A new series in a new setting—Quakers on Nantucket Island amid the whaling days of the mid-1700s. This book has suspense, intrigue, romance, and danger. The first half seems slow going, but then the action and drama picked up more and really kept me hooked. I enjoy history, and it’s fun to learn about a different place and time. The author made the characters so realistic, I thought they must all be actual people and Great Mary’s journal words she’d copied from the original. She seamlessly wove fact with fiction and made it all totally believable. I have to admit, though, that I often had trouble separating Phoebe from her great-grandmother in my mind. The story switched back and forth from Phoebe’s life to what she read in the journal penned by Mary Coffin in her youth (1658). And the journal printed on gray background with fading text was hard for me to read just as it was for her. I received a copy through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

I have to say I’ve yet to meet a Suzanne Woods Fisher book I didn’t love. She has the ability to create relateable (why does that word insist on red squiggly lines of hate, so it’s not a word it’s Fizzyfied so it’s a word!) characters and settings that tell a story that is timeless. I am sad to say that I ran into a couple of hiccups in this book that frustrate me. I’m more frustrated because it’s not just in Suzanne’s book I am finding these trends but in authors I have read and loved for years. I’m going to sidetrack you here for a moment and talk about this trend across the genre and established authors and not just this book. Why, for the love of tomatoes, do we need to have this ‘character introspection’ so heavily through the story? Example: ‘When she was summoned to go up the balustrade staircase to Sarah’s chamber (there was indeed a mortgage button on the newel post – Phoebe looked for it!), not a squeak could be heard on the wooden stair tread. (She listened for it!) Page 45. I’m not sure where this trend started but I’m seeing it across the board with many tired and true authors. And I’m finding it harder and harder to fall in love with the characters and stories because I’m just so distracted. I know I’m not the only one who doesn’t like this writing style, but I’m generally less vocal about it than most.

Personal rant aside lets talk book! I love historical fiction. OK, I love words all the words, but this is a genre that I enjoy. There is so much history out there and it’s entirely more enjoyable to learn about it through a good story than a dry textbook. I’ve not read a lot of Quaker fiction before (one book comes to mind and the thee/thou/thy started to drive me batty in it so I was a tidbit worried here) but it’s something that I believe I can find interesting. And I did. And the plain pronouns didn’t really even phase me with this book. Being written predominately in third person it wasn’t overwhelming. Phoebe, however, was a bit overwhelming. I think she was meant to be a sympathetic character but I found it hard to find sympathy for her. Yes, she had to care for her father who was the quintessential Quaker version of the mad scientist, what with a string of failed and half-baked business ventures in his wake. Yes, she had a lot on her plate, not even including the money worries caused by dear ol’ dad. She makes me thing of 1700’s version of a social climber. The Captain was a plain old jerkwad toad nugget. I really never was a fan of him from the beginning and knew by page 95 that he was no good. However, the interplay between now (OK Phoebe’s time) and Great Mary’s time (about 100 years prior) was interesting. I need to continue this series, if for no other reason to read the rest of the journal!

This story was engaging, even if I didn’t care much for a character I feel like I was intended to. From the initial settling of Nantucket Island in Great Mary’s journal to the life of a Quaker woman 100 years later this book draws you into a different time and a different view of faith. I found it so interesting that many who initially settled there did so to get away from the Quakers but then the island became very Quaker. I was even drawn into the idea of life on a whaling sloop, even though I mostly just saw the Captain’s cabin. Suzanne Woods Fisher can still write a book that captures my attention and holds me captive within the pages. She still brings to life characters that can breath my same air. I just need this new writing style that is all the rage to find a new home, away from authors I love.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit, NetGalley. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

Phoebe’s Light

Took me a couple of chapters to end into the book, but after I did it was a real exciting book. Set in the 1700’s following the life of Phoebe and 1600’s by a journal following the life of Mary Coffin. Some unexpected twists and turns. Phoebe marries the rich caption but after boarding the ship she discovers he is very mean. He keeps asking about the journal, that kept me wandering why. She gets very seasick on the ship. Then there is Matthew that is a friend that she grew up with. He is hired to work on the ship and there for her when very sick. The book kept me very interested especially toward the end, a lot of surprises. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. I was provided an copy of the book through Celebrate Lit for a honest review.

