About the Book
Book: Sing in the Sunlight
Author: Kathleen Denly
Genre: Christian historical fiction
Release date: March 2, 2021
his last name.
Disfiguring scars stole Clarinda Humphrey’s singing career, her home, and her family, but she refuses to let her appearance steal her future. While attending The Young Ladies Seminary in 1858 Benicia, California, she finds a man who promises to love and cherish her. Instead he betrays her, leaving her with child, and Clarinda must take drastic measures to ensure her child doesn’t suffer for her foolishness.
Richard Stevens’s life hasn’t turned out as he expected, and when a shocking letter turns even his past into a mystery, he travels to San Francisco in search of guidance. On the way, he encounters a mysterious young woman hiding beneath a veil. That night he experiences a dream that sends him on a quest to find the bride God has chosen for him. He never imagines she’s already told everyone they’re married.
Unwilling to lie, nor accept a marriage of mere convenience, Richard wants the real thing. Yet Clarinda’s not interested in love, only a chance to save her child. Can he help her rise above the pain that runs deeper than her scars to accept a love worth every risk?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good book. When I read the back, I wasn't certain how I would feel about Clarinda's character. That being said, I think the author handled her and her situation really well. Instead of starting out disliking her (that was my fear), I felt bad for her. She made some bad choices and was naïve.
Richard was my favorite of the two. He had his own issues, but he was a genuinely good guy and I was rooting for him through the whole book. He handled things well and you could really see his faith shine through. The author really did a great job with these characters. Overall, really good book.
4/5.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the review copy of this book via Celebrate Lit. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and the opinions stated above are 100% mine.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Kathleen Denly lives in sunny Southern California with her loving husband, four young children, and two cats. As a member of the adoption and foster community, children in need are a cause dear to her heart and she finds they make frequent appearances in her stories. When she isn’t writing, researching, or caring for children, Kathleen spends her time reading, visiting historical sites, hiking, and crafting.
More from Kathleen
Hiding our Flaws
We all have things we’d like to change about our physical appearance. Personally, I’ve yet to lose the weight I gained with my last pregnancy and sitting behind a desk all day hasn’t helped things any. Despite this, I know that my husband, kids, family, friends, and most importantly, God, loves me just as much now as when I was my healthiest self. I want to lose the weight not because I need to earn someone’s approval but because I know I’ll feel better and be able to do more without tiring as quickly if I do. In the meantime, I’m okay with where I am because it’s the best I’ve been able to do so far.
This level of self-acceptance has come with maturity and the love of a godly man. When I was younger, I’d spend hours in front of the mirror trying to disguise my flaws beneath layers of makeup and stomach smoothers. In fact, one of the most memorable moments of my courtship with my now husband was the day I returned from a women’s retreat. I hadn’t gotten much sleep all weekend and we’d had to pack up and leave early, so I’d made the unusual decision to skip my makeup that morning. I was going to carpool back to the church, grab my car, and head home for a nap. What was the point in painting my face when the only people who’d see it were the women who’d seen me wake up bare-faced that morning anyway? Well, it turns out my now husband had missed me. So he was waiting in the church parking lot when we arrived, just to say hi before I went home. Sweet, right? Um yeah. At the time, part of me thought it was sweet, but more of me wanted to melt into the floor’s carpet and vanish from sight. I had ZERO makeup on, people! And I had bags under my eyes! *gasp* *shudder*
Needless to say, after almost nineteen years of marriage, he’s seen me a few times without my makeup on. Actually, these days, I only wear makeup for videos, photographs I intend to share online, special events, and (if the kids are nice to me that morning) church. Not that I don’t have my insecure moments or those photographs that friends share but I really wish they wouldn’t. (You know who you are.) But overall, I am okay with how I look because I know that I am loved and accepted.
However, in Sing in the Sunlight, my character, Clarinda, feels unloved, and unwanted by those closest to her. She describes parts of herself with words like hideous. She uses long sleeves, high necks, gloves, and veils to hide herself from a world that has rejected her. And she keeps almost everyone at arm’s length—especially God. So when she finally lets someone in, only to be betrayed, it sets off a series of desperate decisions that tangle her in a web from which she cannot find an escape. It’s my prayer that her story will touch readers’ hearts and show them how much they are loved—flaws and all.
Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 2
Simple Harvest Reads, March 2 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Texas Book-aholic, March 3
lakesidelivingsite, March 3
Inklings and notions, March 4
Genesis 5020, March 4
For Him and My Family, March 5
A Novel Pursuit, March 5
Betti Mace, March 6
deb’s Book Review, March 6
Locks, Hooks and Books, March 7
Labor Not in Vain, March 7
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 8
Connie’s History Classroom, March 9
The Meaderings of a Bookworm, March 9
Older & Smarter?, March 10
Adventures Of a Travelers Wife, March 11
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 11
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, March 12
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, March 12 (Author Interview)
KarenSueHadley, March 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 13
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, March 14
Blossoms and Blessings, March 14
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 15
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Kathleen is giving away the grand prize package of a Kindle Paperwhite, one bookish scarf, one pair of bookish socks, one bookish necklace, one Chaparral Hearts Pen, and one custom bookmark made and signed by Kathleen Denly!!
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/1089f/sing-in-the-sunlight-celebration-tour-giveaway
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