Another Success: Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher's Minding the Light will capture your imagination from page one onward.  The characters are lively and not what you might expect from the black and white pages of your history books about Quakers.

A coveted journal from one of the first white settlers on Nantucket Island makes its way into book two of the Nantucket legacy series.  Written by Mary Coffin Starbuck, who wrote about her life in the 17th century, her days seemed to parallel the life of her forbears.

Captain Reynold Macy had much to look forward to when he returned home after a six year voyage. What waited for him on arrival was more than he bargained for.  The story unfolds it is certain that the life he dreamed of with his young wife Jane was never going to be what he imagined. The ship's hold was full and should turn a profit. His cousin and business partner Tristram Macy, had looked after his business affairs so all would be well.

His young sister-in-law, Daphne, was about to become engaged to Tristram. She had been helping Jane manage the large house on Orange Street where all fine captains lived.  Her heart was with her family, and although her mother was pushing her engagement, she was reluctant to set her heart fully on the match. 

I meant to read only a few pages as the hour was late when I began, but soon found the time had moved along until I was well into the third chapter before I had to put it down.  I was looking forward to this book since I read the sneak peek in Phoebe's Light.  The Quaker faith in this series is inspiring as it relates to bringing forth the light.  Jane, and her sister Daphne have a strong faith and live their lives accordingly. However, while the Quakers considered themselves "Friends"  they also do not welcome the native population or blacks into the polite society of their meetings.  This is very evident with their own mother, Lillian Coffin, whose standards are so different than her daughters. 

I recommend Minding the Light with 5 stars for those who love historical fiction.  The characters are engaging and the plot well written.