Very interesting book. The author really knows how to captivate and keep her audience reading.
The description of the scenery is mesmerizing and one feels as if they are there with the characters. I can smell the salt in the air from the ocean,hear the shouts from the crew and feel Phoebe's pain as she realizes the man she has married is not who she thinks he is. The book is a time slip as it has two time periods to it, 1661 and 1767. 1661 is Great Mary's life which Phoebe reads about in an old journal her father gives her and 1767 is Phoebe's life. Captain Phineas Foulger is quite the respected man and when he starts to call on Phoebe she is quite pleased. After their marriage she comes to understand her father's warning about the man is true. He is not the man he portrayed himself to be.
I learned some interesting historical facts which is one reason I find historical books so fascinating to read. I learned about a greasy voyage and what a mortgage button is.
This book is about the the Quakers living on Nantucket Island and their main source of income is whaling.
The author takes you on quite the seafaring voyage in this the fist book in the Nantucket Legacy series. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review.

This is an intriguing, historical Christian fiction novel. The setting is a bit different from any I've read before. Set on Nantucket Island, it goes back and forth between 1661 and 1767, from the time of Phoebe Starbuck, and then to her Great Mary's life, in 1661, of which Phoebe is reading about in an old journal given to her by her father.

Phoebe is a stubborn, independent girl, and she has her sights set on marrying a wealthy man. She thinks that Captain Foulger can give her what she wants.

Matthew Macy, the young man of whom she had originally been more than fond of, and is now annoyed by, is to be her shadow on her voyage.

It was a bit predictable to see the direction this story would take. However, there were a few unexpected events that also occurred, enough to keep me reading! I did enjoy the reading of this book, found it be a light, easy read. I always enjoy learning about new places, and especially the history that goes along with it.

I received an advance copy of this book, all opinions expressed in this review are my own.

If you like historical books like I do, you are in for an adventure. The author takes us back to the late 1700s where we will set set on the high seas. What a treat it is to read about captains that everyone looks up to. Captain Phineas Foulger is quite a catch and he catches glances from those who wish to be noticed by him. I’m not sure I trusted him and sensed that maybe his feelings for Phoebe were not as sincere as he has led her to believe.

Phoebe is so taken with the captain that she kind of pushes herself on him. Does she want to be with him because she loves him? Is the adventure on the sea what intrigues her? She does try her best to get her way at times but the author gives us glimpses of her softer side. I could feel the anxiousness of Phoebe as she began her journey on the ship. Whaling was a huge profit during this time and it was hard work. Does Phoebe realize what she has gotten herself into? The first clue that something wasn’t right should have been when the entire crew quit. Phoebe I hope you know what you are doing. What must it feel like to be on a large ship, sailing out into unknown waters? What awaits Phoebe as she starts a new chapter in her life? The author gives us a story filled with suspense, secrets and unrequited love.

I loved the journal from Phoebe’s great-grandmother. I learned so much about the Quakers and how mistreated they were during the 1600s. It would be so exciting to find a diary from one of my ancestors. Phoebe has a treasure that will become very important as the story progresses. Why was the Captain so insistent that Phoebe bring the journal with her? I think the captain is arrogant, mean and selfish. The things he does is horrible. I have to say the author has really written a wonderful story of a high sea adventure that has all the makings of a wonderful movie. It is a vivid portrayal of the days long ago where people had to struggle to survive while others took advantage and took what wasn’t theirs. I love this book and how realistic it is. Thank you for taking me on a journey where I could picture the howling winds as it tossed the ship around. I love the emphasis on faith and how God protected people and opened their eyes to untruths.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The book is my own opinion.

