The Swindler's Daughter - by Stephenia H McGee (Paperback)

Poor Lillian’s world is turned upside down. She has grown up under the impression that she was an orphan and her father died years ago, Suddenly she receives the news he has recently died and left her a fortune. Good news right? Except for the fact she learns she is illegitimate and her mother has hidden the truth. She sets off alone (at her mother’s direction) to his hometown, a small, isolated community to claim her inheritance. Keep in mind she has been kept tightly under her mother’s control all this time. She is excited and nervous. Upon arrival she finds out there are people living in his-her home claiming it will soon be theirs. This becomes a whirlwind of experiences, even meeting family she never knew she had. She finds her “fortune” is not as easy to obtain as she thought. There are more questions than answers and trouble rears its ugly head. I felt sorry for Lillian. She had zero life experience in anything, certainly not people out of high society with their rigid rules. It was hard to see her try to operate with the shallowness of those she had been raised with. How wonderful itr it was when she began to accept and understand down to earth people and develop tangible relationships. She began to look outside of the tiny box of her previous life and truly dream. At first I thought Jonah just a surly bitter young man. I tried to step back and see things from his perspective. My heart warmed as I saw his true self be revealed and his affection for Lillian to grow. Jonah’s mother was a delight. Her strong faith in God, hardworking ethic and joyful attitude amazed me. I enjoyed every line written about her. I was pleasantly surprised at the all the twists and turns in the story. There was so much mystery and unexpected developments! It definitely kept me turning the pages long into the night. I enjoyed this so much I also plan to read the author’s other book, The Secrets of Emberwild. I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.

The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephenia H.McGee is the trilling tale of Lillian and her unknown past. Lillian suddenly finds out her father has left all of his assets and business to her. However, all Lillian has been told her entire life is that her father passed away many years ago. Having been raised by her mother her entire life she knows only what her mother has revealed. Her mother works very hard to become a socialite, including arranging Lillian‘s marriage. Lillian heads to the small town to inspect that which her father has left for her. She is shocked to find a woman and her children living in her father’s house. Who are these people? Who is the charming young man with them? Will Lillian stand up to her mother? What are her father’s secrets? The Swindler’s Daughter will keep you entertained and tuning pages. I was excited to read this historical fiction novel and enjoyed the story set in 1912. It is well written and captivating. I could not put it down. I was given a free copy from the publisher for my honest review which I was happy to do. I would recommend The Swindler’s Daughter.

How would you feel, and how would you deal with learning that your father had recently died, instead of years ago? Could you adapt to a small backwoods town after being a city dweller all of your life? Lillian Doyle's life turns upside down after she learns that her entire existence has been filled with secrets and pretenses. Her "widowed mother" wasn't married to her father, her father recently died in jail, and she may just have become "a swindler's heiress"! The Swindler's Daughter is listed as historical fiction but it's also a study of emotions. Lillian is shocked to learn the truth about her parents, and she's forever changed by the startling revelations. Is it any wonder that she thinks that "her entire life was a sham"? Stephenia H. McGee grabbed my attention from the beginning with this intriguing story that's set in Georgia in 1912, during the time when Prohibition was law, bootleggers thrived, and corruption existed. This is a captivating book and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian suspense. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review.

I really enjoyed this novel! Set in 1912, Lillian is living with her mother when she finds out her father, whom she’s never met, has passed away and left her with an inheritance. When she gets to the small town to claim her inheritance her plans to claim it and run change. She finds herself facing a new situation and a heap of trouble her father left in his wake. I loved the characters in this story as well as the romantic plot. The era was charming, as I t was a little bit of “old” mixed with a newer vibe than regency/Victorian/etc. The dreams and aspirations of the characters were interesting, as well as the “trouble” she found waiting for her. This story was fantastic and lovely! 4.5 stars

Until 1912, Lillian lived a sheltered life while her domineering mother has arranged everything, including her upcoming marriage. Suddenly, everything changes. All her life, Lillian has been told her father was dead, when in fact, he just passed away. Although he never reached out to her, he has left his home and half of his business to her. Lillian's mother sends her to Dawsonville, by herself, to settle the will, sell everything quickly, and bring home the cash. Never having been on her own, Lillian quickly finds herself over-her-head. She discovers her father's house is already occupied, and the family refuses to leave. Additionally, mystery surrounds her father's business as she cannot easily ascertain what it is. Melanie Peterson believes it is God's will for Lillian to change the course of her life, and relocate to Dawsonville. After Lillian is attacked, the sheriff's department seems to do nothing. When something else happens, Lillian has her doubts that the sheriff will help her, that he might even be in league with the one behind the attacks. Lillian is happy to discover she has an aunt and a cousin who welcome her to the family with open arms. She also meets Jonah when he runs into her and knocks her to the ground. He seems to be everywhere she goes, and is always angry with her. Will Lillian be able to stand up to her mother, and make decisions based on what she wants, instead of what her mother pushes her to do? Will Lillian be falsely accused of wrongdoings, and be put into jail? Will Lillian return home and marry the man her mother picked out? This five-star story includes murder, mystery, and humor. It will keep you turning the pages until the end, and will be enjoyed by fans of intrigue, and well-written tales. Thank you, Revell Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

