River of Life

Secrets of Wayfarers Inn #2

by Kathleen Y'Barbo

In Secrets of Wayfarers Inn, Book 2: River of Life, Tess finds a quilt with an unusual pattern in the underground secret room that once housed runaway slaves. Does the quilt provide something more than a source of warmth? What bygone stories and secrets are waiting to be deciphered in its intricate stitch work? Within the walls of the Wayfarers Inn, and amid the streets and residences of this historic Ohio River town, LuAnn, Tess, and Janice find evidence that exposes the darker chapters of local history—as well as its citizens’ unsung acts of heroism and kindness.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Christian, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Mystery

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Publishers Weekly bestselling author Kathleen Y’Barbo is a multiple Carol Award and RITA nominee of more than one hundred novels with almost two million copies in print in the US and abroad.

A tenth-generation Texan and certified paralegal, she has been nominated for a Career Achievement Award as well a Reader’s Choice Award and is the winner of the Inspirational Romance of the Year by Romantic Times magazine.

To connect with her through social media, check out the links on her website at www.kathleenybarbo.com.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the history more than the mystery. The fast-paced and short historical subplot was compelling and a nice contrast to the slower mystery which needed a little more oomph, in my opinion. It's a decent enough mystery, but still, I was let down at the end by both history and mystery as I wanted something more to each storyline. Some elements could have been explained or detailed a bit more to bring a more satisfactory conclusion.

This is my first read in this series; I would try another one. Perhaps after the Inn is more established the setting and characters will appeal more and help round out the reading experience. 2.5 stars rounded up.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 2 out of 5]

About this book:

“The Inn Crowd is plunged into another mystery when their contractor stumbles across a trunk containing an old, tattered quilt in one of the secret rooms that housed runaway slaves. Just moments earlier, they had learned that the famous River of Life quilt was stolen from the National Archives. Could this be the missing quilt? And how did it come to be at Wayfarers Inn? As Tess, Janice, and LuAnn set out to uncover the truth, they are shocked to find the spotlight of suspicion turned on them, especially after the quilt disappears again. Can they convince the authorities they were not behind the quilt’s theft?
Meanwhile, the producer for the popular Arts & Antiques Network’s Quilt Mysteries comes to Marietta to film an episode about the River of Life quilt, and asks the friends if he can interview them. Will he provide the missing piece to finding the quilt?”


Series: Book #2 in the “Secrets of Wayfarers Inn” series. Review of Book #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- A couple Scriptures are remembered & quoted; A prayer; A couple talks about God; ‘H’s are capitalized when referring to God; A hymn is sung; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, church events, pastors/reverends, & sermons; Mentions of blessings & being blessed; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A mention of someone being in the arms of Jesus (Heaven); A mention of a godsend; A mention of a spiritual gift; A mention of a miracle; A mention of a Christmas hymn; A mention of the Quaker denomination;
*Note: Mentions of a rumor of a quilt having a curse on it.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘dumb’, a ‘shoot’, a ‘stupid’, two ‘idiot’s, and seven of the phrase “goodness gracious goat!”; A bit of sarcasm & eye rolling; Dual-time period is set before the Civil War started; Being chased by slave hunters & gunfire (up to semi-detailed); Some pain & injuries; Seeing someone shot, nearly drowned, & a death (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of the deaths of slaves pursuing freedom; Mentions of slaves, runaway slaves, & slavery; Mentions of slave hunters, them shooting, gunfire, & kidnapping former slaves to sell them again; Mentions of pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of drownings & near drownings; Mentions of fires; Mentions of a theft, thieves, stealing, stolen items, crimes, crime scenes, arrests, & jail; Mentions of trespassing; Mentions of blackmail & threats; Mentions of rumors; A few mentions of serial killers (with a couple famous ones being mentioned); A few mentions of grieving the death of a spouse; A couple mentions of booze & the Prohibition era; A couple mentions of lying & liars; A couple mentions of tattoos; A mention of World War II; A mention of a hanging; A mention of a slave’s tongue being cut;
*Note: Mentions of car brands; Mentions of brand names/items (Yankee Candle, an Apple iPad, GoPro, & Coca-Cola); A few mentions of magazines and newspapers (GQ, Rolling Stone, Chicago Tribune, & the Houston Chronicle); A few mentions of social media sites/websites (Netflix, Twitter, Google, & PayPal); A couple mentions of Ghostbusters; A couple mentions of movies (a Disney one (not named) & The Blues Brothers); A mention of Girl Scouts; A mention of a TV show (Good Morning America).


