It Girl: fictionalized retelling of the real life Gibson Girl and the crime of the century

It Girl by Allison Pataki is a fictionalized retelling of real life Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, and the crime of the century she finds herself in the middle. New York, 1900, with the brilliance of a new century and new inventions, nothing shined brighter than a young woman who rose to stardom from rags to riches through her talent, charismas and irresistible beauty. Evelyn Talbot became America’s sweetheart and the introduction of pop culture. As a young girl, Evelyn works to take care of her widowed mother and younger brother after the sudden death of her father. As she was working as a shopgirl, she catches the eye of artists and is recruited as a studio model and eventually Broadway. Soon a parade of powerful and power hungry men come calling, from a world famous architect to a wealthy railroad heir and playboy. When Evelyn finds herself at the center of a crime of passion, deemed the Crime of the Century and finds the blame placed squarely on her shoulders. 

I learned about Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, in a high school history class, so when I had a chance to read It Girl, I looked forward to reading the story. Allison Pataki is an author I recognize but have never read. She describes her books as “biographical historical fiction.” While names were changed slightly, Evelyn Talbot’s story mirrored Nesbit’s from her humble beginnings to the rise to stardom. However, while the story started off strong, the story was a little too long, felt a bit draggy, and when the story got to the Crime of the Century, it faltered even more. There was so much build up to the crime and trial that the actual crime and trial felt rushed. Overall, I was disappointed with the story. I couldn’t connect with Evelyn and particularly didn’t like her. I didn’t care for Ms. Pataki’s writing and most likely will not read her books in the future. If you are a fan of Allison Pataki, you may enjoy It Girl. 

It Girl is available in available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Who was Sylvia?: one woman's mission to discover what happened to her sister

Who was Sylvia? by Judy Gardiner is a story of one woman’s search for her sister. 1939, Barnard Castle, Durham, Sylvia Coryn is a hero to her younger sister, Kit. With warmth, infectious laughter and beauty, she was charming to all. On the brink of World War II, Sylvia leaves home and disappears. Kit is left confused, why would her sister leave with a goodbye? Her parents refuse to talk about Sylvia; but Kit is desperate to know what has happened to her sister. As she sits off on her own, Kit begins to trace her sister’s steps from their home to bombed streets of London and beyond. Each stop, Kit discovers a puzzling clue that raises more questions than answers. Will Kit find Sylvia? Will the answers she seeks bring her understanding? 

I found the premise interesting and looked forward to reading this story. I was surprised by how short the book is, only 10 chapters, but I eagerly dove in. The story started off great and set up the mystery of Sylvia's disappearance and Kit’s mission to find out what happened. However, I was bored. I felt the story did more telling than showing and I struggled to pay attention. The ending was a let down and left more questions than answers. It felt as if the author intended a sequel but didn’t write one. Kit was an interesting character and I admired her determination to discover the truth. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. It had so much potential. I do not recommend Who was Sylvia? 

Who was Sylvia? is available in paperback and eBook

The Rebel: the heartbreaking, yet hopeful final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series

The Rebel is the eighth and final book in the Emerson Pass Historical series by Tess Thompson. After four years at a university, Delphia Barnes returns home to Emerson Pass; however, no one is at the station to welcome her home. When she sees Jack Depaul, she wonders why her family isn’t there, he tells her the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Jack is a proud second generation horse breeder in Emerson Pass. Only his love for Delphia equals his love of horses. As America prepares for war, Jack and Delphia finally confess their feelings for each other and marry before Jack ships off to fight overseas. He doesn’t want to leave her now that they have come together; but the desire to serve is too strong. Jack promises her he will return, alive and well. She prays that it is a promise he can keep. Will Jack survive the war? If he comes home, will Delphia recognize and love the man who returns?

I have loved this series and the Barnes family’s adventures and it is exciting and yet sad to finish the final book. It was hard to say goodbye and yet I could not tear myself away from the pages as the Barnes family deals with the horrors and sacrifice of war. My heart broke for Delphia and Jack as they fall in love and marry in innocence even as war looms. And they fall in love again as they deal with the aftermath and pain of war. I loved how Delphia refused to give up on Jack and I cheered as others around Jack refused to let him give up and with tough love to show him that life can still be lived fully and love is deeper than skin deep. As the historical series ends, I look forward to jumping back into and finishing the contemporary Emerson Pass series. I highly recommend the Historical Emerson Pass series if you haven’t started it. I highly recommend The Rebel. 

