Selah

Beautifully written story about Selah, the youngest of three sisters and her growing friendship with Jedediah Reed, the minister that has come to work on the plantation.. This is the third book in the "Sugar Baron's Daughters" series. It helps if you have read the first two books, but this can be read as a standalone novel.. Espionage, evil neighbors, an uprising from the slaves, it's all in this book. A real page turner! I loved it! Excellent story telling!

SELAH is the third novel in The Sugar Baron's Daughters series by LISA T. BERGREN. It is an interesting and exciting read and has a good Christian message running through it.
The story takes place on the island of Nevis in the West Indies in the late 1700's during the war between the British and the Patriots. Selah is the youngest of the Banning sisters and lives with her sister Keturah and her husband Gray who run the Double T sugar plantation. Unlike the other plantation owners they treat their workers fairly, employ freed men and women wherever possible, and seek to obtain freedom for their slaves wherever they can. This causes trouble, especially with Angus Shubert, who uses his position of authority to see to it that they are ostracized and unable to procure food for themselves and their workers.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil the read for you.
The plot is good and the characters interesting. There is quite a bit of intrigue and some sweet romance. I recommend Selah to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Selah is a young woman living on the Island of Nevis in the West indies with her sisters Keturah and Verity.
They inherited a plantation from their father and left England about three years ago to run Double T.
Keturah is married to Gray who own a plantation and has a child.
Verity is also married to a captain named Ian McKintrick.

Selah’s story is the third book of the serie The Sugar Baron’s Daugther. I have not read the story of Keturah and Verity.

Selah is a brave woman who fight for justice of those who are enslaved in the island. She care for the slaves living on their plantation and want them to have freedom. A young Methodist preacher Jedediah Reed followed God’s call to come the west indies to preach to slaves of the plantation in order to show them God’s love to all men black or white.

Selah and Jedediah have big hearts, hearts full of compassion and love for those in needs, they shared the same purpose and will have to fight for their love as much as they fight the injustice they face and trust God in every situation.

It was an interesting story dealing with themes such as slavery, injustice and faith. In the end God is sovereign, he is the one who can open a way for freedom and deliverance.

Once again, Lisa T. Bergren has crafted an intriguing, heartfelt story full of strong relationships and enough action to keep the story moving forward. While this book focuses on the love brewing between Selah and Jedidah, it's much more than another romance story. Lisa's stories focus on life: the ups and downs, the good and bad, and all the relationships that come with it. The romance is just one aspect of a whole. This story also focuses on the strong bond between the three Banning sisters and the people who live with them on the Double T plantation and the island of Nevis. It continues the conflicts that began in the other books, both quarrels with other plantation owners and the tension of the American Revolution on the Caribbean Islands.

Selah's actions are the heart of the story, beyond just her decisions in regards to Jedidah. I love that Lisa gave her a deep love for the slaves on the plantations and for the good of everybody on Nevis. Her courage and bravery shines through when she makes nontraditional decisions in regards to slavery and holds steadfast to her belief about doing whatever she can to help them have better lives through freedom and opportunity.

While I wish there wasn't so much heartache associated with Selah and Jedidah's relationship, their romance was sweet and adorable. I like how Lisa shows the two of them growing stronger in their faith right alongside the growth of their love for one another. 

The descriptions and details of the beautiful islands alongside the horrible aspects of slavery give this story a life of its own. It truly makes you stop and think about life and other people. If you like historical fiction with fierce female characters, romance and espionage, and the call for justice, read this series.

(NO SPOILERS!)

Once again, multi-talented author, Lisa T. Bergren, takes the reader on an emotive journey to the exotic West Indies—tantalizing our senses with the sights and scents of purple-flowered jacaranda trees, ferns and palms, sugar cane fields, tropical birds, and the beautiful, turquoise blue waves crashing the shore.

