Monday, April 9, 2012

Beauty for Ashes


  Product Description:

She's a beautiful young widow. He's a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.


After losing her husband in the Civil War, Carrie Daly is scared she will never have the family she longs for. Eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, but Carrie has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn't quite ready to set a wedding date with Nate Chastain.
Griff Rutledge is a former member of Charleston society, but has been estranged from his family for years. He's determined to remain unattached, never settling in one place for too long. But when asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay awhile.


Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff's kindness and charm. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God's promise to give beauty for ashes.


My Review:
This was a nice, easy-to-read and relaxing book. The story moves along at a very comfortable pace and there is just enough twists in the plot to keep it interesting.
I found myself very able to relate to Carrie and her struggles. The author has done a great job making the characters very real and easy to identify with. 
There is just enough description of the setting to give you a feel for the area without overloading the reader with boring details.
What I most appreciated about the book is how we see Carrie grow in grace as she learns to trust the Lord through the difficult providences of life, and how she strives to show His love to difficult people.
Overall, this is a very nice piece of Christian historical fiction.


I must mention that I received a complimentary review copy of this ebook through BookSneeze.