Revell (Jan 1, 2009)
Welcome readers to yet another historical author that I can’t seem to put down. This debut both of a wonderful author and a new series, At Home in Beldon Grove, to love grabbed my heart and imagination from the start. Molly is forced to leave her home in Missouri near the jumping off spot for many wagon trains when her husband leaves her a single parent hundreds of miles from family, other than a rogue brother-in-law who takes everything from both her and his brother’s children. Although her husband’s death is the result of an illness plaguing plains communities he was visiting on business, it almost seems as if the “evil sibling†planned this all along to aid his takeover of the family’s livelihood.
With vivid descriptions, detailed research and information about the landscape, era and people as well as the occupation of brick making Shorey brings historical readers a new glimpse at what we might consider the familiar. Besides the brick making family business Shorey does add another twist, Molly is forced to take her children north to Illinois and perhaps a bit east as well but either way it is “backwards†for travel in the Wagon Train era. She chose the location because it happens to be the home of her brother and his family who comes to assist her after the loss of her husband and everything but her children. Turns out the doctor that moved his practice from her home town to somewhere in Illinois is also a friend of Matthew’s and comes back with him to collect Molly’s family for the trek. Molly and Dr Spengler have their differences and it appears he may be to blame for another loss on the trail, however there also seems to be an unavoidable attraction between the two besides which he is the only doctor available when her time comes for birthing Samuel’s final legacy to her and there prove to be complications beyond a midwife’s training.
What will happen with Molly and the Dr? Will the one who strayed along the trail ever come home or will Molly eventually have to accept him as lost forever even if he is still alive as she insists. (ISBN#9780800733308, 320pp, $13.99)
Codicil:
Drop into Ann’s website for a chat. Click the bookcover above to purchase your own copy as well as read more about the book.
