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Sunday, July 19, 2009

Now I'm giving away Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson

To win a copy of this book simply post a comment regarding freedom. Specifically, what you would do to preserve your own freedom and to assure the freedom of oppressed people in other situations? Would you harbor fugitives and lie to their pursuers if they arrived at your door? Would you do whatever was necessary to protect the lives of the people being persecuted? I'll go first.

One of the mini-series on television that impacted me the most as I was growing up was "Roots." The other series was "The Holocaust." I also read Alex Haley's novel Roots and his second novel, Queenie. They were both excellent stories. I visited Harriet Tubman's home when I was in high school. I have always admired people who offered their lives to help free others.

I am fascinated by WWII stories of people who risked their lives to save the Jewish people being persecuted. I've visited the Holocaust Museum, too. One of my favorite non-fiction books was called The Hidden Children. It was a collection of short testimonies from people who were hidden from the Nazis as children. Some were raised in convents, others hidden in barns for years, or worse, sewers. It's a miracle many of them survived. I could go on and on, but you get the picture. So let's get talking. Tell me what you think about this topic. I will pick a winner next Sunday, July 26th.


About the book:

In a divided town during a dangerous era, who can be trusted? Liberty, Indiana, is home to a stop on the Underground Railroad operated by Anna Brent and her father, covert abolitionists who harbor runaway slaves traveling toward freedom. The Brents must be very careful; anyone caught aiding runaways is subject to imprisonment under the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850. So when Anna begins to write columns denouncing slavery in the local newspaper, she must adopt a pen name. Even the newspapers editor, Daniel Stanton, does not know the authors true identity. Daniel takes a risk publishing the columns. His job, his newspaper, and his very life might be in danger. When Anna's work on the Underground Railroad is threatened, can she turn to Daniel, a man she barely knows, to ensure the safety of the slaves so dear to her? Will she and Daniel be willing to risk everything for their beliefs including their personal liberty?

My thoughts:

I have read every book Melanie has written to date. They are all excellent. I started this story today and will post a review when I'm finished. I am not very far into the story and already it's non-stop action. Good stuff!

***An update. I can hardly put this book down. Drat that day job! I'm halfway through it already. I am busy all day and tonight so finishing will be difficult even if all I want to do is read this book!

27 comments:

Tonya said...

I don't think anyone knows for sure what they would do to preserve their freedom or the freedom of others until they are put in the position that requires action. I personally think one of the most important things we can do is to use our right to vote to put men and women in office who will uphold those ideals that we have of freedom and liberty. Wasn't it Shakespeare that once said, "Some men are born great, some men achieve greatness and some men have greatness thrust upon them" I believe that the latter is when we truly find out what we will do to preserve and defend our freedom. I have always enjoyed the story of the Underground Railroad and the great men and women that supported it.! Please enter me in the drawing!!!

victorian-nurse(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Jo said...

I am a Jewish Believer so grew up having friends and knowing other people who have been through the Holocaust. I would try to protect and take in as many people as I could and save them if possible.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Esme said...

This is an interesting question that you have posed. One likes to think that you would always do the right thing-and help others, Have you ever read Stones from the River-the author poses the question how did we ever get here? Yet you see people being oppressed constantly as the world passes by. I know I have not answered your question directly. I enjoy reading these stores of every day people who have risked their lives to help others.

There are so many of them out there. Thanks for the giveaway.

chocolateandcroissants at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

Yesterday my Sunday School class began a study of the book of James. As we discussed the subject of trials we go through in this life, the more we discussed the issue of our trials versus the trials of the early Christians, we realized ours pale in comparison. After all, none of us had ever been near a lion, let alone in the den with them; none of us had ever been under threat of crucifixion because of our belief in Christ, and none of us had ever experienced hunger or lack of comfortable shelter. I began to wonder, since we had not been tested thusly, how we would fare if real persecution came upon us? How would I fare? I had scarcely been touched by difficulties.

When I saw your post concerning the protection of my freedom and the freedom of others, my mind went to yesterday’s lesson. What would I do? I’m not sure it is even possible to say what I would do, for none of us are capable of predicting the future. However, based on my love of freedom, love for others and love for my Lord, I would like to think I would be willing to take risks. After all, life here on this planet is like a vapor – soon gone – and at my age (almost 70) that reality is ever present.

