Customer Reviews

Daughter of Twin Oaks (A Secret Refuge Series #1) (Book 1)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having thorougly enjoyed Snelling's Red River of the North series, I couldn't wait to read Daughter of Twin Oaks. In this book, the setting is a thoroughbred horse farm in Kentucky in the midst of the Civil War. Jesselyn's father and brothers are away in battle and she sends her younger sisters away to an aunt's home for safety. After her father comes home to die from his battle wounds, she realizes that she needs to get her horses away from Kentucky if she will have anything left to start over with after the war. Taking her little brother and her few now-freed slaves with her, they embark on a perilous journey where danger and adventure await them on every corner. A devout Christian, Jesselyn finds that her faith gradually slips away as they encounter pitfall after pitfall. By the end of the book, she has quit praying altogether and is blaming God for the war. Meanwhile, her sisters in Richmond find love and happiness with soldiers that they meet and reunite with their long-lost brother, now wounded from battle. Unlike Jesselyn, they retain their faith in God, even when Louisa's soldier is declared missing and probably dead. This book was good and kept me reading, and I want to read the second one because so many loose ends were left. Will Jesselyn ever get all of them to safety? Will she ever give her heart back to God? Will Louisa's true love return? Will Twin Oaks still remain when they get back home? Anyone who enjoys historical Christian fiction will like this book.

I'm usually disappointed in a lot of books, since usually the story itself would be excellent except the characters are undeveloped and the plot isn't good with a bad ending. This book was excellent, and will be one of my favorites for a long time. "Jesse" and Louisa are two lovable characters, and their stories keep you reading. Since one chapter would be about "Jesse" and the next about Louisa, I couldn't stop reading so that I could find out what happened to each of them! :o)

Terrific. The best yet, since Eagles Wings. Mrs Snelling outdid herself in this tragic tale of the Civil War. Miss Jesselynn turns Marse Jesse, and keeps her promise to her father. You'll be enthralled on this breaktaking journey of a young woman's quest to lead her Thoroughbreds to safety!

I have not read such an astounding set of books for years!!! Being of 100% Norwegian descent, as well as, born & raised in North Dakota, I learned so much more reading these books! I have shared my enthusiasm of this series with many other people who, too, have invested in them. They, too, had enjoyed them immensely! Lauraine put much research into her writings of this series which was very evident. I pray Lauraine will keep this series going at least to the present day. You have never read a series till you read the Red River of the North series from Lauraine Snelling, believe me!!!

Sincerely, Rachel Axness

Lauraine Snelling has once again impressed me with one of her books. A fabulous story of a girl who shows courage to rescue her family's horses from the Civil War. Great start to a new series.

I love reading anything by Lauraine Snelling - this story is heart wrenching, funny, and romantic about life during the Civil War.

It was hard to leave the Red River but with all the books read I had to move on. This series continues Lauraine Snelling's tradition of strong women with real struggles. Keeps you on the edge of your seat and is a good read. The Norwegians in the North are more my background than Southerners but fascinating all the same.

This is a good adventurous, historical book that keeps you wanting to know what happens next. The part about Louisa, Jesse's sister, who volunteers at an army hospital, was my favorite part of the story. Louisa is a sweet, determined girl whom the patients love. I also liked the growing romance between her and one of the patients.
I did think that Snelling over-used some phrases; Jesse shakes her head over and over, and her toddler brother is constantly patting her cheeks. I think the story would have been just fine if they'd left the kids out, and had more about the horses, since that's what the story's really supposed to be about. I'm not sure where the author is going with them picking up a bunch of orphaned kids along the way; they don't seem to add much to the story, other than crying and getting sick.
I found it a little odd that both Louisa's AND Jesse's new suitors are both missing a leg. I think she could have made their injuries a little more different from each other.
Over all, it was an enjoyable read. I recommend it to anyone who likes an adventurous story with romance mixed in. I think it would even make a good movie.

They are fantastic..I hung on every situation, actually feeling like I was living out the life they did. A very gifted author. Having many ancestors who came from Norway and settled in the Red River Valley, I felt History come alive. Thank you Lorraine Snelling!