About the Book:
Another intriguing and uplifting novel from the author of Close to His Heart, Leonora Pruner has a gift for storytelling and creating compelling characters. Set in 18th century England, our heroine Anne is betrothed to a man she’s never met and must leave behind her girlhood fantasies. When she arrives at the home of Lord Wolverton, Master of the Wolf’s Aerie, the mysteries and challenges of her new life cause her to seek Biblical wisdom and guidance concerning honor, integrity, and faithfulness. In this story of the discovery of true love, there is also danger, betrayal, and sword fighting—and it all takes place in a castle complete with secret passageways. Become lost in another time and place. You will not want to put this book down.
You can purchase the book on Nordskog’s site for $13.95
My Opinion:
Having never heard of nor read any of Leonora Purner’s other books I was quite taken with the cover and the description of the book so I agreed to give it a go and read it. I started it awhile back but just finished it recently because at first it was hard to get into and really relate to the characters, there was much brogue in it and so a lot of sentences such as: “T’ ale bites for t’ taste o’ life afor tha come”, which when your trying to make the story flow it does become tedious to try to interpret what is being said and lessens the flow. Once I got past that and really got into the story, which was probably about 10 chapters in, the story and plots (yes, plots, there are a couple) picked up and then I couldn’t put the book down.
As one who enjoys a historical fiction romance novel every so often I found I liked this one quite a bit – set in a time I don’t normally see or even read – I liked it – the setting of an 18th Century English countryside intrigued me. We ‘meet’ Anne as she’s traveling to be wed to a man she’s never met or even seen, so she’s a bit leery that it may be a joke or even someone’s way to ruin her – but her traveling companions sent with her by her father and a man named, Samson, sent by her betrothed keep her safe and even make her feel someone at peace about her situation and feeling as if she is being bought and sold. Anne leaves behind the one she loves, the local vicar as well as family, knowing she may never see them again and in that she struggles to know that God is really with her and watching over her, she feels forgotten and cloistered – but she resigns herself to being a good wife, like the one described in Proverbs 31.
There are many twists in the book, some I saw coming, some I had no idea were around the corner and made for a thrilling ride. The plots also kept the pace and kept the book going, even when the rough English of the peasants had to be waded through. My only other reservation about this book is that once Anne and Lord Wolverton are married, Leonora gives the readers a glimpse into their bedroom that should not be revealed. While her descriptions are not explicit and would appear tame to those who read more risque books, they made me a bit uncomfortable and I won’t be handing this to my daughter (she probably would have enjoyed it, but I can’t in good conscience let her read about the marriage bed).
Out of 5 stars I give it 4 for the descriptions of Anne’s love for her husband – but while I had that issue, I thoroughly enjoyed the book as I got to see Anne grow in her love for others, even those who are disfigured and deemed unlovable by society as well as the grace and redemption that Christ bestows upon us as His children. So too, Anne’s marriage shows us those attributes and one can even glimpse what Christ feels for His bride when we wrong Him and the restoration that takes place when we seek Him for his forgiveness.
(c) 2013, Sarah Bailey/Growing for Christ, All Rights Reserved, Unauthorized Duplication is a Violation of Applicable Laws
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