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The Penbrook Diaries #2
Freedom of the Soul
The captivating chronicle of a young woman's struggle to save her homestead, a young man's determination to expose a pretender, and the yellowed pages of a diary that links their lives together will keep readers spellbound from the first page to the last. Abandoned and abused, Shea Penbrook finds her ancestor Jason Penbrook's diary and unearths a legacy. Jonas Riley is sent to Oregon to investigate Shea's claim to his rightful inheritance-the Penbrook estate. Can love bloom in the midst of murder, deceit, and mystery, or will past histories and present betrayals wreck any chance of romance?
284 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
58 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Tracey Bateman
60 books157 followersTracey Bateman is also published as Tracey Cross, is the Christy award-winning author of more than thirty titles and has nearly a million books in print. She lives in Missouri's Ozarks with her husband and four children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 5, 2023
The Freedom of the Soul (The Penbrook Diaries Book 2) by Tracey Bateman swipe photo for book description
The Freedom Of The Soul is the second book in the Penbrook Diaries. I read both books in the series in two days which is unheard of! Both stories are filled with characters you will love and characters you will abhor. The Freedom Of The Soul includes the evil institution of slavery, racism, and the rise of the Klan. As you can imagine some scenes are heartbreaking, others offer hope but it’s still a beautiful historical tale.
The story moves flawlessly between the 1840's and 1940's and back again, showing that true love can endure. Tracey Bateman’s style of writing is fantastic and the blend between the past and present work's well. You soon become drawn into the story and really care about the characters. Once again I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book.
I highly recommend this book, but would urge you to read The Color of the Soul first. They are both incredible books.
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The Freedom Of The Soul is the second book in the Penbrook Diaries. I read both books in the series in two days which is unheard of! Both stories are filled with characters you will love and characters you will abhor. The Freedom Of The Soul includes the evil institution of slavery, racism, and the rise of the Klan. As you can imagine some scenes are heartbreaking, others offer hope but it’s still a beautiful historical tale.
The story moves flawlessly between the 1840's and 1940's and back again, showing that true love can endure. Tracey Bateman’s style of writing is fantastic and the blend between the past and present work's well. You soon become drawn into the story and really care about the characters. Once again I felt so many emotions whilst reading this book.
I highly recommend this book, but would urge you to read The Color of the Soul first. They are both incredible books.
You can follow me on
http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
Or read more of my reviews on my Instagram page at
https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
February 23, 2016
This is the second installment of The Penbrook Diaries. The first I did a review for already. Both I loved.
This book follows Shea Penbrook. After the death of her grandfather she stumbles upon a box of diaries that lead her on a path to finding out about her past and possibly setting herself up for a better future.
In this book we see some of the same characters from The Color Of The Soul, the first book of The Penbrook Diaries. This book was just a good as the first. It has so much history and paints such a picture of the past. Once again slavery is brought into the light.
This is definitely a great set of books for anyone loving to read historical fiction. So good I couldn't put them down and finished both in days time. Yes, they are that good!...Stormi
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This book follows Shea Penbrook. After the death of her grandfather she stumbles upon a box of diaries that lead her on a path to finding out about her past and possibly setting herself up for a better future.
In this book we see some of the same characters from The Color Of The Soul, the first book of The Penbrook Diaries. This book was just a good as the first. It has so much history and paints such a picture of the past. Once again slavery is brought into the light.
This is definitely a great set of books for anyone loving to read historical fiction. So good I couldn't put them down and finished both in days time. Yes, they are that good!...Stormi
http://www.boundlessbookreviews.com
https://www.facebook.com/BBReviews
October 20, 2024
3.5 stars
I enjoyed reading The Color of the Soul and overall this was a good follow up.
The 'love against all odds' theme which runs throughout the novel is heartwarming and kept me engaged until the end. I did feel that the dialogue and turn of narrative broke down to become less realistic towards the last quarter of the story. The ending, although comforting to read, felt like a cookie cutter finish.
There is also simply too much drama in this book. Too many characters end up seriously ill/injured or on the verge of being murdered and this creates an unrealistic feeling as you go through the narrative. It also makes the individual character attacks less powerful on the reader because they happen often. For example, I lost count how many times in this book and the previous one in the series, the Color of the Soul, that Andy gets seriously harmed or escapes death. It feels more like a Hollywood melodrama than an authentic historical fiction story.
