Cover Image: Mary

Mary

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My family and I recently visited the area this takes place in, the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Having read the book, I was excited to visit the area and see it for myself. As we walked along listening to our tour guide talking and explaining I had an even better understanding of it because of having read this exciting book. The author gives a vivid historical description of the going ons and the people of the area. A wonderful factual and fictional combination makes for an interesting read. The natives had a wonderful spiritual connection with the earth. Beautifully written and faith filled. The author has meticulously researched the book and I enjoyed it a lot.

Pub Date 01 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

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This is book 2 of Daughters of the Lost Colony, Christian Historical Romance read. This is the story of Mushaniq and Georgie, both from different worlds during the 16 century era in Roanoke, Virginia. One is a colonist, the other is a native American and when they meet, life changes for both of them. Their friendship creates many different feelings and holding on to the trust of their faith. With both dealing with problems, can they support each other? Will their faith hold up?

I would recommend this to anyone that love history and God. This story has faith and trust throughout, it takes you on a journey of how the past was and people dealing with different cultures. It is book 2 however, can be read as a stand alone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, "Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.

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As usual this author writes a story that will captivate you from the first page. I love the way she goes in depth with the characters and they are not just superficial characters but someone you feel you know. Also there are spiritual lessons learned throughout the book.
Early American stories are some of my favorite books to read. If you like this genre I know you will love this one.
I received a copy from NetGalley but was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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Mary tells the love story between a Native American woman and an Englishman. I thought that this was a more superior and enjoyable work than Elinor. The characters are more developed and the love story was very touching. I also loved how the author pays particular attention to historical detail. I recommend this novel for fans of Sacajawea, Pocahontas, and Favorite Daughter!

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This occurs after Eleanor Dare finds her place in the local tribe, along with a few other English settlers. It shows how fast they were blended into the tribe's cultures and it is unique, I love how this story gives Ronake a second chance - not everyone died as believed by many. Instead, prejudices are set aside for the sake of survival for both sides.
A little romance, lots of adventure, and amazing history about this time of America we know so little about.

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What a beautiful story! I hadn't read the first one, not realizing this was a two part series, but I still ended up enjoying the characters and setting in this one! I loved the unique look at the settlement one that remains very much shrouded in mystery by historical accounts. This was a fun look at a bit of what it could have been like.

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Change is never quick nor easy....

I have long been fascinated by the Lost Colony Of Roanoke. Childhood history books introduced me to one of American history's greatest mysteries. What happened to them? Where did they go? Shannon McNear gives some fictional possibilities to those intriguing questions in Mary as she continues her Daughters Of The Lost Colony series in this second book...

Mary was a bit of a mixed bag for me. On the one hand it was a bit slow moving and hard to get into but on the other hand I love the way Shannon McNear allows all of her characters, Kurawoten and English alike, to speak and act in the ways they would have 400 years ago. Unvarnished and sometimes politically incorrect by modern standards, that historical accuracy in the Daughters Of The Lost Colony is both a breath of fresh air and much appreciated.

If there is one single word to be chosen to represent Mary it would be adjustment. As the English and Kurawoten start to blend their cultures and learn about their two very different belief systems many issues start to arise. From questions of morality and tradition to petty jealousies to threats from outside. In this second Daughters Of The Lost Colony book, Shannon McNear brings up all of those might-have-beens, and it's those might-have-beens that really get you pondering the past and the here and now...

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

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Mary is an interesting book for many reasons. One is that it is not only a sequel, but also a parallel book to the first, Elinor, in the Daughter of the Lost Colony series. It also is a fictional account of what may have happened to the lost colony of Roanoke and asks the question what if.

This story is mainly about Mushaniq, a young native girl, and Georgie Howe, a young boy from England who has lost his father in the new world. It is the story of how their very different cultures collide in a land that is destined to become a great nation through the providence of God. This story is told in different viewpoints, most notably Georgie, Mushaniq, and her father Manteo who was a native who went to live in London for a while. Manteo brings back knowledge from his experiences, a faith in God, and an understanding with the English.

This at times can be a hard book to read. The author did not shy away from difficult subjects, especially on how the different cultures lived, showing both good points and bad from each one. The struggles were more than just the outward appearance. It also showed that the spiritual struggles of men and women are not limited to just a culture or a time, but they are universal. King Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun.

There is also the battle between the peoples, the killing and the kidnapping that was happening. As this one particular tribe tried to live with the English and as their lives were intermingling, some saw that there was a war that had deeper spiritual meaning. That they were actually fighting the little gods of this land as the truth of the One true Creator was sweeping across and breaking down barriers and people were turning to him. This story gave a lot of food for thought that I will be thinking on for a while.

There are plenty of notes to help with some of the unfamiliar phrases and such. I also appreciated the incredible research the author went through. I learned some things I did not know. I look forward to the next in the series, it sounds like another harrowing one.