Persecution for is coming for Christians in America. I have no doubt about that. Will we find ourselves in similar circumstances as those of the early Christians? That’s a real possibility. My prayer is that I would not cling to this flesh so tightly that I would not be willing to share my food and my shelter to spare the life of another.
evamaddox.wordpress.com
maddoxeva@yahoo.com

Veronica Leigh said...

Whenever I think of my grandpa, I think of how he sacrificed of himself so that future generations might live in freedom. He fought in WWII, in the ETO. I don't know what he was thinking when he was over there or why he fought. I wonder if he ever understood what his contribution to freedom means to me. I wish I could have thanked him.

fredamans said...

Thank you for the entry.

In all honesty, I am sure I would do everything and anything to preserve my or someone else's freedom. Its just hard to say for certain what exactly I would do, unless put into that situation. I have watched different people be persecuted all their lives, be it Muslims, or here in Canada its our Natives. (Which I happen to be one.) I do know I would fight tool and nail to be free!!!

freda.mans@sympatico.ca

Veronica Leigh said...

Oops, I forgot to leave my e-mail Silly me!
VeronicaLeigh86[at]gmail[dot]com

Thank you.

JJ said...

Hi, I saw your posting at Book Blogs and I have your button on my GAhome2mom blog. :)

Thanks.

gahome2mom at gmail dot com

JJ said...

Wow! I missed the question to answer. Oops!

I found your site from Book Blogs and I have your button posted on my GAhome2mom blog.

To preserver freedom:

One thing we can can do is vote but most importantly is to PRAY. :)

apple blossom said...

Oh, I'm from this area of IN. I saw this book at Sam's. I'd love to win it. Thanks.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Mimi N said...

Hey Michelle, great question! I've thought about this before and like the others, I know that I can't know the true answer unless I'm put in that position. I'd like to think I'd do the right thing, but would my flesh be weak?

I know that if I were hiding people, or helping them, I'd lie if needed. You know, I think I've heard it said that know one can really torture a woman who's given birth. If they can get through that, they can get through anything. I would rather give my life than give up the lives of people I were protecting.

As for our armed forces, they are my heroes! They are the ones who are protecting the freedoms we enjoy right now. They are showing us God's example of love by laying down their lives for us.

Thank you for this thought provoking questions. Many of us may be in this very position in the years to come. May God have mercy on us all.

In Christ,
Mimi B
mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Linda W. said...

I would think I would do what's necessary to help those whose freedom is being hindered. One never knows until the time actually comes. I think back to how people hid people in back during slavery or the holocaust, and I would have no place in my house to hid anyone. But I'd hope that I'd help find people who can and keep them hidden. Our time may be coming as s things turn around in today's world, even in America.

Bonnie Way aka the Koala Mom said...

Definately an interesting question. We all say we'd do the right thing - fight for those oppressed and such - but history is full of stories of many who didn't do that. And many others who did, of course. I read Roots years ago and really enjoyed it. I also used to have a book about Harriet Tubman and loved her story. This year, my husband and I have read quite a few books about the Holocaust, as that was the theme of a school book club he was helping with. One book I found really interesting was It Happened In Italy, about the Jews in Italy during the Holocaust and how very few of them died because the Italians helped hide them. Most of the Italians just did little things in their everyday life that made a life-or-death difference to the Jews they were helping.

Sally Bradley said...

Being married to a pastor, I sometimes think about what we'd do if our religious liberties would be taken away. I know my husband would continue to teach what is right--and after that I don't want to think about what would happen.

But that right there is a lot. To keep preaching the truth when it's been outlawed is doing the ultimate to reach those who don't know the Gospel.

I've always loved stories about the UR. I'd love to win, Michelle.

sallybradleywrites (at) gmail {dot]com

Ashley E said...

This is really such a tough question, and I'm not sure I know the answer. I pray to God I would be willing to go to such extremes to save a life or a freedom, but I don't think I'll know for sure until such a thing happens. In these days, that might be all too soon. It's certainly somthing to consider.

ashley.vanburen[at]gmail[dot]com

Katie said...

