Fantastic book! Based on the real lives of Agnes and Margaret Smith- self educated women who discovered a copy of the gospels while on an adventure at Mount Sinai! I enjoyed this book very much! The sisters are wonderful characters and their faith in God is encouraging! A definite must read! ( )

For my full, non-spoiler review: https://christianlovingbooks.blogspot.com/2019/02/where-we-belong-review.html ( )

In the year 1892, the principles; that is the manners and customs for Victorian women were strict and their roles were limited. It was frowned upon for ladies to further their education but for the Hawes sisters, things were different. Their love for adventure and their search for God's purpose in their lives leads them on an adventure of a lifetime to the Sinai Desert.

On a quest to find an important biblical manuscript, joined by their butler and ladies maid Kate, the four find themselves on a journey that is dangerous and uncertain; the four travelers find themselves looking back at their past and the events that help shape them into who they are and what brought them to this point in their lives.
Author Lynn Austin has done a wonderful job of research. She has written this novel from the inspiration taken from the true story of twin sisters Agnes and Margret Smith; who were born in Scotland in 1843.
This novel was a joy to read and hard to put down. The characters were very easy to relate to and the storyline was fascinating.

I truly enjoyed every aspect of this story, the determination of the ladies, to the principles they stood up for and their love for God.
This is an exceptional read and anyone who loves historical fiction will truly enjoy this.

I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review and 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.”




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I am a great fan of Lynn Austin’s and collect her books. They are always well written and very entertaining. This book showcased once again her talent for writing. I found its style to be a bit different than in the past but the book was still a 5 star!
The story was made even more intriguing by the fact that it was based on a true story. Sister’s Rebecca and Flora Hawes lived during the 1800’s. Even in this day they would be a most unique and non-conventional pair, but more so in the era they lived. Women just didn’t do what they did, especially from those in upper society. From a young age they both loved to travel but especially the oldest Rebecca. Their widowed father raised them to be self-sufficient, educated and has a strong faith in God. Through smart investing he became an incredibly wealthy man. Upon his death, their inheritance made them rich beyond imagination. Unlike most people they did not squander it nor were they prideful. They shunned elite society’s customs and imposed duties. Their focus was on God, His plan for their lives, and how their fortune could benefit others.
Through the years from their youth to adulthood they face so many changes, some very difficult but they never took their eyes off the Lord. It tickled me how the older sister, Rebecca always came up with the crazy adventure ideas and never failed to persuade Flora to come along even if she didn’t want to! I loved living through their bold exploits. I think the one I liked the best is when they skipped school to go work in a factory to see what it was like for the poor employees there. As I read, knowing these women really existed and did these things, it made the story that much more entertaining.
They had a delightful and quirky sense of humor which I loved. Their favorite saying of mine was, “God knows the hour of our end, so there's no need to worry" and was frequently followed by, “But I hope it’s not right now”.
If found the book not only enjoyable but inspiring. Another incredible Lynn Austin read!
I received this book from Bethany Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have stated are my own. ( )

The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters

In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert–and into a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies’ maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.

MY THOUGHTS:

I was sent this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I love, love, love this book! Rebecca and Flora are absolutely wonderful. Two women ahead of their time, seeking adventure when women were expected to be demure and dainty, they’re schlepping through jungles, dirt, sand and unbearable heat. Rebecca, strong and without fear and Flora, sweet and kind, a sister that will follow Rebecca anywhere.

With perspectives written between past and present, you learn how the girls grew in to loving adventure, their antics that set the stage for their future travels, and how close their relationship is. In the present, you see not only further development in their relationship, you’re taken on an incredible journey in search of more than just a relic. You’ll see how each woman faces their own insecurities about their choices in life, how they deal with society and their resolution to anxieties and fears that have plagued them since childhood.

Beautiful settings, a fantastical author voice that takes you on this journey transitioning smoothly from one important element to the next as the plot flows and develops in a lyrical and fascinating way. This is a historical fiction set around the Victorian era. How can you go wrong?

The characters grow, struggle, laugh, cry, take you along for the ride and leave you wanting more. This is a beautiful story, a page turner to the very end. ( )