The Abolitionist's Daughter

GIVEAWAY

MAHER, KATHLEEN L.
THE ABOLITIONIST'S DAUGHTER

The crusading daughter of a Washington politican, Marietta Hamilton, comes between twin brothers as the country plunges toward Civil War. Horse traders from Virginia, Ethan Sharpe and his brother Devon would defend their livelihood from her interfering kind. When love ignites, friends become enemies separated over the course of a long and brutal conflict. Can the very influences which carved a chasm unite a torn family against all odds?

My Review:

First off -- isn't that a gorgeous cover?! There's something so soft and yet strong about the heroine. I look at that expression and think stoic and determined. Life is serious but there is hope for a future with the man she loves if they stay true to their faith and each other. A great illustration for the beguiling story inside.

I knew I was going to like Marietta when I found her lurking in the hearth as she uses the flue in the chimney to eavesdrop on her parents' conversation. And feeling wholly justified because they are in the middle of deciding her future! She's young and passionate and determined to make something of her future beyond the usual finishing school and perfecting of womanly arts. She has a passion for justice and desires to follow in her abolitionist father's footsteps. Even so, she's naive and spoiled and hasn't been tempered by life's hardships. Yet. That's all about to change as politics and war test her faith and her devotion to those she loves.

Ethan has spent his life in the shadows of his gregarious twin brother. More thoughtful and sensitive than Devon, he's been content to allow his brother to lead while he follows. Until they meet a certain young woman -- but Marietta's Northern politics and deeply rooted faith are at conflict with the devil-may-care attitude the twins have adopted. Even so, Ethan is drawn to "...the prettiest thing he'd ever seen, even if she was fiercer than a feral cat." (p19)

Marietta challenges Ethan to examine his faith and his beliefs. I love her fearless zeal as she fervently shares her views with him. And suddenly Ethan finds himself questioning the very backbone of the society he has grown up in. It isn't long before he is forced to stand up for what he believes to be right even though it turns his brother into his enemy.

Maher has done an excellent job of meshing tumultuous emotion with riveting historical facts in this sweeping family saga. And she expertly weaves a strong inspirational thread throughout. This is just as much a story about God's love as it is about the love between a man and a woman. A truly captivating historical romance.

My thanks to the author for gifting me with a copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Abolitionist's Daughter, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday September 9 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!