Bergren's expertise in researching the affect the Revolutionary War in the US had on the West Indies was outstanding. As those in the colonies fought against slavery and injustice, so indeed did Selah...courageous, lovely Selah. Her story and those she loved was heartbreaking, but hauntingly beautiful and romantic as well. As she feels called to serve the slaves on her plantation in Nevis alongside a young preacher, Jedediah Reed, she encounters dangers she never anticipated—intrigue, and love!

Although 'Selah' can certainly be read as a stand alone novel, I strongly advise reading the first two books in The Sugar Baron's Daughters series to better acquaint yourself with all three sisters and their backstories. Beautifully written, I highly recommend this insightful novel of faith and courage in the midst of tremendous adversity.

"So if the God on high cares for us and cares for those things that concern us, and if He holds ultimate power—which He certainly does—then we are best served by trusting Him for what will be, rather than fearing what might not." Selah. :-)

I received a copy of this novel by Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

“It was the falcon’s piercing cry that first alerted Selah. She shielded her eyes against the bright, tropical morning sun and followed the broad wingspan of the beautiful bird circling above.” - Opening lines of “Selah” by Lisa T. Bergren

Selah, by Lisa T. Bergren, is the third in the sugar baron’s daughters series and continues where Verity leaves off. Whilst a story in and of itself, I highly recommend reading this series in order to fully appreciate the journey. When I read “Keturah”, it was my favourite. It was usurped by ”Verity” which has now lost to ”Selah”! It is jam-packed with adventure and romance but the historical thread is the oppression of black people in the West Indies. It’s eloquently and movingly handled.

Selah comes into her own in this story exploring what it means to defend and love the slaves and freed slaves around her. She wrestles with God’s purpose for life. Her most recent acquaintance is Methodist preacher Jedediah who challenges her to deepen her relationship with God and expand her advocacy for those around her.

Jedediah finds Selah fascinating and frustrating. Her trust in God and determination to protect those she loves makes him question what is means to trust God wholeheartedly. Together, the two take on the villain in this trilogy, Angus, to protect those in his care. He is one of the best written “bad guys” I’ve read, he gives me chills!

Verity and Ian, Keturah and Gray all contribute to this fabulous story and it’s a joy to be back on the island with these wonderful characters. Whilst the ending is awesome, I am sad to say farewell to them, this series is one I’ll be reading again and again in the future.

I love the way Lisa built in Biblical truths, it’s impactful and has changed my thinking, I highly recommend it, it’s five out of five on the enJOYment scale!

Selah
By Lisa T. Bergen
This is the third and final installment to The Sugar Barons Daughters series. I have enjoyed this series thus far and was not disappointed by Selah’s story.
Selah Banning and her sisters have been fighters since their fathers passing and leaving them a sugar plantation in the West Indies. With her eldest sisters now married Selah works to find her purpose on the plantation. Desiring to ease the life of their workers Selah finds herself tending to the people of their plantation in the evenings. While befriending, caring for and aiding the slaves Selah finds herself working alongside Jedediah the Methodist preacher. With similar callings Selah and Jedediah find themselves falling for each other. The time for love is complicated however as there is a war going on between the British and colonies as well as between the Bannings and their nemesis on the island. What will the future hold?
I enjoyed this book and the rollercoaster of excitement and suspense that the Banning women faced throughout this novel.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Selah Banning, the youngest daughter of a Nevis Island sugar baron, lives with her eldest sister, Keturah, and her brother-in-law Gray Covington on a sugar plantation in the West Indies. Unlike the surrounding plantation owners, the Bannings and Covingtons acknowledge the inherent evil in the slave system and have a plan to eventually emancipate their slaves. Which makes them social pariahs amongst the island gentry—and the sworn enemy of Councilman Angus Schubert.

Selah has come of age on the plantation, and her heart for serving the slaves has brought her into contact with the enigmatic preacher who works for nothing more than room and board in the fields alongside the Double T’s slaves and freed workers.

Jedidiah Reed has left his comfortable life in England to follow his calling—ministering to enslaved people. He always thought God called him to serve alone—after all, what woman of his station would give up her comforts to join him in ministry. But after getting to know Selah Banning, he has his doubts. Must he choose between the work the Master has given him and the longings of his heart?

