Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac, Book 1 [Kindle Edition]

Rita Gerlach (Author)

Book Description

(INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL FICTION / HISTORICAL DRAMA) 
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.  

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

"Filled with true-to-life characters whose struggles will linger with readers long after the last page is turned, Before the Scarlet Dawn is a memorable story of Revolutionary War-era England and America." - Amanda Cabot, author of Summer of Promise"Rita Gerlach has written a colorful historical with a feisty heroine on a search for survival, romance, and a place to belong." Cynthia Hickey, author of the Summer Meadows mysteries
"Ms. Gerlach's unique literary prose has once again captured my heart with a stirring tale of love and loss, desperation and hope during one of the most uncertain times in American History--the Revolutionary War. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!" - MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Dawn"A stirring story of love and its consequences, Before the Scarlet Dawn will draw you in from the start and not let you go again." ~ Roseanna M. White, author of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland and Jewel of Persia
"While reading Before the Scarlet Dawn, you'll travel back in time--and from England to Maryland--without ever leaving your easy chair! This is a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and  hearts. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!" Loree Lough, best-selling author of more than 80 award-winning books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor

Editorial Reviews

Review

Rita Gerlach has created an achingly vivid frame on which to stretch the canvas of her new series. Tracing the painful path a life takes when innocence and love are taken for granted, Before the Scarlet Dawn is an artfully hewn tale of romance tempered by fear -- and the hope of love, devastated by war.
Serena Chase ~ USA Today

Eliza captivates readers with her hardships and struggles. Her unpredictable circumstances make for a character with a relatable and heart-wrenching journey. Gerlach's writing and characters are addicting. She writes with a convicting and convincing nature.
Christian Books Preview

This novel set after the American Revolution has something for everyone: romance, mystery, comedy and intrigue. The descriptions of the estate, church grounds and characters, especially Seth and Juleah, help bring this novel to life. The writing is so vivid you'll hear the horses' hoofs and people's voices.Romantic Times Book Review


"Ms. Gerlach's unique literary prose has once again captured my heart with a stirring tale of love and loss, desperation and hope during one of the most uncertain times in American History--the Revolutionary War. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!" - MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Dawn


"This is a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and  hearts. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!" Loree Lough, best-selling author of more than 80 award-winning books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor

From the Back Cover

In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.  

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 752 KB
• Print Length: 336 pages
• Publisher: Abingdon Press (February 1, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0071OOAVI
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,017 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Colonial Fiction At Its Finest! January 22, 2012

By DianaFlow

Format:Paperback

Colonial Fiction At Its Finest!

In Before the Scarlet Dawn, Rita Gerlach has penned an emotionally gripping saga of the harsh realities of Colonial life; replete with the constant threat of Indians, terrifying blizzards, ravages of war, forbidden passion, and sin.

The beautiful and spirited Eliza Bloome of England, finds herself alone save for her servant and lifelong friend, Fiona, after the death of her father. Told she must vacate her home quickly, Eliza comes up with a daring plan...to become the wife of the wealthy Hayward Morgan and travel to the colonies with him. Eliza has been in love with the handsome Hayward since childhood, but he makes it clear to her that he does not return her affections, and that she is beneath his station in life. After a stinging rejection, however, from the lady Hayward has proposed to, he agrees to Eliza's plan, and together, with Fiona, they travel to the colonies.

Eliza falls in love with the beautiful Maryland, but is not prepared for the harshness of colonial life, and the isolation and loneliness that comes after Hayward goes to fight for the Patriot cause. Together, she and Fiona, fight for survival in this savage, but beautiful land, and when Hayward doesn't return for two long, lonely years, she must also fight off temptations of the flesh. Her handsome neighbor, Halston, makes it no secret as to his feelings towards the beautiful Eliza. Is her love and devotion to Hayward enough to withstand the temptation of a man who, unlike Hayward, is not afraid to declare his love for her? Will Hayward return from the war or become a casualty like so many others before him?...

One of my favorite things about Rita Gerlach's novels is her use of imagery which is second to none, and I could actually see the beauty of the Potomac River, the green fields and lush forests, and smell the honeysuckle in the air. This story was heartbreakingly realistic as well, with the devastation of war, and characters who were not infallable, and filled with sin and selfishness. With as many twists and turns as the Potomac, and a VERY unexpected conclusion, I found myself not wanting to let go of this story even after I was done reading. I simply cannot wait for the next book in this series, and next time I will have the tissues handy! Very nicely done, Rita Gerlach!

* I received an ARC of this novel and was not required to write a positive review! The opinions expressed are solely my own. Read more ›

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Before the Scarlet Dawn April 20, 2012

By Lollipops

Format:Paperback

BEFORE THE SCARLET DAWN is the most recent book by Rita Gerlach. I read Surrender the Wind and loved it so I looked forward to getting BEFORE THE SCARLET DAWN to review.

So... I'm not really sure how to write this review. This is a very hard book to write one on. It's obviously not finished, as there is no closure, and no happy ever after. So, I guess the story will continue with the next book in the series.

