The year is 1866 and Sarah McCabe has wanderlust. In an effort to become independent of her family back in Missouri, she accepts a governess position in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, giving her a firsthand taste of the life she has always desired—a life of luxury, culture, and social privilege.
Richard Navis is a man determined to finish his indentureship to Captain Brian Sinclair and take over his family’s farm. But when he falls in love with Sarah, his homesteading goals blur. She doesn’t seem interested in settling down. What’s more, Richard fears she’s fallen victim to the captain’s charm and persuasion.
When Sarah’s reputation is questioned, Richard devises a bold plan in hopes of protecting her. But is he too late? Has Sarah already made her choice?
In Uncertain Heart, Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar continues the dramatic saga of the McCabe family that she began in Unwilling Warrior.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart
...if our heart condemn us not,
then have we confidence toward God.
~ 1 John 3:20-21
Andrea Boeshaar charms her audience once again in this fantastic sequel to Unwilling Warrior, the first enchanting book in the Seasons of Redemption series. With a dash of suspense twisting the plot line to the very end, Uncertain Heart is inundated with romance sublimely unfolding throughout the pages. Comic relief is sprinkled here and there from the healing toad ointment to the particular threats made from the eldest Sinclair children in response to the pending departure of their beloved governess. These characters actually have character and come to three-dimensional life before your eyes.
Richard Navis respectfully emanates humor and traditional family values all stemming from his profound faith in Christ. His deep devotion and love for Sarah McCabe romances even the reader. The children are so warming and endearing that I long to reach out and embrace them myself. Boeshaar knows how to make these characters come alive enough that I can hear and see them walking beside me. The shrewish Mrs. Schlyterhaus is a welcome diversion from the other jovial roles. Bethany is very reminiscent of Catherine from Boeshaar's previous novel Unwilling Warrior, though gratefully there is a fork in the road between the outcome of these two rival-esque roles.
I absolutely adore the charismatically rogue Captain Brian Sinclair despite his abhorrently sensuous behavior. Albeit cunningly sensuous, I feel the Captain possesses forgivable potential for redemption with reparable traits. The sensuous allure of Sinclair's torrid seduction is intoxicating and quite understandable of his magnetic allure upon the young and ignorant Sarah.
Ultimately, I tend to dislike the lead character of Sarah McCabe progressively through the book. She never does attain the level of true independence in supporting herself as she fools herself into believing, and her arrogance and selfishness reflect her spoiled immaturity. Considering that she did come from very humble and respectable beginnings in Jericho Junction, this is a bit perplexing. Richard Navis is the stereotypical dream of every Christian woman, an admirer in love with Sarah assisting her in everything only to be repetitiously deemed unworthy. They do cultivate a lovely friendship, however the ungrateful rejections toward Richard reflect on Sarah's self-centered adolescence. She is naive and unsure as Richard reiterates time and again. Hence the title.
"She should love you regardless."
All this aside, the reader is still hoping for their romantic union. Even in the end Sarah McCabe's attitude is not all that remarkable, nonetheless the beautiful finale is quite satisfying.
Prayer is everything.
Sarah McCabe's ambitious dreams tend to shatter as she witnesses her life unravel before her eyes. Her journey takes an unexpected turn illustrating how sometimes we do not always align our plans with the will of God; the latter always the victor. There is quite a shocking curve toward the conclusion which tugs at my heartstrings to say the least, especially because of who it involves. Thus being said, Boeshaar succeeds with a realistic approach to this tale not only voiding any predictability, but surprising the audience as the story culminates. Of course, incorporating a meteorological phenomenon that happens to be one of my infatuations really puts the icing on the cake.
A strong Christian foundation is present along with a cornucopia of elements pertaining to the era and locale of 1866 Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Sarah's concern for her porcelain skin reflects the fad and proper femininity emphasized in Chicago. It is personally intriguing to read about Lake Michigan since I saw it for myself for the very first time this past summer. It's presence in the story is crucial especially as the tale unfolds. The Irish and Germans clashing during the bridge wars is also intriguing to learn about, along with Milwaukee's myriad of beer manufacturer origins.
I sense the continuous addiction to Boeshaar's works thanks to her gifted Seasons of Redemption series. The next one in line Unexpected Love should be arriving on my doorstep any day now. Oh, how quickly I will devour it's mezmerizing pages! What else can can be read from this author in the meantime? Maybe I should check here for her impressive accomplishments...and perhaps you should, too!
Joy cometh in the morning.
Andrea Boeshaar published her first novel in 1994 and is co-founder of the 2.000 + member organization American Christian Fiction Writers. She has taught at various writers conferences including Write to Publish, Oregon Christian Writers Conference, and Mount Hermon. A former literary agent, she now spends her non-writing time as a certified life coach. She has been married to Daniel for over 30 years and is mom to three sons, grandmom to two.
Learn more at andreaboeshaar.com
My appreciation to LeAnn at Glass Road PR for providing this book free for review.