The final book in the Sugar Baron’s Daughters series, this story focuses on the youngest daughter. You don’t need to read the other two books, Keturah and Verity to enjoy Selah, but they provide helpful information. There’s a minor character in all three books, but I’ve forgotten exactly who he is by the time the third book came out, and the author doesn’t specify his place in the story.

Who Will Enjoy This Book

Bergren researches her books thoroughly, so I always enjoy a historical inspirational romance from her pen (or keyboard). The stories, set in the West Indies during the Colonial Uprising (aka American Revolutionary War), have a unique point of view. The sisters slowly lose their loyalty to England as they see how their country treats people in the outposts of the kingdom.

You’ll love this book (and the entire series) if you love historical inspirational romance books where the characters deal with relatable issues of faith and relationships.

This is the third book in the Sugar Baron series that I have read and greatly enjoyed!
This is Salah’s story the youngest sister, a young woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, and hates injustice, to the point of sacrificing her life.
Besidesher sisters, Keturah and Verity, Salah is here, and other characters we have gotten to know, along with some we know perpetrate evil, and know that some are at it again.
Loved how some of these folks go about their lives all the while helping liberate the slaves on their island, but now helping the cause of the Patriots in the States.
Yes, these books have it all and are easy to get lost in, but you will miss them when the final pages are turned.

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House and was not required to give a positive review.

Selah is the third book in Bergren's The Sugar Baron's Daughters series, this time focused on the youngest of the three daughters. The story is set on the West Indies island of Nevis where the conflict between England and the Colonies is causing a significant shortage of supplies. Verity, the middle sister, has married a Patriot sympathizer, and it is not long before Selah joins her sister and brother-in-law in their endeavors to assist the Patriot cause. Selah also continues to do all she can in support of freed and enslaved Negroes, thus making enemies of the most powerful man on the island.

I enjoyed revisiting the Double T plantation on Nevis, and was moved by the sacrifices Selah and her family were willing to make for those in their care. Bergren knows how to fully engage her readers' emotions. The themes of social justice, and willingness to put one's future in the hands of God while responding to His call were well developed and may spur many to give them further consideration. I am grateful to have received a copy of Selah in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

"Selah" is a Christian romance set in 1776 in Nevis, West Indies. This is the third book in a series, and it continues the story of all three sisters. It focused on Selah's romance and could be read as a standalone, but you'll probably get more out of the story if you read the series in order. This book did spoil critical events in the previous books.

Selah was caring, courageous, and willing to sacrifice for others. Selah and Jedediah shared interests and cared about how the slaves were treated. Jedediah was concerned that he had no real way to provide for and protect Selah since he was a wandering preacher to slaves. As two evil enemies threatened the sisters and the survival of their plantation, they all had to learn to trust God for protection and provision.

The characters reacted realistically to events, and I cared about what happened to them. The historical details were woven into the story and included how the beginnings of the American Revolution affected trade to the West Indies. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I recommend this suspenseful novel.

I really enjoyed Selah, the final book in Bergren’s “Sugar Baron’s Daughters” series. I read the first two and they were also very good. Although I am partial to the first book Keturah, the eldest of the three Banning sisters. This book could be read as a stand alone, but I think you would love the other two and have a better understanding of the characters in this one. Bergren series is so rich in history, taking in the affect the Revolutionary War in the US had on the West Indies. I loved reading about the life on the island of Nevis with it’s huge sugar plantations and an insight into the lives of the slaves. As those in the colonies fought against slavery and injustice, so did the Banning sisters at a great cost. Still they followed their convictions and let God lead. This is about Selah and a young preacher, Jedediah Reed who came to the island because he felt a calling to bring the gospel to the slaves of the island. There is suspense, danger and evil but love wins out……I received a copy of this novel by Bethany House via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

This is the third book in Lisa Bergren's series about three sisters making new lives after moving to the West Indies following the death of their father. Selah is the youngest sister, and she is just as strong and admirable as her older sisters. She becomes a leader among the islanders by her courageous and selfless actions during a time of political, financial, and social upheavaI during the American War for Independence.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley.com and the publisher, but my opinions are my own. The entire series was captivating reading, but really should be read in order. Selah was a perfect way to conclude the series and tie all the pieces together.

