The Unveiling, by Tamara Leigh

Setting

1153 AD

England

Synopsis

When Lady Annyn's brother is brought to her doorstep, dead, the story of his demise does not ring true.  Why would a man who died of a chest wound have the marks of a hangman's noose about his neck?  Annyn suspects murder, and the culprit could be none other than the man who delivered the corpse and lied about her brother's cause of death.  

Baron Wulfrith is a respected and feared trainer of knights.  Annyn trains for four long years, with a mysterious but fatherly man of her family's household, to attain the strength and skill needed to visit her murderous revenge upon Wulfrith.  After cutting her hair, binding her womanly curves and donning a squire's garb, she appears at his castle, on the pretense of seeking his renowned training. However, when the opportunity finally presents itself for her to kill him, doubts as to his guilt and her right to exact vengeance prick her conscience.  Can she follow through with her plan?  

Wulfrith does not have any use for women beyond the relief of his needs at the hands of prostitutes on occasion, and eventually a cold, indifferent marriage in order to produce an heir.  He has no desire to fall in love, as love produces weakness.  Weakness causes one to become distracted, and distraction causes death.  How will he react when Annyn's disguise is unveiled, revealing the strong, beautiful woman beneath?  Which will he lose first, his life or his heart?

Review

First of all, who wouldn't absolutely love the cover!  It is so well done!  We have all heard it is unwise to judge a book by its cover, but I admit that one of the reasons I bought this book was because the cover was so striking, grabbing my attention instantly, just as the interior soon did.  This is the first novel I have read by Tamara Leigh.  From what I understand, she used to write mainstream novels and this was her first of several written for the Christian fiction genre.  This might be why the book was on the edgy side.  I thought it was refreshingly well written and well edited.  The old English made for a slower read, requiring greater concentration, but it also served to make the Medieval setting feel authentic.  I really felt like I was there at that old castle, hearing the din of the blacksmith's hammer and seeing the sleeping forms of those seeking lodging for the night within the walls of the great hall.  It's been a while since I've read a story that felt this real.  The emotions were also quite tangible - the fierce loyalty, the struggles of conscience, the thirst for revenge, the mistrust, and of course my personal favorite - the newly born and barely understood feelings of true love.  It was almost painful how long Annyn and Wilfrith fought their feelings for each other, but there was enough intrigue and mystery to hold my interest and it was well worth the wait.  Their connection was beautiful and breathtaking.  There is a good, uplifting theme to this story, of trying to follow God's laws no matter how badly they sometimes failed, and seeking to be loyal to those they loved.  The characters made mistakes, as we all do, and forgiveness was sought and granted.  This was a wonderfully realistic story that I highly recommend.  I am excited to read more from this author.

Edgy Content

1)  Reference to previous, unrepentant, off camera visits to prostitutes, as was evidently typical of the era

2)  On camera nudity and bathing scenes, though private body parts are not inappropriately described

3)  Bedroom scenes are somewhat detailed, but not explicit and there is no on camera sex.

4) References to sexual arousal and physical attraction, though non-specific, such as that Wulfrith's body stirred

5)  Evidence of loss of innocence publicly displayed, in accordance with customs of the era

6)  Violence, murder and intrigue, common to the time period though not excessively gory

A Bride in the Bargain, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1865

Seattle, Washington Territory

Synopsis

Joe Denton is a brawny lumberjack, whose land lies deep in a forest of redwoods.  Men are entitled to 640 acres of land in that region at no charge... if they have a wife.  However, before his was able to meet him there, she died.  Now his thriving logging business is in jeopardy and he could lose his land.  Therefore, though he does not wish to remarry, he must find a new wife immediately.  With few options since women are scarce, he opts to purchase a bride from back East, one of a group of women called Mercer Brides, sight unseen.  What he gets is Anna Ivey, a spunky young woman who has been led to believe she is only to his cook, not his wife.  When she refuses to marry a stranger, Joe falls back on the only other option he has left: a marriage of convenience to an elderly, toothless woman whose purchaser refused to wed her.  When an unexpected turn of events causes even this last desperate option to be impossible, he convinces Anna to come out to his remote forest and cook for his men, hoping to win her over to the idea of marriage.  Will she find within her the desire to agree to his terms, before it's too late and he loses everything?

Review

This book was so refreshing.  Not only is there plenty of romance, but it is charming, original and witty.  There are several spots that are likely to make you laugh right out loud.  I love a good marriage of convenience story, but sometimes they can get repetitive. This one is a priceless gem that is full of twists and turns.  You really, really, really, really... okay, you get the picture... need to read this one!

Edgy Content

1) Romantic tension is tangible and pleasing even to the most romantic of hearts. 

2) A single woman lives out in the middle of nowhere with a single man, without a suitable chaperon.  Call me crazy but, though some might be disturbed by it, I just thought it was great, and would allow for some wonderfully awkward and romantic situations.

A Bride Most Begrudging, by Deeanne Gist

Setting

1643

Detford, England

Virginia Colony

Synopsis

Lady Constance Morrow boards a ship, intent on bidding her beloved uncle farewell before he is transported as a convict.  However, she is barred from leaving the ship and ends up getting transported to America as well, and sold as a tobacco bride.  A Virginia planter then wins her from her original purchaser in a game of chance.  Drew O'Conner has no wish for a wife.  Not only is he is still pining over his first wife's death, but he is repelled by Constance's red hair and freckles.  Yet the church elders will not allow an eligible woman to remain unmarried since there is a shortage of "breeders" in the colony.  Thus, Drew is forced to marry her, though they secretly agree that it will only be a marriage of convenience, and Constance is still determined to return to England posthaste.  Conflicts follow as this prideful, independent lady refuses to buckle to Drew's domineering commands, and also insists on continuing with the forbidden mathematical pursuits that she had learned from her dear uncle.  Can these two very different people find a compromise... and  perhaps even love?

