Customer Reviews

Maggie's Journey (McKenna's Daughters)

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

 

 

This book was not only about Maggie's journey, but about her whole family's journey from secrecy and lies to truth and forgiveness. Beautifully told with all the colors, sights, tastes and feels of late 19th century America, Maggie's Journey held the interest of even me (I'm generally not a fan of romance).

As a adoptive mother, I appreciated the real and raw reactions each character expressed around this subject. There were times I saw the emotions reflected in my own heart. Lena Nelson Dooley did a wonderful job sharing each character's journey through the gamut of emotions surrounding adoption.

Reading, "Maggie's Journey", I could not put the book down and found myself disappointed toward the end, that there was an end to the book; I wanted it to continue because I was so curious about the main character, Margaret Lenora Caine, and rather or not, she would find answers to her questions.

At 283 pages, readers will discover, not a historical romance, but a wonderful, historical fiction, based in a time when trains have become a method of travel in the States and more homes were beginning to use a telephone, while telegrams were a form of finding out information of what was happening across the world, but for Margaret Lenora, none of these will answer the questions she had about herself, her family, and even her faith, on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, when she discovers, the secret she was adopted.

Lena Nelson Dooley, weaves a wonderful tale of family and love and self-identity, set against the background of a still young country, and filled with historical based tidbits, that will delight readers of historical fiction.

Margaret Lenora Caine, is a strong and lovable character, and even with the mini-backstories that happen in the backgrounds, the reader will not find themselves distracted from the overall reading, as they follow Margaret Lenora Caine as she travels to Arkansas to learn more about who she is and her place in the whole scheme of things.

Personally, I was ecstatic to know that there is a second book coming in May 2012, for the series, though right now May seems too far away and I want to know more about what happens to Margaret and answers to some of the questions that the reader are left alluded to, but this is what makes this book a great read, for those who are looking for a historical fiction that will sweep the reader away.

The story has strong characters, a firm story that doesn't run into rabbit trails, characters that will sweep the reader away, and if you are like me, you'll find yourself unable to put the book down and wishing instead, that the author, would have just continue writing more about Margaret, instead of leaving you hanging for more.

This both creates a book, that will have you waiting, impatiently for the next book in the series, having to re-read the book just to get your fill again of Margaret Lenora Caine and hoping for more glimpses of this delightful read,be it vacation, you're on a holiday, or need a book that will warm your heart and leave you still wanting more.

So if you are looking for a book that will sweep you off your feet and finding yourself reaching the shelf to re-read again, I strongly suggest you try out,"Maggie's Journey" by Lena Nelson Dooley.

****Thank you to First Wild Card Tour and Special thanks to Kim Jones Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House Charisma Media for sending me a review copy.***

What a journey the Lena Nelson Dooley takes us on when she introduces us to Maggie and her sisters!! I had never read anything by this author before and so I wasn't sure what to expect! I'm glad to report that she is an amazing author that is extremely talented at bringing a story alive and connecting the reader emotionally to her characters!

Right from the beginning I knew Maggie's Journey was going to be great. It was very emotional and at times I was shocked, and other times I wanted to cry! Maggie is one of set of triplets that gets split up at birth when they are all adopted by separate families. Maggie doesn't find out she is adopted until right before her 18th birthday and the news is shocking yet exciting at the same time. She then begins her journey of self-discovery and love!

Maggie was a great character! I really felt myself relating to her rebellious attitude towards her mother, very typical teenager! Yet when she discovers the truth she ends up maturing quickly and discovering who she is and where she wants to go in life! One of the other main characters is Charles, Maggie's lifelong friend and her father's business partner. I had a hard time liking him for most of the book but he grew on me the more we learned about him!

This is a Christian Fiction and so there was some mention of life changing moments and God relationships but it wasn't overbearing and I thought it added a great addition to the story! I found the story to be a little dull at some moments but overall I really did enjoy reading this book and I'm excited to read the rest of the series that we get to learn about the other 2 triplets!

Disclosure: A special thanks to Realms, Charisma Media for providing a copy for review through the FIRST Wild Card Tours.

I read this book in 2 ½ hours. That's a record for me. I literally did not put it down. Not for a moment. From the prologue to the last page, I was captivated. There was joy, suffering, excitement, confusion, and romance portrayed through vivid images of life, love and loss.

There are many emotions dealt with in the book but the one that spoke most to me was fear. From Florence and Joshua's marriage to Maggie's discovery about her adoption, the author shows us what fear can do to a relationship. The lies it can foster, misconceptions that it can bring, the mistrust that evolves ultimately leading to discord. But then we see the beautiful and loving hand of the Father and how he gently but firmly breaks that bondage of fear and brings about restoration in those same relationships. It was by no means overly obvious, either, making this a great book to suggest to friends who may not normally read Christian Fiction.

