Eve's Daughters

Like all of Lynn Austin's books, this was a page-turner. I loved this and couldn't put it down. This is the story of four generations of women. I won't give any spoilers, but it was an engaging and intriguing story, ranging from 1890's Germany to 1980's New York/Pennsylvania. It illustrates how one family member's sin affects everyone. There is grace and redemption...but oh, man, I cried my eyes out. I cried harder over this book than over any other work of fiction (including the tear-jerker parts in Little Women or Anne of Green Gables!). From lost love and lost opportunities, to the redemption and new life, I cried. Lynn Austin knows how to touch the soul! If it wasn't so beautiful and well-written, I'd have given it fewer stars for being so sad in so many parts. I will say that it ends on a happy note. My very favorite character was Patrick O'Duggan, followed closely by Jeff Pulaski, then Grace Bradford. The characters were all so lifelike and real, I felt like I knew them, and shared their hurts and joys. If I could have changed one thing about it, it would have been to add another chapter, or at least an epilogue. There are a few things that appear to be ending in a good way, but you're not 100% sure how it'll turn out, and I'd like to have had that finalized and made clear. If I could have changed MORE than one thing about this book, Patrick and Emma's story would have been vastly different! It's beautiful, but man! Enough said! Read this book!

I hadn't heard of this book until someone recommended it. I am so grateful I found it. Such a well written story. Moving, so filled with emotion. So filled with truth. I highly recommend it.

This saga of four generations of women in this German immigrant family is a stupendous and edifying work of Christian fiction by Lynn Austin.I am overwhelmed by her mastery of her craft, and her ability to share the gospel in this way! It captures the differing views and effects of war, the sacrifices required of individuals and their families. Also, we get a glimpse of the devastation of German families who were pawns of evil rulers and required to give their children to feed the wicked desires of evil men. As always when I read these type of stories that tell of a woman's lack of control of almost everything in her life -- except how she trusts God with her heart -- I am overwhelmed with gratefulness that I was born in the 20th century! We stand on the backs of strong women who persevered in faithfulness to their husbands, their families, and their God. Stories of their faith are a legacy and a foundation for us and always encourage me to trust God in a greater way. But, I love the individual stories of each woman, beginning with Louise, as she is torn from her beloved family in Germany when her husband refuses to fight. I suffered with her as she didn't think she could ever be happy or forgive her husband for taking her away. Until that terrible night when she has fight the storm to save her children's lives. I was so tempted to read ahead to see if all were spared! Emma's sweet song in the storm that gave them courage and a light of God's presence was so poignant I could weep now just remembering that section of the book. Emma's story, as the first American born child, carries the thread all the way through to the end and it is so compelling -- touches every other family member's life, as well as every other character's life, in her hometown and everywhere she lives. Ms. Austin parcels out the elements of the story as a grand multi-course meal! She feeds you an hearty entree, which may be painful to swallow, then cleanses your palate, gives you a short rest and then brings out another enticing dish in just the right pace all the way to the tense, yet, hopeful ending. As the mother of sons, I have to mention the blood sacrifice required of the men, many while still boys, to keep civilization civil. Heart wrenching for every grandfather, father, son, brother, uncle, friend and husband -- hard to imagine the hopeless feeling that they were not in control of their own lives -- as well as all the women who had to release them to fulfill their destiny. This is a work that encapsulates 100 years of history and makes you feel as if you lived each decade with this family! There were a few editing issues, that was a shame, but didn't keep the reader from following the story. Just a satisfying read!

A lot of the reviews made this book sound like it was going to be something memorable, but I think I will have forgotten it within a few months. I like the way it was written as far as the story telling from the different characters and how they want the other characters to know their stories. Then later have to be more forthcoming in their stories. I like the fact there are some "surprises" too. However, I don't think it was really much better than some of the Harlequin (spelling?) books I read as a teenager so I was very disappointed. I like a good love story so I am not sorry I read this but I certainly wouldn't expect anything you have to think long and hard about. It does have a lot of religious references and positive thinking in it which makes it uplifting in parts. It is a "sweet" story of life, love and the struggles of the young and old. I pretty much had it figured out half way through the book and I am not usually THAT good at stuff like that.

I love generational sagas spanning over a long time. This was a good one, telling the hardships of immigrants, the loneliness of a loveless marriage, the scrutiny over being a single mother, and the strain of modern living. The book also let characters struggle with faith in God rather than making them pure and holy in every way.

I think I just finished the best book ever! Love , secrets , two wars , Europe , Germany then new life in Pensilvania in US , poor and rich and all in one family . This book is a page turner. That’s why is nice to read it on Kindle!😂

EVE'S DAUGHTERS lives up to the high standard I have come to expect from Lynn Austin's writing. She masterfully weaves a tale of four generations of women in a family, beginning with Louise, the immigrant ancestor who came from Germany to America in the late 1800s with husband Friedrich and their infant daughter. Their second child, Emma, was the first to be born on U.S. soil. It is her story--and the dark secret she so carefully guards, even from those closest to her, for over half a century--that binds the whole tale together. Emma, at the urging of her parents, marries Karl Bauer, who turns out to be physically and emotionally abusive. To save the life of her unborn child, she flees. Bauer divorces her on the grounds of adultery, claiming the child she bears is not his. Grace, Emma's daughter, spends much of her life yearning for the father she never knew, the daddy whose identity Emma keeps locked away in a secret chamber of her heart. Graces's daughter, Suzanne, whose own marriage is crumbling and seems headed for divorce, urges her mother to pursue a quest to discover who her father really is. Together they explore the possibilities. Perhaps Karl Bauer lied. Grace's maiden name is Bauer. Is it he? Or could one of the other men who formed a miscreant band of protectors around Emma and her daughter through the years be her father? EVE'S DAUGHTERS is a story of love expressed through great sacrifice, dreams deferred and hopes denied, and grace--both bestowed and withheld. Through the lives of authentic characters, both sympathetic and reprehensible, we see that the choices made in one generation can affect the lives of succeeding generations. Nor do we sin in isolation. It always entangles others, later, if not sooner. EVE'S DAUGHTERS is a brilliant family saga and one that I highly recommend.

Great story with a message of hope and love! Drew me in from the beginning and I could hardly close the book to go to work! This one will stay with me for a long time.

Eve’s Daughters is a book of restoration. I loved reading of four, even five women of different generations. This a story of love in different guises and different expressions, but also a story of sin and it’s effect on generations if it’s not bought to light and the healing power of the blood allowed to release forgiveness. Thank you Lynn for a wonderful story.

This book has been a delight to read. The last few chapters were read late into the night as I couldn't put it down. Stories of God's forgiveness and healing, His redemption and great love. Beautiful.

This book is absolutely Wonderful! God surely led Lynn Austin with every word and His message to each one who reads this. Thank you, Father God, for using Lynn Austin.

This was my first time reading a book by Lynn Austin. I picked it for our book club and I really enjoyed it. It was an excellent story and very well written. I will certainly look out for more books by this author.

A rich and intriguingly woven story of colourful strong and flawed women who faced the journey of life with fear integrity and courage