Review

I have a fascination with colonial era America, and this story just really grabbed me from the start.  I loved the idea of the tobacco brides.  What a romantic and original idea for a story!  Deeanne Gist worded things in such a way that I could easily envision the setting, and I was quickly endeared to the characters and their humorous situations as well.  She also stayed true to what I think the men of that era might have been like, expecting strict obedience of those they considered to be their inferiors.  I loved everything about this book.  This is the first one that I read from this author, and her books are now some of my all time favorites.  When I think of Edgy Christian Fiction, I automatically think of this author.  Her stories have a wonderful amount of fire in the romance scenes, really causing the reader to be enthralled, without going too far.  The connections within the couples are so real and so full of emotion, and her humor and originality is refreshing.

Edgy Content

1) Kidnapping and selling of a woman into marriage
2) Gambling.  The purchased bride is lost in a game of chance.

2) Romance scenes are more in depth and emotional than many others of this genre.
3) Domineering male character, which felt very authentic for the time period.

Diamond of the Rockies Series, by Kristen Heitzmann

Setting

1880s
Sonoma, California and Crystal, Colorado

Synopsis

The Rose Legacy ~

Carina is a determined, independent woman who leaves her Italian family's California vineyard, bound for a rough mining town in Colorado in an effort to break ties with her fiance.  She quickly learns the backwoods rules of travel in a rather unpleasant way, and finds more than she bargains for when she finally arrives at the house for which she has obtained a deed. Though two of the local men garner her attention, only one has her best interests in mind and will protect her when violence breaks loose.

Sweet Boundless ~

Carina's new husband, the mysterious freighter Quillan Shepherd, is allusive and unwilling to accept her love and affection.  She becomes well acquainted with seeing his back, as he walks away from her.  His inner demons from a hurtful childhood cause him to wish and expect that she will leave him.  Determined to make the best of difficult circumstances, she opens an Italian restaurant which becomes wildly successful among the miners and townspeople, sparking jealously in her husband.  Carina is brutally attacked in his absence.  Will Quillan come to his senses in time to save her and their marriage?

The Tender Vine ~

Carina decides that things might get better between her and Quillan if they return to her childhood vineyard home in California.  However, her family is less than accepting of him, and disaster threatens.  Will they finally have the marriage that they both long for?  Or will things go from bad to worse?

Review

This series is very emotional and compelling.  I found Quillan's character to be especially riveting.  Kristen wove the tale in such a way as to make me want him to come through for Carina, while not allowing me to trust him enough to be sure that he will.  He has his own demons to fight, and it haunts him at every turn.  Carina is a strong women, determined to stand by his side, no matter how much rejection she must suffer to accomplish to reach him.  This series is one of my all time favorites.  There's plenty of romance and fire, but not in a way that I would call inappropriate.  Their relationship is so emotional and fueled by love, that I longed for things to be resolved, while thoroughly enjoying their conflicts.  Highly recommended!

Edgy Content

1) Violence, which was believable for a rough mining town in the 1880s.  
2) Graphic mental images.  The descriptions of Quillan's parents, particularly his father, and how they'd died are disturbing. 

3) Marital rape.  That sounds really bad, but seemed so realistic since I got to know Quillan and his struggles with trusting others and believing that he is capable of properly loving a woman.  His raw emotion is so moving, stemming from a deep, enduring love that he cannot yet begin to face or understand.

A Willing Heart, by Mary Andersen

  

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Setting

1683
Bristol, England
Oxford, Maryland Province (Colonial America)

Synopsis

Amidst unbearable injustice, can she find the will to love and forgive?

Sarah Matthews has lost everything she holds dear, and fears further tragedy is to come if she remains at her childhood home near Bristol, England. Will her reckless decision to flee in the dead of night end up destroying any shred of hope she has left, and put her in even greater danger? 

Maryland planter, John Clark, has no need for a female servant. Yet when he sees a disheveled young woman, trying so hard to be brave, there is no denying his desire to help her. Buying Sarah's indenture is one thing. Impulsively forcing her into marriage the same day is quite another...

My Thoughts

I don't feel it would be appropriate to review my own novel, but I would like to explain my reasoning for including some of its content.  Some might be disturbed by the focus on, or inclusion of, the fallout of a woman being raped.  My take on this is that these things do happen, and I think that addressing this issue is important.  It is my wish that this story will inspire and give hope to people who have experienced difficult things.  Most of us will never be attacked in such a heinous way, but we all have times in our lives when we feel great discouragement and pain.  This story is a reminder to me that we all have within us the innate ability to rise above the trials that test our faith and fortitude.  I hope that following Sarah's journey will give my readers a renewed appreciation for the power of forgiveness and love.  

Edgy Content

1) Romance scenes are quite descriptive, though not explicit, with plenty of emotion sure to get your heart racing. 

2) Off camera rape, and subsequent reservation toward intimacy.

3) The selling of European immigrants into servitude might bother some, but it was the backbone of the economy of the southern colonies for quite a few years, until the practice was largely replaced by slavery. 

4) Sarah was forced to marry and then consummate that marriage with a stranger, the very day she met him.  In many "marriage of convenience" stories, the authors allow a respectable time period for the characters to get to know each other and to fall in love before the marriage is consummated.  This book does not. I think it is realistic for the time period in which the story is set, as I don't believe that, in the 1600s, men would have always given women time to adjust to their new situation, but might have instead simply expected obedience.