Reader Friday

Patricia Bradley Book Review 29 Comments

What are you reading this week? After I typed that, I realized I should challenge everyone to read at least one book each week! Lately, that’s what I’ve been able to do. Last week I read Mississippi’s own Stephenia H. McGee’s In His Eyes. Stephenia lives just outside Jackson, Mississippi and her book is set a few miles north in Greenville, during Reconstruction times.

Here’s the back cover copy:

Ella Whitaker rescues a newborn from the dying arms of a woman of ill repute and at long last she has someone to love. In need of a wet nurse, she arrives at Belmont Plantation just as Federal soldiers demand to speak to the owner. Thinking quickly, Ella masquerades as a Yankee officer’s widow in order to have a roof over her head and a home for the child.

Major Westley Remington has dedicated his life to serving his country. The Civil War has divided his family, torn his thoughts of glory, and left him with a wound that may never heal. Westley returns home on medical furlough to settle his father’s estate at Belmont Plantation, only to find his home is being run by a fiery and independent woman—one many believe to be his wife. Now he is faced with a conflict he’s never been trained to fight, and one she has yet to conquer.

I really enjoyed this book. Here’s my review of it:

I began reading Stephenia McGee’s In His Eyes on my iPhone, meaning to only read a page or two. Three hours later I was still reading…on my iPhone! This book is that good. Ella Whitaker caught my attention and my heart. She showed such courage in taking the baby born to a dying woman to raise as her own when she had nothing, not even milk. Then when she played the part of Major Westley Remington’s wife, that sealed it. I had to see how the story ended.

One of the scenes that I loved was the one where Major Westley Remington returns home after everyone believes he’s dead and Ella has been masquerading as his wife. She expects him to out her lie, but when she presents “his” son to him, he doesn’t.

Westley looks at the boy and says, “A handsome boy.”
To which Ella replies, “I thought you were dead.”
A smile tilted one side of his mouth. “So I see.”

You’ll have to read the book to find out why he didn’t out her. 😉

Leave a comment about whatever book you’re reading this month and I’ll enter you in a drawing for one of the books in my library. Winner for June will be announced next Friday.

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none”]Why did Ella masquerade as a major’s wife in In His Eyes by Stephania H. McGee? #giveaway[/tweet_box]

Comments 29

  1. Trixi

    I’m currently between books with no idea what to read next….a rarity indeed!! I usually have review books waiting for me, but am actually ahead of schedule. It’s not that I have lack of other books ( I have shelves of them plus my Kindle), but it’s always a quandry to pick just one. It’s like picked a flavor of ice-cream when there are so many to choose from…lol! I’m waiting for the copy of “Sweetbrier Cottage” by Denise Hunter to come available on the Overdrive digital library. It says I’m next in line to read it, but it’s been DAYS now…lol! I was hoping to be into it already. *Sigh* waiting for a book tests my patience 🙂

    So for now, I just got done reading Elizabeth Goodard’s July 4th LIS “Wilderness Reunion”, the fourth and final book of her Wilderness, Inc series. If you’ve never read anything by her, I’d suggest you do. She’s such an awesome author & knows how to keep you on your toes!

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  2. Paula

    I’m just starting Carrie Fancett Pagels’ My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island which I won on a Facebook party of hers months before it came out! Next is Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green, which I also won from a reviewer. I have Stephania’s book on my iPad– I on that one , too. Would love to win another off YOUR bookshelf. Oh yes– I won Justice Delayed, too! Love your writing! Thanks.

  3. Sally Shupe

    I’ve read 88 books so far this year. This is the first year I’ve kept a record to see how many I read. I knew it was a lot lol. I’m getting ready to start reading Coming Home by Linda Yezak and Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne and Highland Pearl by Brenda B Taylor. Have a great weekend!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Eighty-eight books, Sally! Awesome!! I’m not sure how many I’ve read and really need to keep track of it. I’ll read a book a week when I’m not on deadline, but I’ve been on deadline a lot this year. 🙂

  4. Delores Topliff

    That is a very interesting plot and I may have to read. I am interested in learning more about my new other home state. I’m still on a reading jag of reading David Baldacci and enjoying his fast-paced thriller intrigue.

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  5. Paula

    Is anybody on Goodreads! I know Pat is! Great way to track your books and put umteen more on your TBR,

  6. Jerusha Agen

    Thanks for the review, Pat! How I wish I could read a book a week! Sadly, I’m much too slow of a reader to accomplish that. I’m reading Sarah Ladd’s newest release at the moment, A Stranger in Fellsworth. I tend to read her books faster than most (because I love them!), but it will still take me longer than a week for sure!

  7. Cathy

    This sounds like a very interesting book. I have many ancestors who participated in the War, and I have done quite a bit of historical research in relation to that. I am currently reading With You Always by Jody Hedlund.

  8. Dana Michael

    That book from the civil war sounds great! I need to put it on my TBR list! I just finished a contemporary romance by Kara Isaac called Then There Was You! It was so cute and funny. Sometimes I just need to clean my reading pallet by reading a funny romcom.

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      1. Dana Michael

        Oh, another reason I need to read In His Eyes is I need to know how she pretended to be a Yankee from Mississippi. I’m from Memphis and I sound as country as cornbread. I also read the blog from Kara. That was great!! Thanks for sharing Pat!

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  9. Jackie Smith

    A reading friend introduced me to Kathryn Springer & Irene Hannon…she even sent me some older LI books. So I have been checking my 2 libraries for the books in those series…like to read books in order! Today is my lucky day; Library called and had the books I need..YAY…so I will be busy reading those this weekend!

  10. Bhriv

    What a nice review of In His Eyes! I’m currently reading The Captain’s Daughter by Jennifer Delamere. Just started it and haven’t ever read anything by Delamere, but I’ve heard a lot of good about it.

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  11. Pam K.

    I have the summer off from work (I work in a school) so I have been doing lots of reading. I’ve read the last two Death on Demand series books by Carolyn Hart recently and am currently reading Peace in the Valley by Ruth Logan Herne. I always have a book to read but still never get them all read!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Pam, I’m so glad you have the summer off! I haven’t read anything by either of the authors you mention, but both books sound like something I’d like! Thanks for stopping by.

  12. Anne Rightler

    I’m reading My Daughter’s Legacy by Clark & Gould, Rasputin’s Legacy by Lee Jackson and Straightened by Alana Terry. In His Eyes sounds like a good one! Thx for sharing about it!

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  13. Elle E. Kay

    I’m reading “Remembering Dresden,” the second book in the Jack Turner Suspense Series by Dan Walsh. The beginning was a little heavy on the war for my taste, but book one was great, so I’m expecting this one to be equally good.

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  14. Evangeline

    I keep track of my books on Goodreads and have read 30 this year. I am ready to start Embracing Hope by Janell Butler Wojtowica, a new author to me. You are a new author to me, too, and I would love to win one of your books. Thank you!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Evangeline, I’m glad to make your acquaintance and thanks so much for dropping by my blog! I’ve heard a lot about Janell’s book Embracing Hope and will be adding it to my TBR table too.

  15. Maryann

    I have lots of reading time this summer since I am recovering from cancer surgery. Just finished Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon and now reading A Love Made New by Kathleen Fuller. I love your Tbr pile!

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      Patricia Bradley

      Maryann, so glad you are recovering! Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I haven’t read Sandpiper Cove by Irene Hannon, but I love reading her books. Thanks for stopping by!

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