by Michele Paige Holmes
ebook, 350 pages
Published
July 30th 2015
by Mirror Press
(first published July 1st 2015)
Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 5 Stars
Description:
Having seen both his sisters Grace and Helen happily married, Christopher Thatcher is free to pursue his dream of life in America. With adventure in his heart and mind, he boards one of the first steamships set to cross the Atlantic in the record breaking time of only twenty-five days. Within the first two of those, his resolve—to avoid women and the complications they often bring to a man’s life—falters when he meets Marsali Abbott, a young woman with a past even more troubling than his own. Whether from years of habit protecting his sisters, or simply because he feels drawn to Marsali, Christopher chooses to help her and becomes her friend. As the truth about what awaits Marsali in America becomes evident, he is faced with a more difficult choice, one that will impact their lives far beyond four weeks together at sea.
My Review:
I've loved this trilogy about this family of two sisters and a brother. Christopher's story is different than his sisters', but still every bit as engaging. I have read the other stories, but felt that this one can stand alone. This cover captures the story perfectly!
Christopher has longed to set out for America and find his dream life in the adventures that await him there. He wants to be a farmer and he doesn't need the trouble a woman can bring to accomplish that. Something prompts him to help a young woman on his steamship--Marsali--and he can't help but make choices that lead to an ultimate, major decision. He is very level headed, humble, and likable, as is evident in the way he treats others. Marsali comes from a very troubled past, yet is so selfless and always finds the good in a situation. I enjoyed the friendship she forged with Lydia, another passenger.
This story definitely isn't short on either adventure or emotion. Ms. Holmes does an amazing job of capturing the feelings of the characters and their situations and putting them on paper (or on a screen, in my case). I really love a story that draws me in and allows me to feel so much. I felt like I was there with these characters, feeling their triumphs and disappointments. I felt so resigned and frustrated at times, but then I would feel joy and hope at other times. I loved the way this trilogy wrapped up, although it wasn't in an expected way. I really can't stop thinking about this family and their perseverance through life.
Content: mild romance (a shady situation at the beginning and clean kissing); no language or religion; mild violence (an abusive beating situation). Nothing graphic. Clean!
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Other Books in the Series:
Michele
Paige Holmes spent her childhood and youth in Arizona and northern
California, often curled up with a good book instead of out enjoying
the sunshine. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree
in Elementary Education, and found it an excellent major in which to
indulge her love of children’s literature. Her first novel, Counting Stars (Covenant Communications 2007), won the 2007 Whitney Award for best romance. Her companion novel, a romantic suspense titled, All the Stars in Heaven (Covenant 2009), was a Whitney finalist, as was her first historical romance, Captive Heart (Covenant 2011). My Lucky Stars (Covenant 2012) completed the Stars series.
After having a novella published in A Timeless Romance Anthology European Collection (Mirror Press, 2013), Michele decided to focus on historical romance and began Hearthfire Historicals, with the debut novel Saving Grace. A companion novella, Loving Helen will be released February 2015.
Michele has been a member of the same critique group for over fourteen years and feels privileged to meet with fellow authors Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore, LuAnn Staheli, Sarah M. Eden, J. Scott Savage, and Robison Wells. She has been a member of RWA and URWA, LDStorymakers, and The League of Utah Writers. Michele enjoys both attending and teaching at conferences.
When not reading or writing romance, Michele is busy with her full time job as a wife and mother. She and her husband live in Utah with their five high maintenance children and a Shih-tzu that resembles a teddy bear, in a house with a wonderful view of the mountains.
Author Links:
Thank you, Katie!
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