About the Book
Book: The Light Before Day
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Historical Fiction
Release Date: October 2, 2018
“Henry, this . . . fortune, this sudden wealth . . . I fear it will change our lives. And I don’t want my life to change.”
After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost, including when each should marry and whom — a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father’s thieving business partner.
As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will’s conditions, they’ll be faced with obstacles on every side—and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.
Find out more about this amazing deal at http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com/thelightbeforeday
About the Author
Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Phoebe’s Light and Minding the Light, as well as the Amish Beginnings, The Bishop’s Family, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series. She has also written several nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. Fisher lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow her on Twitter @suzannewfisher and Facebook @SuzanneWoodsFisherAuthor.
Guest Post from Suzanne
The Mortgage Button
In each story of the ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series, there’s a reference to a mortgage button in the newel post of a stairway. Phoebe Starbuck, the main character in Phoebe’s Light, made a point to notice it in the captain’s house on Orange Street, the famous residences of sea captains. In Minding the Light, Daphne Coffin touched the mortgage button on the newel post of her horrible mother’s grand house each and every morning. Hitty and Henry Macy were well aware of the absence of their childhood home’s mortgage button—and all that its absence symbolized—in The Light Before Day.
Mortgage buttons meant something to each of those characters. It made a statement to anyone who walked into a house.
Have you ever seen a mortgage button? It’s a very Nantucket-y tradition. In fact, some say the mortgage button originated on Nantucket Island, thirty miles out to sea.
Supposedly, when a house’s mortgage was fully paid and there were no liens against the property, the homeowner drilled a hole in the newel post of the main staircase, rolled up the mortgage document, put it inside, and capped the hole with a decorative plug of scrimshaw.
Scrimshaw is a term for an American folk art developed during the 18th and 19th centuries. Whaling in New England was an industry that lifted Nantucket Island to become the world’s wealthiest port. After a whale’s oil was rendered, the ship’s captain would give his crew the sperm whale’s teeth or bones to carve during long tedious hours at sea. Whaling had its exciting moments, but they were far and few between. As a pastime, sailors carved all kinds of useful gifts to bring home to their loved ones: needles, combs, games, clothespins, busks…and mortgage buttons.
But let’s jump back to the mortgage button. Some legends say that the actual mortgage papers were ceremoniously burned and the ashes stashed inside the drilled hole before sealed with the button. However, as appealing a thought as that might be, it is most likely a myth. There’s never been any evidence of ashes or even hidden mortgages found in salvaged newel posts. Still, mortgage buttons are common among Nantucket homes, and the tradition has spread to other parts of the country. In southern states, for example, they’re called brag buttons. Whether myth or truth, today it’s more a matter of a charming nostalgic custom than a nod to your healthy (or…not so healthy) net worth.
My Impressions:
Change is inevitable, though not always welcome. It’s our attitude that counts. While The Light Before Day may be an historical novel dating hundreds of years in the past, Suzanne Woods Fisher has made this message relevant for modern day. That is one of the strengths of her writing, whether historical or Amish fiction — making the unfamiliar feel real to her audience. In the third book of the Nantucket Legacy series Great Mary’s journal continues to provide insight into the founding of Nantucket Island and wisdom for her descendants (and the reader 🙂 ). In the 1840s, change is coming to Nantucket and the country as a whole. Society’s view on the rights of man are developing as the whaling industry suffers from over-fishing. Against this backdrop comes the stories of Henry and Hitty Macy, twins who have inherited an overwhelming and unwanted inheritance from their domineering grandmother. The two struggle with controlling the terms of the will while maintaining their own conscience and desires. I found both Henry and Hitty to be engaging characters. Secondary characters such as their grandfather Jeremiah, young but wise secretary Marie-Claire, and 5-year old Bitsy added depth and a bit of fun to the novel. As always the journal of Great Mary was a joy to read as she offers her views on her neighbors, family, and her growing faith in God. There’s a bit of lurking danger and two sweet, sweet romances in The Light Before Day that kept this reader turning the pages. There are also beginnings and endings in the two storylines that compliment each other. And the message of relationship with Jesus and being a light for others is inspiring. I don’t agree with all the tenets of the Quaker faith, but The Light Before Day gave me greater understanding of the Society of Friends.
The Light Before Day can be read as a standalone. I had read book 1, but missed book 2 and had no trouble jumping into the lives of the characters. But I do feel like I have missed a treat and am determined to read Minding The Light. So my recommendation is to begin at the beginning of this series for lots of wonderful reading.
Recommended.
Audience: adults.
(Thanks to Revell for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
Blog Stops
The Avid Reader, November 4
Just the Write Escape, November 4
Texas Book-aholic, November 5
Godly Book Reviews, November 5
Southern Gal Loves to Read, November 6
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 6
Jeanette’s Thoughts, November 7
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7
Among the Reads, November 8
Blossoms and Blessings, November 8
Blogging With Carol, November 9
A Baker’s Perspective, November 9
Mary Hake, November 10
Connies history classroom, November 10
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 11
Carpe Diem, November 11
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, November 12
Simple Harvest Reads, November 12
Inspiration Clothesline, November 13
Janices book reviews, November 13
Captive Dreams, November 14
Bigreadersite, November 14
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 15
By The Book, November 15
Pause for Tales, November 16
Book by Book, November 16
Have A Wonderful Day, November 17
Bibliophile Reviews, November 17
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Suzanne is giving away a grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/d773/the-light-before-day-celebration-tour-giveaway
I always enjoy reading Suzanne Woods Fisher’s books and look forward to reading this one.
Thanks so much for bringing to our attention another great book out there to read. I appreciate hearing about them since I have so many readers in my family.
Wonderful review!