Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: A Lady of High Regard - 1st in Ladies of Liberty Series
Author: Tracie Peterson
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 978-0-7642-2777-6
Release Date: July 2007
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1850s/Philadelphia
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual Content Rating: None (few kisses)
Language (Profanity/Slang) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None (implied)
Tracie's Website:
www.traciepeterson.com
Both born to the elite of Philadelphia, Mia Stanley and Garrett Wilson had always been best friends. Though Garrett was eight years older he had always felt protective of Mia. As best friends do, they knew each other better than any other.
Mia was mindful of her station in life but she was also independent. With her parent’s reluctant permission Mia writes for the Godey’s Lady’s Book magazine. Through her assignments, Mia becomes painfully aware of the plight of the poor and those that use their position over the less fortunate to gain money and power.
Mia is reluctant to seek aid from Garrett but he has come to her rescue many times in her life and especially lately while she’s been on assignments. Garrett, fearful for her safety, is not as sympathetic to Mia’s cause as she would have thought him to be. Mia can’t understand how a God-fearing man like Garrett can allow his social status to get in the way of helping those in need. Garrett’s not without compassion for Mia’s cause, just fearful her involvement will put her in harm’s way. Garrett starts his own quiet investigation into the situations Mia has discovered.
Though cautioned by her parents and Garret, Mia holds onto her independence and tries to help the poor on her own. She’s positive she should use her available means to help and knows that God will keep her safe. But soon Mia realizes she, alone, will not eliminate the struggles of the less fortunate. Mia tries to understand how God can allow such bad things to happen to His children when He can prevent them? How can just one person help so many needs? Mia learns that she can not know the scope of God’s plans or how just one person may influence and lead those that need Him.
Through their struggles with these social issues, Mia and Garrett soon realize that their friendship is blossoming. But even best friends can have a hard time sharing their feelings as Mia and Garrett are fearful that their growing love is not shared by the other. Many obstacles deter them but its God’s love, protection and His leading that brings Mia and Garrett together.
I thoroughly enjoyed Mia and Garrett’s story which strikes many emotions. Each one touched my heart not only for the difficulties of the poor and down-trodden in the story, but also made me think about how I can help those in that situation today. The inspirational message is thought provoking as God let’s the rain fall on the good and the bad. His wisdom goes beyond what we can comprehend. God loves His children and will stand by them no matter what the situation.
Tracie Peterson writes a very entertaining story that pulls at your heart. Only one or two loose ends that needed to be cleaned up, but could they lead us to the 2nd in the Ladies of Liberty series? I look forward to it.
Trudy
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