Title: Annie’s Stories (an Ellis Island novel)
Author: Cindy Thomson
Pages: 416
Year: 2014
Publisher: Tyndale
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Annies-Stories-Ellis-Island-Thomson/dp/1414368453/ref=sr_1...
Reading is such a sweet endeavor and a blessing to be sure, especially when discovering a new author. Annie’s Stories is the second book in the Ellis Island series with the first book being, Grace’s Pictures, published by Tyndale in May of 2013. Losing myself in the pages of the tale was a rich and rewarding experience. The story is rich, robust, historical, reminding the audience of what others might have experienced before us, both the good and the bad. The best part was learning even more about the book written by L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, along with how novels and illustrations were meant to teach virtues and character traits.
Annie is of Irish descent whose father loved storytelling, which I learned is a tradition steeped deeply in the Irish culture. Annie’s father dies, leaving her as she views her life all alone with no money to speak of or future in Ireland. When she is rescued from a place known as the Magdalene Laundries and their controversial history, again I was enthralled to learn more about these places after I finished the book. The story is one most people can relate to when life is viewed based on growing faith, life experiences, and love received from others. There is one character named Stephen who must learn that all he can do will never quiet the pain in his heart or soul when he loses his mother, father and only brother. Stephen comes to a place where a pastor helps him understand the choice he has before him of either to forgive or withhold and the need to listen for God’s voice or continue to try to help through his own efforts.
I have not even scratched the surface of the well-researched tale written and shared with us. If you appreciate history, faith, love, and so much more, this is one novel not to miss reading or sharing with others. I plan on obtaining the other book title I shared at the beginning of this review as I believe it will be just as rewarding as Annie’s Stories.
My rating is 5+ stars.
Note: I received a complimentary copy for an honest review of this book from www.bookfun.org. The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )

Annie's Stories is a tale of young lives struggling to overcome tragic pasts in a young Manhattan neighborhood. For Annie, who emigrated from Ireland four years ago, literally rescued by a warm-hearted British priest from cruel incarceration in what is historically known as the Magdalene Laundries, a reformatory type system that took in unwanted scraps of human life, forcing them into labor all in the name of charity, there was trauma and loss to overcome. Right after her father's funeral, her heartless uncle spurred on by the false accusations of wrongdoing by her young cousin Aileen, sent her away to endless labor at one of those infamous laundries. Fortunately, she was now safely ensconced in the priest's sister's loving care in New York. Annie's one great joy in life was being in possession of a writing desk fill with pages of stories written down for her by her beloved "da"--stories he made up especially for her. He called them Annie's stories.

For Stephen, his difficult past included his father's abandonment of his wife and sons when life got too difficult. In a fit of despair, the man had hung himself, leaving family members to fend for themselves. Stephen's mother died of cancer and his brother passed away after a tragic construction accident. Stephen was left with the bills to pay for all those funerals and now the undertaker was threatening him. While he had a great job as a walking route mailman, the rent took most of his paychecks. But he fought against despair because he didn't want to become like his father. He had his faith in God's love and care, and he prayed when things became overwhelming.

The author intertwines some fascinating history from the world of the early 1900's into the fabric of this story. Not only are Annie's flashbacks of her time in the Magdalene Laundry based on true stories told by survivors of the institutions, she included the event of President McKinley's assassination, tidbits of intrigue about the early postal system and its investigations into mail fraud, early financial scams perpetrated on innocent citizens, especially upon immigrants who had come to America expecting to amass wealth for themselves, and the role of the Pinkerton detective agency in tracking down criminals of all kinds. In those early days, some agents abused their authority to get information through intimidation.

Another element I liked in this book was the use of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum as a metaphor. The book had just been published in the time frame of this story and had taken the world by storm. Everyone was talking about the story of Dorothy Gale. Dorothy's search for a way home seems parallel to Annie's journey in life for meaning and love. Annie was trying to gain her footing in her new country, seeking purpose, to belong.

