people.

Moreover, because I recently learned this publisher used to allow the N-word to appear in their novels (I'm assuming they don't anymore?), I wasn't caught off guard by the few racial slurs in this book, which was published in the 1990s. Still, I don't believe everyone fully grasps the magnitude of what comes with words like that and what it means for a diverse audience when authors include slurs as strong as the N-word in fiction. I'm in no way saying that no racial epithets should appear in any art or literature anywhere, but for certain books, it's just unnecessary as well as an inappropriate choice, especially from publishers that aren't known for publishing many diverse authors of fiction who'd bring their own cultural perspectives and the experience of their own race.

Now, concerning all that Elise suffers in slavery: Although her feelings of shame and guilt are all too common for abuse victims, the abuse isn't something that victims need to apologize or be forgiven for, or to be accepted and loved in spite of. The story doesn't make it 100% clear that Elise isn't at all at fault for what her abusers have done to her and what they've forced her into.

Aside from that, I struggled with the love story. One look at the book cover's beautiful artwork let me know where the plot would eventually go, but when one character or another thinks, believes, and behaves in downright awful ways for half or more of a novel, I tend not to feel great about that character as a romantic hero or heroine. Also, I'm all for a fictional couple's embraces and kisses when they're passionate and respectful and the moments feel earned. But this love story had an icky feel to me, largely because the broken hero acts on his libido in a broken way on more than one occasion, bursting into insensitive and desperate physical "affection" that doesn't honor the heroine.

Anyhow. I felt compelled to address all of this because of the overall journey I'm taking with Christian Fiction (a genre that's changing) and because of the social climate we're living in, where we need to tackle some critical issues with open honesty. Nonetheless, this historical fiction lover ultimately enjoyed working through some thoughts and emotions with the help of this interesting story, and I fully intend to read the sequel that features a different main character.

Admittedly, I stuck with this book because I'm curious to find out what happens in the overall saga, not because I necessarily enjoyed the read.

That is, I enjoyed some parts, and there's one character I like. But I feel he's settling for the short end of the stick (almost like a distant, inevitable turn in the saga is just using him for now) and that it'll get worse for him before it gets better, if he appears in the next book.

As for the rest of the leading characters, the overdramatic and unnatural feel to them still keeps me from connecting with them. Besides that, much or most of this story is full of tragedy and depression, with a whole lot of sermonizing added in.

Still, my overall love for historical sagas persists, and I'm wondering where all of this is headed.

So, yeah. The series has got me interested enough to keep going.

Though she will one day inherit an estate bearing her family's legacy, Maggie feels there has to be more to life than becoming a "grand lady." Ian, the son of an earl, has been carousing his young life away to avoid facing himself, but meeting Maggie shifts his course in The Heather Hills of Stonewycke by authors Michael Phillips and Judith Pella.

I rather enjoyed another historical ChristFic series partly co-authored by Phillips and Pella, The Russians series, despite its stylistic flaws, so I decided to try The Stonewycke Trilogy.

Now, in large part, the characters in this first novel of the trilogy have an unnatural feel without sufficient dimension. It makes the development of their relationships fall fairly flat, especially when the authors "tell" about important developments without "showing" a convincing process. Also, at various points in the novel, the plot ambles along, seeming to lack focus.

When the story picks up and reaches more serious levels, it's often overdramatic and driven by clichés, both in terms of the plot and the characters. Also, not all aspects of the conflict make consistent sense.

Even so, the heightening action in the later chapters sparked my interest. As it was for me early in The Russians series, I'm not into Stonewycke's characters, at least not yet, but the events and what may be coming next have me curious. Besides, it often takes more than one book for a series to hit its stride, so I plan to check out Book Two.

A good ending to this series. The race to complete the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 will take place, even though there is trouble afoot trying to find the person or persons trying to disrupt its completion. Both Jordana Baldwin and Rich O'Brian are trying to figure out who the "bad guys" are as they are both spying, one for Central Pacific and one for Union Pacific. Jordana and Rich have a longstanding history of helping one another out of "jams" and trying to maintain a friendship only relationship. But both of them will come to see that their friendship goes much deeper; it is just a matter of time until they both admit their love for each other.

