Saturday, June 5, 2010

Book Review: Hearts Awakening

I spent an afternoon this week reading Hearts Awakening by Delia Parr.  This is the type of book I try to only pick up when I know that I can get away with just reading for a few hours, because I tend to read it in one sitting.

The description:

With no means to support herself, Ellie Kilmer agrees to work as a housekeeper for the young widower who lives on Dillon Island, hopeful she can obtain a proper reference. But Jackson Smith quickly realizes that Ellie's presence may solve his own problems--both the rearing of his young boys and the scandal that surrounds his first marriage. When a marriage of convenience is offered, Ellie is initially humiliated. Though she is past the age most women marry, she has more pride than to agree to his outlandish suggestion. Yet what options does she have? To marry would mean a home and stability. So despite the rumors circling Jackson and his first wife, Ellie accepts this unlikely proposal.

The story is set in 1840 in Pennsylvania, and while much of the plot is fairly predictable, I enjoyed watching Ellie and her determination to follow God's plan for her life... to forgive, to follow through on her promises, and to make the best of whatever situation she finds herself in.

I have seen this book listed as being historical fiction, and I'm not sure I agree with that.  This story is placed in a long-ago time, but aside from some details about apple orchards and the difficulty in adjusting to a stove instead of a hearth, there really wasn't much that placed it in any specific historical time period.  The story could just as easily have been set in the 1790s in New England, or on the Plains in the 1880s.

I did enjoy it, however, and when I am looking for a light read, I will certainly keep an eye out for further titles by Delia Parr.


Disclosure:  Bethany House provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.  No other compensation was received, and all opinions are my own.

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