A wonderful story of how God weaves people's paths together for his glory and for the good of his children.
Lisa Bregan leads us into the world of slave trade, freedom for the slaves, espionage and those who fought to birth a new world.

My heart soared while reading this book. It wasn't just about the history but the story, the characters drew me and captivated me. The Heroine Selah was one of the most brave, bold and courageous female character I have ever read about and to think of the many wonderous things she did especially in the 1700s was nothing short of amazing. I loved reading about her reliance on God for help especially in the most dire of circumstances and her hunger for God's word was so admirable.
The delightful and courageous Reverend Jedidiah kept me smiling throughout the book. My heart broke when his broke and I loved reading about his heart for the slaves even though he wasn't one.

If you love history, an amazing story you'd love Selah. I really enjoyed the faith content of this book. Very applicable to everyday life.

I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.

The American Revolution is just getting underway. The British are using all of their resources to fight for their cause, which means that the Nevisians are short on supplies for their plantations. Many of the plantations are cutting rations to their slaves. But the Bannings are determined to feed everyone on their plantation. Selah and the young missionary Jedediah share a common bond in caring for the people on the Banning plantation. Selah is the most compassionate of the Banning sisters, and her heart goes out to the slaves that work in the sugar fields of the plantations on the island. Especially those slaves belonging to their neighbor and enemy Angus Shubert. He has cut rations to his slaves to the point of starvation and he treats his slaves abominably. Verity has arrived on a neighboring island where her pirate husband has had to leave her in order to do his work for the Americans. A little bit of espionage, a lot of danger, and a heart for those in slavery draw Jedediah and Selah closer together, both resisting an attraction that neither saw for their futures. Once again the Banning sisters prove what strong women they are in the midst of evil, heartbreak and the trials of war.

I love Selah's story! Her relationship with Jedediah was sweet. The danger that she faced in a couple of scenes had my heart racing. Once again the slavery depicted was brutal and hard to read, but true to the times. I loved the strength and the determination that the sisters displayed throughout. Selah's compassion for the slaves and her desire to make things better for them was true to her character and made her romance with Jedediah even sweeter. Angus Shubert was pure evil and I so wanted him to "get his." I'll let you read what happens! The bit of espionage that Selah and Verity engage in had me on the edge of my seat with nervousness. All in all this was a fantastic read and I highly recommend the series!

I actually purchased this book when it released. I had finished my last book and knew it was imminent but didn’t so close until so close to release to request it. Thank you for the approval. I am new to NG and will have to remember to look to it. This.was.a.wonderful. conclusion. Conclusion! 😭 to this series! Thanks to Laura Frantz for sharing Keturah to her page last year, which I devoured as well as Verity which left me in agony waiting for this release! I am going to miss those girls......and Gray.......so this is it? We don’t get to see Selahs life with her husband? I wouldn’t mind seeing that! There was one part at the end where without giving it away, Selah was triggered into grief for her father. Well been there done that and it brought me to tears at the end. These are my first novels by Lisa and I have thoroughly enjoyed them! She is definitely in my authors to look for! Thank you so much for introducing us to the Banning sisters!

Lisa Tawn Bergren brings her Sugar Baron’s Daughters trilogy to a perfect close with Selah. The journey that began with Keturah comes full circle as all three Banning girls come into their own, each with a purpose and determination to fight for justice. Bergren paints a story not only of vivid beauty but also of the lurid turbulence of the West Indies’ slave trade. Prepare to be caught up in the intrigue and struggle the Revolutionary War time period from a perspective not of the American colonies, but of the lesser known Caribbean Islands and their fight for survival. For in reading this book, you will be swept away by characters who grip your heart and a purpose that challenges your own faith.

