About the Book
Book: Legacy of Honor
Author: Renae Brumbaugh Green
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: Nov, 2020
He’s been raised to carry on the legacy.
After her mother’s untimely death, Emma Monroe’s dreams to become a teacher are dashed. She takes a job as maid and cook at the local Stratton Ranch, where she endures humiliation and hardship in order to provide for her ailing father and younger brother. Only Riley Stratton, her childhood friend and heir to the Stratton fortune, sees her heart. When she’s asked to care for Skye, the young half-Indian girl most family members refuse to claim, Emma finally finds the purpose she craves.
Riley Stratton has it all, or so it seems. Growing up as the youngest son of the rich and powerful John Stratton, Riley stands to inherit a legacy of greatness in the Stratton Ranch. On the surface, his family looks like they have it all, but manipulation, deceit, and an ever-present quest for power leave him desperate for change. Yet his father has made it clear: do things the Stratton way, or face alienation and disinheritance.
As Riley and Emma choose between honor, dreams, and expectations—not to mention the love they can no longer deny—their first steps prove how quickly the situation can spin into danger. When their best efforts threaten the lives and hopes of those closest to them, it becomes clear the decisions they make will change the course of their lives forever.
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My REVIEW
This book starts a new series for the author and oh my is it good right out of the gate. The author shares a story of two families that are different as night and day. I feel in love with Emma right away. I cried with her as she grieved over her mother. I liked how the author portrayed Emma’s mother as hard working and faith filled. Her influence over her daughter is evident in everything she does. Emma has a big heart and treats others with respect.
There is one character in the story that I didn’t really like. This person is arrogant, stuck up and down right mean to Emma. I wanted to scream and tell Emma not to let this person take away her dignity. The beauty of the story is how Emma rises above all the hatred and shows mercy to those who may not deserve it from her. I loved how she went out and got a job to help her dad and brother out. By the grace of God, Emma is able to work in an environment that is truly mentally unhealthy.
Riley is someone I would like to have on my side. He struggles with his faith at times but when it comes to doing the right thing he never backs down. His family has anger issues, they are greedy and dishonest. If it wasn’t for Riley I think the family would probably not speak to each other. There are some underhanded deals going on and Riley is determined to make things right. I liked how nice he was to Emma and I already sensed an attraction developing.
One of the highlights of the story for me was getting to know Skye. This innocent young girl has been through a lot in her life that made me cry. I‘m sure she knew that she was talked about and the treatment she gets from her grandfather is hard to understand. During the time period the story is set, Skye is treated as an outcast by many. Riley and Emma overwhelmed me with their unconditional love for Skye.
The story is well written and I’m anxious to read the next in the series. The author writes an emotional ending to this story that showed God is always there to comfort us and provide for us. Forgiveness plays a big part in the story and I loved how one particular character allowed God to soften their heart. I highly recommend this story as the author takes us to a place in Texas that I am very familiar with. Being from Texas I loved reading this story and getting a feeling of the west during the late 1880s.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
About the Author
Renae Brumbaugh Green is an ECPA Bestselling Author, award-winning humor columnist, and wannabe superhero. She lives in Texas with her handsome, country-boy husband, four nearly-perfect children and one nearly-perfect son-in-law, and far too many animals. When she’s not writing, Renae teaches online classes and tries to be rugged without chipping her nail polish.
More from Renae
I’ve been writing this book for more than a decade!
In 2008, my dear friend and writing mentor, Chip Ricks, shared a book idea with me. Loosely based on her own family history, she wanted to write a story about two brothers—one who chose to live for Christ, the other who didn’t. She wanted to follow that family through the generations, to show the impact of that one choice, on the people who came behind.
She just had one problem. Chip was a brilliant writer, but she wasn’t a fiction writer. “Will you help me write this book?”
Now, Chip was in her 80s at the time. She was a mother, a grandmother, to me in the faith. If she’d asked me to paint the moon pink, I’d have given it my best shot. For several years, Chip and I worked together on several versions of the book. We only ever got through the first few chapters, and we’d change our minds about the characters or the situations. Finally, one day she smiled at me. She said, “You know, Renae. This is your book. I know I whispered the idea to you, but I always wanted you to be the one to write it. I’m getting too old to work on this . . . please take it. It’s your story.”
Soon after, she moved across the country to live with her daughter. We stayed connected via phone calls and Facebook, until eventually, she stopped responding. We lost touch. I continued to write the book—Chip’s book. Now my book. I’d work on it a while, then put it away for several months, even a few years at one point. In 2017, I finished what would become the first final draft. I fiddled with it more, here and there, but I hung onto it until I met Misty Beller, my publisher at Wild Heart.
I submitted the book to her, and she accepted it, right away! Then the editor got hold of it. God bless Erin Taylor Young! She was brutal, in the best possible way. I spent weeks (months?) making the suggested changes, and each one made the book so much better. The day I turned in those final edits to my publisher, I opened up Facebook. There, on Chip’s FB page, was a note to all her friends.
From one of her children.
She’d gone to see her Heavenly Father.
I sat there, frozen, looking at my screen, big fat tears tracking my cheeks. How was it possible that on the day the book was complete, I learned of her death? She was so instrumental in my walk of faith, and in my path as a writer. It was almost like the Holy Spirit wanted me to know . . . this particular journey was now complete.
I hope you enjoy this book, book one in a trilogy, for it is very close to my heart. And I hope you learn from the actions of two brothers, so many years ago, that our choices have an impact on our own lives, and on the lives of those who follow us.
—Renae Brumbaugh Green
Blog Stops
Among the Reads, October 16
Through the Lens of Scripture, October 16
The Christian Fiction Girl, October 17
deb’s Book Review, October 17
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 18
Labor Not in Vain, October 18
Texas Book-aholic, October 19
Genesis 5020, October 19
Vicky Sluiter, October 20
lakesidelivingsite, October 20
Betti Mace, October 21
Sara Jane Jacobs, October 21
ABBA’s Prayer Warrior Princess, October 22
Sodbusterliving, October 22
Older & Smarter?, October 23
Jeanette’s Thoughts, October 23
For Him and My Family, October 24
Lighthouse Academy, October 24 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Inklings and notions, October 25
Daysong Reflections, October 25
Locks, Hooks and Books, October 26
Simple Harvest Reads, October 26 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Artistic Nobody, October 27 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)
Splashes of Joy, October 27
Ashley’s Bookshelf, October 28
Adventures Of a Travelers Wife, October 28
Connie’s History Classroom, October 29
Pause for Tales, October 29
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Renae is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/10258/legacy-of-honor-celebration-tour-giveaway
Thank you so much for the gracious review, Deana! I'm hard at work on book 2 - Skye's story. She is an inspirational character, for sure.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, and thank you again.
--Renae Brumbaugh Green
Oh this book sounds good!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful review Deana and participating in the blog tour for "Legacy of Honor"!
Sounds like the start of a great series!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, Deana! This novel sounds like a must read. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete