Unclaimed Legacy by Deborah Heal Blog Tour and Book Review!

Title: Unclaimed Legacy
Author: Deborah Heal
Published: September 1, 2012
Series: Book Two in the Time and Again Series 
Genre: YA Christian Fiction/Time Travel

Blurb:
“I call it time-surfing,” Abby said. “It’s like being there,
except no one can see or hear us.”

“Whatever you call it,” John said, “that was crazy—what we just did.
Beyond realistic. I mean, I was in that guy’s head
and knew everything he was thinking.”



Abby’s weird computer program is working again. And it comes in handy when they agree to help the Old Dears next door with their family tree. Except Abby and John learn more about one of the ladies’ ancestors than they ever wanted to know. Convicted in 1871 of murder and arson, Reuben Buchanan is a blight on the family’s reputation. But was he really guilty? Abby and John get inside the mind of a murderer to find out. But while they’re rummaging around in the Old Dears’ family history, they discover the truth of God’s promise to bless a thousand generations …
… and a legacy waiting to be reclaimed.

About the Author:
 I was born in Eldorado, Illinois (Be sure to pronounce that with a long A.) but grew up in Woodburn, a tiny village in Macoupin County. We lived in a house over 100 years old and I often wondered about the people who had lived there so long before.

My husband Bob and I farmed and raised a family there in Macoupin County. When the kids were old enough I went back to college, majoring in English with a minor in Creative Writing. Afterwards, I taught high school English, including creative writing, composition, grammar, and literature. I loved teaching young people, except for grading compositions of writers who didn't want to write, leaving me no time to do what I had always wanted to do—write.

I remember one time when I was four. I scribbled furiously on my paper, and then took it to show Mommy. “Is it writing?” I asked. “No, not yet,” she answered. I went busily back to scribbling with my stubby pencil in just the same way, it seemed to me, grownup writers did, hopeful that the next time I showed her, the lead on the paper would have been transmuted into fine words.

I was in 8th grade when I first began to get the dream of being a published author. We had to write a story and mine was a scary one about being unjustly confined to a mental hospital. (The author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest may have stolen my idea.) My teacher wrote on the top of my paper:

Be sure to give me a signed copy of your first book!

It's been a long time since 8th grade, but that dream at last came true with my first book Time and Again: Charlotte of Miles Station.

My Thoughts and Review on Unclaimed Legacy:
 

I didn't love Abby in the first book, for whatever reason I just couldn't relate to her or feel any kind of connection. I enjoyed the book though and the rich historical detail so I was more than willing to give the second book in the series a try and I am so glad that I did because I found from the very first chapter, that I liked Abby a little more than the last.

She grew on me. She wasn't the insufferable know it all that she seemed to be in the first book. She was more relatable and kind and I really was relieved about that because I really wanted to like her.

Merri was so much better too. No longer the spoiled brat she was in the first book. She was growing up and doing something about the way others saw her. She was making changes in her life for the better and Abby was right by her side helping her the whole way.

We also once again got to see John, who I really like. He is a great, kind character and I really enjoyed reading about him and his interactions with everyone, especially Abby. The sweet romance between them was very nice.

He also gets to help Merri and Abby as they are once again transported to another time through the computer system, only this time, the people they see, are people they know.

Twin sisters Beulah and Eulah, or more affectionately known as Boo and Yoo and of course, a whole slew of others as well.

I really liked the genealogy side of this one. It was so interesting and fun to read about.

There were a lot of sad moments in this one as well as Abby, Merri and John discovered things about the twins past relatives and their neighbors.

And there were some preachy moments that I wasn't expecting and while I don't mind a little religious talk this one did have a little more than I like but nothing over the top or overbearing.

The ending was a sweet one and left it wide open for another.

Overall I give this one 4 Stars! 

Also don't forget to check out the first book in the series, Time and Again. Below is my review:

 Title: Time and Again

Author: Deborah Heal

Published:  November 2011

Series: Book One in the Time and Again Series 

Genre: YA Christian Fiction/Time Travel

Blurb:  

If Only the Walls of the Old House Could Talk. . .

Tutoring an eleven-year-old for the summer seemed like the perfect college service project for Abby Thomas. But that was before she found herself in a dilapidated old house in Nowhereville, trying to teach Merrideth—a sullen girl who doesn’t want her help. All she has is a pile of useless, musty old books, and Merrideth’s definitely not interested.

But who says the only way to teach is with books? When they discover a freaky program on their new computer, history comes alive in ways that Abby and Merrideth could never expect. But is this program only the creative genius of some computer nerd—or are they really seeing Charlotte Miles, the girl who lived in their house 160 years before?

Their friends just laugh when they try to explain. But if it really is Charlotte, Abby and Merrideth must find a way to warn her about the danger waiting in the woods behind their house.

Time and Again: Charlotte at Miles Station is a story told in the past and in the present. A story of three girls—their perspectives, their relationships, and their journey of self-discovery and faith.

My Thoughts and Review on Time and Again:

  

What first appealed to me most about this book was the history aspect of it. I love a really great historical romance or historical ghost story and it has been (shamefully) a really long time since I have read anything even close to that genre. So, needless to say I was kind of excited about starting this one and getting a good dose of the historical.

And while I did enjoy this read because of the historical aspect, I admit that I didn't love the main character Abby. She came across as a know it all and somewhat immature in her thoughts even though she was suppose to be the mature college student.

Honestly, she got on my nerves..a lot more than I care to admit, which unfortunately made it really hard for me to get into this book and feel any connection with the characters. But I trudged on and about half way through, I realized that I was growing to like Abby and Merrideth and even caring about them.

I really enjoyed the slight romance and the historical aspect of Miles Station and of course the real life issues about the hidden railroad that occurred during the 1800's. This did lag a little at times but overall I think this was a pretty good book and I will definitely be reading the next one.

I give this one 3.5 Stars. 

About the Author

            Website: http://www.deborahheal.com

            Facebook: http://facebook.com/DeborahHeal

Where to buy the books

            Amazon

            Barnes & Noble