Annie and Stephen's personal struggles fleshed out the characters and drew me to them effectively. However, I had difficulty with Stephen's character. His bumbling was adorable and his intentions were honorable, and he did catch himself when he stepped over the line and tried to make decisions for Annie before she was ready for him to do that, but for some reason he didn't resonate with me. I wanted to be in his corner rooting for him to make the relationship with Annie work, but I couldn't get enthused over their future. I think I would have liked to have seen the two together more often, working out the dynamics together. Instead, the book focused on their separate issues, and only brought them together at the very end.

It is still a lovely story; the history and intrigue were great additions to the plot. I would recommend this to someone who enjoys historical fiction with a light touch of romance.

I am reading and reviewing this book for the Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. summer reading program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” ( )

Dreams of a Better Life

This is the second book in the Ellis Island collection by Cindy Thomson. It can be read as a stand-alone novel. Set in New York during the early 1900's, the book tells the story of Annie Gallagher, an Irish immigrant who has come to America to begin a new life.

Annie has terrible memories of her life in Ireland. All was well in her life until her father died. After his death, Annie lived with an uncle who sent her to the Magdalene Laundry, a horrible prison-like institution for unwanted girls. The primary reason she was sent away was because her cousin made false accusations against her. When Annie is finally rescued from the laundry, she arrives in America with only her father's writing desk and the treasured stories he wrote during his lifetime. Annie feels alone and abandoned by God.

Annie moves to a boardinghouse run by Mrs. Hawkins. She is a kind woman and treats Annie well. Still, Annie feels that nobody truly cares about her and she dreams of moving on and opening her own library one day. When Annie's cousin arrives from Ireland, she moves into Mrs. Hawkins' house and Annie is faced with old memories from her past. Memories she wishes to forget. She can never forgive her cousin for the misery she caused Annie back in Ireland. Where can Annie turn for love and support? She has friends, but longs for a deeper relationship.

Stephen Adams is a postal carrier who delivers mail to Mrs. Hawkins' house. He is quite attracted to Annie, but is also quite shy. Stephen loves books, as does Annie, and that seems to be the way Stephen can get closer to Annie. Stephen longs for a family, but he is deep in debt and has nothing to offer a woman. He also has issues from his past which he struggles to rise above. Annie and Stephen are both reading "The Wizard of Oz" which is very popular at that time. They enjoy discussing the book with each other. However, Stephen still has a difficult time winning Annie's affection.

While Annie is trying to rebuild her life, the boardinghouse is suddenly being investigated due to the behavior of another boarder. If Mrs. Hawkins' house is shut down, what will become of Annie? Will she realize the dream of having her own library? Circumstances seem to forever defeat Annie. Her father's stories seem to be the only things left to Annie. Could they be the key to fulfilling Annie's dreams? How can she overcome her troubles? Will she finally turn to God and find the hope and peace she seeks?

"Annie's Stories" is a book filled with history, mystery, and suspense. It is also a story about second chances and forgiveness. I enjoyed it very much!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review. ( )

I have enjoyed getting to know this author and her stories. Annie's Stories takes place at the turn of the twentieth century and I enjoyed how it combined real history with Annie's life. Annie's father was a storyteller and in a manner, Annie continues his legacy. She has to do this in America where she has been sent after her father's death.
I like how Annie stays strong and tries to honor her father in her new life with a chance to publish his stories. This does not go exactly as she had hoped and she has to keep calm in what happens afterwards. I look forward to more stories in this Ellis Island Series.
I received this book free from the publisher to review. ( )

Annie's Stories An Ellis Island Novel by Cindy Thomson is a wonderful historical fiction book. Annie is the housekeeper at Hawkins House where she was brought after being rescued from the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland. Her mother died when she was a baby and her father, with Annie, would travel around Ireland because her father was a storyteller. When he died Annie had no one but a mean Uncle who did not want her and when her cousin Aileen tells a lie her Uncle sends Annie to the laundry.

