Phoebe's LIght by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she's doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a "minder" on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes.

Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary's journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe's shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way--just in time.

In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island. 

My Take:  This was a very good start to a new series.  I was very interested in the two story lines that were told that of Mary Coffin and the one of Phoebe Starbuck.  I haven't read many books about Quakers and I found it interesting that the Quakers seemed to punish others in almost the same way they were punished.  I found it interesting about the whaling industry and how they used the different parts of the whale.  I did find it odd that they didn't find a way to make candles yet.  I almost from the very beginning had a dislike for the Captain and felt that Phoebe wasn't paying attnetion to what he could be and that she was to starry eyed.  I think if you like books that deal with historical fiction that you would like this book.  

I received a review copy from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion.