Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Beauty for Ashes
Author: Dorothy Clark
Publisher: Steeple Hill
ISBN: 0-373-78515-1
Release Date: Original Published date June 2004
To be reissued June 2006 in Steeple Hill's Reader's Choice
Mass Market Line
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1820/Philadelphia
Overall rating: 4.5
Sexual content rating: None
Dorothy's E-mail: DorothyJClark
If you love historical romance, as I do, and appreciate the inspirational, then Beauty
for Ashes is the book for you. Dorothy Clark writes a sensitive story that hooked me
from the start.
Elizabeth Frazier is a young woman who needs to find safety from her heartless parents and frightening betrothed. As she offers a prayer for safety, Elizabeth is lead to the Haversham Coach House where Justin Randolph is awaiting his bride of convenience, who answered his ad. Elizabeth is mistaken for this bride and though she feels she is deceiving Justin, she needs the safety more. Elizabeth agrees to wed Justin and to the terms of the marriage of convenience.
Justin has had his fill of women who were selfish, greedy and dishonest, looking for a wealthy man to support her. The only way to find a mother for his two children and take himself out of the pool of eligible bachelors is to look for a woman that would suit and agree to the marriage he proposes.
Elizabeth has had one overwhelming emotional and physical experience with the man her father wishes her to marry and after marrying Justin, wonders what she has done. She knows that men only want one thing and love has no place in a marriage, just look at her parents. After all, this is what her mother has been telling her. How can she play the loving bride Justin requires if is she can hardly stand to be near him? He frightens her so.
Justin wonders, other than the fact that she’s greedy, what is wrong with Elizabeth. She swoons and jumps whenever he’s in the room. Why did he concoct such a scheme? What did he think he was doing marrying for his convenience?
Elizabeth looks to God and prays that she is able to live up to the agreement she made. She begins to love the children and Justin can see the change in her. Will Justin be able to come back to God, and release his bitterness and truly love again? With the help of prayer and Justin’s grandmother’s Bible, the Lord led the couple to blessed love and peace.
There were many things I enjoyed about Beauty for Ashes. Dorothy Clark writes in a tone that keeps you hooked, wondering what will come next. There is no un-wanted language in this story and Dorothy tells a story that I believe is based on Ruth’s life from the Bible. The way this romance was written, made me want to help Elizabeth and Justin. I cried when Elizabeth was finally able to tell Justin what had happened to her. How could her parents be so heartless? My heart went out to Justin when he finally told Elizabeth how two women had hurt him and left him with two children.
Dorothy points out that God can lead those who look to him and ". . . give unto them beauty for ashes." God is a God of miracles and He loves his children through all the ups and downs, its love that will lead us through.
I have to mention one more pleasant surprise though I’m sure others won’t find it so – I loved the secondary character, Trudy. Trudy was a minor secondary character, but love her I did, if only for her name. How could I not – it’s not every day you see your own unusual name in a book. I thank you, Dorothy, for that!
I appreciated Dorothy’s sensitive, endearing romance that she has shared with us. I found it refreshing to be able to read the combination of the historical romance I always enjoy and the inspirational that I crave. Thank you again Dorothy, I know that others will find Elizabeth and Justin’s story truly enchanting.
Trudy
Question or comment regarding the review or the book? Click here and let Trudy know.
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