Suzanne Woods Fisher generally writes Amish Fiction and her Amish stories are hard to put down. Her newest book is about the history of the Quakers and centers on Phoebe Starbuck and Matthew Macy. Phoebe is in good standing with her meeting, but Matthew is not. Matthew has loved Phoebe for a long time, but she's in love with Phineas Foulger, a whale boat captain.

While most of Suzanne's writing is impeccable, this book did not draw me in as much as her others do. I was disappointed in the lack of interest the book brought out. It seemed to me to be dry. Three Stars. As a disclaimer, my opinions are my own.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

I love Suzanne Woods Fisher so I was very excited about the start of a new series from her. Having loved the Amish Beginnings Series I had no doubt that I was going to love this book. Truly, the cover is amazing so the hopes that I had were high.

The storyline of this book didn't disappoint. I truly loved the era and it was fun reading about Quakers instead of Amish. So, let me explain why this book just didn't do it for me.

I have some quirks and pet peeves when it comes to reading. Anyone that reads my blog will know that I dislike things like onomatopoeia (sound effects) or repetitive phrases and character introspection. Character introspection seeping into third person is becoming trendy and I see it more and more.

While this book lacked the use of sound effects, character introspection and repetition were fairly heavy-handed in this book. Here are a few examples:

Horrible man. Horrible. horrible, horrible.


Phoebe counted on her modest income as a seamstress to cobble together a way to make ends meet, even if barely—and how she hated sewing, hated, hated, hated it!—plus she had turned away other smaller projects to take on Sarah's large wardrobe.


When she was summoned to go up the balustrade staircase to Sarah's Chamber (there was indeed a mortgage button on the newel post—Phoebe looked for it!), not a squeak could be heard on the wooden stair tread. (She listened for it!)


The storyline of this book was fascinating. I just wasn't fond of the new, trendy writing style. All of the characters are well-developed and the author certainly does her research. I appreciate her as an author very much. I just couldn't look past my pet peeves to appreciate the book the way I should have.

If you're a fan of Historical Christian Fiction and you don't mind quirky characters that weasel their way into the narrative then I'd definitely suggest this book. Suzanne Woods Fisher is a talented author who can tell a story. She knows her Bible and her history.

Am I interested in continuing the series? Maybe. I do love the characters. So, we'll see.

This book was provided to me by Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. All opinions are my own.

This was an interesting story of a young girl marrying and spending her first weeks of married life on a ship and suffering horribly from sea sickness.. what a terrible time for her. The story revolves around a diary she inherits. It didn’t have a lot of excitement but it did have some interesting twists and turns.

Phoebe’s Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the first book in the Nantucket Legacy series.

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 Mitchell, 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.

I do think that through the story Phoebe is quite childish and naïve, but then wants to marry someone with money. So even though you have Phoebe with her faith she turns her faith on its head when it doesn't go how she wants it to go. So the story is really filled with quite a few contradictions, the story is well written and an easy going read.

Phoebe’s Light

by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 06 Feb 2018

I am reviewing a copy of Phoebe’s Light through Revell and Netgalley:

Phoebe Starbucks has often given into the whims of her Father, but now for the first time she is doing what she wants to do. She is Marrying Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. Before she leaves her Father giver her two gifts a sheepskin journal that had belonged to her highly regarded Great Grandmother Mary an early settler of Nantucket. The other gift is a minder on the whaling ship cooper Matthew Mitchell a man she can’t stand.

It does not take long for Phoebe to realize life at sea is certainly not easier than life on land, She’s lonely sick and disillusioned by Phineas Foulger’s lies so she turns to Great Mary’s journals and is drawn into her life. To her utter shock she discovers that her Great Grandmother carried a secret that will carry repercussions to everyone on the ship.

This captivating story within a story will leave you wanting more.

I give Phoebe’s Light five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite authors. I will read any book that she writes, and her Amish fiction series are outstanding. I enjoyed the historical research she did for this book and felt that I learned more about the Quakers’ life in Nantucket.