A good historical look at a time when our country was ending a Civil War and trying to bring the country together with a railroad from the east coast to the west coast. Enjoyed this series as a historical fiction read with an inspirational and romantic thread through it.½

A good sequel to book #1, 'Westward the Dream'. It picks up where book one left off. Brenton Baldwin and his sister Jordana are still trying to get Caitlan O'Connor safely to California. Jordana is still as fiesty as ever, and often finds herself getting into very difficult jams. Brenton tries to control her and keep his feelings for Caitlan under wraps, but it is a losing battle. Caitlan will finally see she is worthy to be loved by Brenton when she realizes God's love for her. The continuing sage goes on as the transcontinental railroad continues to struggle to be built.

You will also get to catch up on Victoria and Kiernan O'Connor and the hardships and joys they experience in California. Life is not easy as they struggle to make a life for themselves in the years 1864 and the beginning of 1865. Looking forward to seeing how the author will finish this sage in the next book, 'Ties that Bind'.½

This story spans 1862 and 1863 and takes you from New York to Omaha as three young people search for their place during this time of history. Brenton Baldwin is in charge of taking care of his fiesty younger sister, Jordana, while his parents are abroad. Then they are joined by Caitlan O'Connor, who is newly arrived from Ireland and searching for her brother who is in California. Together these three will leave the civilized world, and travel west. They will encounter adventure and danger as they seek to figure out what to do each step of the way. Three very different people, but united together to reach their destination.

A time in history when the Civil War has begun and the transcontinental railroad was beginning. An interesting look at both.½

Political upheaval. An unpopular war. Tsar Nicholas and his loved ones in exile. And another phase in the Fedorcenko family saga in Passage Into Light by author Judith Pella.

I toyed with the idea of "saving" this last book in The Russians historical ChristFic series, to prolong the experience. But I decided to just dive on in sooner and see how all of this would wrap up.

On one hand, I'm glad the series ends here. A multigenerational saga can sometimes become stale or predictable if it draws out too long, and in this series, at least a couple of aspects of the plot unfolding in the younger generation are situations that already happened to the older generation.

On the other hand, I can't help wishing the main characters had added time to realize more satisfying outcomes. They spend much of this book working on a major mission that will utterly fail (that isn't a spoiler—it's history), and the somewhat abrupt ending the novel crashes to is hopeful but still rather uncertain and heartbreaking.

Gee.

All in all, though, the series was quite a ride. I do plan on returning to Russia at least once more with this historical fiction author, at the start of another series.

After Bloody Sunday in St. Petersburg brings tragedy to the Fedorcenkos in 1905, the family's younger son develops a taste for vengeance, the older son feels driven to take his rightful place as an aristocrat, and societal unrest heightens into revolution in White Nights, Red Morning by author Judith Pella.

I'm nearly finished with this historical ChristFic series after reading this sixth novel, and I'm kind of on pins and needles as I imagine how the saga might wrap up.

As I've mentioned before, it's the plot that's hooked me to this series more so than the characters. Many of the people in these stories still have a fairly caricatural, sometimes melodramatic feel, and as for drama on the whole, I think it's overdone when the narrator exclaims (!) the story at the reader. Also, I still haven't been able to find any of the romance convincing, mostly because I'd need the characters to feel more real and natural.

Even so, the wealth of history here—the parts I already knew and those I'm reading about for the first time—is fascinating. And the reminders of humanity's vices and hazardous tendencies are disturbing, including people's susceptibility to brainwashing when they give too much trust and devotion to prominent, vainglorious, self-serving figures who manipulate people (even many people) through their fears.

Yes, that kind of stuff really happens, and those who cannot remember the past are condemned to...

Well.

As with the preceding novel, the climax in this one is gripping, and the short conclusion teeters on uncertainty. I'm quite curious to see how World War I, revolution, and civil war in Russia will play into the end of this series. On to Book Seven.

A good story about star-crossed lovers destined not to be together. Phillip is a bastard son but good and kind at heart and Beatrice is the headstrong daughter of a knight in old England. They both face incredible problems and heartbreak throughout their life. Happily, they come to accept Christ as their savior and all ends well finally!

You can see God moving through this whole story. Set it Texas just after the Civil War, Stoner's Crossing continues the story of Frontier Lady with the lead's daughter taking the lead this time. Without giving away the story, Deborah winds up back in Stoner's Crossing jailed for the same crime she was originally tried and convicted for. Will she get a fair trial or will Caleb Stoner execute his own judgment? well, you'll have to read it to find out. Back to my GoodReads pile for me.

The adventure continues as Corrie Belle matures as an adult and a young Christian. My wife and I read this series when we first came to the Lord. Corrie's adventures in early California gave us insight into our own history (my wife is from central California and I am from Nevada) as well as encouraging us to keep trusting God even when circumstances overwhelm us.