I was provided with a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

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Mary
Daughters of the Lost Colony #2
by Shannon McNear
Pub Date 01 Oct 2022
Barbour Publishing, Barbour Fiction
Christian | Historical Fiction | Romance



I am reviewing a copy of Mary: Daughters of the Lost Colony through Barbour Publishing and Netgalley:



Along the shores of the outer banks, world collide.



May: Daughters of the Lost Colony allows you to immerse yourself in the “what if” questions related to the Lost Colony of Roanoke. What if an English boy and a native girl met in the wilderness? The push-and-pull between two very different worlds begins as one seeks simple friendship and the other struggles to trust. And can it dare they allow it to be more?


Sparks fly between Mushaniq, free-spirited daughter of Manteo, and Georgie Howe, whose father was brutally murdered by undiscovered native warriors before they’d been on Roanoac Island a full week. As Georgie is struggling to make sense of his life and to accept that not all they call “savage” are guilty of his father’s death, Mushaniq grapples with her own questions about who Manteo has become. As tentative friendship becomes more, forged in the fire of calamity and attack upon their community, both must decide whether the One True God is indeed who He claims to be and whether He is worthy of their trust.




I give Mary, five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

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An intricate look at relationships and how they bring some together, while others choose to let it tear them apart. Early settlement stories have fascinated me for a long time. I loved taking this glimpse into the past and seeing what the author brought to this story. The characters come to life, and it's wonderful to watch them learn, about love and God, in equal measure as they work through the trials that come their way. The friendship between Mushaniq and Georgie, and the way their opposing lives meshed brought this story home for me. I received a copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

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#mary #netgalley #shannonmcnear

This was such an awesome story. I loved it and can't wait to read more from Shannon mcNear!

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Mary is a Christian Historical Fiction story that is written by Shannon McNear. This is part of the Daughters of the Lost Colony Series. The author will take you back to a interesting part of history where settlers and natives clashed. The author tells a story of the Lost Colony of Roanoke during the 1500's. The author did a great job with her research, as I felt that I learned a lot about this period in history.

Manteo helped to bridge the gap between the English and the natives. He has recently convereted to Christianity. He plays a great role in helping the English and his people understand each other better. We met him in book one -and his daughter, Mushaniq. We met Georgie Howe in the first book when his father was brutally murdered. They are both now coming of age - and the sparks fly. The author did a great job bringing cultural awareness to the story.

I have been enjoying the series. I was not as familiar with the Lost Colony as some, but I felt through the author's careful research I have learned a whole lot. The book is well written and the characters are well developed.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

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This intriguing tale explores the story of the lost early colony on America’s shore and the tenuous relations the settlers had with the native people. The author offers an honest portrayal and one as historically accurate as she could make it. The actions of people hundreds of years ago still resonate with modern readers—we undergo similar struggles and must make difficult choices. We witness passion, flaws, and evil actions and also love and hope. The first book in this series, Elinor, was set in the same place and time period. This novel fills in more of the tale. Readers will be swept away in the epic drama and the love story between a couple from two quite different cultures. Join the members of the Roanoke Colony in the late sixteenth century, and travel even further back in time as you read more of the indigenous history. It is interesting to view the newcomers through native eyes and see both sides—it aids in understanding the people. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own. #Mary #NetGalley

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I like how this author brings this story and the people of the Lost Colony to life. She takes readers into the wilderness yet to be explored in the 1590s. It was amazing to think about these two cultures coming together and the challenges they faced. It’s a part of history you don’t often hear about.

This is a fascinating story filled with drama, mystery, sprinkled with romance and a natural spiritual thread. It’s one that would work well for your next book club pick. This is the second book in the daughters of the Lost Colony series. You can read this as a standalone, but it’s a much richer experience if you read Elinor first.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book by the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! https://psalm516.blogspot.com/
The Book Club Network blog

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This was a good historical fiction about the Lost Colony of Roanoke. I thought it was very interesting to see how the author tried to show how hard it would be to blend the two cultures of the native people and those coming to settle. I liked that it was a companion story to the first book because it gave some insights into what was going on with the people while Elinor was kidnapped. I liked the characters of Georgie and Mary. I liked how they showed that both people could live together in harmony and find love. I also liked seeing Mary’s faith journey as she came to know God. Overall, I thought this was a interesting story and made you wonder if that could have been what happened to the people of Roanoke.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

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Historical fiction is something I love. In fact, I’m always fascinated by history and the what-ifs. The lost colony is definitely something I’ve spent a lot of time reading about and researching so I was intrigued by this series. I did find that the first book, and this one as well, took a good while to get into. The writing is wonderful. I love the characters. It just seemed to maybe stagnate a bit at the beginning. But once you immersed yourself in the characters and the writing it really begins to fly! Since this has been my experience with both books in the series I did want to share.

