England, the year 1773. Keturah and her sisters find themselves heiresses to their father's properties and assets. A letter soon comes telling them of the drought, machinery failure and an overseer lost to the "fever", all with profits far lower than the last.

Lady Keturah is determined to make sure her sisters are well provided for and the three sisters head off to the West Indies, which was totally unheard of for ladies of England's society at that time.

Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson, a widow, from an abusive marriage has sworn that she will never marry again, but her childhood friend Gray Covington is traveling to the West Indies to develop his sugar plantation that happens to border Keturah's. Will Keturah's heart ever soften again?

This was a fantastic story of a woman bound and determined to make a way for herself, as well as her sisters in a society that demanded women to be dependant on men. Keturah's strong character is what makes this story flow. The reader is drawn to her supporting her and cheering her on throughout the story. A fast-paced read, and a truly enjoyable one. Set in the West Indies. The author has done a vast amount of research to make this novel so real to life, which makes it all the more enjoyable and true to the reader.

I was thrilled that the characters all leaned heavily on God in this novel. I think the lesson of this novel, or the point that is brought out, is that we too must rely on God, put our stubbornness behind us. A wonderful story of adventure, romance, and forgiveness.

The characters are well written in this story. I was surprised at the history side of the story and what went on back then. I look forward to reading the next books in the series!

Keturah is the first book in Lisa T. Bergren's The Sugar Baron's Daughters series and, after reading a couple not-so-positive reviews when starting the book, I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy the story. But, I kept reading and I'm so glad I did! The writing style was very easy to read and I had no problem following the story (I think this was due to the author making the language a bit more contemporary).



I liked the characters pretty much right away and the romance was nice. Keturah's sisters are great and I am eager to read their stories. I think the one already met her love interest in this story and it looks like that will be a great tale. :)





All in all, I enjoyed Keturah. There was a tiny portion of the book where my interest waned, but other than that it was a good book. However, if you are a history buff you might find some issues in the story. I'm not bothered by stuff like that usually, but I just thought I would mention that others had trouble with the historical aspects.



*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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.*

As with all Lisa Bergren novels there is such wonderful attention to historical detail. I loved the unique premise and richly detailed setting. Definitely one for my keeper shelf, especially with that gorgeous cover!

The worst feeling when reading a book is this feeling. “I cannot get into this book.” Sadly with this one I could not stay interested. I guess I would say it was the main character that made me dislike this book. Come on Gray, you could have done better. Someone like Keturah would not have just up and left for the West Indies. I guess that was one of the biggest parts that annoyed me. Females in that time period did not do that, unless they were being kicked out of society because of a scandal. She would have had more thought for what people would have thought of her and her sisters and what her family would have to deal with after she left. Oh, and her being mad that someone told Gray to look after them, was ridiculous. She would have known that that is what was done in that time. One last thing, Keturah’s sister would not have agreed so quickly to go. There is such thing as sisterly love but then there are some limits. The two girls would not have agreed without a fight.

I am ranting and I am sorry about that, but this book was not at all believable. I have read other books by Lisa T. Bergren and did not mind them but this one let me down. Sorry for the negative review. If Bergren is your favorite author then you actually might like this book but sadly I did not. I am hoping her next books are a better. I hope this review does not discourage you from not reading any of her books because I will probably read them when they come out. I guess this one was not my cup of tea.

I received this book from the Bethany House Publishing of the Baker Publishing Group for this review.

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

I fell in love with this beautifully written and unique story. In this novel, we have three young privileged women who have been orphaned. Their eldest sister would do anything to ensure her sisters are taken care of and remain in the family home. The only problem? This would see her having to travel to her family investment in the West Indies – their last hope at saving their lands in England.

What she doesn’t expect? Her sisters absolute refusal to let her go alone! So instead all three young women take off on an exciting journey that is far beyond social acceptance and looked down upon by many in their class. I found it to be so brave and determined but their greatest setback is how sheltered they have been. They are grossly unprepared for what to expect, what to bring and the sexism they will face.

This was an incredible story of perseverance, hope, faith, forgiveness with a touch of love growing in there. I couldn’t put this novel down wanting to know more about what would happen to Keturah and her sisters. This novel is a definite must read.

