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22 June 2013

CHRISTMAS UNION by Karen Anna Vogel Reviewed by Marian Baay

Christmas Union
Cry of Freedom – Volume 5
CHRISTMAS UNION
By Karen Anna Vogel
Helping Hands Press, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay

Rebecca Mendenhall is the 18 year old daughter of abolitionist parents. Their house is a safe house for runaway slaves. But Rebecca is unaware of it until her father tells her about the establishment of the new Fugitive Slave Law. That law says that all runaway slaves, in the area where Rebecca lives, must be returned to the South. Her dear black friend, Eliza, is no longer safe at their home. They have grown up together since they were ten years old and made a covenant that they would never part from each other. Now Rebecca must bring Eliza, and an older runaway slave, to another safe house.

Rebecca finds out that she already has been working for the abolitionists for some time, because she wrote many letters for her father in a code language, but she wasn’t aware of it.
In the new safe house, run by three sisters dedicated to the cause, Rebecca learns more about the code language and about the dangers for the runaway slaves and the people who help them.

When Rebecca left her hometown she also left behind her fiancé, Johnny. His father is against abolitionism and doesn’t want Johnny to marry Rebecca. Johnny can’t believe Rebecca is an abolitionist, but he soon will find out otherwise. Johnny has to search his heart whose side he takes.

Danger is getting closer... When Rebecca is helping some runaway slaves to another safe house, they are being tracked by dogs. Will they escape?
What choice will Johnny make? Can Rebecca and Eliza stay together?

This is the fifth story in the Cry of Freedom Series. I found this a nicely written and interesting novella. The author has a lovely way with words and knows how to draw the reader in. 
All stories in this series are enjoyable and I recommend them all.
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 GIVEAWAY: Karen has graciously offered to give away three ebooks of Christmas Union. Leave a comment and your email address to be entered in the contest.

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You can buy this novella at Amazon.
And you can also find the other stories in the Cry of Freedom Series at Amazon.

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47 comments:

  1. Teresa MathewsJune 22, 2013 at 2:37 AM

    MARIAN thanks for this great review. I think I have this one my kindle already if not I will have to get it. It sounds really interesting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 4:35 AM

    A wonderful review MARIAN, thank you! This story sounds fabulous KAREN and I'll be grabbing it right away for my Kindle too!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 22, 2013 at 7:35 AM

    Very nice review, Marian!I have this one on my Kindle and am eager to read it. Thanks for sharing the review with us! Sounds really good. Joy Ross Davis

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 8:22 AM

      Thanks for stopping by & your never ending support, JOY!

      Delete
  4. Jon and Vicki MarneyJune 22, 2013 at 7:44 AM

    Sounds like a great addition to the rest of this series & I look forward to reading it. Thanks Karen for givig away 3 books--I hope I win one! ;-) Vicki vmarney@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anne PayneJune 22, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    I've enjoyed all the books so far! Please put my name in the hat for this one. Sounds good!!!

    Hope you're enjoying your 'break' MARIAN. You seem to still be reading and reviewing ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 8:36 AM

      LOL - yes, I have a busy break. ;)
      Only doing the Cry of Freedom stories. I have already read and reviewed them till the 7th story, so I have no more work on that.

      Delete
  6. Diana FlowersJune 22, 2013 at 10:38 AM

    Really a wonderful review, MARIAN! You really have to admire these people who daily risked their own lives for the welfare of others. Very touching!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousJune 22, 2013 at 10:54 AM

    This is a great giveaway. Thanks ! Faye Simer... xstitchgranny2000@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJune 22, 2013 at 11:16 AM

    Please enter me. That was a very dangerous time. It's sad that people weren't treated like human beings. The book sounds great. Maria thomas. Plainfancy4@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Barbara RascoJune 22, 2013 at 11:24 AM

    Marian, your excellent review is compelling! I just love escaping into stories such as this! I don't own a Kindle (or any other such device!) so I would love to be entered into the drawing for the giveaway...bbrasco01@wyoming.com Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 12:05 PM

      Thank you, BARBARA! Karen is giving away ebooks, which you can also read it on your computer. This book is not available in paperback (yet).

