Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend
sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man
who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she
fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes
responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's
Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the
dearest friends she's ever known.
Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private
conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young
ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph
companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his
ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For
months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope
that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he
takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in
peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet
nature to become the hero Grace requires.
*This review includes a giveaway. Please read giveaway rules carefully.
My Review Summary:
This tale includes two breathtakingly sweet romances, touches of mystery and suspense, and the kind of characters that stand romance stereotypes
on their heads!
The
Characters:
Karen’s
Harper’s Station characters tend to burrow into a readers heart and stay there.
Grace, Amos, Lee, and Helen are no different. Not to forget Amos’
glasses-grabbing nephew. So adorable. Grace was relatable for me in her
occasional shyness and her deep love of friends and family. Amos surprised me.
I love that Karen chose the opposite of the usual “broad shouldered, square
jawed” type as her hero, a character who beautifully embodies the theme. She took an insecure, bookish telegraph operator and
put him into conflicts that exposed, grew, and eventually showcased his heart
of deep integrity. Bravo, Karen!
The
Romance:
Amos’ candid
interactions with Grace brought plenty of swoon-worthy moments, especially since
he always let her know up front where he stood concerning her. His tact, his honesty,
his commitment, courage, faith, and kindness wooed her in ways other suave “ladykiller”
types couldn’t. Grace appreciates him as a man of character and values his
friendship, as well as his attentions and valorous offer of protection and
assistance. The romance develops organically over the course of the story and
has a gentle, natural feel. Lee and Helen’s story held my curiosity as much as
the main storyline, and I loved watching them overcome past wounds with God’s
and one another’s help.
The History:
I found the telegraph operating bits fascinating, from the terminology about telegraph blanks and call signatures to the heroine's referring to the hero's fine hand at the key. The velocipede thread was certainly fun, too! Karen's stories always immerse me in the era so much that I don't want to leave. Can't wait to dive into her next story!
The Faith
Element:
Amos,
Grace, Lee, and Helen all rely on their faith to see them through difficult and
even life-threatening circumstances. Grace’s scripture memory comes to her aid
in a particularly charged moment, and the strength she gains from the Bible
verses brought fresh thankfulness to my heart for the Word of God.
The
Stakes:
All the
characters stand to lose something in this story: the safety of Harper’s Station,
Amos’ heart, Grace’s father’s life’s work, her friends’ safety, and later her
own life. For Lee, his life and mission. For Helen, her wounded heart and the
life of the only man she’s ever trusted. The other two couples from Harper’s
Station books Malachi and Emma and Tori and Ben, also face danger in this story
and play a part in the resolution.
The Theme:
Inner character matters more than outer appearance.
The Villain:
I'm including a special section for this baddie. Karen has crafted a brilliant and chilling villain in Heart on the Line, who incarnates the theme in the most despicable way. This was a villain I loved to hate, and I think you will, too. :)
The
Overall Impression:
I loved
seeing old friends from the ladies' colony work together with new characters. After
all they endure as a community, at the end of the book I definitely wanted to
spend more time with them. But the happy ending drew things to a satisfying
conclusion. I look forward to more stories from Harper’s Station!
Up Next From The Author:
The Love Knot
(novella, 2018)
Claire Nevin has identified herself in many ways during her brief
eighteen years: Irish immigrant; professional embroiderer; jilted
fiancé; runaway mail-order bride; and most recently, apprentice healer
for the ladies of Harper's Station. The one role she treasures above
all, however, is sister. When her troubled younger sibling
sends her an unexpected package by rail, the gift, and the man who
delivers it, threaten to redefine her life once again. Fighting to hold
on to all she has built, will she lose what matters most?
I’m
giving away a copy of the FIRST book set in Harper’s Station, No Other Will Do (Pictured Below). This is Malachi and
Emma’s story that kicks off the whole series with a bang. :) Leave a comment
with your email to put your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends July 7, 2017.
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Comment Fodder:
- Have you read any of Karen's books before?
- Which of Karen's books is your favorite? Favorite scene?
- Can you think of any movie characters who turned out to be far different than they first appeared?