Catherine's Pursuit

What would you think if everything you thought about the last 18 years of your life had been a complete lie?

That's the gift, Catherine McKenna received from her father on the day of her 18th birthday. He confessed to her that when she was born, she was one of three babies born to her mother the day she died. Facing a difficult challenge of trying to raise three newborn daughters while traveling to California along the wagon trail, he made the best decision he could and allowed two other couples to raise the girls as their own. He kept Catherine because she was the first born. She had always dreamed of what it might be like to have siblings and now to learn that she has two sisters the same age as herself, has inspired her to find them and reunite no matter what it may cost or how long it may take.

Collin Elliot was hoping to find a way to get a fresh start on the life he feels he has already failed at. Being one of the youngest captains for Angus McKenna, he lost his first ship in a violent and unexpected storm. Thankfully no lives were lost due to his quick thinking, but it is something he hasn't been able to put behind him. He feels that everywhere he goes, people are judging him based on that part of his life, and is searching desperately for a way to turn things around. When Angus McKenna provides him with a way, to keep an eye on his daughter, Catherine McKenna who is gone searching for her sisters,  he wonders if God has given him a second change at more than just his life.

In the conclusion to the McKenna's Daughters Series by Lena Nelson Dooley, Catherine's Pursuit is the icing on the cake. I've had the pleasure to review all the previous novels in this series and while you don't need to read them in order to gain a sense of appreciation for this novel, you will be compelled to once you read Catherine's story. In each of the previous novels, each of the sister's story is defined and this one wraps them all together as Catherine hopes for a reunion that none of them ever expected. Along the way, both Catherine and Collin discover more than either of them were looking for. Collins is hoping to put his failed past in his eyes behind him and Catherine hopes to make amends to a life she had only dreamed about. This is the story of forgiveness and renewal and also gives readers a bit of the back story into the painful decision that Angus was faced with making those 18 years ago as a father to triplets.

I received Catherine's Pursuit by Lena Nelson Dooley compliments of Realms Publishers and Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I have received no compensation to provide a favorable review of this novel. Being a huge lover of historical fiction and having read the previous novels in the McKenna's Daughters Series, I was excited to see how Lena would wrap up this story of loss between the three daughters who has believed all along that they were the only ones to be raised by their respective families and later learn that there are other siblings that they were separated from their whole lives. It truly is one of the best family reunions with Collin attempting to watch over Catherine along her journey with only her lady's maid accompanying her with the search. It's a great novel and one I rate a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my personal opinion.

For more information about Catherine's Pursuit, Lena Nelson Dooley or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Catherine's Pursuit by Lena Nelson Dooley

You can also find Lena Nelson Dooley on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Catherine's Pursuit from the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance Book Tour, please click here. 

 The McKenna's Daughters Series:

# 1 - Maggie's Journey
# 2 - Mary's Blessing
# 3 - Catherine's Pursuit

Maggie's Journey

Margaret Lenora Caine or Maggie as she is known to her close friends and family is very special, just doesn't know how special until she ventures into her attic looking for a dress she can remake to wear to her 18th birthday party. While searching for something she can use, she comes across a white chest which contains an old photo that looks just like her and a letter from Angus McKenna signing over his rights to Joshua and Florence Caine, her parents.

Maggie and her mother have been at odds during the last few years and Maggie can't figure out why. Her mother does what she can to crush all her hopes and dreams of becoming a dress designer because she doesn't believe a woman should work. She should be busy running a household, planning parties and shopping while her wealthy husband supplies all the money they need. But that isn't what Maggie wants at all. She wants to work and run her own dress shop like her grandmother in Arkansas. When she asks her father for permission to visit her, her father grants her request so long as she travels with her aunt Georgia and his business partner, Charles Stanton.

She hopes that her and Charles will get to know one another more during the two week train ride but when Charles shows more interest in her aunt Georgia than her, she vows she will only be Charles' friend and work towards doing all she can to learn about the dress making business. Will Maggie discover who she really is in the process, and more importantly, what really matters most in life?

I received Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED it. Struggling with some unprecedented news prior to her trip, I think it really provides Maggie with an opportunity to understand what life is all about and how certain decisions are made in her best interest even though she may not always understand them at the time. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars for my honest review and look forward to more books by Lena Nelson Dooley in the future.

Here's even more great information on this book, the author and even a sneak peek!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Maggie's Journey Realms (October 4, 2011) by Lena Nelson Dooley



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Award-winning author, Lena Nelson Dooley, has more than 675,000 books in print. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers http://www.acfw.com/ and president of the local chapter, DFW Ready Writers. She’s also a member of Christian Authors Network, CROWN Fiction Marketing, and Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas.



Lena loves James, her children, grandchildren, and great grandson. She loves chocolate, cherries, chocolate-covered cherries, and spending time with friends. Travel is always on her horizon. Cruising, Galveston, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas, Mexico. One day it will be Hawaii and Australia, but probably not the same year. Helping other authors become published really floats her boat, with fifteen signing their first book contract after her mentoring. Three of her books have been awarded the Carol Award silver pins from American Christian Fiction Writers and she has received the ACFW Mentor of the Year award at their national conference. The high point of her day is receiving feedback from her readers, especially people whose lives have been changed by her books. And she loves chocolate, especially dark chocolate.



Her last release is Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, from Summerside Press recently won the Will Rogers Medallion Award for excellence in publishing western fiction. Lena is currently under two 3-book contracts with Charisma House/Realms.



In addition to her writing, Lena is a frequent speaker at women’s groups, writers groups, and at both regional and national conferences. She has spoken in six states and internationally.



Lena has an active web presence on Shoutlife, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and with her internationally connected blog where she interviews other authors and promotes their books. You can check out her books and find out more about her on her blog.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Near her eighteenth birthday, Margaret Lenora Caine finds a chest hidden in the attic containing proof that she's adopted. The spoiled daughter of wealthy merchants in Seattle, she feels betrayed by her real parents and by the ones who raised her. But mystery surrounds her new discovery, and when Maggie uncovers another family secret, she loses all sense of identity. Leaving her home in Seattle, Washington, Maggie strikes out to find her destiny. Will Charles Stanton, who's been in love with her for years, be able to help her discover who she really is?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Maggie's Journey, go HERE.