In the small Puritan community of Stoneybrooke, Massachusetts, Susannah Phillips stands out both for her character and beauty. She wants only a simple life but soon finds herself pursued by the town's wealthiest bachelor and by a roguish military captain sent to protect them. One is not what he seems and one is more than he seems.
In trying to discover true love's path, Susannah is helped by the most unlikely of allies, a wounded woman who lives invisible and ignored in their town. As the depth, passion, and sacrifice of love is revealed to Susannah, she begins to question the rules and regulations of her childhood faith. In a community where grace is unknown, what price will she pay for embracing love?
Siri Mitchell has written nearly a dozen novels, three of which were named Christy Award finalists. A graduate of the University of Washington with a business degree, she has worked in many levels of government and lived on three continents. She and her family...
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'Susannah Phillips lives in 1640s Massachusetts Bay Colony, and is growing impatient to wed Jon Prescotte once his family problems are resolved. But the increasing attentions of Simeon Wright, an influential townsman, have become troublesome. Rumors of cruelty towards his mother, capped wit his arrogance, are disturbing. Then yet another man enters the picture. The Boston authorities send Captain Daniel Holcombe to Stoneybrooke to train the men so that they may be better prepared against Indian attacks. Holcombe is quartered on the Phillipses, and his non-Puritain ideas about salvation and God's love cause Susannah to question the religious notions she has been taught. Then the rejected Wright causes Susannah to be accused of murder, which brings matters to a head.
'This book held several surprised for me: its unusual setting, the tackling of domestic abuse in an historical context, and the unexpected death of a major character. Mitchell makes 17th century domestic details memorable: it was a regular household duty for members of the family to delouse each other's hair, for example. And I hadn't realized what a disaster it would have been for a woman of the day to use the last of her dough starter, or to let a fire go out.
'A small problem was the dual points of view between Susannah and a reclusive woman named Small-Hope, whose past is finally revealed during events leading up to the trial. It was not always easy to figure out which of the two women was speaking. But the good characterizations trump that minor issue, and I intend to watch for the sequel presumably in the works. The last chapter is open-ended enough that Mitchell must be planning to continue Susannah's story, and I'd like to find out what happens to her. Excellent Christian fiction.'
--B. J. Sedlock, Historical Novels Review, Issue 50, November 2009
'Mitchell has created such a cruel and deceptive villain that readers will wonder how he goes unnoticed by the other characters. Though this novel provides insight into the Puritan way of life, it takes too long to develop the friendship between the two main characters.
'SUMMARY: In the Puritan community of Stoneybrook, Mass., Susannah Phillips possesses both a strong character and great beauty. She's pursued by two men, the town's wealthiest bachelor and a roguish military captain.
'As Susannah figures out her path, she questions the rules and regulations of her childhood faith. It will take an outsider to the Puritan ways t rescue Susannah from the forces of destruction.'
3 stars
--Lindy J. Swanson, Romantic Times Book Reviews, June 2009
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