The Rebel is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Orphan's Island: a young girl's journey to America and a new beginning

The Orphan’s Island is the first book in the Amherst Island series by Kate Hewitt. In 1904, Ellen Copley arrived in America from Glasgow with her father after the death of her mother. They crossed the ocean with dreams and hopes of new beginnings. After joining her Uncle Hamish and Aunt Ruth in Vermont, her father leaves to find work leaving Ellen feeling alone and uncertain of her future. It wouldn’t be until her Aunt Rose needs her assistance with her family on Amherst Island where Ellen finally finds love and acceptance with her cousins as well as Jed and Lucas Lyman, the boys next door. Lucas becomes a friend and confidante but it is Jed who steals her heart. But will Jed love her back? While Amherst Island feels like home, will Ellen find her heart and future there as well? 

Kate Hewitt is a new author to me and I was intrigued by Ellen’s story as a young girl new to America and finding her place in her new country. The Orphan’s Island is a fast paced read and I was glued to the page and Ellen’s story. There was drama between Ellen and her Aunt Ruth, squabbles with her new friends and the highs and lows of first loves. In her young years, Ellen finds the strength and courage to find a path that she would be able to support herself with the uncertainty of what her true dreams could be. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series and Ellen’s story. If you enjoy historical novels of hope and finding a place in a new world, I recommend The Orphan’s Island. 

The Orphan’s Island is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Tomorrow's First Light: a marriage of convenience romance with faith, hope and drama

Tomorrow’s First Light is the first book in the Texas Promise series by Naomi Rawlings. Sam Owens grew up in an orphanage in the small dusty town of Twin Rivers. All he dreamed about was a spread of land of his own and a family. For a year, he has been writing to Ellie Spritzer, who agreed to come to Twin Rivers and become his wife; however, she was bringing her siblings with her. Sam had no issue with it, looking forward to a ready made family. He wasn’t prepared for the eight young children who arrived with Ellie. As Sam and Ellie start to figure out life together, with a brood of children and limited resources, someone from the shadows tries to steal his land from him. They are now in a fight to hold their new family together on the land they all have come to love. 

Naomi Rawlings is a new author to me and I enjoy mail order bride historical fiction. Tomorrow’s First Light is a great read, fast paced and page turner filled with drama, faith and struggles, filled with love, friendship and support. I loved the struggle with faith and doubt of Ellie as she faced the drama with the land, entering a marriage with a stranger and questioning her decisions. I enjoyed Sam as a young man who knew hardship and the support of friends and held a deep faith in God that he moved forward despite the overwhelming odds in front of him. His friends were great characters and I enjoyed their interactions. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to the rest of the series. If you enjoy marriage of convenience with faith, hope and new beginnings, I highly recommend Tomorrow’s First Light. 

Tomorrow’s First Light is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

My Dear Hamilton: a historical fiction novel of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie is the novel about Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, a founding mother who is responsible for preserving the legacy of Alexander Hamilton. A general’s daughter, Eliza Schuyler came of age during tumultuous times in the colonies and the fight of independence hanging on by a thread. When she meets Alexander Hamilton, he is a handsome, passionate aide-de-camp of General George Washington. Penniless yet brilliant and charismatic, Hamilton wins Eliza’s heart. After the war, as the country struggles to establish itself, Eliza and Alexander find themselves in the middle of glittering highs and bloody lows including the Reynolds Affair, America’s first sex scandal. After Hamilton’s death in the famous duel in 1804, Eliza struggles to survive and later preserve her husband’s legacy as a founding father as well as other prominent figures in the Revolutionary War.  

I have always loved historical fiction, fueling my own research into the real historical events and figures. I am also a fan of the musical Hamilton (2015) and I have read the Ron Chernow biography. I have eagerly read other historical fiction books about Hamilton and the Revolutionary War. While My Dear Hamilton is a historical fiction novel, I feel the authors strayed too much from what is known about Eliza to try and fill in the holes of what is not known, especially with modern attitudes that, I feel, would have been too progressive for the time, even for a rebellion against a monarchy. My Dear Hamilton just didn’t live up to my expectations and I found myself skimming sections. I did not have an emotional reaction to this story and I was glad it was over. I do not recommend My Dear Hamilton. 

