Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Book Review: Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love/4 Stars

About the book:

Ada has loved deeply and lost dearly. But protecting her heart could mean missing the love of a lifetime.

Ada Wentworth may be young, but she's seen enough of life to know she can only rely on herself. Everyone including God it seems, has let her down. Having lost her family, her fiance, and her fortune, Ada journeys from Boston to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, to take a position as a lady's companion. Though initially charmed by the pretty little Southern town tucked into the foothills of the great Smokies, Ada plans to stay only until she can earn enough to establish a millinery shop.

Her employer, Wyatt Caldwell, the local lumber mill owner, is easily the kindest, most attractive man Ada has met in Hickory Ridge. He believes Providence has brought her to town and into his life. But how, after so many betrayals, can she ever trust again? Besides, Wyatt has a dream of his own. A dream that will one day take him far from Hickory Ridge.

As the South struggles to heal in the aftermath of the Civil War, one woman must let go of her painful past in order to embrace God's plans for her. Can she trust Him, and Wyatt, with her future and her heart?

My thoughts:

It's no secret that I l-o-v-e Southern novels, but when I have the chance to get my hands on one that's set in my home state of Tennessee...well, I can't help but smile.  I'm so pleased that I made time in my reading schedule for such a wonderfully told Southern novel.  :o)

Dorothy Love easily captured the spirit of Tennessee while also providing a charming historical romance.  Her characters were spot on, and her research into the state's history was evident and well-placed within the overall story.  There was also a bit of information about the art of millinery that provided an extra dose of personality that I appreciated.

Hands down, I know I will be reading Dorothy's next novel in the Hickory Ridge series.  I can't wait to see what new things are in store for some of the townsfolk and how history will progress in the years following the Civil War.

4 Stars

Southern?  Yes
Sass?  No

**Many thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing a copy for review through TLC Book Tours.



6 comments:

  1. This book looks like such a cute read. =) I think it is sitting on my bookshelf but I have as yet to crack open its pages.

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  2. Christy, thank you so much for the lovely review and for hosting me here today.

    Rissi, I hope this review has encouraged you to give the book a try! :) In any case, thanks for visiting this site and for posting! I appreciate all my readers, even those who haven't opened the book yet. Blessings on your head.

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  3. The years after the Civil War are fascinating to me - society was in such upheaval and there were so many dangers yet so many opportunities as well. I'm interested to see where the next book in the series takes these characters!

    Thanks for being a part of this tour - I'm so glad you enjoyed the book.

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  4. Oh I keep finding so many wonderful authors writing such good stories that I will never be able to read all I want to, Your story sounds like one I would enjoy and will be looking for it, thanks for sharing your talant.
    Paula O
    kyflo130@yahoo.com

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  5. Hadn't heard of this one yet so thanks for sharing your review. I've marked it on my TBR list.

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  6. I almost got this book to review a little while back, but didn't. Now I wish I had. Thanks for the great review - I'll be keeping an eye out for this author's future books! :-)

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I love your comments!! They make me happier than cold sweet tea on a hot summer day! :o)