Annie gets a second chance when she is rescued from the laundry and sent to live with Mrs. Hawkins at the Hawkins House. She only has her stories her father left her of her past life with him and the rest of her past she wants to forget.

This book is Annie's story of second chances and finding her strength to move on and she is determined not to depend on anyone but herself. Can Annie move past the hurts and memories that haunt her from the laundry? Will she ever be able to make her dreams reality? Most of all will she find that she is not unloved and forgotten by God? Will she find Love again for God, herself and a man to love her like the postman Stephen?

I loved this book. I love how Cindy Thomson makes books, reading and especially the book The Wizard Of OZ by Frank Braum an important part to Annie's story. I love how strong and independent Annie is and the heart for others she has. Annie grows as a person throughout the book and you find yourself caught up right along with her. You begin to feel a part of this story too and it is written where you can just feel Annie, Mrs Hawkins , Stephen and all the other characters could be people you know. This book is a book about second chances, moving on from the past hurts and holding on to the good memories, about love and learning to rely on Faith and God. You see with Annie that she has to come to realize that God can love her and that God never left her but was always with her. She has to love herself and realize she is lovable before she can become whole and achieve what she wants to in the future. Very uplifting and wonderful book.

This book combines the love of books, reading with history of family, books, publishing and the time period. If you are a lover of books, history, genealogy and good historical fiction then I believe you will love this book. I would recommend this book to all it is well worth the read.

If you want more information about this book, the Ellis Island Novels or the author visit her website at

http://cindythomson.blogspot.com/

I was given a free copy of this book from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review of the book ( )

Cindy Thomson's Ellis Island series began with Grace's Pictures, about a young Irish immigrant who comes to New York City at the turn of the 20th century. She finds work as a nanny for a family and a room at a boarding house run by a kind Christian woman, and becomes enthralled by photography.

The second book in the series is Annie's Stories, about another young Irish immigrant who lives in the same boarding house. Annie is the housekeeper at Mrs. Hawkins' boarding house. She was raised by her father, a storyteller called a seanchaithe, in Ireland. When her father died and Annie went to live with her an uncle, who treated her poorly.

Her uncle shipped her off to the Magdalene Laundries, a horrible place for girls who are abandoned by their families. Many of the girls were pregnant and gave birth to babies there. (The Magdalene Laundries have been in the news over the last year, and the Oscar-nominated movie Philomena dealt with this issue as well.)

Eventually Annie was sent to New York to live. Annie's father left her with a small writing desk, filled with children's stories he created for Annie. She treasured these stories, and reading them gave her great comfort.

The local postman, Stephen, has a crush on Annie, but he hasn't worked up the courage to tell her. They both enjoy reading, and Stephen suggests that they read the hottest book in publishing, The Wizard of Oz, so that they could discuss it together.

As someone who loves to read, I really enjoyed the role that books and the publishing industry played in the story. Stephen lives above a publisher's offices, and we get to glimpse how publishing worked in the early 1900s.

Thomson does a great deal of research for her books, and because of that, the reader feels dropped right into the middle of this fascinating era in New York City. There is a subplot that involves the Pinkerton Detectives and another boarder, and the steely resolve that Mrs. Hawkins shows in dealing with an unpleasant situation is impressive.

Annie's faith is a very important part of her life, and it informs everything she does. Mrs. Hawkins is a deeply religious woman as well, and their strength of faith is inspirational to readers.

I so enjoyed catching up with Grace as they all prepare for her wedding to Sgt. McNulty, a policeman. Perhaps we might see another wedding in a future Ellis Island book?

Anyone who wants to add to their reading list will have some new suggestions too, from Jules Verne's Facing the Flag to H.G. Wells First Man on the Moon and of course, Frank L. Baum's The Wizard of Oz, which plays such a big role.

If you enjoy historical fiction and Christian fiction, Annie's Stories is a must-read for you. I felt like I was catching up with old friends, and made some new ones that I hope to meet up with again the near future. ( )