I’ve really enjoyed this unique and creative series. Not only was I drawn into the mysterious land, but also the characters who called it home. This story actually brings us back to the very beginning, to the founders of the land and their stories. It answered several of my questions and brought the satisfying conclusion I was hoping for.
I liked following Marian and her family and friends across the ocean, but at times the story seemed slow. I was ready for them to reach land almost as much as they were. π The second half of the book was my favorite as the adventure picked up pace and brought with it familiar parts of the previous books in the series. I loved seeing the land through the Founders’ eyes.
I liked Jonah and his inner conflict and choices he was forced to make. It made him a strong hero in the end. His personality complimented Marian’s nicely and I liked the two of them together; However, their romance budded a little too suddenly for me and I was left wishing I could believe in their love a bit more.
Despite a few small hangups, I enjoyed this book and recommend the series to anyone who is looking for a story unlike anything else they’ve read.
I received a free copy from the publisher. No review, positive or otherwise, was requiredβall opinions are my own.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
ABOUT THE BOOK:
In November 1860, Marian Foster joins a group of Virginia families who are sailing away from America to form a new settlement off the coast of Brazil. As an amateur botanist, Marian eagerly anticipates exploring a new land. She boards Providence confident in the groupβs plan, but during the voyage, her heart is drawn to Jonah Ashton, the secretive and sullen shipβs physician.
Jonah Ashton is determined to finish medical school before rumors of Southern rebellion erupt into all-out war. When family obligation forces Jonah to take a voyage aboard Providence, he plans to escort his family to their new settlement in South America and then return home. While aboard Providence, Jonah is beguiled by Marianβs optimistic spirit and finds himself in uncharted territory. Soon Jonah makes a startling discovery that changes everything, but will it change his heart?
Get swept away on a journey of faith, sacrifice, and Godβs unfailing provision in this inspirational story reviewers are calling βa captivating, well-researched, and deftly written tale.β
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Born in St. Joseph, Missouri, Keely was a tree-climbing, baseball-loving β80s kid. She grew up in a family who frequently relocated. By graduation, Keely lived in 8 states and attended 14 schools. Keelyβs many adventures include: being an exchange student, recording with a former Beatles producer, being chased through the New Mexico desert by a rattlesnake, jumping out of an airplane at 14,500 feet, and sleeping under the open sky in the Australian outback.
Keely is a bass guitarist and plays on worship teams and for solo artists. She is married to singer/songwriter John Martin Keith, and they frequently perform and tour together. When she isnβt writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys dancing, having coffee with friends, and sifting through vintage books at antique stores.
Keely resides on a hilltop south of Nashville with her husband and their daughter, Rachel. For more, visit her website.
ββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββββ-
Excellent review, Savanna! I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while.
Thanks, Caryl. Yeah, definitely look up the whole series. π