 |
| Path of Freedom by Jennifer Hudson Taylor |
PATH OF FREEDOM, by
Jennifer Hudson Taylor
Abingdon Press, 2013
Reviewed by, Rebecca
DeMarino
5 Stars!*****
INTRIGUING LOVE STORY
When Bruce Millikan returns home, memories
of childhood taunts invade Flora Saferight’s thoughts as guilt over her lack of
forgiveness leads her to prefer to avoid him. But when circumstance leads them
on a journey together, they are forced to examine who they were and who they’ve
grown to be. As I began the novel, I had to smile because my mother always told
me (and I shared the same with my three daughters), it’s the boys who tug at
your pigtails that will be the ones that someday tug at your heart.
PATH OF FREEDOM is a captivating tale of
romance, set in the South during the period of the Underground Railroad. I love
reading historical romance and losing myself in a love story with interesting
tidbits of history woven in, and Jennifer Hudson Taylor delivered on both! I
enjoyed learning about the role the Quaker people played in providing safe
houses and transportation to slaves seeking freedom, and felt immersed in that
time period and with Flora, Bruce, and the people they cared about.
Ms. Taylor doesn’t dodge any issues and her
thoughtful prose on love, truth and forgiveness gave me not only an enjoyable
read, but time well spent! PATH OF FREEDOM is part of the Quilts of Love Series and I loved the story thread of the quilt in
her novel. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Thanks, Rebecca, our new CQ contributor. This is Rebecca's first post on CQ!
Purchase and download Path of Freedom!
Good afternoon, Ms. Pagels + Ms. DeMorina! :)
ReplyDeleteI watched the book trailer first before reading your take on "Path of Freedom"!! This book interests me on many different levels of inquiry,... as I am a family genealogist adventurer same as my Mum, it was quite keen to learn that one of our Great-GrandDaddy's was an abolitionist! I've not yet come across a story that has Quakers at the centerfold, but I regularly read Amish stories which I find very comforting and uplifting as much as I love gaining insight into quilting which is an old world art that I want to get into in the future!
What struck me the most about this, is that I've slowly been researching the Underground Railroad, moreso now that I know of a family connection point, but also too, as I simply haven't had the chance to unearth more about it since what I first learnt in school! It is a time period that is full of strife, sorrow, and redemption. Everyone involved was full of bravery in my eyes!!
I would love the opportunity to read this book, ooh wait, I forgot to tie together what I meant! I've also heard that quilts were used as 'blueprints' of where to go next!! I was keen to see that included!! Thank you for offering this lovely bookaway!
inkand-bookaways(at)usa.net
RSS feed subscriber to the CQ
//Florida
I apologise by I am not involved in social media such as FB, Twitter, GoodReads, etc. I will see if I can find her author's website or blog, by which I do enjoy following once I locate them! :)
{ps} Singularly, my favourite book of late that is on this subject of interest is: the House Girl by Tara Conklin! Eloquently written, and it pulls at your heart all the way through!
I started listening to Tara's book, too, JORIE! Will have to private msg u to ask for some spoilers haha! Thanks for coming by. This is REBECCA's first post on CQ!!! Blessings!
DeleteActually, Ms. Pagels, I've been able to private msg you first!! :) Ha! :) I sort of jumped at the chance to discuss Ms. Conklin's book with you!!
DeleteAnd, in regards to Ms. Rebecca -- she's doing a lovely job in reviewing!! She made me want to read the book!! Rock on!!
Jorie, Thank you for joining us. I do genealogy research as well and I've included a letter to the reader at the beginning of the story and discuss some of the history and research. My mother's family were Quakers and they attended the Center Friends Meeting that is used as a setting in the book. I have five generations of Quaker family buried there. The heroine in the story is Flora Saferight named for my great-grandmother. I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteGood evening, or rather, morning, Ms. Taylor! :)
DeleteI made a segue into sharing with Mum some of our family history that I've uncovered, which goes back to the Fortune! As well as what I had read about our Great-GrandDaddy, of whom I mentioned earlier! :) As much as I spoke about your lovely book! I love how you gave a personal description that pertained not only to the research for the book, but why you were motivated to write the book!
I must say, I am hoping that I win a copy now that you've made me so keen to meet Miss Flora Saferight! How fortunate we are to have the pieces to our past tied to our living histories of our ancestors! I'm thankful to have read tonight that your family is as enriched and blessed as mine to carry on the stories of our ancestors! :)
Thank you!
And, I will be bookmarking your blog on the morrow!
As I signed up for your quarterly newsletter!
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to read this quilt story and the others having to do with the Underground Railroad. I've always wondered how scary that would have been for those rescuers and those rescued. I'm sure many probably died. I would love to win this book. I have liked Jennifer's FB page. JHT
MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
MAXIE! I want to read this but it might not be till summer that I get to do so. Thanks for coming by!!! I think you would love this book!!!
DeleteJorie, Thank you for your comment about The House Girl by Tara Conklin. That sounds interesting too.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I look forward to reading Path of Freedom. I wonder how they kept the baby quiet, and if they were carried in a false wagon bottom. I have visited two houses that were part of the underground railroad. One a stagecoach meal house with a hidden underground tunnel to a log home on the property, and the other a stately home, also with a tunnel that was cemented off; both shown now as museums. As a newer quilter, I am interested in the fabrics used during this time period. The combinations and muted colors are so beautiful.
Thank you, Rebecca, for your review and the book trailer!
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
JHT ~ have "liked" Jennifer's FB page and looking forward to comments there
Ms. Kathleen,
DeleteI was curious, which state and city are the museums you visited for the Railroad, located!? The description of the home with the tunnel leading away from it, reminded me of a novel I read as a youngster, as that is typically how they used to conceal everyone involved. I'd love to visit one day, but I wasn't sure of the locations of the museums!?
I agree about the quilt colours,...
plus with the hidden signals for the map it gives quilting a whole new meaning, eh!? :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyjqOGAYUIA
DeleteThe Milton House ~ tunnel to log home
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKbOCLT88SI
The Lincoln-Tallman House
This sounds fascinating! I read another one in this series and liked it. JHT shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
ReplyDeleteFeel free to surf to my blog post ... may quay phim
Heу еxсellent blog! Doeѕ running a blog such as thіs require
ReplyDeletea large amount of ωork? I've no understanding of computer programming however I was hoping to start my own blog soon. Anyhow, if you have any recommendations or techniques for new blog owners please share. I know this is off subject however I simply had to ask. Appreciate it!
My webpage: may quay phim
I've always been intrigued by the Underground Railroad history. thanks you for your review, Rebecca.
ReplyDeletemay_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com