Ann E. Schrock

I was interesed in this book for two reasons, a lot of my family history is in Indiana, North Carolina and Nantucket. A few of my ancestors were Quakers in New Garden and I wanted to learn more of the history behind the settlement. I was surprised to find very little written about it. I happened upon this book at used book store and bought it immediately,

The book is divided into four parts, authored by four women and I enjoyed the first story the most. I don't usually read romances, I was after the history part of it. The first story by Claire Sanders, had Dolley Madison visting her cousins. Before reading that I had no idea that Dolley Madison had been a Quaker for a while. I ended up researching her life for a longer time than it took me to read the part in the book. I thought this story was written of the four.

The second one,by Ann E. Schrock centered on the Quaker work on the Underground Railroad. It was a good romance but I wanted to know more about the main character's uncle, Levi Coffin. I am very sure that he was descended from the Nantucket Coffins but there was a lack of information about him. I have decided to buy a book on him to learn much more.

The third part was by Jennifer Hudson Taylor and she had a different take on the romance theme that involed character developement. I really like that it had more to do with Quaker customs and marriage. The romance started after the marriage.

The fourth one by Suzette Williams seemed a little out of place in the book in that it was set during very different time period and involved going against the guidance of the elders and standing up for true love.… (meer)

The Quakers of New Garden
Claire Sanders, Ann E. Schrock, Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Susette Williams

Description: Four Quakers of New Garden face trials of the heart. When Josiah Wall postpones his marriage to Ruth Payne for a second time, Ruth is reluctant to give him another chance at love. Deborah Wall is thrilled to work at a hub of the Underground Railroad, until wounded Nathaniel Fox—a bounty hunter for runaway slaves—is left to her care. Leah Wall struggles to turn a marriage of convenience into a marriage of love. Christian Jaidon Taylor pursues Quaker Catherine Wall—but she’s convinced their differences will forever keep them apart. Will these women withstand the test of love?

Review: I really liked the story lines for all the books. They were well thought out and easy to read except for the ‘thee’ ‘thou’ and like language. It was OK at the start but became a noose during the reading because the weighed down the dialogue. I struggled through this with the start of each story until I could block it out. It seemed to me that it should have been phased out and I doubt that it would have bothered me. They were fun to see them blend from one part of the family to the next with characters that would pop into other stories. I am glad that I read it over all and look forward to hearing good things from these authors in the future.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Barbour Publishing, Inc. for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and I was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.… (meer)