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Bentonsport: A New Chapter

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What if you followed your heart—not across distance but across time?

Sarah Peterson never knew how far she would go for love until Thomas Barton walked into her life, they fell in love, and he asked her to join him in his world—one hundred fifty years back in time. More afraid of losing him than of leaving everything behind, she put her future in God’s hands and awakened in the past. Now, she’s facing a world she’s only dreamed of, and reality is nothing like her dreams.

Thomas Barton never imagined he’d meet a woman like his beloved Sara. Leaving her behind was the hardest thing he’d ever done. When he discovers she’s followed him across time, he’s ready to spend his life making her decision worthwhile. His friends come up with a plan to convince Bentonsport she’s part of their era, but it’s going to take another miracle to pull this off.

Love was enough to carry them through a hundred and fifty years. Will it be enough to get them through the next weeks and months?

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2023

About the author

Lisa Schnedler

4 books97 followers
Lisa was born in St. Louis Missouri and is still a huge fan of Cardinals Baseball.
She married her pastor (yep!) and they moved to a small town in Iowa, Bentonsport, the setting of her first three novels.
She has served as a hospital CEO for 30 years, has three kids and six grandkids.
She loves the Lord and the Church.
She would adopt every stray cat and dog if her husband let her.
Instead, she serves on the board of the local humane society and advocates for homeless dogs and cats.
She loves sweet romances and all types of Christian literature—fiction and nonfiction.
She loves to make friends—so write her!
:)

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Lori Hooten.
182 reviews6 followers
October 4, 2023
How far would you go for love, that rich, deep, carries-you-through-it-all love? For Sarah (now Sara) and Thomas the answer is about 150 years. In the previous book, Thomas time-traveled all the way to modern day Bentonsport, wondering and wondering through all the changes time had wrought. Stumbling into a sweet little bakery, he also stumbled into sweet Sarah and fell in love. Sarah fell, too, and ended up traveling back in time to meet Thomas back in the Bentonsport of the 1800s. So this next chapter of their love story begins.

Sarah and Thomas, with the help of the preacher and his wife, create the backstory to make Sara’s appearance in Bentonsport, and her differences in knowledge and social graces more believable. Dropping the h off the end of her name is a good start. Part of this is learning all the propriety of how things are done and part of it is just finding the comfort of fitting in.

Through the ups and downs prior to being able to marry (They have to follow all those social protocols to make it appropriate.), Thomas and Sara discover a lot about each other and those around them. This love story will build your hope in the love of others and the support of the community around you, providing a family when it is needed. And the future? Well, it is pretty bright when all around you are kind and loving.

I truly, truly enjoyed this story. I adored following the progression of the courtship and friendship between Thomas and Sara, as well as Sara and those in the community of old Bentonsport. It leaves a longing for this kind of community within me because this depth of joy in friendship and family seems hard to come by these days.

The story is sweet and clean. One of my favorite things about it is that there is no “bad guy” incident to increase the tension of the story. It is simply a good, kind, sweet story that brings happiness and joy to the reader. I recommend the Bentonsport books and this one is my favorite of the two.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
1,246 reviews40 followers
October 9, 2023
Can she make a new life in his era?

After my first adventure in Bentonsport – the modern one that is – I was beyond curious to find out how Sarah would adjust to the historical Bentonsport and Thomas's world...

I will admit that the journey Lisa Schnedler took her characters on was one that I didn't exactly expect – but it was one that I appreciated. More often than not in a time travel book the characters would fall in love in short period of time and the wedding would be imminent. And, while they did fall in love fairly quickly in Bentonsport: A Christmas Story, they actually get the time to come to know each other and the readers get the same chance in Bentonsport: A New Chapter.

I actually like the gentler approach that Lisa Schnedler has taken with both of these books. There is no danger or big adventure to overcome. Getting to sit back and simply enjoy the story for what it is was a nice change of pace and Bentonsport: A New Chapter reminded me in some little ways of (romance) fiction from the era in which this story was set.

Anyway, Bentonsport: A New Chapter is a sweet historical romance and I enjoyed my time spent in Bentonsport. I have no idea where Lisa Schnedler could go next but I wouldn't mind a return visit or two to Bentonsport sometime in the future...

(I received a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Profile Image for Brittany .
2,545 reviews179 followers
October 5, 2023
Both of these time travel books set in the world of Bentonsport are delightful. Bentonsport: A New Chapter is book two in the series and I highly suggest that you read book one, Bentonsport: A Christmas Story, first.

In the first book, you meet the two main characters, Thomas and Sarah. Thomas travels from the past to our present, which is the future for him. Seeing the way things work out for him and Sarah and watching them fall in love is fairly important to book two.

In book two, Sarah has followed Thomas back in time. Making a conscious decision to leave everything and everyone she knows, in order to make a life with her true love, is a huge step and she has a lot to learn. Thomas, the preacher, and the preacher’s wife know she has traveled back in time and work out a plan to help integrate her into their town and society.

I have really enjoyed both of these books because they dealt with the day to day happenings and feelings that the characters were experiencing. It felt as if I was learning along with Sarah and experiencing the various emotions that she was dealing with.

I also loved that these two actually get married in this novel and we get to see them acclimate to being a newlywed couple, all while Sarah is still trying to find her place in this new world that she has joined. I so enjoyed this book from start to finish!

(4.5 stars)

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
Profile Image for Lisa.
529 reviews59 followers
October 3, 2023
Bentonsport: A New Chapter is a charming blend of Christian romance and historical fiction. Sarah Peterson has traveled back in time 150 years for her love of Thomas Barton, and his for her. Here we see her adapting to her hometown as it was in its earlier days.

From figuring out how to earn income with her baking in an era where women generally were not expected to work to adapting her speech and mannerisms so as not to unduly raise eyebrows, Sarah – now Sara – has a great deal of adjustment to do in the 1870s. She has to adjust her baking techniques to make do with the tools available rather than her accustomed modern conveniences. She also learns that “mean girls” aren’t exclusive to the modern era when Lucinda Carrington has other ideas about Thomas’ future wife. But she leans on her faith in God, and on Thomas and Pastor and Mrs. Lockhardt, to strengthen and encourage her.

The characters in the book are all delightful. I don’t know how they came to know Sarah’s true story, but they roll with it. They have so much fun creating a character and backstory for her that will play well to the folks in Bentonsport. I should have such joie de vivre when I’m older!

Bella and Leo, the bakers Sarah befriends during her short stay in St. Louis, are positively charming. I would love to see this friendship develop further, and I hope there are other Bentonsport books planned that include these characters.

And I love love love love Sarah’s relationship with Thomas’ family! Sarah’s parents died when she was young, and she hasn’t really had a family in her modern life. Thomas’ sisters take her in and make her one of their own, and she takes to it like a duck to water. It was a beautiful picture of how family relationships should be.

This book continues the story that began in Bentonsport: A Christmas Holiday, and I do recommend reading that book first. I was able to follow the story, but I felt like I was missing a good bit by not knowing how Thomas and Sarah first came to encounter each other and what experiences they had in Sarah’s time.

If you enjoy a sweet, clean romance, a good time travel story, and characters who rely on their Christian faith to overcome challenges, Bentonsport: A New Chapter is for you!

I received a complimentary review copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours and the author. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.
Profile Image for Carmi Henderson.
137 reviews5 followers
September 29, 2023
So very excited to read the second book in Lisa Schnedler’s Bentonsport series! You will want to read the first book in the series, Bentonsport: A Christmas Story first or you will be completely lost.

Bentonsport: A New Chapter is an invitation to travel back in time with Sarah Peterson as she follows Thomas Barton back to Bentonsport, Iowa in 1869. Ms. Schnedler does a masterful job of helping her reader’s experience the trip. The small details about the customs and etiquette of the era made a huge difference in helping me to imagine the time period.

Sarah has decided to take the Christmas Eve message to “fear not” to heart and wakes up in 1869 Bentonsport on Christmas Day. Her love for Thomas is more important to her than all of the modern conveniences she is used to. She is in for some surprises as living in 1869-1870 is nothing like dressing in period costume in the present day!

Thomas’ good friends Pastor and Mrs. Lockhart take the newly arrived Sarah in and help her create a history prior to her arrival in Bentonsport. I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction between the Lockhardts, Thomas and Sarah as they help Sarah navigate living in 1869 - 1870.

If you enjoy wholesome and clean romance, you will not be disappointed. Join Thomas, Sarah, the Lockhardts and others as Sarah and Thomas prepare to spend their lives together.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Rosalyn.
1,118 reviews23 followers
October 4, 2023
I often steer clear of time travel novels, just because they feel completely unrealistic. But, I decided to give this one a chance, and I found myself enjoying it.

One con for me was the fact that I did not read the first book in this series, so I did kind of feel like I was jumping into the middle of a story without really knowing what exactly had just happened, or what was going on. Saying that, like I said before, I did enjoy this book.

Sarah travels back in time, to the 1800s, because of her love for Thomas. But can she pull it off? There are so many things she must learn, and of course, lots of things she has to learn to do without. It sounds dreamy, in theory, to live back in the good old days...but realistically?! No internet, no cell phones, wait...not even actual telephones had been invented yet! So very different!

This author did a fantastic job at making this story come alive. I quickly grew to love the characters, and also the setting.

If you are at all intrigued by time travel, I recommend you read this book!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Profile Image for Kendra Neal.
1,389 reviews30 followers
October 5, 2023
I really LOVE Christian Romance novels and in the last couple of years I have really come to enjoy Dual Time slip books. Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler is Book 2 in the Bentonsport Series. I enjoyed Book 1 in the series and have been anticipating Book 2.

The book starts in the present day with Thomas Barton and Sarah Peterson who have fallen in love. Thomas decided to take Sarah back 150yrs to 1869 to Bentonsport, Iowa. Sarah puts her trust in God and agrees to go back to 1869. Sarah wakes up on Christmas Day to a different place in time but she is excited to explore and learn her new surroundings. Thomas is excited to have Sarah in his world and wants to convince her that her decision was a good decision. Thomas and the Townspeople set out to show her this is where she needs to stay. Will Sarah find her "happy ever after" in 1869 with Thomas?

I really LOVE everything about this book. The setting being in a Small Town and the characters really make this book excellent. I was so excited that Sarah put in her faith in God for her future. She ended up "back in time" but her LOVE for Thomas and his love for her was so sweet and enduring. I really enjoy that the Townspeople wanted to help Thomas convince Sarah to stay in Thomas era. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a Christian Romance and Dual Timeslip book. GREAT BOOK!
Profile Image for Erin.
1,855 reviews13 followers
October 8, 2023
Bentonsport – A New Chapter is an interesting read that takes you back in time. Or rather has you go forward in time and then back in time?

Sarah falls in love with Thomas. Thomas is actually from the past but he’s in Sarah’s modern day. When Sarah decides to go back in time with Thomas to live in his time because she’s fallen in love with him. And that’s where the story really picks up.

It’s 150 years in the past. That’s quite a stretch. That would be like us right now jumping back to the 1870s which is quite the time in our country’s history. Just after the Civil War. I have reenacted the Civil War so I probably would have a leg up plus I love to sew and bake from scratch etc. But wow what a culture shock!

This was such a fun read and I would recommend it and read it again myself. There is also more in this series so feel free to grab those as well.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Profile Image for Julia.
2,769 reviews83 followers
October 7, 2023
Bentonsport: A New Chapter by Lisa Schnedler is an absolutely charming Christian historical novel. It continues the story begun in Bentonsport: A Christmas Story which I definitely recommend reading first.
I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces as the leading lady starts life in Bentonsport in 1869. We follow her as she adjusts to life, one hundred and fifty years earlier than she is used to (now you can see why it is a good idea to read the previous book first!)
Bentonsport is still a delightful small town. Many are friendly but one sees her as a rival to her personal plans. Enmity is met with a smile and a friendly word as barriers are broken down.
We see that God’s plans are the best. We do not always know why things happen but if we rest in His arms, we can trust His guiding.
We never know what burdens people are carrying. “Any burden that is too big for you to carry is just the right size for God.” We must hand our burdens over to God and let Him see us through.
Names are important. A name change signifies a change in direction for a character. We are reminded that when we come to God, He gives us a new name and calls us “beloved.”
All the characters were delightfully drawn and totally charming. There was a warm welcome for all.
We witness the spirit of hospitality at work within the novel as characters bond over food.
Bentonsport: A New Chapter was positively charming. My heart was warmed and I am sad that the book is ended.
I received a free copy via Just Read tours. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Tabitha Bouldin.
Author 35 books689 followers
October 4, 2023
A time traveling romance that gives you all the feels. I loved the angsty will-they/won't-they of this book. Sarah and Thomas are great characters who bring the story to life and allow the reader to experience a whole new world as Sarah discovers a new life in Thomas's world. The historical setting was richly developed and the story highly entertaining. I did not read the first book in the series, so it did take me a minute to figure out what was happening in the story. Once I had the necessary information (which the author did a wonderful job of incorporating without pages of backstory) I was ready to dive in and boy did this book take me on a great adventure. I received a copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Jamie Gordy.
127 reviews3 followers
January 13, 2024
Sara ends up falling for the impossible- a guy from another time! However, the impossible happens again when she finds herself in this time. Can she adapt to extreme differences of the two situations?

This is a great, clean and sweet faith filled romance! I recommend this book for people looking for an easy, light read that is clean and faith filled.

I would love to see a tad more action! That is my only complaint.

I was sent this book to rate and review by The Selah Book Awards.
25 reviews
November 23, 2023
Touching Love Story

At first I hesitated to begin reading Bentonsport the first book in this series as I wasn’t interested in “time travel”. But it had good ratings, so I began reading. It was so well written and had an intriguing premise. I also “liked”the characters. Needless to say, after finishing book one I just had to read book two. So glad I did.
October 4, 2023
Beautiful book!

Lovely story, so nice to delve into a different time and place with Sara and Thomas and their journey! Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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