My Brother's Crown #1 eBook

I'm a big fan of split-time novels, and Mindy Starns Clark is one of my favorite authors. Paired with Leslie Gould, who has written some of the only Amish fiction I will read, this series gave me high expectations.

From book 1, it mostly delivered. (Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the publisher. Review reflects my honest opinion.)

The stories center on the Talbot family, whose generations trace back to France in the late 17th century and who are Huguenots, French protestants. This first book sets up the background both for the contemporary storyline and the historical one. In it, we learn about Catherine Gillet and her struggle to do what is right at a time when protestants were being persecuted for their faith. The contemporary storyline introduces us to four Talbot cousins who become involved with solving a decades-old mystery.

I appreciated the pace of the novel. There were good chunks of the historical storyline balanced with several chapters in a row from the contemporary line. Sometimes books like these bounce back and forth too much and it's hard to keep the action and POV straight. It also helped that the contemporary storyline was written in first person while the historical one was in third person. It worked for me. And this first book provided a great start to an enjoyable series.

I enjoyed the book, however I had a couple of things that I struggled with understanding. First, I was left wanting more from the modern day storyline. I am not sure if the authors were trying to develop the historical storyline more for the introduction to the rest of the series or not. I just wanted to know more from that story line. Maybe when I get to the other two books, I will feel differently. I am so anticipating what happens next in the discovery of Renee and her cousins. Second, I had a hard time with the French vocabulary. I know that may be just my thing, but it kept me from comprehending the story sometimes, I was bogged down in trying to pronounce those words. It made it more difficult for me grasp what was happening in Catherine's world. I found it much easier to get into the modern storyline than the historical storyline. It was hard for me to find the connection between the two stories until the very end. Other than the document connecting them, I couldn't really understand the connection. Once it all came together, it was more inviting for me to read. I am still puzzled by the ending and looking forward to what really happened in the woods.

My Brothers Crown goes between modern time America with Renee Talbot and late 1600s France with Catherine Gillet. Both of their stories are so interesting that I couldnt stop reading. One woman is braver than she probably should be while another is more fearful than she cares to be. Both of their stories center on the Huguenots and the Persecution Pamphlet, and have a good amount of sub-plots. While I recall hearing the name Huguenots before, I knew nothing about them. I never even heard about the Persecution Pamphlet until this novel. I learned so much about both as I read through My Brothers Crown.

I more than enjoyed this novel! It has so much to offer; romance, mystery, and historical facts to name a few. I am not a big history buff but My Brothers Keeper has me wanting to learn more about the Huguenots. While there is resolution in this book, I can tell there is more to the storyline yet to be discovered. I cant wait to read the next book in Leslie's and Mindy's Cousins of the Dove series, My Sisters Prayer, and see how the Talbot familys saga continues. I was provided a complimentary review copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255.

My Brothers Crown

by Mindy Starns Clark & Leslie Gould

Review/Comments

This is the first book in the Cousins of the Dove Series. It is absolutely outstanding!!!!

These ladies have woven a brilliant historical novel depicting the Huguenots persecution and escape from France in the 1600s to present day Virginia through one incredible family-the Talbots. It was also unique how the authors focused on one lady, Catherine, from France and one, Renee, from Virginia to relate this story. Both were women of uncommon courage. Moreover, the story is so captivating I found it most difficult to put down as it contained everything needed in a great novel to keep you on the edge of your seat. There are volumes of history, unwavering faith, heroism, deception, the horrifying dragoons, a murder, birth, death, love, marriage, family relationshipsthe list goes on! We have so much to admire and learn from those, like the Huguenots that have come before us and the persecution, etc. that they went through and survived for their faith.

I cant wait for the next book in the series to appear, My Sisters Prayer, to discover and join the next generation of Talbots as they come to America in the latter 1600s/ early 1700s coupled with more about the murder in the cabin in the Dark Woods in present day Virginia!

#HarvestHousePublishers

My Brother's Crown combines modern day happenings in Virginia with a story from France in the 1600's. The connection is shown in an intriguing and detailed way. I learned a lot about the history of the Hugenot's. Characters Catherine Gillet and Renee Talbot lived in different time periods, yet, there seems to be a bond that is unfolding in the story.

People who are strong in their faith and are persecuted for their beliefs was happening long ago and is happening today.

There is much to be learned from reading this great story. I look forward to the next book in the series.