Every character in this story captured my heart. Each one is intricately explored and exposed in such a delicate and profound manner. I could go on and on about the book. But I won't. I dislike spoilers so I will only say that I hope you fall in love with Maggie's Journey as much as I did!

This was my first book by this author that I have read. I can't say enough about her writing style. Impeccable! Book 2 can't come soon enough for me

Special thanks to FIRST Wild Card Tours and Kim Jones Publicity Coordinator, Charisma House Charisma Media for sending me a review copy. I was not required to write a positive review, just my opinion.

I think I've mentioned before that I'm not really a big historical reader, but I just finished Maggie's Journey, the first book in the McKenna's Daughters Series by Lena Nelson Dooley, and I think I'm changing my tune.

Never having read a book by Lena Nelson Dooley, I wasn't sure what to expect. Maggie's Journey focuses on a woman's search to find her identity after she discovers that her birth parents gave her away, and the serious emotional struggles between a mother and daughter.

From the first page, Ms. Dooley creates the stage with the setting. You could feel yourself suffering through the long journey on the Oregon Trail, enduring the train ride, or touring a magnificent clothing-design mansion. I enjoyed the historical tidbits offered throughout the book.
And the characters jumped right off the pages. I rooted for Maggie as she searched for answers and attempted to be the person she was meant to be, rather than the customary woman of society. Other times, I wanted to scold Florence, but the author molded her from the beginning in such a way that I understood her motivation.

The real romance in this book wasn't between the main characters, but rather with Joshua and Florence, Maggie's parents. I admired Joshua, a man of honor and passion, who demonstrated unconditional love for his wife in the toughest of circumstances.

I'll look forward to Lena Nelson Dooley's next book in the McKenna's Daughters Series, Mary's Blessing, coming in May. Congrats, Lena Nelson Dooley! Five stars for an impeccably written story!

Maggie Caine thought she knew who she was and where she came from. But after discovering that she was secretly adopted shortly after birth, she feels betrayed by her parents. Desiring to escape the tension and turmoil in her home and her heart, she requests to visit her grandmother in Arkansas. Maggie's father agrees to her petition with the stipulation that her Aunt Georgia and Charles Stanton, her father's young business partner, accompany her. Almost immediately Charles is taken with Georgia and Maggie feels out of place. But as Maggie's trip progresses and truths are revealed, Charles takes more of an interest in Maggie. However, Maggie must first discover who she is and what truly matters to her.

Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley was a pleasant surprise to me. I'm not sure what I expected, but I got a book that is worthy of keeping. Maggie's Journey tackles the difficult issue of the natural desire that a person has to know his or her birth parent. Many readers, including myself, will be able to relate to this issue. The characters and plot were very well written. By integrating romance into the fictional plot, Dooley creates a novel that will entertain and touch the heart. I recommend to fans of Christian fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher as part of FIRST Wild Card Tours. 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 Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Margaret Lenora Caine or Maggie as she is known to her close friends and family is very special, just doesn't know how special until she ventures into her attic looking for a dress she can remake to wear to her 18th birthday party. While searching for something she can use, she comes across a white chest which contains an old photo that looks just like her and a letter from Angus McKenna signing over his rights to Joshua and Florence Caine, her parents.

Maggie and her mother have been at odds during the last few years and Maggie can't figure out why. Her mother does what she can to crush all her hopes and dreams of becoming a dress designer because she doesn't believe a woman should work. She should be busy running a household, planning parties and shopping while her wealthy husband supplies all the money they need. But that isn't what Maggie wants at all. She wants to work and run her own dress shop like her grandmother in Arkansas. When she asks her father for permission to visit her, her father grants her request so long as she travels with her aunt Georgia and his business partner, Charles Stanton.

She hopes that her and Charles will get to know one another more during the two week train ride but when Charles shows more interest in her aunt Georgia than her, she vows she will only be Charles' friend and work towards doing all she can to learn about the dress making business. Will Maggie discover who she really is in the process, and more importantly, what really matters most in life?

I received Maggie's Journey by Lena Nelson Dooley compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED it. Struggling with some unprecedented news prior to her trip, I think it really provides Maggie with an opportunity to understand what life is all about and how certain decisions are made in her best interest even though she may not always understand them at the time. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars for my honest review and look forward to more books by Lena Nelson Dooley in the future.

Once again Lena Nelson Dooley has written an engaging novel that kept me turning the pages. Her detailed descriptions of the various landscapes and surroundings along with the mannerisms of the characters put me in the middle of each scene. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. I love, love, love this book!