Thursday, July 26, 2012

Through Rushing Water

GIVEAWAY

RICHMOND, CATHERINE
THROUGH RUSHING WATER

Sophia has her life all planned out-but her plan didn't include being jilted or ending up in Dakota Territory.

Sophia Makinoff is certain 1876 is the year that she'll become the wife of a certain US Congressman, and happily plans her debut into the Capitol city. But when he proposes to her roommate instead, Sophia is stunned. Hoping to flee her heartache and humiliation, she signs up with the Board of Foreign Missions on a whim.

With dreams of a romantic posting to the Far East, Sophia is dismayed to find she's being sent to the Ponca Indian Agency in the bleak Dakota Territory. She can't even run away effectively and begins to wonder how on earth she'll be able to guide others as a missionary. But teaching the Ponca children provides her with a joy she has never known-and never expected-and ignites in her a passion for the people she's sent to serve.

It's a passion shared by the Agency carpenter, Willoughby Dunn, a man whose integrity and selflessness are unmatched. The Poncas are barely surviving. When US policy decrees that they be uprooted from their land and marched hundreds of miles away in the middle of winter, Sophia and Will wade into rushing waters to fight for their friends, their love, and their destiny.

My Review:

A historical romance with substance. You'll relive a piece of American history that should never be forgotten. The plight of Native Americans is heart-wrenching to read -- the blatant prejudice, well-meaning ignorance, mis-guided charity -- well let's just say there's enough fodder to drive a tender-hearted reader into despair.

Thank goodness for Sophia and Will. Their passion for the Ponca people and their way of life is a refreshing change -- though will it be enough to change the course of the tribe's fate? Well, you'll just have to read  Through Rushing Water to find out.

When I first started reading I wasn't sure if I would like Sophia. She wasn't shallow exactly, but definitely single-minded with a teensy lean towards entitlement -- looking forward to becoming a congressman's wife and the place in society that would afford her. Those dreams are quickly dashed and on the rebound she volunteers as a missionary to exotic China. It's when she finds herself in the Dakota Territories instead that we really see what Sophia is made of. Richmond has given her a fascinating background which has uniquely prepared her for all she encounters.

And it's as I watched Sophia come into her own that I came to love her. Much like Will, I was dubious at first, but quickly enchanted, astonished, and entertained by Sophia's antics. And humour in unexpected places! Oh my, I'm still grinning!

This is the kind of the book that has your alternately laughing and crying and screaming out in frustration not to mention sighing over the slow and exacting romantic development. Definitely a fulfilling and thought-provoking read. Bravo, Catherine Richmond


Giveaway Opportunity:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Through Rushing Water, please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 29 2012. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!



24 comments:

  1. I LOVE this cover. I have loved this cover since the first day I saw it... then I read what the book is about and I really want to read it!! Thanks for the review!!

    ladettek{at]gmail[dot]com

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  2. It's an awesome read, Ladette. Good luck!

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  3. I loved her first book. Devoured it in a day. This book has a great cover and sounds like a great story line. Please enter me. Thanks.

    sweetdarknectar at gmail dot com

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  4. I know, Amy -- Catherine Richmond has a gift, doesn't she? Good luck!

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  5. You got me at "slow and exacting romance" I'd love to give it a chance.
    rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

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  6. It's worth a chance, Melissa. Good luck!

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  7. Please enter my name into the drawing for Through Rushing Waters by Catherine Richmond.

    Tammi in Maine

    dandtdearing{at}earthlink{dot}net

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  8. This sounds like my kind of story. There are some exotic places the characters see and the good they do. The author's name sounded familiar and I realize another book of hers is on my TBR. I better get started on discovering her. Thanks for the review, Kav.

    Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. This sounds like a perfect book! Good character development, tense plot, and interesting time period.
    bskaggs(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  10. You've got that right, Teddy. Good luck!

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  11. thanks for the chance to read this wonderful story

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  12. I loved Catherine Richmond's earlier book. I think I'd probably love this one too. (I've borrowed it from the library, but didn't finish it.) Please enter me.

    mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

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  13. The cover is great! I look forward to reading Sophia story.

    Patty
    pattymh2000@yahoo.com

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  14. Just wanted to stop by and read your review. You don't have to enter me in the giveaway. Hope you have a great weekend! :O)

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  15. LOVE Catherine Richmond!!! Am DYING to read this because I SO loved the first!! Thanks for the opportunity, Kav. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  16. "Richmond has given her a fascinating background which has uniquely prepared her for all she encounters."

    I find it exciting to see how the Lord uses some little thing in something previous we did, to enlarge it to His purposes! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  17. I've never read anything by this author but I'm always ready to try something new!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  18. Thanks for this great giveaway! Def sounds like a great book.

    Jen
    jen.whitney08@gmail.com

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  19. Great interview , thank you, love reading about the Authors.
    Catherine, your Book sounds so good i want to read it right now (smile). Please add me to your Giveaway.
    Many Blessings

    ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Wow, Catherine Richmond is obviously popular. She did make a splash with her debut novel, didn't she?

    Thanks for stopping by and reading the review, Diane. And hey Julie -- fancy meeting you here!

    Good luck everyone!!!!

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  21. Enter Me!
    richmond[dot]abigail[at]gmail[dot]com

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  22. You're entered, Abigail! Good luck!

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