Shea also feels too modern and the attraction to Jonas is very clichéd (they meet on bad terms but somehow,in ways that aren't clear to the reader, become attracted to each other). Sam Dane Jr is also your typical villain, evil for reasons that don't seem to justify his actions.
This was a good read but the weaker latter half of the book reduces my overall rating.
November 14, 2018
The format used by Tracey Bateman is switching from past to present and in diary form. It can be confusing remembering who belongs to which family and their family history and where they fit into the present. Having said that I have found the Penbrook Diaries captivating reading and the research that she has undergone to ensure the stories keep to the historical background. I have read quite a few novels on slavery and these have been informative and I feel I have gained more understanding by my reading. I would recommend this book to any person interested in the past.
July 16, 2017
I never wanted this book to end
I loved thus book as much if not more than book1. They way the story flows through the decades is just masterful. I will miss the characters in these books, a fabulous read and such sadness how prejudice kills the sole.
I loved thus book as much if not more than book1. They way the story flows through the decades is just masterful. I will miss the characters in these books, a fabulous read and such sadness how prejudice kills the sole.
June 14, 2024
Fabulous book!! I think it is even better than #1. She is a fantastic author and I am thrilled to have found her. What a history lesson in the atrocities of living in the south and the unbelievable bigotry. A must read!!
August 10, 2022
Great read!
I loved this book! It took you from present to past and unfolded a wonderful story about love and family.
I loved this book! It took you from present to past and unfolded a wonderful story about love and family.
October 28, 2015
Freedom Priceless.
What a great story. I have read both books in this series and loved them both. They are wrote so you can read them separately. I think if you read one you will Haverford the other one. I know I did. Read the story of the Penbrooks from1848 to1951. Even though this is fiction many of the things depicted did happen to people that lived in the south in this time period. You will find yourself angry, sad, happy, and a laugh here and there. Loving someone is not always easy or convenient neither is going against the status quo. I love how the author shows the good,the bad and the ugly of this time in our history. Let us never forget to see people for who they are not just the color of their skin. I may not agree with how the sovereignty of God is explained in this book but I do believe that God will guide us and show us the way. Man causes the pains of this world not
God. The Lord is mention in this series but they are not preachy. Recommended reading for anyone who likes historical romance. There are scenes of violence but not overly graphic just what is needed to depict the time period. No foul language. Yes the n word is used because it was used . Well written and worth the time to read.
What a great story. I have read both books in this series and loved them both. They are wrote so you can read them separately. I think if you read one you will Haverford the other one. I know I did. Read the story of the Penbrooks from1848 to1951. Even though this is fiction many of the things depicted did happen to people that lived in the south in this time period. You will find yourself angry, sad, happy, and a laugh here and there. Loving someone is not always easy or convenient neither is going against the status quo. I love how the author shows the good,the bad and the ugly of this time in our history. Let us never forget to see people for who they are not just the color of their skin. I may not agree with how the sovereignty of God is explained in this book but I do believe that God will guide us and show us the way. Man causes the pains of this world not
God. The Lord is mention in this series but they are not preachy. Recommended reading for anyone who likes historical romance. There are scenes of violence but not overly graphic just what is needed to depict the time period. No foul language. Yes the n word is used because it was used . Well written and worth the time to read.
May 8, 2016
The Color of the Soul and Freedom of the Soul are the only books I've read by this author and I absolutely loved them. These stories were filled with characters you will love and characters you will abhor. These stories alternate back and forth in time between pre and post-Civil War and predate the Civil Rights movement in the late 1940s through early 1950s. Many parts are difficult to read, which include the evil institution of slavery, racism, and the rise of the Klan, but love always wins. I highly recommend this story, but you must read The Color of the Soul first. They are great novels.
January 15, 2016
A book that one thinks about for awhile
I need to read the book again to keep the genealogy straight. I loved this story. The characters became real to me and since I lived in Oregon and the fifties and remembered awful stories of the kkk , I could relate to Shea going from Oregon to Georgia. Tracey Bateman is a very good and exciting author. I also read her first book of The Freedom of the soul.
I need to read the book again to keep the genealogy straight. I loved this story. The characters became real to me and since I lived in Oregon and the fifties and remembered awful stories of the kkk , I could relate to Shea going from Oregon to Georgia. Tracey Bateman is a very good and exciting author. I also read her first book of The Freedom of the soul.