This is a story of two ladies who lived almost a century apart. As Phoebe goes through her crisis, she reads Mary’s diary to find encouragement and hope. I found it difficult to like Phoebe. I did not connect with her character at any point in the book and found parts of her storyline tiresome. However, I very much enjoyed the excerpts from Mary’s diary and her strong, feisty character. Her story made this a book worth reading. I am looking forward to hearing more of Mary’s story through the rest of the series.

Phoebe's Light is the first book in suzanne Fisher's Nantucket Legacy. In this first book, we find our main character Phoebe Starbuck a Quaker on her 18th birthday; September 8th, 1767. Her father Barnabas decides it is time to pass along Great Mary's journal. Great Mary was Pheobe's great-grandmother and was well known for her wisdom.

Not only excited for her birthday, but the ship Fortuna has arrived in port. Phoebe has always imagined that she loved older widowed captain and she hopes to finally capture his attention. When Phoebe runs into the captain he is very interested in Phoebe's birthday gift and wants to read this journal for himself.

Soon Phoebe finds herself married to the captain Phineas Foulger and on a voyage with two things, her great grandmother's journal and a man sent by her father to mind her; Matthew Macy a cooper whom she once loved until he turned away from God.

Pheobe soon finds that life at sea is not the trip she envisioned. Seasick and disillusioned, she turns to the pages of great-grandmother Mary's journal and she finds a secret that has consequences for everyone on the ship.
This is a book that the reader will find hard to put down. Full of history and mystery; the plot takes the readers on many twists and turns and keeps your interest going.

I truly enjoyed this book and found it difficult to put down. Anyone who loves historical fiction will love this book. The author has done her research well and brought this research to life in her novels. I look forward to the next book in the series "Minding the Light".

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction.

A start of another great series! Love the story of both women! Nantucket during this time period and the Quakers are very interesting. Looking forward to next book.Highly recommended!

I read many promos regarding Suzanne Woods Fisher’s new book, “Phoebe’s Light”, before I actually read it myself. Though I am not a fan of reading 18th century novels, I found this historical novel to be very enlightening. I’ve never been to the east coast, and reading about its history was very revealing. When reading about the whaling industry that dominated ships and sailors work during this time, it is easy to see how some whales became endangered species.

Also, the religious aspects of the Quakers’ lives are interesting because of the contrast of their “peaceful” living and their idea of punishment when others did not adhere to their teachings.

Phoebe longs for the attention of an older man, a sea captain, the father of one of her friends. When at last he pays heed to her longings, she gets her fondest wish, only to regret it. Her father gave her a journal that her great-grandmother wrote when living on Nantucket. What gems did it hold? Were there riches to be found among its pages? Ms. Woods is very adept at bringing all these things to an interesting story.

Phoebe’s Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the first book in the Nantucket Legacy series. On September 8, 1767 on Nantucket Island, Phoebe Starbuck, a Quaker, turns eighteen. Her father, Barnabas Starbuck presents her with Great Mary’s journal (her great grandmother). It passes from one generation to the next to the one who would benefit most from Great Mary’s wisdom (it is a shame that Barnabas never read it). Phoebe is excited to see that Phineas Foulger, captain of the Fortuna, has returned to the island. Phoebe fancies herself in love with the older widower and hopes to finally capture his attention. After a short time, Phineas and Phoebe are wed and set sail on the Fortuna. Phoebe has longed for adventure her whole life, but she soon discovers that life at sea does not suit her (she suffers from mal de mer). She spends her days in her quarters with the comfort of Great Mary’s journal. Matthew Macy and Phoebe were once betrothed to one another until Matthew turned away from God. Matthew, though, has never stopped caring for her. When Barnabas asks him to join the crew of the Fortuna to keep an eye on Phoebe, Matthew agrees. Phoebe is in for a life altering journey, and she will soon need the wisdom in Great Mary’s journal and help from Matthew to aid those she loves.

