This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Paul F. Murray for Readers' Favorite
Lena's Hope by Mary Lou Cheatham is a Christian historical novel that describes the life of a young woman who is forced by her father into a marriage that she does not want. Growing up in the early 1900s, Lena has big plans for herself, at the very least graduating from high school, and then maybe training as a nurse. Her plans are short-circuited by her demanding father, who loves Walt more than she does. Lena wants to continue her education and have a career before she considers marriage to someone. Notwithstanding the hatred between Lena and Walt, they have two children. The story continues with tragedy followed by triumph.
I enjoyed reading Lena's Hope by Mary Lou Cheatham and it is an entertaining story for those who enjoy historical fiction. I kept waiting for Lena's life to somehow turn a corner for the better. If anything, this story depicts the status of young women in the early 20th century in a way that will make readers, both men and women, extremely glad to be living instead in 2023-2024. The story demonstrates why women should be allowed to choose their husbands, and, by extension, why young women need an education so that they can support themselves apart from their families until they can marry for love alone. Moreover, this novel will also make all readers extremely glad to be living nowadays, rather than in the early 20th century—before the creation of penicillin and other antibiotics—when diseases were largely undefeatable. Back then, luck played a much bigger role in how long you lived. Educational and eye-opening. A good read.