January 16, 2016
I had just finished reading the Drama Queen series (and I enjoyed it), so I was ready to read more of Tracey's work. I was thoroughly impressed with The Penbrook Diaries! It's not often you find an author who can write in such a diverse way between genres, time periods, etc, and do so well. Tracey did amazing and I'd recommend these books to anyone. Awesome job!
October 28, 2008
I enjoy anything that has journal entries in it. I like having the story move between two different eras, interweaving the past into the present. And if there is a pedigree chart in the front of the book, I'm happy.
February 12, 2015
The Freedom of the Soul
If you read Bateman's first book in this series "The Color of the Soul", you will surely enjoy this one. The first book kept me wondering what was gonna happen next. This second book was even better to me. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
If you read Bateman's first book in this series "The Color of the Soul", you will surely enjoy this one. The first book kept me wondering what was gonna happen next. This second book was even better to me. Hope you enjoy as much as I did.
June 16, 2015
Another look at the problems that arise in the south in the forties
Shea's search for her roots and the continuing story of the unrest in Georgia in the forties with an active Klan and a family with generations of interracial marriages.
Shea's search for her roots and the continuing story of the unrest in Georgia in the forties with an active Klan and a family with generations of interracial marriages.
November 19, 2015
Freedom
This is a two part series book that is going on my top ten list. Fantastic, I was angry when I had to set this book down because of something I had to do. Absolutely wonderful, thank you so much for a wonderful story, from a much different angle.
Highly recommended!!!
This is a two part series book that is going on my top ten list. Fantastic, I was angry when I had to set this book down because of something I had to do. Absolutely wonderful, thank you so much for a wonderful story, from a much different angle.
Highly recommended!!!
December 22, 2015
Gripping read
Another really enjoyable read. The second in the series and it was as good as the first one. This one its own story line so but it also, linked back to the first one well. Loved it.
Another really enjoyable read. The second in the series and it was as good as the first one. This one its own story line so but it also, linked back to the first one well. Loved it.
October 28, 2016
This is a sweeping drama is about a young woman fighting to keep her family home. She cleans out the attic and discovers the diaries written by her great-great- grandfather. The girl then decides to travel from her native Oregon to Georgia and start a new life.
February 6, 2017
The second and last book in the "Penbrook Diaries" series at least at this time. This one was good but not near as good as the first one. I didn't care for the author's use of the exact same format; i,e; skipping through the generations through the use of diaries. It got old by the second book.
November 5, 2011
i really enjoyed this book!!!!! im almst finished w/ this book ....if anyone cld recommnd othrs books like this (african american, slavery diary fiction) i wld greatly appreciate it :)
May 14, 2013
Very enjoyable!
September 25, 2013
Loved the book. Great ending.
February 11, 2014
Good, but could have used a few more chapters to fill in the blanks.
August 7, 2014
Perfect ending to a perfect story !
August 11, 2014
Great Book
This was great book. I couldn't put it down. I could feel the characters pain, love and joy. The author did a great job.
This was great book. I couldn't put it down. I could feel the characters pain, love and joy. The author did a great job.
November 22, 2014
Another great book in the Penbrook Diaries Series. I was hooked from the first sentence.
February 4, 2015
Loved the book!
Just reading the story, it brought me to the places the author wrote about each character. The book is well written and couldn't put it down.
Just reading the story, it brought me to the places the author wrote about each character. The book is well written and couldn't put it down.
March 16, 2015
Wonderful Read!
I loved reading this book. It was a great continuation. It was also very moving and made me smile at certain parts in the book.
I loved reading this book. It was a great continuation. It was also very moving and made me smile at certain parts in the book.
March 23, 2015
Memorable!
This novel will remain in heart. Character's were memorable and relatable. Looking forward to the final novel in the trilogy.
This novel will remain in heart. Character's were memorable and relatable. Looking forward to the final novel in the trilogy.
May 3, 2015
A must read.
This was another page turner, just like The Color of the Soul. Couldn't put this book down. I would highly suggest you read this sequel.
This was another page turner, just like The Color of the Soul. Couldn't put this book down. I would highly suggest you read this sequel.
May 5, 2015
Rivoting
Keeps you questioning what is going to happen next. Page after page of heartfelt emotions.. it was a wonderful stoey
Keeps you questioning what is going to happen next. Page after page of heartfelt emotions.. it was a wonderful stoey
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews