About the Book
Book: Mary
Author: Shannon McNear
Genre: Historical/Christian/Romance Fiction
Release date: October, 2022
Worlds Collide Along the Shores of the Outer Banks
Immerse yourself in the “what if” questions related to the Lost Colony of Roanoke. What if an English boy and a native girl met in the wilderness? The push-and-pull between two very different worlds begins as one seeks simple friendship and the other struggles to trust. And can it—dare they—allow it to be more?
Sparks fly between Mushaniq, free-spirited daughter of Manteo, and Georgie Howe, whose father was brutally murdered by undiscovered native warriors before they’d been on Roanoac Island a full week. As Georgie struggles to make sense of his life and to accept that not all they call “savage” are guilty of his father’s death, Mushaniq grapples with her own questions about who Manteo has become. As tentative friendship becomes more, forged in the fire of calamity and attack upon their community, both must decide whether the One True God is indeed who He claims to be and whether He is worthy of their trust.
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PAULA'S REVIEW:
Shannon McNear has the ability to craft a story rich in history. She deftly spins a tale of what could have happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke, Virginia in the late 1500s. She reaches back in history and steeps the story in the traditions of native tribes of long ago as they interact with the colonists from England. It must have been so hard with the language barrier and the differing beliefs about God. But Ms McNear brings the past alive with the portrayal of English Georgie and Mushaniq, daughter of a chief.
The story parallels Elinor, the first book in the series, and fleshes out facts and tells the story from a different perspective. Ms. McNear captures the child like acceptance of faith in Christ by the natives. Her descriptions of a coming of age ceremony and a correlation to baptism is very well put.
An interesting custom was giving a milk name to an infant and the taking of an adult name when one was deemed grown-up enough. The conversion of Mushaniq/Mary was very moving.

This was an excellent foray into the distant past. It showed how faith was communicated long ago and how the truth of the Gospel remains.
Do we know what happened to the Lost Colony of Roanoke? No, but this author does a commendable job of: suppose it was this?
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour on behalf of the author and through Barbour Review Program. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*5 stars and a strong faith thread
About the Author
Transplanted to North Dakota after more than two decades in Charleston, South Carolina, Shannon McNear loves losing herself in local history. She’s a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, grammie of two, and a member of ACFW and RWA. Her first novella, Defending Truth in A Pioneer Christmas Collection, was a 2014 RITA® finalist. When she’s not sewing, researching, or leaking story from her fingertips, she enjoys being outdoors, basking in the beauty of the northern prairies. Connect with her at www.shannonmcnear.com, or on Facebook and Goodreads.
More from Shannon
Why did I write Mary? The series started as an idea suggested by my editor and soon became something of an obsession. This installment was inspired partly by the Legend of the Coharie, a fragment of the very murky history surrounding the Roanoke Colony and the Lumbee people of North Carolina. According to this legend, George Howe, the son of the colonist by same name who was brutally murdered a few days after their landing on Roanoke Island, married a daughter of Manteo, the Native man who traveled twice to England, later led a group of the colonists inland for refuge and eventually became an ancestor of the Lumbees. Then, as my Lost Colony research expanded, my interest in the nuances of two cultures meeting and blending grew into a desire to pay tribute to what might have been the first (and possibly only) example of European and Native peoples living together in peace. Imagine if this had been the defining moment of our country’s founding?
As usually happens, fictional characters (even those based on historical figures) sooner or later run away with the story—and that’s the part I find most exciting! I hope you, the readers, also enjoy this tale of Mushaniq (squirrel in Carolina Algonquian) and Georgie, which serves as both a parallel story and sequel to Elinor.
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, October 26
Remembrancy, October 27
Inkwell Inspirations, October 27
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 28
Texas Book-aholic, October 29
Hallie Reads, October 29
Inklings and notions, October 30
For Him and My Family, October 30
deb’s Book Review, October 31
To Everything There Is A Season, October 31
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 1
Holly’s Book Corner, November 1
Betti Mace, November 2
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 2
Connie’s History Classroom, November 3
Mary Hake, November 3
Bizwings Blog, November 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 4
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 5
A Reader’s Brain, November 6
Sylvan Musings, November 6
Through the Fire Blogs, November 7
Pause for Tales, November 8
Spoken from the Heart, November 8
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Shannon is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon e-gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/22447/mary-celebration-tour-giveaway