Keturah is a another wonderfully fantastical book by Ms. Bergren. This author knows how to grab you by the collar and take you on a ride with the Characters. The Characters are made to be so rea, honest, heart warming, lovable and GOD fearing. It is a story of strength from the main Character and siblings. The sisters are thrown into an amazing eye opening, heart wrenching but strengthening world of the sugar barongs. Keturah reunites with an old friend - wink wink - is he there for a good or bad intentions? Keturah learns to rely, trust and follow GOD's will for her life. How does she and her siblings end up? Will they succeed or will they fall?

A novel set in the West Indies in the late 1700s is just begging to be read, in my opinion. I love discovering new times and places in the pages of a novel, and I’ve never come across one with this setting before. That said, there are some harsh aspects to this setting—most notably, slavery—that I want to mention up front. As the author noted in her historical notes, it would have been unrealistic for Keturah and her sisters to run a sugar plantation without slaves. I thought the author did a good job of showing slave trading for the horror it was, while at the same time portraying Keturah and her sisters as beacons of compassion within a horribly unjust situation, but if that sounds like it’s going to bother you, then this might not be the book for you.

I ended up enjoying the historical aspect of this novel more than the romantic thread between Keturah and Gray. The Banning sisters found that running their father’s plantation was only half of their struggle as they came up against fierce, and at times unsavoury, interference from other plantation owners and overseers. The tensions of the task set before them and the obstacles they had to overcome easily carried the story for me and kept my interest.

On the other hand, while I could admire Keturah, I found her difficult to warm to. In some ways, her character was understandable—although only twenty-three, she’s widowed following an abusive marriage, and she’s determined never to be in that position again. But it made her annoyingly independent at times, particularly when it came to accepting any form of help from Gray (whom I was much quicker to warm to!) When the romantic side to their relationship did begin to develop, it felt like a sudden about-face for her emotionally, and even came across—dare I say it—as being a little cheesy.

But despite that, I enjoyed this read. I loved the setting and the way in which I’ve been forced to think about some aspects of that time from different perspectives, and I admire the Banning sisters for their grit and determination, even if they did start out from a place of naivety. I look forward to seeing what’s next for the sisters.

Lisa T. Bergen is a good author and I will read any book that she’s written. Although I’ve not before been interested in reading novels set in the West Indies and the sugar plantations, I read this one just because she wrote it.
I was not disappointed. The storyline was intriguing with three strong, capable, courageous women as the main characters.

Don’t read this book expecting it to be a sweet romance. It’s not. There is never a stopping place in this story for sweetness and light. The author tackles some hard subjects such as slavery and abuse of women, which leads to some of the conflicts that arise on the sugar plantations. Although Ms. Bergen described this in appropriate, truthful, terms, it was an intense story. It’s still very much Christian fiction and there’s hope and faith to be found all through the storyline. I would not recommend this book for any young lady under senior high age unless you have first read it for yourself.

I will look forward to reading the next books in this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review. I was not asked to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Keturah

An historical that goes way back to the 1700’s, a lot of things different from today but still a lot the same. Especially in the attitude toward women. Keturah decides to go to the land her father had in the West Indies from England after finding out about his passing. Her sisters end up going to and a childhood friend, Gray, but he is not directly traveling with them. They have a very interesting journey on the ship going there. Once they get there Keturah finds out a lot about her late father and the trials of making it on the land there. I love how strong she is and determined and will stand up to anyone. I really loved her character and am looking forward reading more about her sisters. I received an advanced copy of the book from NetGalley the Lit fuse.

Young widow Keturah and her sisters, Verity and Selah, find themselves with a sugar plantation that is fast losing money in the West Indies after the death of their father. Keturah and her sisters determine that in order to protect their assets that they must go there to oversee it themselves.



Keturah is determined to never depend on a man again, after her disastrous marriage to Edward that left her scarred. She is stubborn and clever, with a natural bent for leadership, but is she ready for everything that she will face in the West Indies?



Gray Covington grew up along side of Keturah, and spent much of his youth trying to make her jealous going out with other girls. But when she married Edward he realized what he'd lost. Now he too is trying to make a success in the West Indies sugar plantations. Gray has matured, and is very serious about farming the West Indies, reading books, and even going to university to learn about agriculture. He has planned his trip carefully and packed thoughtfully.