I am so glad I read this historical fiction book! I absolutely loved it. It was absolutely captivating to me. I loved the plot, the characters and just everything! The mystery and romance kept me feeling engaged. I enjoyed how they trusted in God's plan for them and so yes, it is a Christian read. Lillian was appealing to me as the protagonist character and all the personalities she had to deal with, including her mother. I found the book was hard for me to stop reading and finished it too quickly! I will be looking out for more from this author! I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephenia H. McGee is a delightful story that kept me eagerly reading to find out what would happen next. Set in 1912 Georgia, the main character Lillian has always believed that her father was dead and her mother his widow. When she receives notice that her father has died and left her the sole heir to his home and half his business, no one is more surprised than she. She goes to settle her father’s estate and accept the inheritance alone, arriving to find she has family she has never met and an inheritance that is nothing but problems. The longer Lillian stays in her father’s small town, the more intrigue and mysterious events she encounters, and the more she grows as a person. Will a surprise romance factor into her newfound situation as well? I loved the mysterious and adventurous aspects of this story, the touches of faith, and the romantic developments. I also loved seeing Lillian grow in her self-confidence and happiness. The author does a brilliant job of making the story one that the reader needs to read “just one more page.” I turned page after page because I wanted to know what would happen next. The characters are delightful, and the storyline is so engaging and unique. Definitely a book that I recommend! I was gifted a copy of this book from the author/publisher for my reading pleasure. All opinions about this book are my own.

What an amazing and heartwarming historical romance! I loved it! Lillian Doyle gets the biggest surprise of her life: not only the father who she thought passed away long ago has just died -in jail!- but he has inherited her his business and all of his possessions in the small city of Dawsonville. Being a city girl from Atlanta, Georgia, Lillian’s life is about to turn upside down when her mother sends her alone to the small town in rural Georgia to claim her inheritance. What she doesn’t expect is to find a family is already in possession of her father’s house, and that there are some shady things about her father business and especially to her now business partner who wants not only the whole business for himself, but also the house. When she gets to know the family who’s in the house, she discovers charming, loving people, and a cousin and an aunt she never knew. Her life opens to new horizons as she tries to sort out through the possessions her father left her. The possibility of independence, of pursuing a long-life dream business, and the newfound chance of romance with Jonah, the eldest son and head of the family she has begun to care for. But there’s a mystery and danger lurking around the corner surrounding his father’s history and business. Will she be able to discover the truth and set things right, or will the danger find her before she has a chance to fight for what is right? As I said, this was a beautiful historical romance, full of everything I like in a book: sweet romance, historical details, mystery and adventure. The story had a good pace, it was not fast paced, but it never dragged, it just flowed, and I found myself enraptured into what would happen next. For me, the best part of the book were the characters, the main ones and the secondary. Lillian and Jonah were a perfect match. I loved that they started their relationship almost as enemies, and how their relationship grew into friendship and then into more. It was a slow burn romance I enjoyed. I loved Lillian’s character development: she starts as a naïve and a bit unsure woman who is accustomed to live in a high society status and pressured into a marriage of convenience, and grows into an independent, strong woman who isn’t afraid of hard work and serving others. What she lacked, the love of a family and friends, she finds in Dawsonville. A family she never knew she had and friends that support her through hard times. My heart ached at her mother’s superficiality and deception. But she stood her ground to her mother’s manipulations and I admired that. Jonah was the sweetest hero: devoted to taking care of his widowed mother and sisters, he was totally selfless, always thinking of others needs. I loved his protectiveness of Lilian and his family. And he sure was a hard worker. So many things to admire! He made a swooning hero! Lillian’s aunt Edith and cousin Alma were so charming, and they accepted Lillian immediately into the family, no questions. I loved Alma’s cheery attitude and optimism and how aunt Edith supported Lillian during difficult moments. And Jonah’s family was so endearing! Melanie, his mom was the best, so positive, full of wise advice and lovable. I felt she was to Lillian the second mother she needed to rely on. And Jonah’s sisters, Betsy and Rose were sweet too, especially Betsy, I loved her antics. I also loved the faith inspired message about trusting God even in the most difficult of circumstances, and even when he seems He’s not listening, because He always is. I can’t recommend this book enough! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers but wasn't required to post a positive review. This is my voluntary and unbiased opinion.