Now that I’ve shared the spoiler, this is book two in a series. And yes, you need to read both books in order. You really won’t fully understand this second book if you don’t read the first one first which chronicles the journey over the ocean and the beginning of the settlement.

I love how the author has taken what we know of the settlement and then made it into such a wonderful and full colony with its own dynamics and fun. You’re going to love these books! Just remember keep reading! Don’t stop after the first chapter or two.

I can’t help but wonder if there will be another book. I wouldn’t turn it down. This author is quickly becoming one that I’m eager to follow and see where else she may go.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

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It is the favor of God we do not deserve. If we did, it would not be grace.

This historical story is sure to grab your attention and keep it until the end. In many ways, the life of the English settlers and the Indigenous peoples was a fascinating look at what happens when the new conflicts with the old. Perhaps not so very strange in our world today.

These well developed characters bring a whole new light to the difficulties of learning to live and thrive in the late 1590’s. Can these two distinctly different peoples learn that the divide can be crossed?

This early copy of the Daughters of the Lost Colony #2 was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

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“We can walk in holiness and yet do it in such a way that is loving and gracious!”

Mary by Shannon McNear is an emotional and spiritual coming-of-age story of two young people from different cultures. McNear strives to show both the good and the ugly of both the English and the Native American cultures. Manteo is the dominant physical thread that holds these two tenuous cultures together. What an unusual man he is! Can Elinor and Sees Far help Manteo guide the fledgling love of Georgie and Mushaniq, as well as guide the racially diverse colony to unity?

McNear’s research is impeccable. I learned a lot of history. But hopefully, mostly, I learned to give grace for those different from me, so that unity can prevail whenever possible. “The sacraments and doctrines are clear enough! That is not our trouble here. It is that we wish to administer the letter of the law and not be mindful of the spirit thereof.” Would the Roanoke Colony as portrayed in Mary be dissolved from within by disagreement and insistence upon each culture’s mores?

While a sequel to “Elinor,” Mary by Shannon McNear has quite enough backstory one can read this as a stand-alone.

Different personal rivalries helped drive the action, creating tension and suspense. The outcome of all of them surprised me.

One last note: due to the subject matter, I would recommend this book to mature readers.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. I also bought a copy of the book. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

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I got into this series with Elinor and enjoyed it a lot more than I expected. Mary was also a book I liked a lot, continuing a speculative story of what may have happened to settlers at the lost Colony of Roanoke. This follows a romance between an English young man and an indigenous woman, the daughter of the Manteo, the Native American leader who became a friend and mentor of the early settlers.

From when the author's note said we should not apply modern standards to the past- something many so called historians could do with learning, I suspected I would enjoy this book and it was not a let-down. I don't often talk about "learning" about the past through fiction, but I did with this: even if it was just learning about how indigenous cultures of what is now North America at the close of the 16th century hunted and used medicinal herbs. Hey, I like that type of thing. Needless to say, this story is incredibly well researched, and it shows but not by boggling the reading down.

I found the portrayal of life in the mixed community of English and Native American people thought the eyes of two teenagers fascinating. There was no assumption that one way of life was "superior" to the other except in regard to some practices such as slavery (though again, there's an honesty to both sides involvement in that).
Mushaniq and Georgie’s relationship was very well written. There was no Insta-love, it was more of a growing relationship between two people who had grown up together and faced similar struggles in their early life. Both had to fact the judgement of their community (which led to a scenario which might be considered quite controversial in this genre) but were prepared to make sacrifices for one another. I enjoyed following both their journeys to love and faith and getting a story which had a somewhat happier ending than the last one. Spoiler alert: Elinor also returns, but she’s not the woman everyone knew, and there are possibly darker days on the horizon.

You’ve made me care about these characters Mrs McNear, I know it may be historically accurate, but I don’t want anything too bad to happen to them. I’m not prepared for that yet. They deserve some peace and quiet for now!
Recommended, and as usual I need to mention I requested this title from Barbour via Netgalley. I was not required to leave a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

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As stated in the author’s note at the beginning of the book, Mary by Shannon McNear serves as both a companion novel and a sequel to Elinor, and I appreciate visiting this community of people again.

Let’s start with the research that must have gone into this book. McNear not only gives us details of the land, the history of the lost colony of Roanoke, and a peek into the lives of the Native Americans during this time in history, she details some of the language, clothing, traditions, and so much more. The author’s attention to detail make this story even richer.

Mary is told there the eyes of Mushaniq, Georgie, and Mushaniq’s father Manteo as two children grow into adulthood and friendship grows into respect, admiration, and love. It’s the joining of two individuals and two people groups at the same time.

While the details sometimes made the overall plot drag, I didn’t mind at all because I was so immersed in this setting with these characters and their paths to love and salvation. There are some difficult parts to this book (Native Americans lived lives so much differently than the English settlers, almost to the point of shocking in some aspects), but again, McNear’s dedication to authenticity is what makes this book a wonderful and educational read.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

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