1. All Things New
    Lynn Austin
    Bethany House / 2012 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$16.99 Retail Price$20.00 Save 15% ($3.01)
    4.5 out of 5 stars for All Things New. View reviews of this product. 31 Reviews
4.5 Stars Out Of 5
4.5 out of 5
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Quality:
4.8 out Of 5
(4.8 out of 5)
Value:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
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Displaying items 21-25 of 31
  1. Nise
    Michigan
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Fine Historical Fiction
    December 3, 2012
    Nise
    Michigan
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: female
    Sometimes I hesitate to read Christian Fiction about a subject that I know can be filled with bitterness, hatred, rage, betrayal and pain as I wonder if it will be "sugar coated" to meet certain CF requirements. No hesitation was needed with this book as the author dealt with it all honestly. I appreciated that it did not end all neatly tied up, I was left wondering what decision the characters eventually made. The story is told in the voices of three women, Eugenia, a Southern lady, her daughter, Josephine and Lizzie their former slave, now freed. The three POVs added dimension to the story and gave a broader perspective to what each was dealing with in the aftermath of the War. The secondary characters are just as interesting. The message that joy can be found no matter what the circumstances is one that is needed today.
  2. StoryGirl
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    November 10, 2012
    StoryGirl
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I always get really excited about Lynn Austin books, so when I got this book for review, I happily skipped to my Christmas list, crossed All Things New off, and thankfully landed on my bed with a thud! and began to read.

    All Things New is set during the tumultuous times of the Reconstruction. It focuses on three women: Proper plantation owner's wife Eugenia, who's lost everything in the War; her daughter, Josephine, and their freed slave, Lizzie.

    This book was not, strictly speaking, a "happy" book. It was set in a time in the aftermath of destruction and strife, and yet there is still a glimmer of hope that not only keeps the characters going, but keeps the reader turning pages, too.

    Out of the three women, I probably enjoyed Josephine's story the most, but the other two women's stories were interesting as well. I admit that sometimes this book was hard to read, because of the bitterness so many of the characters had and the struggles they had to go through.

    Basically, these three characters are struggling with their place: Eugenia and Josephine have grown up in a world where they have been protected and safe and pampered: they've never had to face hardship or even make decisions, because the men always decided everything. But now the men are gone and things have turned over and upside down. Jo embraces her new role; Eugenia fights it. And then there's Lizzie, who struggles to know exactly what it means to be free, and still has a hard time facing her fears about disobeying those who have always been "above" her.

    Each woman has a special man in her life, and I loved how each of these men really helped the women grow and adapt: there's Alexander Chandler, the Yankee who's come to try to rebuild the South; David Hunter, the doctor who's always been a comfort to the family; and Otis, Lizzie's faith-filled husband.

    There were other characters who also intrigued me; namely, Harrison Blake, who was such a tortured person, so weighed down by his helplessness and guilt that I hated him and felt sorry for him at the same time. Really, he was probably the character I found the most interesting.

    All Things New isn't my favorite Austin book, but I enjoyed reading it and would recommend to those who enjoy reading about the Civil War, or other books by the author.

    I recieved this book for free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
  3. Peggy Perriman
    St Joseph, Mo.
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Enjoyed the book
    November 26, 2012
    Peggy Perriman
    St Joseph, Mo.
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I enjoy books in this time period and reading how difficult it was for these people to build back up. I enjoy reading about the slaves and how they were expected to do things without saying anything. Its so good to realize they were able to get their freedom.
  4. RobinV
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    An Engaging Story
    November 16, 2012
    RobinV
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Each chapter focuses on one of three women-a mother, her daughter, and one of their servants-which I liked. It was easy to follow and gave a deeper understanding to the characters in the story. Each of these women go through different things but one they share is losing faith in God.

    The hidden, or not so hidden, truth in this story is that of despair and what it can do to you if you give in to it. After losing everything but their land and their homes during the Civil War, the people in the South were filled with despair. But one Yankee is helping them see just how dangerous giving in to that despair can be and sharing with them how he overcame it. I love how this can be applied to us today. Many are without jobs and struggling to make ends meet, living paycheck to paycheck, and others may have recently lost a loved one. If we let the despair seep too deep into our hearts, we too can become like the Confederates were; angry and resentful, or even turn our backs on God.

    All Things New was filled with emotion. Parts made me angry at the characters while other parts broke my heart. I was encouraged how one Yankee, their enemy, could make such a big difference. Even while he was hated he still continued to do what God told him to do.

    I do recommend this book. While its not so much a romantic story, it is engaging to the last page.

    ****Thank you Bethany House Publishers for the free book in exchange for my honest review.****
  5. Rambling Reader
    4 Stars Out Of 5
    Original and Absorbing
    October 21, 2012
    Rambling Reader
    Quality: 5
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 4
    I was first introduced to Lynn Austin's work several years ago when I read "Candle in the Darkness." I was impressed by her portrayal of the Civil War era and the depth of Austin's writing. When I picked up "All Things New," I wondered how it would compare to the "Refiner's Fire" series. Although the basis of the setting is the same, "All Things New" is original and absorbing.

    Austin has a talent for relaying stories from various perspectives and layering them into one cohesive novel. Josephine, Eugenia, and Lizzie each bring unique experiences and backgrounds to "All Things New," and I enjoyed each of them. Austin keeps the story engaging by alternating the focus of each chapter to one of the three women. Change and fear are common elements in the lives of Jo, Eugenia, and Lizzie as they attempt to rebuild their lives following the Civil War. Jospehine and her mother, Eugenia, find themselves nearly destitute and constrained by pre-war expectations. Meanwhile, as a former slave, Lizzie is battling the dream of freedom and prejudices of Southern society. Each character steadily grows and develops as the novel progresses. The intertwining of their lives and their reactions to challenges create a multi-dimensional plot.

    The primary and secondary characters have faced four years of devastating war and now face a vastly altered lifestyle. As a result, emotions are strong and complex. Fear, love, faith, prejudice, hatred, forgiveness, bitterness, self-pity, hope, and healing are among the topics addressed in the novel. Austin incorporates a range of riveting moments in "All Things New." Some are emotional and introspective, others are action-oriented; they are all compelling. Lynn Austin has once again written a well-developed, must-read novel with poignant themes.

    I received a complimentary copy of from Netgalley, courtesy of Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above 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."
Displaying items 21-25 of 31