Letters to Kezia by Peni Jo Renner Review

Publication Date: January 14, 2015
iUniverse
Formats: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 208

Series: Book Two, The Puritan Chronicles
Genre: Historical Fiction





It is 1693 in Hereford, Connecticut, when Mary Case, the spinster daughter of a Puritan minister, finds herself hopelessly smitten by the roguish thief, Daniel Eames. Betrothed to a man she does not like or love, she is soon compelled to help Daniel escape from jail. Suddenly, she finds herself on the run, not only accused of being Daniel's accomplice, but also of murder.

The fugitive pair soon finds solace-and a mutual attraction-among the escapee's Algonquin friends until two men from Daniel's dark past hunt them down. After Mary is captured and returned home to await trial, a tragedy takes the life of her younger sister, revealing a dark secret Mary's father has kept for months. But just as Mary learns she is pregnant, she makes a horrifying discovery about Daniel that changes everything and prompts her to develop an unlikely bond with his mother, Rebecca, who soon saves Mary from a shocking fate. It is not until years later that her daughter, Kezia, finally learns the truth about her biological father and family.

Letters to Kezia shares a courageous woman's journey through a Puritan life and beyond as she struggles with adversity and betrayal, and discovers that loyalty can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

Praise for Letters to Kezia

"In the tradition of author Peni Jo Renner’s gripping debut novel, Puritan Witch: The Redemption of Rebecca Eames, Letters to Kezia recounts the tale of courageous, compassionate, and relatable Mary, whose connection to Rebecca and her family is unforeseen and profound. The reader is captivated at the very first page, as Letters to Kezia is a story of forbidden love, deep family secrets, intrigue, murder, and atonement. Another beautifully written triumph for this author, whose immense gift for story-telling transports the reader into each scene so deftly, one can almost smell the wood smoke and hear the crackling of the fire in the hearth." - Kelly Z. Conrad, award-winning author of Shaman

"Peni Jo Renner enthralled readers with Puritan Witch, the ordeal of Rebecca Eames, who was condemned to hang from Salem’s gallows as a witch. Now the Eames saga continues as Peni uses her special brand of witchery to bring Mary Case and Daniel Eames to vivid life, and shows us just how much a young woman will risk for love. Letters to Kezia is a poignant, true-life tale from colonial New England’s heartland which will captivate you, and keep you guessing until the end." -JoAnn Butler, author of Rebel Puritan and The Reputed Wife

Buy the Book

Amazon
Barnes & Noble

About the Author

PENI JO RENNER is the author of the IPPY award-winning novel, Puritan Witch: the Redemption of Rebecca Eames. Originally from North Dakota, Peni now lives with her husband in Maryland where she is currently researching for the third book in the Puritan Chronicles series.

For more information please visit the Puritan Witch Website and Facebook Page. You can also follow Peni Jo Renner on Twitter.

Letters to Kezia Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, March 9
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Guest Post at What Is That Book About

Tuesday, March 10
Review at Oh, For the Hook of a Book
Review at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Wednesday, March 11
Guest Post at Oh, For the Hook of a Book

Thursday, March 12
Guest Post at Mythical Books
Spotlight & Giveaway at So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

Friday, March 13
Review at Just One More Chapter
Review at Peeking Between the Pages

Monday, March 16
Interview at Becky on Books
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Tuesday, March 17
Review at Deal Sharing Aunt

Wednesday, March 18
Review at Quirky Book Reviews

Thursday, March 19
Review at Book Nerd
Interview at Dianne Ascroft Blog

Friday, March 20
Review at 100 Pages a Day
Review at Bibliophilia, Please
Review & Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Monday, March 23
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past

Friday, March 27
Review at Book Babe




My  review;

I am always surprised to read about Puritan life and how bad it was for women. Mary Case has been promised to a man she does not love. She really loves a handsome thief named Daniel, and because she helped him escape they are both being hunted. It is believed by others that they have committed murder. Mary finds herself captured and waiting for her trial. Mary is pregnant and has a daughter without Daniel's help.   His mother Rebecca has begun to help her instead. Kezia is Daniel and Mary's daughter. As she gets older she wonders about her father and  family. This is a book that tells of  a struggling woman and her life. I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for the purpose of a  review and these opinions a re mine.