My Dear Hamilton is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

Who are the anointed? Why can't we come against them? and the misinterpretation

Every time a pastor or church leader is criticized or accused, I will always hear “You can’t come against the anointed” in defense against the criticism or accusation. Instead of addressing the criticism or accusation, wagons will be circled and people will be told you can’t do that. Even personally, when I have raised a concern about a pastor’s teaching or use of a Bible verse, I was told you can’t come against the anointed. Alarm bells go off in my head when I hear this statement. Even God allows our questions (Matthew 7:7, Isaiah 1:18, Proverbs 2:6), so why not pastors or church leaders? So I wondered who are the anointed? Why can’t we come against the anointed? What happens if someone does come against an anointed? And are all pastors or church leaders automatically anointed? 

The anointed ones are individuals set apart by God for special services, primarily kings, priests and prophets. Kings like Saul, David and Solomon. Priests like Aaron and his sons. Prophets like Moses, Elijah and Elisha. Even Cyrus the Great, a non-Jew, was anointed by God for a divine purpose. The anointing was done with oil showing God’s selection and support with His Spirit for a task, representing His presence and blessing. 1 Chronicles 16:22 (also Psalm 105:15) states, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” These verses signify God’s protection over those with a specific divine assignment. This command was for a specific person for a specific purpose. Queen Jezebel is a famous example of someone who came against the anointed prophet Elijah (1 Kings 21) and died horribly (2 Kings 9:30-37). Anointing was more prevalent in the Old Testament. The closest thing to anointing in the New Testament is the practice of laying of hands (Acts 8:18); however, there is no mention of special protection (Gonzales, 2019). Even Paul writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 about the qualifications of pastors and deacons, he makes no mention of any anointing or special protection for being God’s anointed (Gonzales, 2019). 

“Touch” means physical harm, slander, malicious mockery or interfering with their God given mission. However, this does not mean no constructive criticism or concerns. It is often used by a televangelist, a faith healer or a proponent of the prosperity gospel in defense of their actions, which makes them no better than false teachers who utilize these verses for control and their own personal gain (Gonzales, 2019). The scriptures are filled with examples of the anointed  and church leaders and teachers being challenged and demonstrates that the anointed are not above reproach as they are still flawed people. Nathan openly criticized and confronted King David after he sinned with Bathsheba and tried to cover it up (2 Samuel 8:1-14). Paul confronted Peter about his hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-21) and the Bereans questioned Paul’s teaching (Acts 17:11) and examined the Scriptures every day to make sure they were true. Even Jesus gives us instructions on how to confront a fellow believer in Matthew 18:15-17. First, we are to speak to the individual privately about the sin (verse 15). Second, if he or she doesn’t repent, then we are to bring two or more witnesses to discuss the matter (verse 16). Lastly, if he or she still doesn’t listen and repent, then we are to take the matter to the church leaders (verse 17). The purpose is restoration and protection. Paul writes in 1 Timothy 5:20 “Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly so that the others may take warning.” 

The warning not to touch the anointed has been massively misinterpreted and used to shield religious leaders from accountability and using the verses in ways God did not intend. The passages are often used in Pentecostal and Charismatic circles to defend and deflect preachers from criticisms and accusations; however, they aren’t the only ones who misuse these passages. People who promote themselves as pastors and their ministries as “anointed” to warn off their critics. It is used to preempt any questions and scrutiny and allows them to spread falsehoods, bad theology and even predatory behaviors. Some in the prosperity gospel circles have also interpreted these passages to mean that all Christians are promised protection from all bad things. God never promises protection from harm from evil people, He only promises that he will deliver us from troubles (Psalm 34:19). In John 16:33, Jesus teaches “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus tells Paul, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

In conclusion, in the Old Testament, the anointed were people given a special purpose by God. Kings, prophets and leaders, to attack them maliciously was to attack God Himself. The demise of Queen Jezebel being a prime example of divine judgment and retribution. However, In the New Testament, no special anointing is described for pastors. In fact, every believer in Christ is anointed with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 1:21-22). We are allowed and encouraged to bring legitimate concerns and criticisms to the individuals, the church and the public with the purpose of repentance and restoration. To claim to be anointed is not a free pass to do and say what you want and avoid accountability. The next time, when you bring up a legitimate concern or criticism and you are told you can’t do that, know that you can and should. 

References

Gonzales, Nitoy (April 30, 2019). 6 Reasons Why “Touch Not the Anointed” Verses Are Not for Pastors. Delighting Grace. https://delightinggrace.wordpress.com/2019/04/30/6-reasons-why-touch-not-the-anointed-verses-are-not-for-pastors/. Retrieved February 3, 2026.