Engraved on the Heart

GIVEAWAY

JOHNSON, TARA
ENGRAVED ON THE HEART

Reluctant debutante Keziah Montgomery lives beneath the weighty expectations of her staunch Confederate family, forced to hide her illness for fear of a scandal. As rumors of war arrive on their doorstep, Keziah sees little cause for balls and courting. Despite her discomfort, she cannot imagine an escape from her familial confines -- until an old schoolmate shows her a life-changing truth that sets her feet on a new path...as a conductor in the Underground Railroad.

Dr. Micah Greyson never hesitates to answer the call of duty, no matter how dangerous, but when the enchanting Keziah waltzes back into his life, his well-ordered plans are turned upside down. Torn between the life he has always known in Savannah and the fight for abolition, Micah struggles to discern God's will amid such turbulent times.

Tensions increase in the Montgomery household as Keziah conceals her Underground affiliation from her nosy Southern belle cousin and overbearing parents determined to marry her off to the wealthiest suitor. As Keziah and Micah face their own battles, they discover some convictions are worth a sacrifice...but as circumstances threaten to keep them apart, they will learn if love is truly strong enough to endure the pain of war.

My Review:

What an amazing debut novel! I'm definitely a Tara Johnson fan now! She catapulted me back in time and wrangled my emotions into a heap of pulsating fury. Gah! Some of these characters....enraged doesn't begin to describe the way I feel! I do so love when I can become emotionally engaged in a story and my passions ran high over the course of this read.

Phew! The things Keziah comes up against! The restrictive role forced upon a woman in this time period for one. Added to that are health concerns that have prompted her family to alternately coddle and berate her. And the threat of an arranged marriage to a shudderingly awful man because, of course, she'd never be able to take care of herself. Ha! The people closest to her have no concept of what really lies in Keziah's heart. No understanding of the courage and grit and phenomenal determination that drives Kizzie to follow God's leading in her life. Which charges her into danger and intrigue and even the arms of a childhood friend.

Returning to Savannah after years of study in Philadelphia makes Dr. Micah Greyson an outsider in his hometown. His views have changed, values sharpened and politically -- well, let's just say that living in the South when war is declared becomes challenging. Micah is a quiet man, drawn to a cause that makes him a traitor in the eyes of his Confederate neighbours.

I've had a fascination with the Underground Railroad since I was a kid and I appreciate Johnson's candor as she presents some unique facets of the Southern perspective that sent chills down my spine. How easy it is to bury common decency in the name of right-fighting fanaticism!

A beautiful inspirational thread brings hope and redemption to a story steeped in turmoil and confusion. And the title tie-in is profoundly beautiful. A truly stunning debut novel!

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Engraved on the Heart, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you add an email to your 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 November 25 2018. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck!