William and America confront evil, but will it costs them everything?In 1857, America, the daughter of a slave owner, is an abolitionist and a student at Oberlin College, a school known for its radical ideas. America goes home to Kentucky during school break to confront her father about freeing his slaves.America’s classmate, William, goes to Kentucky to preach abolition to churches that condone … churches that condone slavery. America and William find themselves in the center of the approaching storm sweeping the nation and may not make it home to Ohio or live through the struggle.
Meet the Ladies of Oberlin, the causes they’re willing to fight for, and the men who capture their hearts.
Red Sky Over America tackles the most turbulent time in history with thorough research and fascinating characters. Tamera Lynn Kraft has woven a tale about the evils of slavery that should never be forgotten. — Mary Ellis, author of The Quaker and the Rebel, The Lady and the Officer, and The Last Heiress.
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et during the turbulent time of the Civil War, Red Sky Over America is a powerful story that explores how the war divided families, churches, and communities because of different beliefs about states’ rights and slavery. Playing off the expression “Red sky at night, sailors delight…” the title does an excellent job of capturing the effect the time period had on America the character and America the country. I struggled a bit to relate to the protagonist, America, because she waffled between sticking to her convictions about abolition and adhering to social customs and her father’s mindset, but she was very much a product of her time. Several points of view were used to tell the story, including one of the slaves, which I enjoyed and effectively immersed me into the era and personal situations of the characters. Colloquial dialogue was used, but not to the point of being distracting. Even though I am well-versed in the Civil War era, I was unfamiliar with the role played by Ohio and Oberlin College. The author wove lots of interesting information throughout the story without being textbookish or dry. I was disappointed that every slave owner in the book was portrayed as evil and/or unfeeling and somewhat cliché. Because of the subject matter, there are periodic episodes of violence, and although difficult to read, are not gratuitous. This is the first in a series, and I look forward to the next book.
I received a copy of this book for free from CelebrateLit Publicity, and a favorable review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.
Red Sky over America #1 Ladies of Oberlin by Tamera Lynn Kraft
1857 Oberlin, Ohio… With sensitively, Tamera Kraft weaves a story about a turbulent time in history. With extensive research that is evident on each page, this powerful story unfolds and the characters come to life. I enjoy reading historical Christian fiction, I always learn something new as I did reading this book. A captivating, powerful story.
~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~
I have read many historical stories about the south, their plantations, slaves, and way of live, but never one so vivid as Red Sky Over America. Tamera brought to life a very execrable time in our history with her realistic memorable writing. This story haunted me. To think that one human being could do this to another and think that it was right in the eyes of god sickened me. There were times that I wanted to look away but couldn’t.
Tamera first introduces us to America (Merry) Leighton, the daughter of a slave owner from Kentucky, who is attending Oberlin College in Ohio founded in 1833 by John Jay Shipherd and Philo Stewart. Oberlin is the oldest coeducational liberal arts college in the United States and the second oldest continuously operating coeducational institute of higher learning in the world. The town of Oberlin itself was one of the crucial stops along the Underground Railroad. It is here where America is brought into the light that her family’s way of life goes against God’s teaching. Her classmate, William Woods, goes to Kentucky during winter break risking his life to preach against slavery. Back then even men of faith were hung for speaking out against slavery. We are witnesses to their separate stories and personal struggles. Tamera brings them together as they become champions freeing slaves.
I have had the good fortune of reading all of Tamera Kraft’s works. Her growth as a writer is astounding and I applaud her for writing this story that is not for those that are weak or like their stories sugar coated. She has written a realistic believable story filled with characters of depth. What a fantastic start to a series.
I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of the author’s Celebrate Lit book tour. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is the best Christian historical novel I’ve read all year! From the beginning, I was fully engaged with the story and characters, especially the very likable America “Merry” Leighton, Joe and Ruth, and William. They, and their realistic struggles during pre-Civil War years are defined in such a way that I felt as if I were there. Using a real historical setting, some of its real people, and their teaching about the Lord and His Word further brings it alive.
It is late 1857, and Merry is going home for school break. Her father is a slaveowner, and while he treats his slaves better than most, he still owns them. Aunt Ruth raised America after her mother died and is the only mother figure she has known. Uncle Joe is Ruth’s husband. Unbeknownst to Merry, her father sold Joe’s oldest son, Amos, and plans to sell Naomi soon, as many of their horses died during the summer and the mortgage is due. Also unknown to Merry, her father has all but promised her hand to Harland, a slaveowner who plans to run for senator in 1860. Colonel Beauregard Leighton may be low on funds, but his word can almost ensure Harland’s election.
Merry feels the Lord’s is call in more than area. She attends Oberlin College, known for its ideas about slavery and women’s suffrage. She believes Oberlin is the best place for her to receive a degree that will fit her for mission work in China. She believes she is to go home for this break and tell her father how he needs to free his slaves, how slavery is a sin in the eyes of the Lord. On the train home, Brother William, a student whose anointed preaching she heard at college, sits next to her. He has felt drawn to her since she prayed with him about a year ago. He wonders if this is the woman to be his bride, as they have similar calls to the mission field and feelings about slavery. At least until he hears her speak to Joe.
What comes next is where the rubber meets the road, each on their own path. Merry goes home and William goes to various churches as a visiting preacher. William learns that not all churches are what they seem, while some are very proactive with helping slaves. Merry is convicted of the plank in her own eye about slavery, more so after attending a special prayer meeting at her pastor’s. Her father is firm with his stand on slavery, even firmer on her match to Harland, who really creeps her out. She and William may share similar feelings for each other. She is in a quandary of how to honor her father, as Scripture states, and return to college, then the mission field. Her regular attendance at the special, private prayer meetings is also in question, and Harland is about to discover why.
The author presented both sides of slavery from the characters’ point of view, as well as Merry’s concern for honoring her earthly father as well as her heavenly Father. Watching William as he went from one church to another was so enlightening! From beginning to end, this was a hard novel to set down. It is overall straightforward with a few breathtaking twists and turns! The end brought both tragedy and promises of hope, as well as knowledge that war was coming. This is a novel filled with faith and grace, clear descriptions, actual people at Oberlin, and symbolism at the start of one of the most tumultuous times in our nation’s history; I highly recommend it!
From a grateful heart: I won a copy of this e-book from the author, and was not obligated to post a review.
Right from the beginning of this book I could feel the hopelessness of the people caught in slavery, treated horribly, and with your heart in your throat you want to do something.
The author has place this injustice on the heart of her main character America, a young woman raised to have slaves, her father’s lively hood depends on it. Put in her path is a fellow student at Oberlin College, and a gifted preacher, with a heart for missionary work, and a staunch abolitionist.
The author’s words placed me right in the midst of the abolition movement, and places faces on those who go about helping their fellowman. We meet those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing, a preacher spouting that people of color do not have souls, and then he twists the bible to support his sins.
What a powerful story, broken families, both slave and owners, all with different views, and through it all we hope that America and her father will take off their blinders, they sure are given enough hints.
A book that everyone should read, and after the final page is turned it will linger with you.
I received this book though Lit Fuse Publicity Book Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.
The book is a haunting look back in history when slaves were very prevalent. It was so hard to read how horrific they were treated. I can’t imagine the terror they felt when they knew they were going to be beat. The author has done extensive research on this subject and it shows by the vivid picture she paints with her words. There were times I had tears rolling down my cheeks as I read about human beings being traded to work for nothing.
America is one young woman that I would want to be friends with. Her determination to follow what God has placed in her heart was an example of true faith. She had such a heart to free slaves and her biggest challenge was her father. How do you go against your father and refuse to support him? America is a strong willed young woman who will risk everything to see her father’s slaves freed.
William is a man with a mission. He has set out to travel to different places and preach about how wrong it is to own slaves. There were times I’m sure he was fearful of what may happen when he stood before men who disagree with his beliefs. There was something that really stuck in my head and it made me look at this story with a heart that hurt for the unjust treatment of men, women and children of color. We are all made in the imagine of God yet during this time period that one sentence was erased from the minds of slave owners.
