Review: Where We Belong by Lynn Austin

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.

Paperback, 480 pages

 Published October 3rd 2017 

by Bethany House Publishers

****

This is my first time reading anything by Lynn Austin, which is always exciting especially when hearing great things about this author.  Where We Belong isn’t a quick read coming in at almost 500 pages and my favorite size to read. I feel with anything over 400 pages the writer should be able to deliver a story with depth of character and plot, that the story would have many layers and would keep me captivated the whole way through.  Did that happen here?  Of course it did!

Beginning in 1892 Rebecca and Flora are in the Sinai Desert during a sandstorm. It is during this time that they go back in time and tell the story of how they got there.

I don’t know if it is just me or if it is a new trend or I could just be late to the party but I am finding a vast number of Christian historical fiction out there. There’s history in this book that is not mentioned in the synopsis so I won’t go into any details about it but suffice to say the author portrayed a great picture of the time. Not just in Chicago but other parts of the worlds well.

These two sisters are brought up privileged with no worries about where their next meal is coming from or what to wear. They like adventure and travel, something at a time that is frowned upon for women, especially on their own. I found this to be a very well executed novel, two women ahead of their time who are courageous, daring enough to follow their dreams and compassionate. They don’t sit idly by but rather take action to help those in need. Life isn’t picture perfect and their faith sustains them.

With a cold winter upon us this is the perfect book to curl up with a cuppa tea, a warm blanket and just read the cold away. Definitely a book and author I recommend.

 "Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc."