The Innocent Libertine (Heirs of Acadia #2) [Hardcover]

T. Davis Bunn (Author), Isabella Bunn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2007

Davis and his wife, Isabella, are continuing the historical saga of a pivotal time in America’s past with descendants of those courageous Acadians. In The Innocent Libertine, the impulsive young American Abigail Aldridge becomes increasingly outraged by the chasm between her Christian ideals and the plight of the poor. A well-intentioned social outreach puts her right in the middle of disaster, which turns into a scandal, and soon she is on a ship headed back to America. The broad expanse of the American landscape and an encounter with a brilliant young scholar open Abbie’s heart to a new understanding of her divine destiny. The sequel to the bestselling The Solitary Envoy.

--This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Carefully researched settings and historical events, good dialogue and interesting fictional glimpses of well-known figures...make this a good choice." -- Faithful Reader --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

About the Author

T. Davis Bunn is an award-winning writer whose growing list of novels demonstrates the scope and diversity of his writing talent. Isabella Bunn has been a vital part of his writing success, and her careful research and attention to detail have left their imprint on nearly every story. Their life abroad has provided much inspiration and information for plots and settings. They live near Oxfordshire, England. Isabella Bunn has been a vital part of her husband's writing success, and her careful research and attention to detail have left their imprint on nearly every story. Their life abroad has provided much inspiration and information for plots and settings. They live near Oxfordshire, England. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 495 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (January 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078629230X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786292301
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,452,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Davis Bunn is the author of over nineteen national bestsellers, and his books have sold over six million copies in sixteen languages. The recipient of three Christy Awards, Bunn currently serves as writer-in-residence at Oxford University.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For fans of inspirational Americana tales, September 29, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Innocent Libertine (Heirs of Acadia #2) (Paperback)

In 1814 and though her wealthy American expatriate family has become part of London's high society, eighteen years old Abigail Aldridge feels she must help those less fortune than herself. Abigail sneaks out with her cousin at night to tend to the needs of the residents of the Soho slums when Reverend Derrick Ames finds her wandering the dangerous alleys. While her cousin flees for home, Derrick and his friends escort Abigail to the Soho Square Church. When a raid of the church occurs, Abigail is arrested and taken to Newgate along with others.

Her parents use their contacts, influence and affluence to gain her release. However, the subsequent scandal forces Abigail to return to the United States. Though stunned by the reactions of the Ton to her good intentions, Abigail plans to continue her efforts to help the poor chaperoned by the Countess Lillian Houghton, who seeks solace from her own woes.

INNOCENT LIBERTINE is a vivid early nineteenth century character study that looks deeply into two women (more so Abigail than Lillian) as they adapt to new lives trying to tend to the poor. Abigail and Lillian have learned what paves the road to hell (or at least "colonial" exile), but both courageously move on with hopes of helping the impoverished as they feel all good Christians should do. Fans of inspirational Americana tales will appreciate this fine look at an expanding nation through the eyes of the two brave females and Abe, a brilliant intellectual who helps them find the path even as he and Abigail fall in love.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting to read, December 31, 2004

By 

J. Peterson "jenpeterson" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Innocent Libertine (Heirs of Acadia #2) (Paperback)

I liked this book. The characters of Abigail and Lillian seem very "real" to me in this book. My only real quibble with it is that it seems that everyone falls in love so quickly. I will admit that the book is only 318 pages long and that you have to move quickly in a book that short. Lillian's story is so mysterious that when it is finally revealed, many things make sense.

The novel is about the anti-slavery movement in both the US and England, the westward expansion of the United States, a little bit of the political system of the 1800s, but mostly about how forgiveness can change a person's entire outlook on life.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I hope there will be many more., November 24, 2004

By 

Thomas G. Bradford (Rockledge, Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Innocent Libertine (Heirs of Acadia #2) (Paperback)

Abigail's story begins in "The Solitary Envoy", when she is still a child. Now grown, she is determined to see and share more adventures than her privaleged family intends to allow. Her rebellion brings disgrace on herself and her family; so, the family has little choice but to send her to her grandmother in America.....which of course leads to more intrigue and unexpected romance.

Davis and Isabella Bunn again weave a fascinating and hard to put down tale that mixes well researched historic realities told with all-too-true human missteps and foibles. Let's hope this is but the beginning of a substantial book series.