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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Historical Christian Fiction Reading!, March 14, 2004
In 1812, Erica Langston's father owns a thriving business and provides his family with a comfortable home. They show no outward signs of the struggles and fears faced by her Acadian forbearers. Everything is perfect in Erica's world. Her dad entrusts her with the business' financial matters, since her brother has no head for numbers, and she has discovered a new business venture her family will profit in. Then one terrible morning when the family is still eating breakfast, British soldiers march on the city of Washington to torch government buildings, the beginnings of the War of 1812. Someone sets fire to the Langston business and in the ensuing panic; her father is hit over the head by a British soldier and dies in Erica's arms. British Major Gareth Powers will never forget the beautiful girl who confronted him in the streets of Washington after her father's tragic death at the hands of his men. He hadn't given any orders to attack civilians or non-government buildings, but in the panicking masses crowding the streets, he could hardly be held responsible. His men have orders to attack the American government and the civilians are hindering the British from carrying the orders out. Even after Gareth returns to England and takes a job as a printer, he still remembers the young American woman's grief. After her father's death, Erica's family business struggles. She discovers the British still owe her father money and she needs it for the family to survive. She takes a trip to England, hoping to recoup her family's gold. A U.S. diplomat in the Court of St. James puts her in contact with Gareth and his friends. When the banker refuses to listen to her pleas for the money, Erica tells Gareth her troubles and he introduces her to the one man who might be able to help. Will he be able to? What will Erica have to do to get her family's gold? Who has placed a price on her head? I read the Song of Acadia series which Mr. Bunn co-wrote with Janette Oke. When I received this book, I had no idea it would be a continuation of this series. The first book of a new series, Heirs of Acadia, THE SOLITARY ENVOY is a must read for those who read and loved the Song of Acadia series. THE SOLITARY ENVOY easily stands alone, so even those who haven't read the previous series will not feel left out. Even though Erica is likeable, I found her a bit larger than life. In 1812, women didn't have the rights men did and I thought it a bit unrealistic that she could go into businesses and expect to be listened to. She took over in many areas and was everyone's answers to prayer, which is a bit far fetched. Gareth, on the other hand, is a loveable hero, even if he was a bit sickly after the war. I hoped Erica would be able to recover her family's gold and forgive Gareth for being there when her father was killed. Readers will enjoy THE SOLITARY ENVOY and will want to watch for the sequel THE INNOCENT LIBERTINE due out in the fall. I couldn't put this book down, and highly recommend it to anyone who likes historical Christian women's fiction. --- reviewed by Laura Hilton for Christian Bookshelf
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great, February 15, 2004
This is a marvelous book that incoludes a great plot, and has a great heroine, and has great romance, and is very intelligent...yep, talk about perfect! Erica Langston is the intelligent, smart, and beautiful daughter of a wealthy merchant. As her father's pet, Erica is granted her desire to learn the ways of the business world. When a great tragedy helps bring the remainder of her family closer together, Erica decides that she must fullfill the duty that nearly ruined the Langstons. The best part of that, is upon arriving in London to do this, she comes face to face with a young man, Gareth Powers, that she had met in the terrible incident of her past. Erica finds the need to watch her back for danger, and work her hardest in the ways her father had taught her so well. Questions flash through your mind when you read this...will Erica get what she came for? Will she ever make peace with Gareth? Will she ever come to trust in God? This was such an awesome book...I really can't wait for the sequel to come out! READ
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This will be a best seller., January 7, 2004
As a fan of Davis Bunn, I have particularly enjoyed the works he did in collaboration with Janette Oke. Although this book was not done with Janette, Isabella Bunn has done a marvelous job in providing the woman's heart and touch that were so key to the tone and content of the Bunn/Oke series. This writing is about a merchant family, living on the east coast of America, in the early 1800's. Erica, who is in the process of taking over the family business from her aging father who dies a violent death at the hand of British soldiers, goes to England to collect the gold being held unjustly in an English Bank for a shipment the family had paid for in advance but never received. The story encompasses her adventures, challenges, heartaches, and then finding love in the form of an idealistic young writer, who seeks to expose the corruption of the British Crown. After retrieving the gold, Erica and Gareth (now engaged to be married) board a ship to America, where Erica will use the money to save the family business and start a new life with Gareth. The strong Christian moral ethic typical of all of Davis Bunn's works is intertwined with the obvious influence of Isabella Bunn's sensible, but not icky-sweet, romance between Erica and Gareth. I liked the way this book moved rapidly, it really doesn't drag anywhere. Few books can bring tears to my eyes....this one did. I will be waiting impatiently for the next book to see what becomes of Erica and Gareth.
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