William & Mary Dyer: Reviews for Christy K Robinson's books

Many thanks to those who have read my books on the Dyers and have posted reviews in Amazon and Goodreads; thanks as well to those who have shared the links via social media, to the paperback and Kindle editions of the books.

This is the review by Canadian author Trudy J. Morgan-Cole:

Mary Dyer: Illuminated, by Christy K. Robinson
Mary Barrett Dyer was executed in 1660 for running afoul of the religious authorities in Colonial America (which, to be fair, wasn’t hard). If you know your Colonial America, you may know Mary Dyer’s name as a pioneer of religious liberty. She’s also an ancestor of writer Christy Robinson, who has spent the last several years researching the lives of Mary, her husband William Dyer, and the worlds in which they lived both in England and after emigrating to America.
This novel, which explores Mary’s early years, is as meticulously-researched a piece of historical fiction as I’ve read in a long time. It’s heavy on the history and light on the fiction in the sense that Robinson is not a writer who would knowingly contradict a historical fact or oversimplify the complex webs of colonial-era religion and politics. However, the fictional touch is required to bring the personal elements of the story to life, to flesh out Mary, William, and other people they knew (including Mary’s more-famous, but not martyred, friend Anne Hutchinson) into real people. Robinson does this skilfully, using everyday detail to, as the title suggests, illuminate a biographical sketch into the story of a vibrant and memorable human being. Reading this novel made me eager for the next volume, which will follow Mary through the later years of her life.

Here are some recent screenshots of other reviewers' thoughts on the book.

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars Christy weaves in excellent explanations of the nuances of the theological, July 27, 2014

By Grandpa B -

This review is from: Mary Dyer Illuminated (The Dyers) (Volume 1) (Paperback)

Christy has done an incredible job of bringing life in 1600s England and New England to life in her historical novel Mary Dyer Illuminated. I wish that she had written this book years ago when I was still teaching high school history classes. The depth of information that she weaves into her story-telling makes it easier for us to understand the struggles of life nearly five hundred years ago. Christy's gift includes bringing the issues of religious freedom and the rights of women to the center of her story.
For most of us, if we knew anything about Mary Barrett Dyer, our knowledge was limited to the fact that she was a Quaker who was hung in the Puritan-controlled Massachusetts Bay Colony. Her story is so much more than that, and Christy brings Mary's full story to life. Along the way, Christy weaves in excellent explanations of the nuances of the theological, political and economic issues of the day. She helps us understand the difficulties in creating a new civilization in New England. But none of this interferes with her telling Mary Dyers' story.
For those of us who have ancestors from the seventeenth century New England, Christy brings these people to life and gives us a chance to understand the issues that they faced daily. I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the issues of religious freedom and the rights of women. Those who want a better understanding of founding of the colonies in New England will also be satisfied.

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Illuminated-Dyers-Book-ebook/product-reviews/B00FCN05JQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_top_recent?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars A most interesting and informative book.,

June 29, 2014 By Anna M. Waters "Old Great Grandma"

This review is from: Mary Dyer Illuminated (The Dyers Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

Anyone who has an interest in the early settlers of our country will find this book to be full of history. There were a few parts where many names were mentioned that I did not find interesting, but others probably would. The story line was extremely interesting, and to read of all those folks went through, well, you just have to read the book. I think you will enjoy it immensely.

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars high recomendation,

June 27, 2014 By roelle seamount

This review is from: Mary Dyer Illuminated (The Dyers Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

I enjoy reading historical fiction. I like reading about history with an author's freedom to give me some insight to what might have been going on in a person's mind which would put meat on the story. Christy K Robinson researched her subject in depth.

☼☼☼☼ 4.0 out of 5 stars medieval history at its best.,

May 29, 2014 By bessie

This review is from: Mary Dyer Illuminated (The Dyers Book 1) (Kindle Edition)

This was an engaging way to learn some history. I bought the book because the author and I attended the same secondary school and connected on an alumni site. I will recommend this book to others.

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story and an amazing amount of history and research!,

May 25, 2014 By Darlene

This review is from: Mary Dyer Illuminated (The Dyers) (Volume 1) (Paperback)

I had never before heard of Mary Dyer, but Christy brought her to life for me in this book. Besides an appreciation of Mary Dyer herself and her commitment to her beliefs, I now also have a much clearer understanding of life and politics in the 1600's in America. Mary's story is compelling and very well written. I can't even comprehend the amount of thought and research required to put together a book like this and make it an interesting read. Wonderful job!

Review for MARY DYER: FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-engaging!,

March 20, 2014 By Gail Steel

This review is from: Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This (The Dyers Book 2) (Kindle Edition)

Even though we know the end to Mary's story, I found myself tied to watching the events unravel with an anxious expectation. A belief worth having is one worth dying for. May we not forget the lesson taught by marrying the civil with the spiritual and appreciate the concept of freedom of conscience.

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars History that Impacts Everyone Now July 19, 2014

By Don Keele

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

In Book Two, Author Christy K. Robinson once again breathes life into the characters of William and Mary Dyer as she expands the story of the start of religious liberty in the United States. Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This, is a fascinating historical novel that brings to light the horrible persecution of people who didn't subscribe to the exact religious beliefs of those in power in the colonies of the 1630's. The Puritans, then in power in Boston, were quick to jail, whip and even destroy those who were Baptist, Quakers and/or even people of no religious beliefs. Mary Dyer's life and subsequent death shed light on their persecution and caught the attention of the Crown in England, resulting in those persecutions being ended, as well as opened the door for the subsequent separation of the powers of church and state in the Colonies, which, a hundred years later were written into our Constitution. Mary Dyer: For Such a Time as This is a must read for anyone wanting to know more about the history of the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States.

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Dyer-Such-Time-Dyers-ebook/dp/B00ISPJLZ4/ref=la_B004S7UTNE_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406577013&sr=1-3

Reviews for The DYERS of London, Boston, & Newport

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars Liberty & Law. Honor and Loyalty. Life Goes On With Truth July 22, 2014

By Margaret Ann

Format:Kindle Edition

I love these books. The series of the Dyers is very interesting. I enjoy history and family history. I get both in these books. I learned so many things that I wasn't taught in history classes at school. Mary Dyer was an amazing and strong woman. Her death was tragic and so unnecessary. I am so ashamed of the people who caused her death. She did not as far as I am concerned. Our personal liberties are so important. I am proud that she stood up with hers. The separation of church and state as explained through Mary's story is so different from what we are told in public schools. Maybe that is why I am an elected official at the Ramsey Conservation District in Minnesota as well as an ordained Minister. I hope that Mary finds pride in that. I am looking forward to many more books in this series. They are a wealth of information and pure enjoyment. The books are fairly think but once I started. I didn't want to put it down. I take mine every where and read whenever I get a chance. They are definitely full of mystery, intrigue and facts.

☼☼☼☼☼ 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful ! July 21, 2014

By kathleen muthig

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Christy K Robinson's non fiction book about Mary Dyer and her family is an excellent edition to her historical novels , Mary Dyer Illuminated, and Mary Dyer, For Such A Time As This. Mary's extraordinary life and her contribution to the adaptation of our Bill of Rights is thoroughly explored by Ms. Robinson, who also happens to be her descendant. If you are a fan of 17th century history like me, and thought you knew Mary Dyer's incredible story, think again. This is a must read for fans of both nonfiction biographies and historical novels. Mary was an exceptionally intelligent, eloquent, and brave woman, and a light in the midst of a dark time in what would eventually become American history.