Please enter me.. I would love to read this...

katie8407(@)gmail(.)com

Deborah M said...

Michele,

When I think of freedom I think of my dad. He passed away three years ago this past April at the age of 88. Men
from his generation were so proud of the service they gave to our country. Freedom meant so much to them as it should to us today. I am excited that I've found Christian Fiction and I can't wait to read all of the new authors that I've found.

Lela Fox said...

I am thinking in our every day life. Are we not persecuted every day if we let ourselves be done so? When we work, play, just gather with other people, do we hold our Lord in vain with some of he others or do we stand up and move away from people who choose to talk bad and use God's name in vain; do we simply go along with the dirty joke and laugh with the rest of them or do you choose to walk away without a smile on your face; how many times do we smash a finger and many expletives hit the air; how many are favorable without something dirty coming out of our mouths? When we know we did wrong, how do we handle it? Ask our Father in heaven or just let it go? After all, are we just talking to ourselves? Who is this God that is supposed to be all knowing? That's what I call a Hero of our world; because there are too many foul mouthed people who do not enjoy God's love and wonder with the average Christian has the choice to enjoy every day! Please enter me in the contest. Thanks.
Lela bubbysgammaw(at)peoplepc(dot)com

Jblanton said...

I'm not sure what I would do if put in that situation but I do know that right now many of our freedoms are trying to be taken away from us by people in positions that are trying to change the amendments. I do not like that and think it is wrong. If our amendments are changed then I would fight to keep them.

ejxd95@gmail.com

PatriciaW said...

I've always been fascinated by the Underground Railroad, even more now that I live in FL and there's only one way out of this state...north!

What would I do for freedom? I don't know. We're blessed in this country largely not to have to make those decisions about our physical freedom at this time. I'm astonished whenever I hear stories about American citizens who do have to fight for their freedom, even against American captors. (Yes, it happens.) Freedom is precious.

Anonymous said...

I have no idea what I would do if my freedom was threatened. I know that when my mom used to take away my freedom by grounding me, I did not like it one bit. Got very mad, in fact. :D I hope I would trust God to help me out of the situation, as He is the only One who can make us truly free. Please enter me for the contest!
booklovercb at yahoo dot com
~Carman

Merry said...

I greatly admire Corrie Ten Boom and her family who hid Jewish people during WWII. I would hope to be courageous and lean on the grace of God to do what is right even in the face of persecution. I'd love to be entered for this Love Finds You book. Thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Melanie Dobson said...

Thanks so much, Michelle, for your kind words about the Liberty, Indiana book and your great questions.

I did a lot of soul-searching when I wrote this book as to how would react if I had to risk everything to help someone find freedom. I don't know, I suppose, how I could react exactly unless I was placed in that situation, but it was interesting to uncover so many real-life stories of people who hid slaves, some who spoke out and wrote passionately against slavery, and others who appeared to be pro-slavery but were secretly helping runaway slaves escape North. All different, but critical ways in the mid-1800s to help runaway slaves find freedom.

Thanks again, Michelle! So very glad you're enjoying the book.

squiresj said...

Whow - my husband is already worried about protecting his family and what we face in this country. He is a Deputy too. I am in a battle right now to perserve two young children's freedom and get them away from a home full of burglars. The judicial system is dragging their feet putting the Mother and Grandmother away even though they have been in trouble before and Grandmother has been to prison. I think when it comes to those we love, we would do what is necessary.
I know as Christians we are going to be called to make a stand and it may not be popular. We may find ourselves in the same place Corrie Ten Boon did when her family helped the Jews. I loved that book and still have all her books.
please enter me to win - this sounds like a book I'd like to review.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com

windycindy said...

My paternal grandmother came over here from Calais, France when she was 13! I have the ship manifest with her name on it. She arrived at Ellis Island with her parents. Many of the people got sick ( they came via a cattle boat ) and didn't live to experience America! Yes, I would do whatever was needed of me to help those being oppressed. Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Edgy Inspirational Author said...

The winner is...

squiresj!

Edna said...

I hope that I am not too late to enter in the contest for the book, I have already found some friends here from shoutlife.

May God Bless all

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

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