Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Revealed - 2nd in the Fountain Creek Chronicles Series
Author: Tamera Alexander
Publisher: Bethany House
ISBN: 0-7642-0109-3
Release Date: November 2006
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1870/Colorado Territory traveling to Idaho Territory
Overall Rating: 5.0
Sexual Content Rating: None
Language (Profanity) Rating: None
Violent Content Rating: None
Tamera's Website:
www.tameraalexander.com
Annabelle Grayson McCutchens is headed back to Willow Springs, Colorado with her husband, Jonathan’s body. He passed away shortly after heading out with a wagon train going west. But it’s Jonathan’s last wish that she hire someone to get her back to the wagon train and on to his ranch in Idaho Territory.
Though Annabelle has made a few very dear friends over the last couple of years, she is glad to be able to move on to a place where her past is unknown. Her years as a prostitute in Willow Springs have not been forgotten by most of the town folks. Jonathan took her away from that life, loving her with all his heart even knowing she didn’t share his love. Annabelle and Jonathan knew this was missing from their marriage, but felt in time love would come.
Jonathan’s half-brother, Matthew Taylor didn’t see it like this and had told Jonathan the same the last time they saw each other. Matthew left Jonathan with some very hurtful words letting him know how he felt about his marriage to a "woman like her". Coming back to Willow Springs from Texas where Matthew has had his own problems, he discovers that his brother is gone. Now his widow is hiring someone to take her back to the wagon train and on to the ranch that should rightfully be his, being the only living blood kin to Jonathan. Since Matthew is constantly looking over his shoulder and needs to be on the road, has to earn some money fast, and figures the Idaho ranch is rightfully his, he applies for the job to deliver Annabelle to the ranch.
Even though he wasn’t the only capable man applying for the job, Annabelle hires Matthew knowing Jonathan would have wanted Matthew to take her to Idaho. She knows how Matthew feels about her but she also feels the Lord’s prompting though she doesn’t quite understand it all, being a fairly new believer. Annabelle is hoping to make some kind of a truce with Matthew and let him know that Jonathan forgave him for his hurtful words.
During the course of their journey Matthew is still struggling with why Jonathan would have married a woman like Annabelle. Slowly Matthew’s eyes are opening to the real Annabelle and can almost see what Jonathan could have seen in her. He also realizes that he’s been judging her all this time even though he has a recent past that he’s not so proud of. Annabelle and Matthew are coming to realize that the Lord’s love, grace, mercy and forgiveness can save them if they will let Him. But can Matthew really put Annabelle’s past in the past and will Annabelle realize that she can love and be loved?
Once again Tamera Alexander paints the scenes so vividly you think you’re there watching the story unfold. She gives depth to the story as well as her characters both primary and secondary that keep you turning the pages. Annabelle’s past was heart-wrenching but you have to admire her for wanting to change and looking to the Lord for this help. It was very enlightening to see Matthew coming to terms with his prejudices and realizing that if the Lord can look past it he should too.
Ms. Alexander is not preachy as she weaves scriptures and the spiritual struggles we all have on a daily basis throughout the story. I enjoyed the inspirational messages that are intertwined with Annabelle and Matthew’s story. Readers of all genres will enjoy Revealed. As the first book in the series did, this story gives the reader something to think about in forgiveness and of loving and being loved.
Trudy
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