A sweet and courageous tale, Bergren’s storytelling captivates until the end. I came away not only entertained, but with a heart more open to trusting in a God who calls us to courage in the face of injustice. Highly recommended.

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Lisa T. Bergren’s Sugar Baron’s Daughters series comes to a strong close as the Banning sisters not only continue their struggle to keep their plantation profitable in the face of local prejudice but also become more deeply enmeshed in the plight of the slaves on Nevis and the cause of the patriots in the Revolutionary War. There was a bit of everything here, really—romance, suspense, espionage, smuggling, and more—and the addition of a Methodist preacher at a time when Methodist theology was relatively new brought an interesting dynamic to the spiritual aspects of the story.

A historical setting that involves slavery—even more a story in which the issue of slavery figures prominently—always presents something of a dilemma for writers, particularly in the inspirational market. The writer needs to decide how much realism they will allow and at what point they need to soften the edges of historical accuracy in order to avoid offending modern readers. Although there were definitely people objecting to the slave trade at the time this series is set, Bergren admits in her author notes that she could not find any evidence for a plantation that operated the way the Double T is depicted in this novel.

For the most part, this slight manipulation of history didn’t faze me, and I thought Bergren maintained a good balance between depicting the reality of slavery without making the reading experience unpalatable. However, the scale of the Double T plantation’s operations did sometimes make the overall scenario slightly less believable, and there were one or two developments towards the end of the book that stretched the bounds of credibility for me. I found it difficult to believe events would have played out the way they did in the story.

Despite these small points, I have enjoyed the time I’ve spent in this historical time and place look forward to whatever is coming next from Lisa Bergren.

Selah's love and care for the slaves on Nevis caused her to propose revolutionary changes, which led to their family being ostracized. She spent time helping the slaves and freedmen on their plantation to learn about the Lord and to better their lot in life. She had a kind heart and was strong enough to stand up for herself, which she had to do more than once!

Jedediah was a Methodist pastor who had been called by the Lord to minister to the slaves. I loved his humble attitude and the way he worked alongside them instead of claiming an exalted position. He was determined to not to take a bride - knowing the conditions he would be living in.

I enjoyed seeing the interactions between the sisters and the deep love they had for one another. They were so protective and each would have sacrificed herself for the others.

Mr. Shubert, the owner of the largest plantation on the island, was quite the villain! He clearly hated the girls and worked on making their lives miserable. He used his power to make it difficult, if not impossible, for them to obtain supplies during a time when it was already extremely difficult! And his cruelty towards his slaves was reprehensible!

There was adventure, suspense, and romance all wrapped up in a story steeped in history. The faith and struggling faith of the characters led to discussions that pointed clearly to Jesus.

Much of the story dealt with cruelty and desperate times. While not overly violent or descriptive, the acts depicted were dark. It was well written and reminded a bit of the heavy feel of movies such as Anthony Adverse; full of drama and peril and yet ending with hope. As I prefer more light-hearted stories, this was not my cup of tea.

While it was obvious this was not the first book in The Sugar Baron's Daughters series, I didn't feel lost. I did wish I knew the backstories better and recommend you read Keturah and Verity before this one.

There are only three sisters and thus it seems like this would be the last of the series. However, the ending did leave room for more to come. So stay tuned – there could easily be more books forthcoming.

Selah is book 3 in Bergren's "Sugar Baron's Daughters" series. As the title suggests, Selah tells the story of youngest sister, Selah Banning, as she develops her own convictions in a family of strong women. The Banning women struggle to keep their plantation afloat, as well as to feed the many employees and freed slaves who work for them. Methodist preacher Jedediah has settled on the Banning plantation, working alongside the slaves and freedmen and women. As Selah and Jedediah develop a friendship and the beginnings of romance, each have to look past both their personal thoughts and societal expectations on a future mate. The story is well-developed, very detailed, clean-cut, historically accurate, and very interesting!