      Delete
  10. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 1:50 PM

    I m going to get this whole series and would love to win this book. Thanks for a chance at winning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJune 22, 2013 at 4:06 PM

      Juanita I hope you do! And that you'll put up reviews--we authors love those! Didn't Marian do a great job on this one?

      Delete
    2. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 4:16 PM

      Thanks, CARRIE!

      Delete
  11. SonjaJune 22, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    Oh, this sounds so good. I would love to win! I hope I do. It interests me very much!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJune 22, 2013 at 4:07 PM

      Time for me to read this one, too, now that I am back from vacation! Karen is mother of the bride this weekend, isn't that cool?

      Delete
  12. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 3:03 PM

    Love the review..I'd love to win one of the ebooks
    bearangel0@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mrs TinaJune 22, 2013 at 3:16 PM

    Enjoyed the review very much. The book sounds wonderful.
    I have not read any in the series yet, they are on my to read/buy list and would love to add this one. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.

    Blessings, Tina
    tfrice@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJune 22, 2013 at 4:07 PM

      Marian has her own way with words, Tina, doesn't she?

      Delete
    2. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 4:16 PM

      Thank you, TINA! I hope you will enjoy all the stories in this series!

      Delete
  14. NanceeJune 22, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Thanks for a great review, Marian! I have loved the previous installments in this series! Thanks for offering this giveaway!
    quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carrie Fancett PagelsJune 22, 2013 at 4:08 PM

      Nancee, I've mised you while I've been on vacation! So glad you've been enjoying this big series. It is so cool being part of it! Blessings!

      Delete
    2. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 4:18 PM

      Thanks, NANCY. Good to see you here.
      And yes, CARRIE, I also think it's cool that you're part of this series!! :)

      Delete
  15. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 5:23 PM

    Great review, Marian!! Would love to win this book. It sounds like a wonderful book. Thanks for the opportunity to participate in your giveaway.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 22, 2013 at 5:26 PM

      It really is a wonderful read, BARBARA. You're entered!

      Delete
  16. UnknownJune 22, 2013 at 6:50 PM

    This sounds like a great book that
    I would to read cscrawf@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Mary PrestonJune 22, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    Your review tells me that I'm in for a very exciting & fascinating read thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wendy NewcombJune 22, 2013 at 9:55 PM

    I have a couple of these already and would like to add this one, thank you for the chance to win a copy.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 23, 2013 at 4:07 AM

      It's a great series, don't you think so, WENDY?

      Delete
  19. Rhonda's DoingsJune 23, 2013 at 1:11 AM

    I have read several of the volumes but have not read Karen's addition yet. It sounds mysterious. Thanks
    Rhonda
    nashhall AT aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Mary LouJune 23, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    Very well written review that spikes my interest! I would most certainly love to win this contest! Thanks for this chance. Mary Lou K
    flowersmarylou85@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marian BaayJune 23, 2013 at 10:42 AM

      Thank you, MARY LOU. All the best in the contest!

      Delete
  21. ShopgirlJune 23, 2013 at 5:04 PM

    This sounds wonderful! I'd love to win. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. apple blossomJune 23, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    Sounds like a good book thanks

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Linda Dianne StoweJuly 4, 2013 at 11:21 AM

    Hi,I would love to win this book to read and own.I have read several books similar and absolutely love them.I read a series and couldn't get one finished fast enough to start on the next one.This book looks and sounds wonderful.That is one of my passions is reading and I hope the one or ones that are meant to win will.Blessings to all the entrants.Linda Dianne Stowe linda.stowe@att.net

    ReplyDelete
  24. SonjaJuly 4, 2013 at 5:35 PM

    I would love to win! (wouldn't we all...) But I keep trying! I am a real fan. Thanks so much for the opportunity. Sonja.nishimoto@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

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