The Secret Path of Destiny, M.B. Tosi

The Secret Path of Destiny

By M.B. Tosi
Published by WestBow Press

In The Secret Path of Destiny, a young, disabled, German-American girl, named Isolde, and her destitute mother reach out for a lifeline being offered by a widower in the German town of Fredericksburg, Texas. The year is 1865, and the two travel from New York City through the aftermath of the Civil War. But another war is brewing, this time with Native Americans, and Isolde and her mother are heading right into the heart of Comancheria, the homeland of the Comanche. It is not the Comanche Isolde fears, but her mother’s new employer, who becomes her stepfather. Isolde realizes he is a cunning man who is not who he pretends to be. As the situation worsens, Isolde is forced to make a life-changing decision to escape; desperate, she seeks refuge with a Comanche Indian, who befriends her at first, but later joins a warring band of Comanche. Her malevolent stepfather pursues her across Texas, turning her life upside down. Eventually, Isolde accepts the difficult circumstances of her life and realizes that a person’s destiny is often hidden from view because the path is sometimes rocky.

“Just about anyone can write a book, but only a good writer can write a good book. M. B. Tosi is a very good writer, and her books are truly worth reading.” —Jim Langford, author of The Spirit of Notre Dame andQuotable Notre Dame

From Pebblekeeper:

I was interested in this book because of the Fredericksburg / German / Native references.  My husband’s family still resides in that area, and were German Immigrants.  My Mother in Law is a Native American that married a German. I was interested in learning the German/ Native combination. I was not disappointed! However, at times, I did feel like I was reading two books side by side. The Historical Fiction part of the book is some of the best I’ve ever read. Informative, accurate, detailed – and completely spell binding.   Then we would switch to the story based in the 1860’s-80’s, and I didn’t feel like the same connection to historical truth. The vocabulary, the way they spoke to each other, some of the reactions of this young 16 year old girl, the detachment of the mother, left me scratching my head.  However, that said, this was a book I just could not put down. I read it at stop lights, at the grocery store parking lot, at an event, and then all night long. It was a less than 24 hour read.  Even though it has a romantic interest, they come together very quickly in the book – and story never really lets you know what the ending point will be – where will these characters go? You get to really be involved with all of the characters, rooting for the villains and the heroes. I can’t wait to check out the first book in the series.  I really enjoyed, especially the later part of the book – where she intertwined her faith, in God and Jesus, with the Great Spirit, and her desire that all men know forgiveness, grace and healing – and above all the Son of God. Well Done.

I received this book for for free in exchange for my review from BookSneeze.

A Vision of Lucy

 

As a female photographer, I really enjoyed reading this tale of a young female working to get her photographs in print, working as a professional taking the photographs of the local townsmen. Sprinkled throughout the book are quotes of Miss Gertrude Hasslebrink, 1878 from The Trials and Travails of a Woman Photographer. These captivating quotes led the storyline for each chapter set in 1882 in Rocky Creek, Texas.  Her opening scene captures ones attention as she dangles from a tree to capture the perfect shot – which launches the storyline that will capture your interest until the last page.  I loved the newspaper’s defense – Pictures are not for newspapers, they are a lazy mans way of reading.  If you are passionate about photography, in need of a cozy afternoon’s read, this book should make you happy in deed!

From the Publisher -

Book Description

Trouble may follow Lucy wherever she goes, but with the help of God and the rugged, reclusive David Wolf, she'll never face adversity alone.

Lucy Fairbanks dreams of working as a photographer at the Rocky Creek newspaper. If she can earn money making photographs, then maybe her father will see that what she does is worthy, more than just a distraction. And her deepest hope is that he’ll see her as an artist, the way he thought of her deceased mother, a painter. But trouble follows Lucy on every photo shoot: a mess of petticoats and ribbons, an accidental shooting, even a fire.

When Lucy meets David Wolf, a quiet, rustic man who lives on the outskirts of town, she thinks she can catch the attention of the town with his photograph. She doesn't count on her feelings stirring whenever she's near him.

Two things happen next that forever change the course of her life: Lucy meets someone who sees her as no one else has—as the compassionate, creative young woman that God made in His image. And Lucy helps David uncover a secret that forces him to change his perspective on an event that left him deeply-scarred.

God’s arms are around this unlikely couple as they discover the truth about long-held assumptions and the importance of forgiveness.

 

I was given, for free,  A Vision of Lucy, a Rocky Creek Romance by Margaret Brownley in the expectation that I write a review on my blog and an internet site like Amazon.com.  I will always give my honest opinion of the book and only submit /request books that I think my readers will enjoy.