Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: The Maverick Preacher
Author: Victoria Bylin
Publisher: Steeple Hill – Love Inspired Historical
ISBN-13: 978-0-373-82805-0
Release Date: February 2009
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1875/Denver, Colorado
Overall rating: 3.5
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: Negligible/Minimal
Victoria's Website: www.victoriabylin.com
Adie Clarke had a few secrets. Adopting the baby of her best friend after she had died in childbirth was one of the hardest secrets to keep especially after she promised to protect him from his arrogant and cruel uncle. Adie had moved to Denver after selling some of her friend’s jewelry and started Swan’s Nest, a home for women. She was trying to build a good life though it was proving difficult with constantly looking over her shoulder.
Joshua Blue, a minister from Boston was on a mission. He had to find his sister and apologize. He had said some cruel things when she told him she was pregnant. After all, being a minister of good standing his reputation had been at stake. It wasn’t’ long before Josh realized that he had made a terrible mistake. He had finally come to terms with the true meaning of God’s mercy and grace and he desperately needed to find his sister and seek her forgiveness.
Tracking his sister as far as Kansas City, Josh headed for Denver after hearing of Swan’s Nest, the home for women. A sick and battered Josh fell on Adie’s doorstep hoping to find his sister. Adie would protect her "son" with her life if she had to – she had promised.
Adie and Josh were drawn to each other, though they both fought it. Josh had never thought he’d marry but he loved Adie and wanted to stay. Adie had been hurt and was bitter but Josh knew that his calling was to God and eventually Adie would resent him if she didn’t free her heart of the burdens she carried. Time proves that Josh is not the man his sister had left in Boston as well as proving he was the man Adie who could take her "son". Her guilt was eating her alive. Adie could no longer hold back the information Josh sought, but would he forgive her? Josh could forgive her but could Adie forgive God and the others who had hurt her in the past?
Ms Bylin has once again given the reader food for thought. The Maverick Preacher is a powerful story of God’s grace, His mercy and forgiveness. Adie and Josh have to overcome the human feelings of pride and forgiveness in their daily struggles just as we do. Adie’s character was a bit strong on the bitterness for me but while reading you have no doubt as to why with her past history.
Bessie, Caroline, Mary and Pearl, are the group of women living at the Swan’s Nest and each has a story to tell. Who will be the next to fall in love? I look forward to the next story of Swan’s Nest’s residents.
Trudy
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