Book Review of The Emeline Series by Kathy J. Perry

Hello Bookworms!

It's been a while since I've been able to review an entire series at once but that ends now! Today I am sharing TWO reviews for the Emeline, Christian Young Adult series, that I hope you will enjoy. I love reading YA books because they give such an innocence that is so refreshing to me and almost transports me back to a simpler time in my life.

I hope you enjoy my thoughts on this sweet series and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for the Emeline series by Kathy J. Perry, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About Book #1: A Journey

Title: A Journey
Series: Emeline #1
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: November 1, 2023
Genre: Christian Young Adult 19th Century American Historical Fiction

A promise made to her dying father; a struggle that tests her faith; a journey that pushes her resilience and resourcefulness to their limits

Emeline, a thirteen-year-old Missouri orphan, must set off on a quest across frontier America to fulfil her father’s last to find her grandfather in Boston.

Crossing this dangerous and unforgiving land alone, she must face challenges without losing her faith, rising to every test ahead if she’s to survive and find a home at the end of her adventure.

Will Emeline’s journey bring her the family she longs for?

Readers of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Louisa May Alcott will delight in this fast-paced adventure.

About Book #2: Finding Strength

Title: Finding Strength: During the Panic of 1893
Series: Emeline #2
Author: Kathy J Perry
Publisher: Chickadee Words, LLC
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Genre: Christian Young Adult Historical Fiction

When the world around you is falling apart, you must find strength within yourself.

Three years after her father’s death, Emeline has settled into life in Indianapolis.

Then an urgent visit to her childhood farm in Missouri changes everything. Her manager dies, the economy is in recession, and the caretakers are moving back to Wisconsin. Emeline is suddenly responsible for the farm… and she’s out of her depth.

With the help of her closest allies, Emeline sets out to turn the farm around until disaster strikes and she must start again. Emeline faces her biggest challenge finding the courage to have confidence in herself.

Can Emeline’s faith and resourcefulness bring her the joy and security she’s worked so hard to find?

This coming-of-age tale is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.

My Review of 'A Journey'

Sometimes you just need something good and wholesome to read and that's exactly what you get with the Emeline series. When I first started reading A Journey, I immediately picked up on the Little House on the Prairie vibes, especially since their eras are similar, and I was charmed with Emeline just as much as I was with Laura Ingalls.

Talk about a girl that has grit! Emeline seems to have it in spades, having to grow up quickly due to devastating personal circumstances at such a young age, but she seems to take these difficulties as a challenge. I really enjoyed reading her prayer journal entries as well as her sharing the verse of the day. Reading about having a consistent daily devotional time, even if it's just a few minutes, really spoke to me. Emeline's strong faith at such a young age is so inspiring!

There are a lot of facts included in this story that I could see being beneficial for younger audiences and it really helps this world come alive and is a nice touch. There are some sweet, heartwarming moments and my only complaint is that it was so short and went by too quick, which is why I am thankful there's a second book!

This was a very simple and charming story that was a nice little escape during a very busy weekend when I just wanted to read for nothing other than the pleasure of reading.

My Rating: ★★★★

My Review of 'Finding Strength'

The second novel in the series is a tad longer and has Emeline making a trip back to Missouri after three years in Indianapolis, which is where we left her in the first book. She is now seventeen and having to make some pretty adult decisions. This second novel felt like it was a lot more detailed than the first, which I appreciated, yet it still had a natural flow that made reading it quite pleasant.

One thing that really set this novel apart in this series was the illustrations that were sprinkled throughout the book which was so charming and added the perfect touch of whimsy. While this isn’t a mystery per se there is an air of suspiciousness that surrounds almost every male character in this novel. Several are vying after the heart of Miss Emeline and it’s hard to tell if their intentions are pure and had me side-eyeing every one of them. Other than that, it was pretty predictable and a bit on the repetitive side, which was sad because I was waiting for a surprise that never came.

The ending was HEA and so very sweet. I would love to get a novel in the future of Emeline’s later life. She is such a strong and capable character that I would love to see her as an adult living her best life. This was such a wonderfully charming series and I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to read it.

My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author

Of the many jobs she’s held in the past, including thirty-five years of designing and constructing stained glass windows part-time, teaching was one of the most enjoyable for Kathy J. Perry because investing in kids is so important. To this end, she continues to encourage good character with clean, moral stories kids and teens love to read. Good books make such an impact. Writing is hard work, but there’s nothing like a good story to run off with your imagination. When things are flowing, it’s like a vacation. Sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night. When not writing, you’ll find her painting with watercolor, doing school visits, writing a blog, interviewing other writers, designing websites, working as an administrative assistant part-time, and renovating houses. Is this retirement? Apparently so! She loves every minute of it with her husband of 43 years.

Connect with Kathy by visiting kathyjperry.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive signed print copies of A Journey and Finding Strength, companion journal, bookmarks, and a $25 Amazon gift card plus a code for free audiobooks for both titles!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 1, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 8, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!