Grace's Pictures
an Ellis Island Novel by Cindy Thomson
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Grace's Pictures Book 1 of Cindy Thomson's Ellis Island Series
Published June 2013
Tyndale House Publishers
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Author Cindy Thomson's intriguing thoughts that initiated the novel:
The legacies of those who came before us has always
enthralled me.
I am interested in history and how the events impacted us.
In
Grace's Pictures the introduction of the Brownie Camera changed photography
forever.
Now everyone had access and could snap pictures at will. What if that
got someone in trouble?
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Grace McCaffery hopes
the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise the lush hills of Ireland
did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America
fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual
stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with
local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos
of their elusive leader.
A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace
attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be
trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new
nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her
faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness. - Tyndale House Publishers backcover
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Fascinating
look into the life of Grace, a newly arrived Irish immigrant to America, at the
turn of the century in 1900-1901. The effects of her father's emotional and
psychological abuse have long lasting and far reaching effects. At nineteen she
is still dealing with the emotional scars and valiantly battling the lies that
rise to confront her every step into her future in this new land.
I longed
for Grace to make the right choices. To stand up strong. To learn to trust. To
believe God's truth about her, so well put in her mother's mantra, "I am
smart. I am important. I am able." that sustains her, until the final
revelation in her ma's song over her as a child. From Be Thou My Vision, "
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one".
The final recognition that her earthly father's constant criticism
didn't determine her worth. Her heavenly Father's perspective is what mattered.
Leaving behind a life spent in the workhouse, longing for
safety in her new country, Grace finds a haven at her home provided by the
Benevolents. But not outside that home.
Greed of landlords taking advantage of immigrants' housing needs, corruption
amongst the police force, predators on naive and needy newcomers. Grace's own
belittling experiences during hiring and poor treatment by employers whilst
working as a maid; finding her way in every new area of life - massive
adjustments, relational misunderstandings, confrontations, and losses, yet Grace perseveres.
And we're treated to the inside story of her courageous journey.
Her
fascination with being photographed upon entry at Ellis Island leads to
personal growth and joy once she pursues the hobby. A mailorder magazine ad offering the Kodak Brownie camera for $1 definitely brings it within her reach. With the instruction book included along with 2 rolls of film, Grace is set. Yet this too proves unsafe
when she photographs the wrong members of NY society. Stalked,
pursued and harassed Grace faces dangerous consequences.
No, definitely not the safe
country she hoped for and believed she'd found.
One insightful moment in the book grabbed me personally.
Irish policeman, Owen's, revelation on 'waiting'.
Whilst taking comfort in Psalm 106, Owen read of the Hebrew ancestors who wouldn't wait for Adonai's counsel, coming into trouble as a result . This settled his own responses to confusing life choices .
It impacted me likewise in the reading.
A full story of Grace's experiences, suspense, and subplots.
All bring the
story to the loveliest romantically subtle closing.
I re-read it several times
just to repeat the enjoyment!
Great
summer reading addition for those who like their historical stories with realistic
details, authentic characters, and a side of romance...
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*Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers for providing an ebook copy to read and review without obligation.
*Reviewed for the TYndale Summer Reading Program
and
* Tyndale Rewards Program of Free books and audiobooks.
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Grace's Pictures by Cindy Thomson read 14-15.6.13
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