by Debra E. Marvin
I’m pleased to recommend a
book I had the chance to read last year and again just recently:
Dina Sleiman’s
Love in Three Quarter Time,
available this month as the first book from the new
Zondervan First line.
Virginia 1817. Just when
Constance Cavendish, the belle of Richmond, is most sure of a successful future
with handsome plantation heir Robert Montgomery, her world falls apart with a
friend’s betrayal.
Five years later, with no
father, income or home, the Cavendish sisters and their mother face a future of
genteel poverty—and they are not doing well. A fine gentleman caller is hoping
to remedy the situation by marrying the lovely Constance, but she has other
ideas. No longer the fiery center of society, Constance is made practical by
circumstances and decides to use her only skill and pursue an occupation.
Taking on a trade drops her from polite society but she has no choice and sets
out to become a dance instructor. (A popular occupation at the time for European
men, not young ladies of breeding.)
To avoid the disdain of her
neighbors, she seeks employment in another county, and finds it. Not just any
family of daughters, but the sisters of Robert Montgomery, the man who
abandoned their relationship when her father fell in disgrace.
Constance must succeed and swallows the last of her pride. Robert is the
last person she wants to see.
Likewise, Robert is shocked when he returns home to find her pretending to be an English dance teacher. A rush of conflicted feelings, including guilt and regret, surface for the woman he’d once planned to marry.
Likewise, Robert is shocked when he returns home to find her pretending to be an English dance teacher. A rush of conflicted feelings, including guilt and regret, surface for the woman he’d once planned to marry.
In a setting of the early
south, during the Federalist period of Jefferson’s Virginia, revolutionaries
now seek to fight for personal rights – rights of slave owners, or rights of
slaves? Along the way, Constance meets a fascinating man unlike any she’s known
before. Handsome Lorimer is an compelling itinerant preacher who encourages
her in a new discovery of faith by showing her insights into the world of
slavery, and insights into her true self.
Constance’s sisters and her
unlucky beau back at home round out a cast strong enough to fill this rich
setting of history, plantation life, dresses and dances, and the interaction of
classes and race.
This is much more than a
historical romance about a heroine forced to rebuild her life. Dina’s writing
is beautiful and the many facets of the story and its character left me with little desire to put the book down. Constance grows through each new revelation,
and allows God to guide her through the dance of life even if she is unsure in
her choice of partner.
Constance had never
experienced anything like the entry hall of Monticello. More a museum for
curiosities than any sort of proper foyer. Maps, artwork, Indian feathers and
artifacts, even a wall covered with antlers. The double faced clock featuring a
system of weights to track the days of the week was nothing short of a
scientific marvel.
She had thought the
interior architecture would be similar to White Willow Hall since the brown
brick exterior with white columns and dome seemed to match. But this home
featured soaring ceilings and balconies unlike White Willow’s more basic two
story construction—Jefferson’s fascination with light, space, and time evident
throughout. As she toured the statues and the griffin frieze, she clung to
Lorimer’s arm.
Robbie bounded through the
front door, full of energy for the first time in weeks. “Good evening, all,” he
called.
At that moment the elegant, dark-haired Patsy Randolph, daughter of President
Thomas Jefferson and hostess of Monticello, entered through a side hallway into
the enormous two story room.
“Welcome to Monticello. Mr. Beaumont, Mr. Montgomery, Lorimer.” She offered her
hand to each of the gentlemen for a kiss, then turned to embrace the ladies.
“And you must be the Miss Cavendish I’ve heard so much about.” Mrs. Randolph
had a warm, motherly air about her.
“All good, I hope.”
“Of course.”
Love in Three Quarter Time is available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and ChristianBook.com
I love the fact that Zondervan
First is offering fiction of this quality for a very reasonable Ebook price, $3.99, and I am very happy to recommend this book! Please visit our week's worth of posts about Dina, the faith journey in this novel, the new Zondervan First line, and C.J. Chase's post on the evolution of the Waltz. It's been another great Release Party week!
Love in Three Quarter Time is available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and ChristianBook.com
Good morning everyone! It's been a great week of posts for Dina's release, hasn't it?
ReplyDeleteGrab Dina's book and enjoy!
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Deb. I think you really captured the spirit of the book :)
ReplyDeleteI chose this excerpt because, one, I liked it so much but also because it pulls in so much about the story. The three leads, plus the setting and tone.
ReplyDeleteI hope readers today will check back over the week's posts as well!
Good morning Deb. This is a great review. I know readers will love this book and I'm praying it will be a huge hit. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds just fascinating. Much more than just a romance.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Dina, and well done, Deb!
Thanks, Ladies.
ReplyDeleteI'm gong to figure out how to do my first review on Goodreads (goal for the day)
ReplyDeleteOh great, thanks Deb. I definitely could use some reviews right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Deb!
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Dina! It's a wonderful story. :-)
Thanks, Gina. You know, I wouldn't be at all opposed if you wanted to stick up a few reviews too ;)
ReplyDelete