Eliza is a confusing character. She won't marry a suitor in Derbyshire, even though she would live in comfort for the rest of her life. He openly lusts after her, but Eliza is adamant that she won't marry unless love is involved. However, she willingly marries Hayward, even though he openly declares he doesn't love her and never will. Sometimes, Eliza acts really naďve, yet, the next moment she appears coldly calculating. Hayward isn't any better.

BEFORE THE SCARLET DAWN is not a book you'll want to read as a stand-alone if you want a happy ever after story. This is one I'd recommend waiting for the series to be complete so you can read all three books straight through.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars From Derbyshire to Maryland... and Back Again March 14, 2012

By Sally McC

Format:Paperback

Eliza has no choice. Her father is dead, she has no other family, and she must be out of the vicarage so the new family can move in. A man of standing wants to marry her, but his attention is merely physical. Eliza must have love. Or so she thinks. After she overhears Hayward's proposal being rejected because it involves a one-way trip to the colonies, Eliza believes herself to be in love with him and proposes he marry her instead. He accepts, but only because he is desperate enough to want a wife to manage his homestead in Maryland while he's fighting the English. He doesn't love her, never says he loves her, but Eliza now has a home.

Life in the colonies isn't exactly easy. There are Indians about, too-attentive bachelor neighbors, and no one is happy when Eliza makes mention of His Majesty at a social event. Events in Boston hasten Hayward's departure, although Eliza convinces him to at least stay until their child is born. After he leaves, she hears nothing for more than two years. Then, one day, the local minister brings news that no wife ever wants to hear...

Eliza is a strange character. She won't marry her suitor in Derbyshire, even though she would live in comfort for the rest of her life. He is open about his physical desire for her, but Eliza is adamant that she won't marry unless love is involved. Which is why it is totally confusing to the reader that she'll willingly marry Hayward even though he makes no declaration either. At times she comes across naďve, while at others she appears coldly calculating. Hayward isn't much better. Does he love his wife or doesn't he? And when she commits a major sin, you're left wondering whether or not he has forgiven her. I don't think he knew himself....

There's no closure or happy ending to this book, but this is the first in the Daughters of the Potomac series so no doubt Gerlach intends for the story of this disjointed family to continue in future novels. For the casual reader, it means the book isn't good as a stand-alone. Still, it fills a couple of hours and yes, I did feel the emotion when Hayward rode away to war without a single look back to his wife and child.

I downloaded my free copy of Before the Scarlet Dawn from Abingdon Press on the NetGalley website. I was under no obligation to write a review. Read more ›

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Yearning to Read Review July 9, 2012

By yearningtoread

Format:Paperback

SUMMARY -
Eliza's father, a man of humble means, has just passed away, leaving Eliza with no house or money, just the clothes on her back and the housemaid. In an effort to find work, she is reunited with the man she once loved as a girl, and who she still loves as a woman. When she offers to go with him to America as his bride, he refuses... But soon changes his mind for a daring journey in the night. Can they brave through the storms of life in a new country where Eliza must face trial after trial?

MY THOUGHTS -
"This is great, this is great, this is...ahhhh... Nevermind." I'm SO bummed out about this book! It just...flopped. It had loads of potential but did not live up to any sort of goodness.

CHARACTER NOTES -
Oh, Eliza. Why? WHY?! I just don't understand. I really liked you...and now I just don't know what to think. Eliza is one of those characters who just...deteriorated. At least for me. I just couldn't respect any of the decisions she made after she heard the Terrible Awful News. Not even just her lack of judgement - but that lie she told to Hayward about it? GOLLY, so bad. I felt like her relationship with God didn't really go anywhere either. She went through so much hardship but there were no profound faith revelations or anything.

And Hayward... Holy SMOKES - if I ever met that man, I would need someone to restrain me and remind me that murder will land me in a hell of a lot of trouble.

Fiona and the rest were okay, I guess. They served their purposes but were not well-developed.

STORY NOTES -
What. The. Heck. HAAAAPPPPEEEENNNNEEED?! Okay, so I'm all for sad books.... A few (The Idiot, Before I Fall, Mockingjay) are my all-time favorites and I read and read and read and cry and cry and cry.

But cruel? Like hardcore cruel, backstabbing, with what did NOT feel like a redemptive ending? Ummm, not okay with me. Hayward was a full-on cruel, cold-hearted jerk who did horrible things.

I honestly don't remember much else of the story, except Eliza's fall into depression so deep she totally went out of character, and the end where all I could think was, "Why? This is not redemptive." It does not have to be happy - just...redeeming. It was so hard. And sad. And CRUEL. And stupid and unrealistic, if I may say so myself.

SUMMING IT UP -
The word I've been saying over and over again. Cruel. I feel bad giving this kind of review but this book really got to me - in a bad way -ad on vacation no less!

For the Parents -
A few adult situations referenced to. No details. Some minor curse words. Recommended 14+. Actually, not recommended at all, but...if you must... Read more ›

More About the Author

Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland. She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs.

"Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love," she says. "The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite from a stressful world..."

In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Her genre - Inspirational Historical Romance / Drama.

Visit Rita's website at http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com/

Her Blog 'Inspire' http://inspire-writer.blogspot.com/