Reviewer: Trudy Smith
Title: Standing Tall
Author: Sharon Gillenwater
Publisher: Steeple Hill
ISBN: 0-373-81126-8
Release Date: October 2005
Genre/Sub-genre: Inspirational Historical Romance
Year/Setting: 1885
Overall rating: 4.75
Sexual content rating: None – kissing here and there
Sharon's Website: none found
Unfortunate circumstances bring Lily Chastain and her brother Matt to Willow Grove, Texas. Revenge for their father’s murder sends them sneaking around town wanting to get back the money the killers stole. They didn’t mean for any one to get hurt, let alone the Sheriff. To make amends, Lily and her brother take on the responsibility of caring for the injured Sheriff Ransom Starr.
Their caring eventually touches Ransom’s heart and he forgives them. He sees the goodness in their hearts and over time his feelings for Lily grow. He prays for guidance and also for a healing of his body. He can’t ask Lily to marry him without knowing for certain he can care for her. Ransom also prays for Lily that she will forgive the criminals that killed their father and turn her heart from revenge back to the Lord.
Lily’s feeling for Ransom grows too but she’s set on revenge for their father’s murder. She knows she should look to God for forgiveness and peace, but she can’t quite understand why the Lord would take her father, a God-fearing man, in such a violent way. With prayer and a little talk Ransom had with God, her anger with God eventually dissolves but she has to work on forgiving the criminals. Lily knows that the only way to peace is for the Lord to help her and Matt through their grief.
God and time start the healing process on Lily’s heart and on Ransom’s body. God also works on their love for each other. The Lord gives them time to heal and realize Him and their love for each other will see them through.
There are a lot of other secondary plots going on in this book as the secondary characters play a major role. They don’t just appear now and again but they are a part of Lily and Ransom’s story. I enjoyed this very much as I remembered some of them from a previous book.
A couple of years ago I read McKinnon’s Bride by Sharon Harlow. It touched me so much that I kept the book (don’t usually keep all books I read). My sister came across Standing Tall, and gave it to me thinking I would like it since it’s one of my favorite genres. I started reading it and some of the secondary characters sounded familiar. The name McKinnon was what caught my eye. I almost literally ran to find my book, McKinnon’s Bride and when I found it, low and behold it was by the same Sharon, as it mentions in the author’s bio in that sometimes writes inspirationals under the name, Sharon Gillenwater. This was so exciting. It’s unusual for me to re-read a book, but I re-read McKinnon’s Bride. Again I was touched with the characters and Sharon’s writing style. I found out there was a book in between McKinnon’s Bride and Standing Tall, Twice Blessed, that I can’t wait to get.
Sharon gives her characters real character and depth that is hard to find. I like how Sharon writes in a way that is descriptive yet lets your imagination take hold. Her message of forgiveness and healing is very clear and definitely gives the reader something to think about. Sharon’s writing is inspirational and touches the heart.
The only thing I might have enjoyed more is for one of the secondary plots to be pulled out for its own book. Though it contributed to the message of Standing Tall, it would have been a great read by itself.
I’m sure readers of all genres will enjoy Sharon Gillenwater’s Standing Tall (as well as McKinnon’s Bride). The message is clear, through anything; God can give you peace, forgiveness and healing if you seek Him.
Thank you Sharon for sharing Lily and Ransom’s story. I can’t wait to read Twice Blessed.
Trudy
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