BOOK DESCRIPTION
Two women—a century apart—embark on a journey to healing, faith, forgiveness, and romance.
In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she meets David Bradford–the owner’s handsome grandson–who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by turning it into a luxury hotel. When Gwen stumbles upon a one-hundred-year-old journal and an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents, she’s left searching for answers.
In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and bitter regrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again.
BOOK REVIEW
In 2012, Gwen is sent to Longdale Manor in England by her grandfather, who is also her boss, after she makes a mistake at work. Her job at Longdale is to help the owner and her grandson evaluate valuable antiques for sale. If she fails, she may lose her job, grandfather or not. While at Longdale, she is determined to try and find her father, whom she has never met. Then she finds a journal at Longdale that was written by a young woman in 1912.
In 1912, Charlotte Harper is already deep in grief after her father’s death. But then she is sent further reeling when she discovers that he has betrayed them all, as well as leaving them in dire financial straits.. Her family temporarily relocates to a sheep farm after having to sell their house., As Charlotte struggles to protect them from her father’s mistakes, her anger against him grows. At the same time, a certain shepherd begins to steal her heart.
This Christian novel does a fantastic job of tackling the topic of forgiveness. Both Charlotte and Gwen are dealing with forgiveness in different ways, and their revelations on the topic will be very helpful to the reader. For example, Charlotte says in her journal: “I’ve learned forgiveness is just as much for my benefit as it is for the other person. It’s like giving up my right to hurt someone back and letting God handle the justice of the situation as He sees fit.” For anyone struggling with forgiveness, this and other guidance will be a light in the tunnel. It also shows the importance of writing down the things you have learned. As with Charlotte and Gwen, the wisdom you have gained may help someone a hundred years in the future.
The characters are immediately relatable and likable. The different struggles of Gwen and Charlotte make for compelling reading. The romances are sweet and do not take over the story. This is enjoyable, helpful Christian fiction that I recommend to all.
I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Austenprose Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
AUTHOR BIO
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of twenty-one inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She loves traveling to England to research her Edwardian novels, including No Journey Too Far, No Ocean Too Wide, Across the Blue, and the Edwardian Brides series. Her novels have been translated into several languages and have received starred reviews from Christianbook.com and Library Journal.
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Great review, Bonnie, and this book really sounds inspirational.
Thanks Tim. It is an amazing lesson in forgiveness.