"What will become of us?"
The lives of two families intersect after their sons return home from British North America following the prolonged conflict with the French and their native allies. Although Lieutenant Marcus St. James bears an external scar, the most troublesome imprints are internal. Traveling to spend time with a favored cohort, he meets Gideon Ravensworth's sister, Serenity, whose outward beauty and vivacious spirit whisper peace to a place buried deep inside his worrisome spirit. However, all is not well within the inner sanctum of the Ravensworth household as the eldest brother has gambled away a fortune, placing Serenity's honor on the line as collateral.
As Serenity's love for a most beloved younger brother and Marcus' dedication to his military commission take the two in different directions across the Atlantic, their patience and trust in each other will be severely tested as they depend upon God to direct their paths.
Overflowing with history between two continents, this story expertly displays the tightened tension between England and her colonies without overburdening the story, rather using the time period as a backdrop for an intriguing romance between two characters worthy of the risk.
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to provide a positive review.
BackCover Blurb:
One for the land and one for the war—
One for the church, and pray for no more... –Anonymous
Serenity Ravensworth is the lone sister among four brothers who seem to match descriptive lines of an ancient, anonymous poem. The youngest has no inheritance according to English law. The next brother in line studies to be ordained at Oxford. The soldier has been in British North America fighting the French and their native allies. And the eldest usurps control of Fernsby Hall. Reckless gambling endangers all the Ravensworth brothers and puts Serenity squarely in harm’s way.
Without the aid of Serenity’s soldier-brother, former grenadier Marcus St. James would not have made it back to England. Wounded and left for dead in the wake of the massacre at Fort Michilimackinac, Lieutenant St. James is found alive eight weeks after and five hundred miles distant from his last known whereabouts. His disturbing lack of memories gnaws at his sound mind and his sense of loss is compounded by unanswered questions.
An introduction to Miss Ravensworth inspires St. James to collect shattered pieces of the life left to him. Predicated by stronger feelings than he is able to articulate, his timely rescue of her deepens the growing attachment between them. Compelled to follow the pull of unexpected opportunities in a new land, Miss Ravensworth braves the Atlantic crossing, while St. James—at Benjamin Franklin’s behest—returns to the Pennsylvania colony as a member of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon’s survey team.
Far from the familiarity of England, will these two find purpose together or challenge apart as Parliament dictates stricter regulations and imposes taxation on British citizens dwelling in the North American colonies? The Seven Years’ War is over, but King George III’s Royal Proclamation is the first domino to fall on the way to igniting a revolution.
No comments:
Post a Comment