Phoebe’s Light is a captivating historical novel. It was fascinating to go back to this time period and read about life on Nantucket Island. The author did a wonderful job at integrating the diary entries into the book. I was afraid the entries would pull me out of the story, but it did just the opposite. I kept wanting to know what else was in the diary and what would happen next to Phoebe. Phoebe’s Light well-written and it has a nice steady pace with vivid descriptions of the island, people, the ships, whales and etc. I appreciate authors whose words allow me to picture the scenes in my head as I read (just the right amount of detail). The transitions were smooth between chapters and the diary entries. I could tell that the author did her research for this novel especially on Mary Coffin Starbuck and the whaling industry. She captured the speech of the Quakers and the people of this era (there is a glossary). The story contains incredible characters that are well-developed and realistic. There are characters readers will love and others that you will dislike intensely (and hope that they get what they deserve). I like that Ms. Fisher did the book on Quakers. There are few fiction books that incorporate this religious sect and it was interesting to learn more about their history (how they came to America and the persecution they suffered). The mystery element added another level to this rich story. There is a lovely ending that will have you anxiously awaiting Minding the Light (second book in Nantucket Legacy series).

Phoebe Starbucks, a determined young Quaker living on Nantucket Island in the 1760s, knows what she wants. Above all, she wants security. Her widowed father, while kind, makes a disastrous provider—he can’t stick to any one enterprise. In fact, everything he tries seems to fail—which sinks him further into debt.

Phoebe has a crush on Captain Foulger, a pious whaling captain, and when his ship arrives at n port, she believes her only option lies in marrying the older man and leaving Nantucket on a grand adventure.

Matthew Macy left the Quaker church at 15, and he’s never looked back. Except maybe when his stubbornness lost him the chance to marry the love of his life, his best friend Phoebe Starbuck. After losing his father and their whaler, Matthew contents himself with staying on land and trying to reverse his family’s fortunes through his barrel making business. And then Both Captain Foulger and Phoebe’s father, Barnabas, beg him to sign on as cooper for The Fortuna’s next voyage.

Phoebe receives her great-grandmother, Mary Coffin’s, journal from her father for her 18th birthday. Mary’s story provides a source of inspiration and intrigue for Phoebe as she deals with the consequences of her choices.

If you love history, adventure, intrigue, and inspiration, you’ll love this book. Fisher renders history in a vibrant and engaging manner that will keep readers turning pages to see what happens next.

Phoebe's Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a marvellous Christian historical adventure. It is the first book in the Nantucket Legacy series and what a fabulous series that promises to be.
The novel has two parallel stories, one set in 1658 and the other in 1767. Both have strong women who know what they want. One seeks the will of God. The other is led by her own thoughts and feelings. "An abundance of money seemed to be the answer to all of life's problems." Money is never the answer, God is.
The hand of her great grandmother, her story and her wisdom seems to travel down the years. As the truths sink in, the need for God is realised. The epiphany is "This peace. This sense that she was not alone." This is the peace of God that passes all understanding and is available for all.
God will pursue us. If we walk away from Him, He waits like the father in the Prodigal Son story, for us to return. Sometimes the world drowns God out but He waits, watches and whispers to us. "Could it be... this loving Good Shepherd is calling me to follow Him? And I have not heard His voice for it was drowned out by the clanging sounds of scolding clergy."
When one is driven by greed, one can expect a fall. We need to focus our interests on men and God not on money, power and stuff. "So many possessions of value. Treasure."
There is the theme of trust. We can trust God and we need to place our trust in good people. Life can be hard. We need to seek God and His will. " 'How do I walk in the light when I only see darkness?'... 'Trust God in the dark.'" God will always provide just enough light for the step we are on. We need to see no further as God will guide us.
Phoebe's Light is a fabulous tale with wonderful main characters. Watching the dual timeline play out and linking the characters down the years was entertaining. Relying on God and seeking His will was a strong main message.
A wonderful story with much Godly wisdom.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.