A small town, southern setting, a strong female protagonist, a swoony hero who feels responsible for his mom and sisters…add an inheritance that includes a bit of mystery and you have a great story. But, Stephenia McGee crafts in unexpected twists, a host of conflicting characters and inspirational moments that elevate this original storyline to a “read all night” level. This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

Set in 1912 Georgia, The Swindler's Daughter takes place over two months time in the life of Lillian Doyle. The story begins as Lillian learns that not only was her mother never wed, but the father she had been told died many years ago had, in fact, only recently passed away leaving everything to her. There may be those in the small town of Dawsonville who are less than happy to learn of Floyd Jackson's daughter and his new will. Lillian must learn to navigate situations with people much different from those around whom she was raised, people whose motives and choices she questions as they question hers. Stephenia H. McGee focuses this story on the difficulties many experience in understanding God's will for their lives. She addresses the complications created by fear, uncertainty, the desire for control, and the presence of misfortune. She also addresses the blessings that come not only at the end of the journey, but also those that are discovered along the way. I was blessed by this story and am pleased to recommend it to others. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Swindler's Daughter from Revell via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

“All these years she’d thought herself a widow’s daughter. Turned out she’d been a swindler’s heiress instead,” Lillian realizes in Stephenia H. McGee’s novel, The Swindler’s Daughter. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-forty-eight-page paperback targets those who like a Christian historical romance about learning the truth about one’s past involving her family. Containing no profanity, topics of alcohol, abuse, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes a teaser from another book by the writer, a historical note, acknowledgments, her biography, and advertisements. In this tale set mainly in a rural town in Georgia in the early 1900s, Lillian learns her father, who she thought died years ago, recently died, leaving her a small fortune. When she travels from busy Atlanta to the backwoods town, she must shed the pretenses of her sophisticated upbringing to accommodate others who think they are entitled to her father’s inheritance. After meeting Jonah and his family, she wonders if her dreams can come true too. ~ Why ~ This story shows how trusting and believing in others can change one’s mindset, especially when it comes to abandonment and forgiveness of the past. I liked how Lillian was willing to adapt to new ways and become educated when out of her comfort zone. The secondary characters of Melanie and her daughters enhanced the story. ~ Why Not ~ Some may not like a tale of a family who keeps secrets from one another, which may cause misunderstandings. Others may find the protagonist to be right too many times. The bootlegging aspect may not interest a few readers. The romantic aspect is predictable from the start and a character or two are stereotypical. ~ Wish ~ While the book includes a strong faith in God, it would have been thoughtful to include the eternal plan of salvation. I prefer all pronouns of God capitalized for reverence. ~ Want ~ If you are a reader who likes a historical Christian romance about a woman uncovering her father’s past while trying to forge her own way, this one will keep you interested as she learns to trust others and herself. Thanks to Revell and the author for this complimentary book that I am under no obligation to review.

Spectacular read! Lillian’s story begins with a heartbreaking reality check that brings to light many aspects of her life that were lies. She learns to trust herself and becomes independent while learning who to truly lean upon for the truth. Once all truths come to light, Lillian receives love from many in ways she never thought possible. This story brings Christianity to your life in a way that’s not cumbersome as some stories can. Highly recommended for everyone!

Once again Stephenia McGee demonstrates her amazing writing prowess by delivering this intriguing tale of family, secrets, dreams, and faith. This absorbing drama, set in 1912, centers around city socialite Lillian Doyle’s scandalous inheritance and Lillian’s relationship with farmhand Jonah Peterson and her “new found” family. The compelling characters are wonderfully crafted and engaging. Lillian and Jonah are now on my list of favorite fictional couples. The exciting plot with unexpected twists and revelations kept me glued to the pages. I felt that I was right there with the characters sharing their joys and sorrows. I love the authentically sketched Georgia mountain small town setting which is only about sixty miles from my home. I appreciate the strong faith thread woven throughout the story—a reminder of trusting in God’s plan and purpose. I love this book, and highly recommend it especially for fans of romantic historical inspirational fiction. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

I enjoyed this story of a determined young woman who struggles to understand her path and the plans God has for her. She has lived her whole life trying and failing to please her mother. From the first line "Her entire life was a sham" to the last, Author Stephenia H. McGee had me turning pages! "What did one say to finding out a dead man had died?" Lillian Doyle learns that her father recently died in jail, after believing her father has been deceased her whole life. As Lillian travels to her father's home town in rural Georgia, and inherits his home and his part of a business, she comes to a fork in the road and finds she has exciting options for the first time in her life. "I tend to think a person should hold fast to such a blessing, even if it doesn't look exactly like they thought it should." "All these years she'd thought herself a widow's daughter. Turned out she'd been a swindler's heiress instead." When she arrives at her inherited home, she finds it already occupied. The woman claims her son was promised this home by new found relatives of Lillian's. What follows is a bit of danger, destruction, intrigue, romance, and family. The main characters Lillian and Jonah cover quite a bit of ground and character growth as their perspectives on life and faith develop. I enjoyed the wisdom of Jonah's mom Melanie, and his sweet sisters, along with Lillian's new relatives Alma and Edith. Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, for allowing me to read an early ebook. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes God places a spark of something within us as a hint to where He wants us to focus our time and attention. Lillian Doyle was told as a child that her father was dead. How then, could she suddenly inherit his entire holdings? Leaving her mother behind, who she could never satisfy anyway, she travels to find her future. Will this be a good thing or not? This wonderful story has plenty of intrigue as you attempt to solve the mystery behind this sudden windfall. The characters are well developed and a real treat to get to know. The faith displayed by Melanie is like a breath of fresh air. God already knows the plan. Best we get on board. One has to wonder if Lillian is ready to get on board… An early copy of this lovely story was received through Revell, Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.