This book doesn't shy away from mentioning the harsh realities of the West Indies and the cruel slave trade during that time. Which shows how while the cruelty of slavery was not as visible on English soil, it definitely was a presence in the British Territories.



Keturah and her sisters struggle to made the plantation their home and come to terms with the man that their father was in the West Indies. Keturah endured an abusive marriage, and though she and her sisters are viewed as eligible catches, she is careful and protective of her sisters. I like how she and her sisters are challenged by their new home, and don't settle for the norm, striving to be kind to those around them.



Overall, a well written book about an oft overlooked time and place, of beauty and unspeakable cruelty. It was a bit slow to start for me, but after I got to know the sisters better and they reached the island I was hooked. The first in an exotic and exciting new historical series from Lisa Tawn Bergren.







Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. 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."

I enjoyed reading a story that took place in the West Indies. Lisa T. Bergren did a great job with her descriptions and I could clearly see the Islands in my minds eyes. The characters were interesting and believable. I liked most of them in the book. This book takes place during a time where it was acceptable to own slaves. Lisa T. Bergren did a good job portraying this time period in a tactful way. Overall, I thought this was a pretty good book. I had a hard time getting into the story but it was interesting enough that I wanted to find out what happened. Throughout the story, I could see the Lord's message of truth, hope, forgiveness and second chances. I think that the reader can learn these truths as well.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest opinion.

A strong start to what promises to be a great series. I did find it hard to connect with Keturah but I'm incredibly excited to read Verity and Selah's stories.

Lisa T. Bergen tells a fascinating story of England and the Caribbean in the mid-1700s in Keturah. Descriptions of harrowing sea voyages, beautiful islands, conniving sugar barons, simmering racial tensions, and a satisfying love story kept me hooked from beginning to end. Keturah herself was a believable, relatable, female lead who absolutely deserved her lovely happy ending. While I’ve not read any of Bergen's other novels, I will definitely call myself a devoted fan from now on. I anxiously await the next addition to her Sugar Baron's Daughters series.

Keturah
by Lisa T. Bergren
Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 06 Feb 2018
I am reviewing a copy of Keturah through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:
In this book we travel back to 1772 England where we meet Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves heiresses of their Fathers state, leaving them with having to go the the West Indies to save their heritage.
The sisters are determined to make their own way in the world, despite the fact it was not conventional for women to do so at the time. But once they are in the Caribbean they have greater things to worthy about than proper gender roles. When they go the infamous Island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined and that's just the start of what they begin to see in this unfamiliar world.
Keturah does not intend to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to want to help her, but she knows it is so though they can take ownership of the plantation. She is in need of an ally but a reunion with a childhood friend makes her wonder if he has ulterior motives.

Can Keturah surrender her stubbornness to save her families plantation? Find out in Keturah!

Five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

In her new series debut, Lisa T. Bergren introduces readers to the sugar plantations of Indies—specifically the island of Nevis. Fair warning, reading this book just might make you long for a Caribbean vacation to experience the islands yourself.
Keturah is bound and determined (some call it tenacity, others call it stubbornness) to save her family’s plantation. In the process, she longs to prove her strength—both to herself and to others.
Bergren delves into the difficult and ugly realities of the time and place—slavery and abuse—while handling them with care, a delicate balance between the necessities of the time and the different treatment shown to others.
Amidst the challenges and dark sides of life on Nevis is the promise of second chances. In Keturah’s world, those abound—a second chance at life, at love, and to become the woman she longs to be.
Get swept away in the story of Keturah and her sisters as they leave their home in England, travel the seas, and discover the beauty and dangers—both seen and hidden—of life on-island. An epic read that already has me wanting more of the Banning sisters.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

There are a lot of books that mention trade and goods coming from the West Indies, but I haven't read a story in which the main characters actually go there to live. This piqued my interest in seeing how life on the islands would be described, what challenges the characters would face, and who they would meet along their journey. Another bonus was that the book was written by Lisa Bergren, who happens to be one of my favorite authors! I knew the detail would be rich and the characters well-developed.