When America (Merry) finds out about a secret movement to help slaves be free, she must decide if she is willing to help or turn the group in. The story is intense and realistic with each page growing with danger. I really liked how the author showed readers how much faith the characters had. Would it be hard to stand up for the truth if you knew you could be in danger of being killed?
There were times in the story when I felt anger rise up in me. America’s father was such a mean spirited man and his sternness overwhelmed me. Even though people said he treated his slaves better than most he still beat them. His treatment of his daughter bordered on control and I feared for America’s safety. The author has written a story that is epic and depicts a time when the color of your skin determined your destiny by others. It is one of the best stories I’ve read about slavery and I appreciate the brutal honesty that the author wrote about a time in history that makes me grieve.
” It’s better to lose your life obeying God than pretend slavery doesn’t exist and do nothing.”
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse. The review is my own opinion.
If you have ever wondered what it was like to be caught up in the issue of slavery before the Civil War, this book is for you. Author Tamera Lynn Kraft tells this story from multiple perspectives giving a wide range of opinions and the reasoning behind them. Though the story is primarily told from America’s and William’s viewpoints, there are small sections told from the perspective of one of the slaves and of a slave owner.
The characters were richly developed and their motivations were very clear. Both America and William made some mistakes and misunderstood each other, despite having good intentions, which made them perfect for the story.
“Seeing” firsthand what it was like in Kentucky at this time, and the various struggles that everyone faced related to survival and slavery was very interesting. The story was a rich adventure and while it wasn’t quite one that I couldn’t put down, it kept my interest to the very end.
Although it is not described in detail, the story does talk about the reprehensible treatment of some female slaves by their male masters as well as the general cruelty to all the slaves, so I would be cautious about giving this book to a younger reader. There is other violence as well.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
This is a well-written book filled with intense drama!
America (Merry) is going home for the first time in three years. When she confronts her father about his owning slaves, he sends her to her room, she slams her door. Something she does a lot now that her father refuses to let her return to school. Colonel Leighton is good to his slaves and does not agree with her. Her brother Luke is quite angry and does not share her ideas. He is engaged to the daughter of a huge plantation owner and sees nothing wrong with slavery. America’s views cause some difficulties for him.
William (America’s classmate and maybe more) puts himself in danger as he preaches against slavery in slave condoning churches. I don’t give spoilers but I will say there is a scene where bullets are flying. You need to read the book to find out what happens.
There are some very real and dramatic scenes involving a slave family and the underground railroad. The author handled this with such feeling and sensitivity. It was very moving.
* I had the privilege of reading an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. No review was required. All opinions expressed are my entirely own.
I have enjoyed other books I have read by this author, and I really did enjoy this one. This is a story that transports the reader into the events occurring during the 1850’s in the state of Kentucky and the resulting turmoil that occurred during that time of history. I was certainly pulled into America’s story from the first pages as she dealt with the turmoil in her life as she stood firm in her beliefs as an abolitionist and was placed in the position of standing against her father who was a slave owner. This is an emotional and drama filled story with outstanding characters that I didn’t want to put down. I was privileged to receive an advance copy of this book from the author. A positive review was not required. The opinions are expressed are my own, and this is a wonderful book that I definitely recommend.
This book will keep you flipping pages as fast as you can. Set in pre-civil war Kentucky, Author Tamera Kraft does not gloss over what happened during that era. Slavery was real and ugly, and that is not concealed. Spies, deception, hearts turned to the truth, and the Underground Railroad make this story a thrilling read.
I did find this book difficult to read at times. I would rather those things had never occurred. Because Kraft has done intense research, she is able to paint a vivid picture of what would have been happening and it’s not pretty. Yet this story tells a tale of truth and redemption, also, and is very inspiring. I truly recommend you read Red Sky Over America.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Powerful and emotional story dealing with a very important topic. The first paragraph drew me in and I couldn’t put the book down. When people have strong opinions about an issue and your opinion is different, how do you deal with the struggles and tension? Read this story and learn how staying with her convictions, America finds her way in life and also have the opportunity for true love. Another great story by Tamera Lynn Kraft.