This was such a great conclusion to this wonderful series! We got to watch Selah grow up in the first books and she really had grown into her own! I loved watching as she discovered her convictions and stood behind them despite the dangers. Jedediah was a wonderful and the romance was sweet! I absolutely loved this book and while I'm sad to say goodbye to the Banning sisters it was an enjoyable journey!

Reminiscent of my favorite series, River of Time Series, The Sugar Baron’s Daughter Series centers around three sisters, Keturah (book 1), Verity (book 2), and Selah (book 3).

In the first book, after the death of her father, Selah, and her sisters flee to the West Indies in the hopes of making their family’s plantation prosperous. They endure many trials throughout the first two books as the eldest sisters find love amidst the danger and wild of the West Indies island of Nevis. In the third book, Selah has now become of age in the midst of the American Revolution. As food becomes more scarce on the island and as tension builds with their neighbor, the family seeks drastic measures as their home and livelihood are threatened. Selah embodies everything I hope I would be in her shoes. She is bold, brave, kind, and selfless. Her feelings for her family and the slaves on the plantation run deep.

Lisa T. Bergren truly brought the island to life in this third installment to the series. As the characters labored in the heat, I similarly felt the sweat and the satisfaction as the ocean breeze blew, as they hungered due to the lack of food supplies so did my stomach protest, as evil ran rampant, so did my anger and frustration rise.

As always with a Lisa T. Bergren novel, faith, and romance reign supreme. Jedidiah, a young Methodist preacher who serves those on the plantation, is so full of wisdom and compassion. I loved hearing his perspective on hearing the voice of God as well as understanding God's calling for our lives. I recently experienced a hardship that I originally felt called to, but over time I began to doubt my ability to hear God’s voice. However, in reading this book, it reminded me that God’s plans aren’t without strife and difficulty, but are always right and good, as well as the various ways that God can speak to us. Reading Selah has encouraged me and my walk with the Lord!

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
***5 Stars: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop, Desire to Re-read

Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1776. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.

Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah's family's plantation, the Double T. As Selah's heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.

As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

This is the third story in the series The Sugar Baron's Daughters. To fully understand where this story begins you should probably read the first two books in the series. I enjoyed reading about the youngest daughter, Selah, in this book. There were places that I thought dragged a little bit and I found myself skipping some of that. Other parts held my interest and I wanted to see what happened next. Overall all it was a good book and nice ending to this series.

I was given this book by Bethany House publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

The three book Sugar Barons series by Lisa T. Bergren, ending with this book, have been so intriguing to me. I had little to no previous knowledge of these islands and the role they played in the sugar trade or history, particularly as it related to the Revolutionary War. I know the author, based on notes at the end of the books, has fictionalized some of the characters and events, but Nevis and the surrounding islands are real places that were active in sugar production and trade. I also loved this trio of sisters, each having their own book in the series. They are each unique in their convictions, but all three are strong and courageous. Selah is the "baby" of the three, yet in this book she is a grown woman trying to make a stand for what God has given her a conviction for, which is the mistreatment of slaves. All of the Banning sisters are trying to make a better life for their slaves, whom they free and help to find jobs as freed men and women, unlike most of their fellow plantation owners on the islands.
This book has a great pace, moving from one interesting event in Selah's life to the next. These events vary from helping runaway slaves, encounters with the evil Angus Shubert, and the building of romantic tension between herself and Jedediah Reed. I would definitely recommend this entire series. The portrayal of women in a male-dominated society was well done, showing the challenges, but also the way that honorable men and women can work together in faith to overcome the prejudices of that time period.

This book was amazing! While I am sad to see this series end, I LOVED how Bergren wrapped everything up in this final book. The writing is superb, the story comes to life and is written in such a way that the reader can easily visual the location and characters. A must read for every CF fan!

This is a good one. I have enjoyed this series, getting to know each sister and this third book allows you to see all three sisters and where that are at. No worries, though, you can read this as a stand alone.

Selah is a wonderful character. Her desire to follow God's calling will inspire the reader to listen and be obedient. Jedediah frustrated me at times with his insecurities. I just wanted to shake him and tell him to follow his heart.

