#2: Blessing

Blessing by Lyn Cote, Book Two in the Quaker Brides Series, is an intriguing novel that focuses on womens rights and abolition in Cincinnati in the early 1800s. The plot includes plenty of action, suspense, and romance as well as historical significance and faith-based truth.

Young and beautiful Quaker widow, Blessing Brightman, has resolved not to marry again after life with a difficult husband and to devote herself to the less fortunateorphans, abused women, and slaves. She is content as their champion.

Gerard Ramsey, son of a wealthy Boston family, travels to Seneca Falls and Cincinnati to rescue his cousin from the clutches of a pretty little blonde who is dragging him to womens rights events and impairing his good judgment. Gerards desire is to escape his fathers demands and to be free and independent. He chooses to stay in Cincinnati and to live his own life.

Blessing Brightman is like no other woman he has encountered. Strong and independent, she both irks him and draws him to her. Her intelligence and compassion for others impresses him. Each resists the other, but all others see their growing attraction.

I recommend this historical novel and look forward to Book Three in the series, Faith. I received this book through TBCN in exchange for an honest review.

I dont believe I have ever read a book about Quakers before, at least not one where a main character adheres to that belief system, so for that reason alone I was intrigued and wanted to read this novel. The history is fascinating, so even though the romance was a bit stilted at times, I found the book an incredible story.

I had enough differences with the heroine, Blessing, that it was at times difficult to relate to her. She is very human, with strong opinions and desires warring within her. She can be obstinate and even foolish, but she is also very brave and sure of her convictions. A strong woman in a time when there werent very many, she fights for those who are unable to fight for themselves, and that is laudable.

Gerard goes through a major transformation in this novel and we get to watch the entire process. He begins as an unlikeable, immature man, afraid of marriage because he considers it bondage; thankfully he does not remain there. Joining him on the journey can be painful but the beauty we witness more than makes up for the discomfort.

I did struggle some with the womens issues in this novel: Blessing is very involved in womens suffrage and while that didnt bother me, her attitudes about men and the worthlessness of love sometimes did. Given her backstory, I would say her opinions made sense, but it came across as a bit heavy handed at times. Gerards initial thoughts of teach[ing] her to take her womanly place in society also gave me pause. I realize that in the time these events took place, these might have been common thoughts, but it still startled me a bit.

My favorite part of this novel was the strong spiritual componentfrom a Gospel presentation and testimony by Sojourner Truth , which I delighted to learn were her own words, to Blessings own personal faith, God is found throughout the pages of this book. Her devotion to God and dependence on Him for safety, security, and peace were inspiring and even convicting: she made me want to be a better Christian.

I would recommend this book most to those interested in historical womens issues or abolition. Yes, it is a romance, but that thread is definitely overshadowed by suffrage, inheritance laws and the injustices of slavery. This is a thinking book that challenges our ideas of what the past was like rather than glossing over unpleasant details. Thats a good thing, even if it wasnt exactly what I was expecting when I picked up the novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for this honest review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

A chance encounter at the Seneca Falls womens suffrage movement leaves Blessing Brightman and Gerard Ramsey hoping to never cross paths again. Blessing is the Quaker widow of a difficult man whose death left her with wealth and a high standing in society. Gerard Ramsey is the son of a wealthy Boston family who craves independence and respect from his father. As Gerards best friend decides to court Tippy, Blessings best friend, he decides to dissuade him and moves to Cincinnati. There he gets to know Blessing for who she is. A simple Quaker woman with a passion to help those nobody deems worth helping. As he decides to enter in a business venture that will seemingly give him the independence he seeks from his father, nothing is as it seems. Someone wants to ensnare him with deceit, while the past Blessing has tried so hard to overcome seems to come back and taunt her. Things start to escalate as racial tensions start to give way to violence. As they fight their way through everything the feel themselves falling for each other but their past and their need for independence get in the way. Will they work their way through their problems and feelings?

This was historical masterpiece. It explored two of the major movement of that time, womens suffrage and the anti-slavery movements. It also brought a sense of intrigue and danger I was not expecting. The book was well researched and was masterfully written. The author wove the historical, intrigue, and romance elements together very beautifully. I loved it and will recommend and read the rest of the series.

I received this book from the publisher for review.

I had the privilege to read the previous book, Honor, about Blessing's parents and their courtship. This is the second one in the series but can be read as a standalone. Blessing is a young Quaker widow who spends her time helping orphans, slaves and prostitutes. She runs an orphanage using money her deceased husband left her. Gerald Ramsey is a privileged young man that leaves his home in Boston for Cincinnati after a disagreement with his father. These two are the least likely to become friends as any two could be, but they are connected when Gerald's cousin and Blessing's best friend become engaged. This story carries these characters through lots of turmoil, mystery and prejudice. In 1848 meetings begin to spring up supporting women's rights, both white and black, as well as putting down slavery in all forms. Lyn Cote did lots of great research before writing this book and although it is fiction, so much of the historical parts are based on fact. I really enjoy learning historical facts that I never learned in school through the fun of reading a good fiction story, such as this is. In the process of reading I was transported through time to the mid 1800's. I felt like I was actually walking the dark streets and alleys, helping rescue the prostitutes, bringing unwanted babies back to the safety of the orphanage, and confronting evil face on. The author writes that well! I look forward to the next installment, Faith, coming out in the spring of 2016. I received this book from Bookfun for my honest review, which I have given.

What a fantastic and captivating story. Lyn Cote has done a great job in her writing of this book by giving us historic detail and historical figures. Then weaving it all into a wonderful historical fictional story blending in romance, regrets, suspense, the fight for women's rights and freeing as many slaves people as possible through the underground railroad. The story takes place in the mid 1800's. Blessing is a young wealthy Quaker widow and an advocate for women's rights. She meets Gerald Ramsey who is the son of a wealthy Boston family trying to get away from his overbearing father. When he leaves home with his cousin an goes to Cincinnati his father disinherits his son. Gerald meets Blessing at a women's suffrage meeting. As their paths keep crossing their attraction to each other grows but their ideas and lives are so different will there be a future together?

A strong and well written story with well developed characters. I highly recommend this book. Hope to read the first book soon.

I received a free copy of this book from bookfun.org for my honest opinion and review.