The Freedom of the Soul (The Penbrook Diaries, Book 2) (Truly Yours Romance Club #5) [Paperback]

Tracey Bateman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2006

The captivating chronicle of a young woman's struggle to save her homestead, a young man's determination to expose a pretender, and the yellowed pages of a diary that links their lives together will keep readers spellbound from the first page to the last. Abandoned and abused, Shea Penbrook finds her ancestor Jason Penbrook's diary and unearths a legacy. Jonas Riley is sent to Oregon to investigate Shea's claim to his rightful inheritance-the Penbrook estate. Can love bloom in the midst of murder, deceit, and mystery, or will past histories and present betrayals wreck any chance of romance?

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

The captivating chronicle of a young womans struggle to save her homestead, a young mans determination to expose a pretender, and the yellowed pages of a diary that links their lives together will keep readers spellbound from the first page to the last. Abandoned and abused, Shea Penbrook finds her ancestor Jason Penbrooks diary and unearths a legacy. Jonas Riley is sent to Oregon to investigate Sheas claim to his rightful inheritancethe Penbrook estate. Can love bloom in the midst of murder, deceit, and mystery, or will past histories and present betrayals wreck any chance of romance?

About the Author

TRACEY V. BATEMAN serves as president of the American Christian Fiction Writers and has more than a dozen stories in print. She believes all things are possible and encourages everyone to dream big. Tracey lives with her husband and four children in Missouri.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc (November 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597892211
• ISBN-13: 978-1597892216
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #549,041 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Fiction > Romance
  • #94 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Evangelism > Missions & Missionary Work

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars historical romance with a twist, December 22, 2006

By 

Barbara Warren - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Freedom of the Soul (The Penbrook Diaries, Book 2) (Truly Yours Romance Club #5) (Paperback)

After her grandfather's death Shae Penbrook is alone. Although she can't bear the thought of selling her family farm to Jackson Sable, a man who has hated the Penbrooks for years, Shae has no choice. She has no money, and no one to care what happens to her. In clearing out the house she finds the Penbrook diaries. What she reads there sends her on a mission to learn more about the family secret.

Jonas Riley has come to Georgia and finds his friend, Andy, who is black was attacked by the Klan and left to die. Shae Penbrook found him and saved his life. Jonas is attracted to Shae, but he suspects she isn't exactly truthful about her reasons for being in Oak Junction. Jonas is in danger from the Klan too. Georgia, in 1949, isn't a good place to be if you are black. It isn't a good place for Yankees either, especially if they're from a northern newspaper covering a trial of white men accused of killing a white man and a black woman. Will the killer walk free? Oak Junction, Georgia is a tinderbox and too many of the residents are willing to strike the match. A lot of innocent people will be hurt in the explosion.

Both Shea and Jonas have secrets they are afraid to share. There is a growing attractiion between the two, but will that attraction be strong enough to survive the violence swirling around them? Tracey Bateman's Freedom of the Soul was developed from a bit of family history. From what little she knew about her ancestor she has written a thought provoking tale of a love that trancended racial bariers. She does a great job of blending characters from two areas in a suspenseful story that will grip the reader from the first sentence. Bateman is a good writer, and Freedom of the Soul is top of the line. I'm happy to recommend it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome, March 27, 2007

By 

April M. Gardner - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Freedom of the Soul (The Penbrook Diaries, Book 2) (Truly Yours Romance Club #5) (Paperback)

As Batemaan's characters fight for what is rightfully theirs against slavery and a century's worth of racism, they learn valuable lessons in endurance, compassion, and God's sovereignty; at last, discovering freedom of the body and soul.
Once again, Bateman has filled each page with characters possessing a depth of emotion rarely seen in fiction. Unafraid to delve into the sensitive issue of racism, she reminds the reader of a person's true value which is found beyond the skin--the soul. The freedom of which can only be found in Christ. Without mounting a soapbox, Bateman delicately points out that even those possessing a saving knowledge of Christ can find themselves enslaved by pride, guilt, and an ugly past.
An engrossing conclusion to "The Color of the Soul", you will not want to skim a single paragraph. A skillful balance of drama, tension, and love, each chapter is better than the last. You will not be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Colorful Eye-Opener!, January 22, 2007

By 

Kathy C. Willis "Kathy Carlton Willis Communi... (Rio Grande Valley, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Freedom of the Soul (The Penbrook Diaries, Book 2) (Truly Yours Romance Club #5) (Paperback)

Tracey Bateman's second installment in the Penbrook Diary Series is reminiscent of the classics--think To Kill A Mockingbird situated at Scarlet's Tara. Multiple generations battle the war of the races. Parallel injustices occur a century apart. In The Color of the Soul, Bateman deals with a reporter who uncovers a colorful family history in Miss Penbrook's diary. In The Freedom of the Soul, Bateman shows the cost of freedom.
Shea Penbrook discovers her white trash reputation is undeserved when she finds her great great grandfather's diaries. But as she reads his story, so much more is revealed. Great great grandmother Celeste is a one-quarter black slave, nursing Mac, the son of the master. As the story unfolds in the diary, Shea's own life takes a similar course.
Shea is inspired to fight for what is rightfully hers in Oregon as well as the plantation in Georgia. Enter Jonas Riley, the cocky son of the current heir of Penbrook Mansion. Shea tries to convince herself to remain void of emotion when it comes to Jonas, but sparks fly in both directions.
Be sure to pick up this colorful read for a taste of what entire generations have endured. I read this book first, and will certainly go back to read book one in this series of The Penbrook Diaries.