The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1) [Paperback]

Ann Shorey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

She's determined to make it--and she doesn't need a man's help to do it.

When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera in the summer of 1838, Molly McGarvie is heartbroken but determined to take care of herself and her children.

And when Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business, Molly must head out on her own, leaving her old life behind. It's a dangerous journey, but somehow she must find a way to make a living, keep her family together, and fend off some over-eager suitors.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

She's determined to make it--and she doesn't need a man's help to do it.

It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but resolves to take care of herself and her children.

When Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey, and along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors.

Book one in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, The Edge of Light will captivate you with the true-to-life emotions of one woman's struggle to survive.


"A stirring story of hope and deliverance that touches the heart."--Tina Ann Forkner, author of Ruby Among Us

"Shorey's captivating debut novel is a must-read. With her marvelous gift for words and superior storytelling, readers will be hooked from the first page to the last."--Bonnie Leon, author of Sydney Cove series

"A page-turning story about a young mother's determination to keep her family together against all odds."--Leslie Gould, award-winning author of Beyond the Blue and Scrap Everything


Ann Shorey has published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul. Shorey lives with her husband in Oregon. This is her first novel.

About the Author

Ann Shorey has published selections in the Cup of Comfort series and in Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul. Shorey lives with her husband, Richard, in Sutherlin, Oregon. This is her first novel.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Revell; Reprinted edition (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800733304
• ISBN-13: 978-0800733308
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #224,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

ANN SHOREY has been a story collector for most of her life. Her writing has appeared in Chicken Soup for the Grandma's Soul, and in the Adams Media Cup of Comfort anthologies. She made her fiction debut with the At Home in Beldon Grove series for Revell. The Edge of Light, released in January 2009, is the first in the series, followed by The Promise of Morning and The Dawn of a Dream. Her new Sisters at Heart series for Revell debuts on January 1, 2012.

When Ann's not writing, she teaches classes on historical research, story arc, and other fiction fundamentals at regional conferences. She lives with her husband in Oregon.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous Debut Novel!, January 2, 2009

By 

Bonnie Leon "Unveiling Truth Through Fiction" (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1) (Paperback)

The Edge of Light is a seamlessly written story of faith, courage and survival. The story begins in 1838 with Molly McGarvie, who lives in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri. When her husband, Samuel, dies she must find a way to provide for herself and her family. A woman of spirit and strength, Molly believes for the impossible and sets out on a journey that takes her and readers on a quest for a new life and a miracle.

Ann's captivating writing style draws readers into the lives of Molly McGarvie, her companion Betsy who is more a friend than a slave, and Doctor Spangler who carries a burden only God can lift. There is also an interesting cast of characters you'll pray for and cheer with, and some you'll want to strangle. Ann's attention to detail and her elegant writing style will draw you into every scene. You'll experience emotions and encounters right along with her characters.

The Edge of Light is a fabulous first book! Once you read it, you'll forever be an Ann Shorey fan. I am.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Faith, January 28, 2009

By 

James W. Harris IV "& Paulette L. Harris" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1) (Paperback)

Molly McGarvie is suddenly thrown into maturity beyond her years as her husband returns home with cholera. She has three children and another due soon. Betsy her childhood friend lives with them and together they fight the odds against them in the frontier.

Molly's husband Samuel has a business and Molly believes that she and her children can handle it, until...her brother-in-law legally takes it and their farm from them.

She must move back to Kentucky where she can raise her family. She is unable to take Betsy with her and is devastated, firmly resolving help bring her back with the family.

Molly deals with guilt and anger at having chosen the wrong doctor for Samuel and believes if only Doctor Spengler had been there, maybe Samuel would have lived. Not only that but he was responsible for the loss of her son and she will never forgive him.

The young mother has determined that she can raise her family alone with no help from any male and she spurns everyone, including Dr. Spengler who has tried everything to get her attention.

This was a wonderful read and I became so involved with the characters, I didn't put it down....Jim made his own dinner that night!

Ann Shorey did a great job and I recommend this book to women of all ages.

Paulette Harris
www.pauletteharris.biz
comeandsitawhile.blogspot.com

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Novel of the Year, January 11, 2009

By 

Tamera Lynn Kraft "Faith Filled Historicals f... (Akron, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove, Book 1) (Paperback)

Molly is a woman I can relate to. Molly is pregnant with three young children and a loving husband when disaster strikes. Her husband dies unexpectedly, and she is left a widow. Molly is left without means to support her family. Since it's 1834, she's expected to rely on men to help her put her life back together. But she faces life head on and works to keep her family together. Not only that, but with every tragedy that comes her way, she clings to faith in God to combat it. This woman will not give up no matter what life throws her.

I was amazed to find out this was Ann Shorey's first novel. I want to read more of her work. This is the best novel I've read this year.