Lisa T. Bergren fans will be pleased with this latest installment.


A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

Selah
by Lisa T. Bergren


Bethany House

Bethany House
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 03 Mar 2020



I am reviewing a copy of Selah through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:






Selfhood Banning is a young British lady coming of age on the West Indies Island of Nevis in 1776. She could have never imagined the most tumultuous time of her life would occur in the next year.






The young Methodist preacher Jedediah Reed has been called to serve the slaves of Nevis. He has settled on Selah’s families plantation called the Double T. Selah’s heart is drawn to the same people, the slaves of Nevis. The purpose they share bring Selah and Jedediah closer together despite her guardians objections and concerns about the romance not promising security for the future.



Jedediah’s faith and Selah’s abolitionist beliefs lead to changes on the plantation. Just as the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. But the threat of Starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Triple T and it’s people hang in the balance.



I give Selah five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I’ve enjoyed reading this series and I was looking forward to reading Selah’s story. I admired her courage and compassion in standing strong for right in a corrupt situation over which she had very little control. It was good to see a little further into her sisters’ stories, and see that the strong bond among them could not be broken. Jedidiah has my full admiration, too, and his faith was an example to those around him.

This has been an excellent series, and I’ve learned quite a bit about life on the islands during this time in history. The author’s research has been excellent, and the historical details added much to this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I have enjoyed the first two books from Lisa Tawn Bergren's The Sugar Baron's Daughters series and Selah is by far my favorite. I highly recommend it and am giving it five plus stars.

I have enjoyed this series! I do recommend that you read the stories in order to fully understand the characters. I liked that I was once again transported to the islands with their colorful scenery, easily imagined based on the author’s descriptions. I enjoyed reading about Selah a lot and appreciated her love for the slaves and her compassionate heart. I could tell that Jedediah has a good heart, but I wish he had a bit more gumption. The villain in the story was easy to hate. I appreciated the attention that the author paid to the cruelties of slavery, and I thought that she did a good job communicating the horrors without being too graphic. I felt like the ending of the book did not wrap up the story and it almost seems like there should be another in the series. Overall, however, I enjoyed the book and have liked this series!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Netgalley and Bethany House Publishers. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

A wonderful conclusion to the otherwise fantastic series following the Banning sisters. The intrigue of the history blended with the dynamic characters and setting melds seamlessly with the story of courage and discovering the path God is calling you to. A charming story and perfect ending to this must series.

The third book in The Sugar Baron's Daughters, Selah wraps up the story of the three sisters while still leaving a lot of loose ends. While the story of the sisters is somewhat neatly tied up on a bow, there is still the questions of how did they survive the Revolutionary War while living in the West Indies, did they succeed in convincing more plantation owners to free their slaves, did August Shubert meet his match, and more.

I went into this book just wanting to finish the series and know what happened to the sisters--mostly who did Selah marry, but I feel like this book was more than that. Selah is young, but she has matured a lot in the three years of living on the Nevis Island. She has a heart of compassion and is constantly pushing her sister and brother-in-law out of their comfort zones as they try to protect her from one scrape after another.

Jedidiah is the Methodist minister who felt God calling him to the West Indies to work with slaves. He makes his home on the Double T plantation and works alongside the slaves and freed people in the fields and preaches to them at night. Word gets around that life is relatively good on the Double T and that, in turn, makes life challenging as well. I don't want to say more than that because I don't want to give away any spoilers.

In the midst of all this, the Revolutionary War has started and there are Patriots in the family along with British soldiers being quartered there. So yes, the story was very engaging and pulled me in to see how it all ended. It was also good to see Selah develop her own faith in God and recognize Him as an important part of her daily life, not just Someone to meet with on Sunday in their church.

I received this book from Bethany House via Net Galley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Selah was a wonderful read that continues the story of the Sugar Barron's daughter as Lisa Bergren focuses on the next sister in line and draws us into her story. Prepare to step into a wonderful story as Lisa crafts this story around you and fully envelops you until she, at last, brings you to the very last page.