Sexual Content- A (married couple) cheek kiss; A younger man tells LuAnn that he would give her a second look because she has “it going on”; Mentions of dating & dates; A few mentions of a firefighter being called “hunky” and a “cutie”; A couple mentions of seeing couples kissing; A mention of a out-of-wedlock pregnancy (not specifically mentioned, but alluded to); A mention of flirting;
*Note: A few mentions of a firemen’s calendar (& how they’re typically “full of muscled firemen wearing spray tans and not much more than is necessary to be legal”, but the one the local fire department will be doing, the men will be going about their duties and will be fully clothed); A couple mentions of advice to “accept what has already been decided” that a couple won’t have children (the husband does not take this well); A couple mentions of a man being possessive of his wife (historical time period); A couple mentions of a woman using her “womanly/feminine wiles” on a man to get a discount at his store; A mention of “[loosing] babies to death” (miscarriages/stillborn).

-Tess Wallace
P.O.V. of Tess
Dual-Time period (contemporary & 1859)
275 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Two Stars

I think this series is a miss for me as I’m not big on dual-time period novels or books dealing with the Civil War time period. I find the trio of friends to be a little overwhelming when reading their conversations. Those who enjoy the Civil War time period would most likely enjoy this book/series.


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the 2nd in the series and since each book is written by a different author some are better than others. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one. The three friends are still restoring the old inn and a box is found in the walls. They think it is a quilt made before the civil war, it goes missing so they try to find it. A TV show quilt mysteries plans on coming to town to film the old inn, the town and the quilt.

[Tisha (IG: Bluestocking629) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

I am so happy to have started this series! Book one was a wonderful introduction to the Inn Crowd and the townsfolk. This book, number 2, brought me a wonderful mystery involving a very special quilt.

I suspect the entire series will gift me a cozy mystery wrapped in humor.

I look forward to continuing with this series.

[Sanderella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read.

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story! I enjoyed the entire quilt mystery. Learned many new historical facts about the Civil War time period. It was all a satisfactory mystery. Clean read. Definitely recommend!

[Judy Gerlach · Rating 5 out of 5]

LuAnn, Tess and Janice, retired best friends who recently purchased a historic inn by the river in Marietta, Ohio, come across a very old and worn quilt in one of the inn’s secret rooms. The secret rooms had once served as hiding places for fugitive slaves on the Underground Railroad. When the news breaks that the River of Life quilt was stolen from the National Archives, the ladies wonder if the quilt they found in their inn might be the one the FBI is looking for. But before they can think what to do, their quilt disappears, and things get really complicated as suspicion turns on them. Lots of mysteries to be solved in this one. Another fun read in the Secrets of Wayfarers Inn Series. Again, I enjoyed the journal entries written by a former slave with ties to the Underground Railroad.

[Jo Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Inn Crowd are on the hunt for an historic quilt, sewn at the inn by Underground Railroad ladies. It was made for President Lincoln, to show him the route that the Underground Railroad used in Ohio. The whole story was kind of confusing, as there was a strange young woman who opened a quilt shop, who turned out to be Brad's lazy brother's other illegitimate daughter. And the quilt kept getting stolen and hidden and then stolen out of the inn. Fun read, but not a very well planned out mystery.

[Mary Tufts · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good. Once again, this series is like reading a Nancy Drew book. I am thrilled that the subject is abolition, and how so many brave souls were involved. My issue with this book is the characters. There are so many that you get them confused. I do believe there should be a listing at the front of the book saying which character has which tie into the story; What relative they have, etc. Other than that, it’s pretty good story. My recommendation for anyone reading this book is take a piece of paper and start writing down characters as they are revealed. It will help you a lot at the end when the author wraps up the story very quickly and you get confused as to which character is which.

[DeniseMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason still finding it hard to follow along. Lots of characters to keep track of and ups and downs and tunnels, find it a bit confusing to keep track of. When I got to the end and author asked if I figured out who did it? I had to go back like 2 chapters to find out who did. I have only 1 more of these to read that I found at a Good Will.
Next one seems like might be good!! Read ahead at end of this book (Usually don't do that) but, had to kill boredom while having to wait 3 hrs. at a pharmacy and when it mentioned one of the ladies picks up an arm in the cellar? I'm stoked!!

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues the Wayfarers Inn mystery series by Guideposts. The three major characters again appear, as does the return-in-time to the 1850s and the Underground Railroad characters. This book, written by another author, doesn't carry the contemporary characters as well as the first book. There is very little Bible quoting. But the plot moves along and it was a page-turner, in that respect. Awaiting the third book in the series to see if the author of the first book returns.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

During renovations to turn an old inn into a B&B, mysteries keep cropping up and the three ladies owning the Inn are finding out more and more of its history. When the city plans a parade and celebration for the Fourth of July. the ladies are asked to be grand marshals s riding in an antique fire truck and displaying quilts made in red, white and blue. Quilts are part of the history and they become more interested in making them a part of the inns new life.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story but I felt a little overwhelmed with the 3 main characters while trying to keep up with everything going on. I wish these stories had more depth to them and less silly dialogue and useless banter within the characters. These books I've noticed I find it difficult to stay focused. I think more details could be written in about most everything. It's like a story that can only be so long. It feels rushed. I do love the story line though and the mystery. I'll read another.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three friends decide to renovate an old inn. An old trunk is found and in the trunk is an old quite. The trunk is found in the part of the inn that was used to house runaway slaves. Thinking this old quilt could be valuable, the friends go to put it in a safe place only to discover it is missing. The race is on to find out where it is and who took it and why they took it. A nice mystery. I like the way the author interwove passages from the past into the story.

[Laureen Eichelberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read several of the books in this series that I’ve picked up at thrift stores over the past few years. Many of the authors I’m familiar with and enjoy. This installment is written by Kathleen Y’barbo who I am familiar with from other books and always enjoy. She has a way of weaving humor in that I resonate with. Following 3 elderly ladies and their working together to open an Inn and restore it to former glory. Each book stumbles on a mystery that they try to solve.

[Diane Yonchuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read, but nothing to get excited about. I like the characters, but this entry in the series seemed to drag a bit. I will try the next one in the series. This is the problem with using different authors in a series, but understandable with the time pressure of having to publish a book a month.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The River of Life quilt is at the center of the mystery. The historical side was written a bit melodramatic at times but it was still interesting. Janice, LuAnn and Tess didn't seem quite so modern in this second addition to Wayfarers Inn. I'm sure that has a lot to do with having a different author for each book. An enjoyable read.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series of Wayfarers Inn. The book series is put out by Guidepost and has a Christian slant with some scripture quotes. It is a nice mix of modern and historical/ from two points of view. I am enjoying the series. This one seems to flow a little better, different author than book number 1.

[Amy Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was much to rushed and contrived. Other than that it has some enjoyable moments for a quick read. Fewer scripture references than book 1. Thinking overall the series may start to get repetitive.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really liking this series so far. Friends embarking on a new adventure in life after the death of their spouses and their retirement. You mix in a historical setting, Underground Railroad historical story line, and baffling mysteries-an enjoyable book develops.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The "Inn Crowd" as they call themselves have another mystery on their hands:The River of Life Quilt reappears and disappears!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story full of history, intrigue, & danger.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. It was a good book. Kept my interest, but didn't like all the twists and turns.

[Wendy Coffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It has a good historical plot and I enjoyed following the characters in the story.

[Kaye Wingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book

[Shadava · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the story, I found it very melodramatic. Also, the ending was very confusing. I read those paragraphs a couple times and I'm still not totally sure what happened.

[Lois · Rating 2 out of 5]

kinda jumped around a lot, hard to follow, not that exciting

[Debbie Spinden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my kind of book really but I finished it.

[Sandy Carmichael · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some reason I just could not get into this story, not sure why; gave up after a couple of chapters.

[Rob Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fiction novel but a tale of history that seemed a little confusing to me because of the leaping back to the 1800's throughout the story. A lot of descriptive details making it interesting.