| Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Marcy, a man whom she loathes. Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time. |  |
In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.
Genre: Historical romance
Release Date: February 6, 2018
Release Date: February 6, 2018
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My Review
Her choices affect more than she ever imagined...
Despite the popularity of author Suzanne Woods Fisher's Amish fiction I've somehow missed out...until now. A novel about the Quakers and the earlier history of Nantucket piqued my interest. I remember reading some about the early Quakers in my history books but really didn't know a lot about them. Phoebe's Light brought the people, the place, and the era to life.
I had mixed feelings about Phoebe herself. I found her to be naive to the point of foolishness but she clings to a deep faith that could move mountains. And Matthew. Aahh, Matthew. He is a truly flawed character, he is refreshingly honest about his doubts, and he is completely loyal to those he loves.
A couple of historical anachronisms didn't deter me from enjoying the story. And I loved learning some of the whaling and Nantucket-specific terms that I didn't already know. There is a helpful glossary at the beginning that you can refer back to if need be.
I loved Suzanne Woods Fisher's dual timeline aspect in Phoebe's Light, Mary's diary entries from the 1660's were a fascinating look into the founding of Nantucket and Phoebe in the 1760's found inspiration and wisdom from reading the diary.
If you are looking for an interesting story set in a little known period of American history you should check out Phoebe's Light.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher a 4 Bark rating.
Despite the popularity of author Suzanne Woods Fisher's Amish fiction I've somehow missed out...until now. A novel about the Quakers and the earlier history of Nantucket piqued my interest. I remember reading some about the early Quakers in my history books but really didn't know a lot about them. Phoebe's Light brought the people, the place, and the era to life.
I had mixed feelings about Phoebe herself. I found her to be naive to the point of foolishness but she clings to a deep faith that could move mountains. And Matthew. Aahh, Matthew. He is a truly flawed character, he is refreshingly honest about his doubts, and he is completely loyal to those he loves.
A couple of historical anachronisms didn't deter me from enjoying the story. And I loved learning some of the whaling and Nantucket-specific terms that I didn't already know. There is a helpful glossary at the beginning that you can refer back to if need be.
I loved Suzanne Woods Fisher's dual timeline aspect in Phoebe's Light, Mary's diary entries from the 1660's were a fascinating look into the founding of Nantucket and Phoebe in the 1760's found inspiration and wisdom from reading the diary.
If you are looking for an interesting story set in a little known period of American history you should check out Phoebe's Light.
Tell Tale Book Reviews gives Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher a 4 Bark rating.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Guest Post from
Suzanne Woods Fisher
A Stroll down Petticoat Row
Thirty years ago, I talked my sister into going on a trip to Nantucket Island. It’s one of those places that had always intrigued me. As a girl in the 1930s, my mother’s family vacationed in Nantucket; she even has a lightship basket to show for it. I expected the island to be interesting and beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint. But something else happened as I walked down Centre Street one morning. This island captured my imagination in a way that’s hard to put into words. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sun touched, I could practically see 19th century people on the roads, hear the “thee’s and thou’s” in their speech, even smell the strong scents of a bygone century—the musky perfume of rendered whale oil, the burning wood of the blacksmith, all mingled with the bracing sea air.
Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women.
Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world.
First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it.
After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip!
Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women.
Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world.
First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it.
After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip!
Nantucket’s Famous Morning Glory Muffins
| Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup sugar 2 ¼ cup flour 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup raisins 2 cup grated carrots (4 large) 1 apple, shredded 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained ½ cup pecans or walnuts 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla | Instructions: Sift together sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Add the fruit, carrots and nuts and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients and blend well. Spoon batter into cupcake tins lined with muffin papers. Fill each cup to the brim. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. These muffins needs 24 hours to ripen their full flavor. They freeze extremely well. Recipe courtesy of Pamela A. McKinstry, Sconset Café |
 Suzanne Woods Fisher | Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. |
It's Time For A Giveaway!
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February 16
Girls in White Dresses Blog
With a Joyful Noise
D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
A Greater Yes
February 17
ASC Book Reviews
Locks, Hooks and Books
Book by Book
February 18
Texas Book-aholic
The Power of Words
Two Points of Interest
Splashes of Joy
February 19
A Reader’s Brain
Karen Sue Hadley
Blossoms and Blessings
February 20
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
The Fizzy Pop Collection
All of a kind Mom
Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses
February 21
Reading Is My SuperPower
Baker Kella
Mommynificent
Janices book reviews
February 22
Lighthouse Academy
Readers cozy corner
Mary Hake
Jeanette’s Thoughts
February 23
Pause for Tales
Have A Wonderful Day
Faery Tales Are Real
February 24
Blogging With Carol
Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
Among the Reads
Carpe Diem
February 25
Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot
Red Headed Book Lady
Just the Write Escape
A Baker’s Perspective
February 26
By The Book
For The Love of Books
Margaret Kazmierczak
Simple Harvest Reads
February 27
Maureen’s Musings
Connie’s History Classroom
proud to be an autism mom
Bigreadersite
February 28
Bibliophile Reviews
Tell Tale Book Reviews
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Pursuing Stacie
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