Come the Morning provides the reader with surprise after surprise. You really have no idea what's coming next.

We begin with Ezekial losing his mother, leaving his home, friends and the only way of life he knows to settle his inheritance. Uncle Totten, a banker, has been given the task of investing what Ezekial's mother was able to save up. The requirement of attending college throws a wrench in the young man's plans. He strikes out on his own to prove his worth. His determination through the years is to be commended but there are trials that are near gut wrenching as he struggles to etch out a name for himself and wealth that is all of his own making.

An old home town friend from Cozad has landed in the same town and the two renew their childhood friendship. "Bob" and "Easy" have a need to spend time with someone who really knows them, deep down as they mettle through life. Bob Henri will prove to be a famous artist later in life. This book has caused me to further my studies of his art. Bob also introduces Ezekial to Soap. She will become a colorful character in his life, overtaking this thoughts, day dreams and future plans.

I'll not ruin the ending. This book was a complete surprise, page after page. The descriptions are eloquent and then they are raw; it's a mixed bag and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Well done, Jeannie Burt.
Thank you NetGalley & Muskrat Press, LLC for the chance to read this in exchange for my thoughts.

Come The Morning was a palette cleanser from all the horror, supernatural and fantasy books I seem to be drawn to during the month of October. The author writes with a tranquil style that has a calming effect even when her protagonist is having a really bad day.

Ezekiel Harrington is orphaned at the age of fifteen in 1883 when his beloved mother dies. He travels by train to the big city of Philadelphia to meet his unknown relatives who seem to be in control of his mother's will but that's what they want him to believe for their own gains. Sadly, this is the start of Ezekiel's education in not trusting people you have just met even if they are your relatives. Actually, don't trust them at all especially if they are your relatives is the better lesson.

As Ezekiel strives to make his way alone in the world he eventually meets a childhood friend, Robert Henri, who is on his way to being a renowned painter The addition of real life artist Robert Henri is a welcome addition to Ezekiel's day to day existence. He breathes life into Ezekiel and into the reader. Up until this point the story lags a bit as we deal with not only the depressing life of Ezekiel but with the monetary depression in the country at this time in history.

Henri inspires Ezekiel to do more with his life and he works to open his own art gallery. At this point the story really takes off. We spend the time watching Ezekiel agree to letting a female artist he does not like work at his gallery creating a portrait for a wealthy patron for both their benefit. As Ezekiel's feelings for this artist change to something quite different than disliking her we see him try to grow into a more trusting person.

Ezekiel 's world opens up as his gallery is successful. It takes him to a place in high society not just in Philadelphia but the most artistic of cities Paris. However, everything is not always as it seems and people aren't always who we think they are but as we age, we hopefully, get some wisdom. Ezekiel not only gets wisdom he gets revenge.

I recommend this book. It is not necessarily a unique story but it is told in a very original way. I was surprised by some plot points and felt as shocked as Ezekiel at some points. I enjoyed most of the historical references. The plight of women in the late 1800s and early 1900s is never easy to read but it is important to acknowledge it when telling a story of that era.

I admit to skipping some paragraphs when they dragged on like a history lesson about poverty, depression, unions and so on. I know these are historical references to the story but sometimes they went on a little too long in the narrative and took me out of Ezekiel's world.

I didn't know until I finished the book that it is a sequel to The Seasons of Doubt which tells the story of Ezekiel's mother. Obviously, Come The Morning can be read as a stand alone book. I was thinking about the title and its meaning to the story. I believe it comes from when we say to others and to ourselves that come the morning things will be better and we will continue on this journey called life. At least that is the lesson I took from it.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

I received this from Netgalley.com for a review.

Orphaned at fifteen in 1883, Ezekiel Harrington is forced from his home in remote Nebraska into the hands of strangers in Philadelphia. They steal what little he has and he flees their injustice.

I didn't realize this was part of a series until I started reading it, but this book does work well as a stand alone. The life of Ezekiel is played out, from his meager beginnings to his later life. Some very slow moving sections that really dragged down the pacing of the story.

3☆