Keturah was a character that had to grow on me a bit. Her stubbornness played a big part in her choices throughout the novel, and yet a flawless character is not an interesting one. So I enjoyed seeing how her stubbornness became part of her strength, even though I mentally shook my head at many of the choices she made : ). It's funny how a book can transport you into a fictional character's life...but that's how it happens for me. When I think back on a book I've read, it's not the text on a page that I remember, but the mental images that text conjures up. I can picture Keturah and her sisters, laboring in the sugar cane fields in the hot, island sun, as well as many other images. When I am able to form vivid mental pictures like this, I know it was a good book : ).

Personal takeaway...Don't be afraid to take a leap of faith when you feel that is what God is leading you to do. You may be filled with uncertainty, but He will be with you every step of the way.

I'm looking forward to the next books in this series and would definitely recommend starting with Keturah. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley so that I could share my personal review, which I did.

Keturah is the first book in the Sugar Baron's Daughters Series. This series takes place in the West Indies in the 1720s. Keturah and her two sisters receive the news that their father is dead, and they have two estates to run. Keturah decides that they only way for them to survive is to head to the West Indies to make the Sugar Plantation a success. Then they can sell the property and return to England without debt hanging over their heads. Then her sisters will be free to marry whomever they choose.

Lady Keturah Banning Tomlison and her younger sisters set sail for the island of Nevis. These three women work very hard to prove they do not need men to think for them, or to run a plantation. Keturah takes charge, she hires a free black man as her overseer, and slaves are treated as co-workers instead of slaves. At every turn, Keturah is faced with opposition. Her old childhood friend is the only person supporting Keturah's decisions. While it is nice to have some support, Keturah promised herself she would never be at the mercy of a man again in her life. So how will she find the balance of needing the support of a man, yet remain the woman in charge of a plantation?



This book was very interesting to me. I loved the setting of the Caribbean, but found it hard to accept the reality of three young women setting off for the island of Nevis to run a plantation in 1772. This didn't keep me from enjoying the story-line. Keturah's battle with the dominance of men comes from a dark cause. Yet the love of her sisters and a gentle caring man are enough to help pull her from the darkness. The dark issue of slavery is treated with gentleness. Bergin provides an historical look at what people thought was necessary in order to have a thriving plantation. Yet through the eyes of these women, we find that the standard may not always have to be the norm. I appreciate the hope and dignity that Bergin provided through the sisters challenging the norms of the island. This book is well written, and will leave you wanting to know more about their success in the world.

My thanks to Bethany House Publisher and Netgalley for the free e-book in exchange for my review.

In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions for women of the time, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, proper gender roles are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined--and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

Set on keeping her family together and saving her father's plantation, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

Overall I found this book to be entertaining. There were spots that were slow and I kept waiting for something to happen. I didn't care for the slave issues. But at the time this story takes place in the Indies it was a very common practice and to not have slaves would have been out of place. It was interesting to see the rise and fall of sugar plantations during their hey day.

I would recommend this book for a light romantic read with a little mystery thrown in.

I was given this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.

Actually 4.5 stars~

Stellar author, Lisa T. Bergren, whisks the reader away on an exotic journey to the sugar plantations of Nevis Island—glorious in their rich beauty of swaying green cane and the fragrance of jasmine, mangoes, magnolias, and sea salt on the air. Ms. Bergren is definitely proficient at descriptive imagery as the sights, scents, and sounds of Nevis infiltrated my mind and intoxicated me! Though a bit slow to start with, this novel is definitely one I'm glad I kept reading.

The romantic tension was oh, so exquisitely painful and the three sisters delightful...with the exception of Keturah, the heroine. I found it so very difficult to like her at all. Until one day she did something so amazing and so human—she giggled! (gasp!) That's all it took for me to fall in love with her character. I'm easy. lol On a more serious note, Lady Ket evolves so much throughout the novel one can't help but learn to care deeply for her. And Gray. There are no words...well, except for gallant, handsome, and virile perfection come to mind. An intriguing, heartrending novel with a strong thread of redemption, hope, and forgiveness throughout, I highly recommend 'Keturah' and anxiously await the next book in 'The Sugar Baron's Daughters' series!

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to give a favorable one.