Customer Reviews

Unwilling Warrior (Seasons of Redemption, Book 1)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

When now motherless Valerie Fontaine leaves finishing school in Virginia to be with her grieving father in New Orleans, she doesn't expect his cold reception or the duty of tending to a stranger her father had invited as a house guest. Photographer Benjamin McCabe is equally surprised. But it doesn't take long for their lives to intertwine when it becomes obvious her father is involved with something dangerous and agrees to her unwilling engagement to a man she despises for good reason. Add in a spinster woman determined to marry Ben and a host of other complications, and Unwilling Warrior becomes a novel the reader cannot put down.

I've long been an avid fan of Andrea Kuhn Boeshaar's novels, and Unwilling Warrior is no exception. This beautifully written, historical romance set in the South during the Civil War kept me turning the pages and amazed me with its unexpected twists and turns. Anyone who enjoys historical romance will be deeply touched this multifaceted story, rich with interwoven plot lines and accurate historical detail.

I enjoyed this story and thought it was unique and very well written. The conversations flowed nicely and came across as being realistic. I thought the romance was off to a great start BUT (and here's a bit of a reveal - WARNING) thought the author missed the mark when the groom didn't even kiss the bride before she left and signed the telegram with "sincerely." I know these are minor things but they can effect the story as a whole. I don't think a man in love - that just got married would send his bride off without so much as an "I love you" and a kiss.

I also thought the ending was quite rushed. I thought I had several pages left to read but, no!, that was the first chapter of the next book in the series. Talk about a letdown! Who wants to read the first chapter of a book and then not be able to finish it till you obtain a copy of the book? Not me! I don't need to be enticed to read the next book. If I like the first, I'll get the second.

That being said, I will definitely be getting the 2nd book in the series. I did enjoy the story as a whole and think the author is very talented.

When Valerie Fontaine decides to leave school and return home to grieve her mother's death, and hopefully help her father in the process, she couldn't imagine the situation she would be walking into. Not only does her emotionally distant father seem far from grieving, there is no mistake that her presence is unwanted by him. Add James Ladden, a childhood friend who has less than honorable intentions all the way across the board, and her fathers house guest, the handsome Benjamine McCabe, to the mix, and you have the basis for a page-turning experience.

Set during the Civil War and laced with historical details as well as the sweetest love story imaginable, Boeshaar truly delivers with a novel you will not forget. The characters are well developed from the beginning and each can hold their own in every scene, in every situation, without being predictable or preachy. Some personalities are easier to read, but Boeshaar makes sure their actions aren't, which makes for a surprising finish. This book is part of a now four-part series, but each could be read as a stand alone without missing pertinent information.

My only concerns with the book are on the back cover. (May contain spoilers-be forewarned)"When Valerie's father is arrested....." That does not technically take place due to another life-altering event. I felt this was misleading. Also, "But once Valerie steps off the train she finds herself caught up in a web of lies that threaten to imprison her more than Yankee steel bars ever could." Again, I felt this was misleading as Valerie never led a deceptive life. Catherine tried to taint her reputation and did her best to make Valerie appear less than honorable, however, no one believed her. Everyone held Valerie in high esteem and at no time was there anything done that would cause any of the characters to believe she was lying. The only question left hanging when Valerie stepped off the train was in relation to the implications of her wedding vows.

With the exception of the two marketing bloopers, I felt this was one of the best Christian historical books ever written pertaining to the Civil War era. A must read for Civil War buffs, lovers of romance, or those with high standards when it comes to Christian novels.

At first I almost didn't read this book, what a mistake that would have been. I Loved it! It was a real page turner and a fast read. Interesting tidbits of the Civil War are included in this book.
It has it all History, Romance, Murder, and through it all a Love of the Lord.
I also loved that there is an epilogue in this book, something I wish more books had that don't have a sequel!

Product Description
The War Between the States has Valerie Fontaine frightened about her future. She never suspects she'll be thrust into the middle of it. Benjamin McCabe's got a noble dream of photographing the Civil War - and he never expected to fall in love with a New Orleans socialite.

When Valerie's father is arrested on charges of treason, Ben secures a way for her to leave the city and travel to his family's home in Jericho Junction, Missouri where she'll be safe.Can Valerie adjust to life on the prairie and remain true to her promise to wait for Ben no matter what the cost?

The opinion I have expressed are my own!

What I like about Unwilling Warrior is that it's not quite genre fiction. It's a romance, but throughout most of the book the main characters aren't together. It's set in the Civil War, which is essential to the plot, but the war is a backdrop to the real story. It's has some espionage, but it's not a spy novel. There's something nefarious going on, but it's not a mystery.

Valerie Fontaine is a New Orleans socialite whose mother dies. She meets Benjamin McCabe when her grieving father invites him to stay at their home, then abandons him to her hospitality. They are attracted to each other, but he is a poor preacher's son from the frontier and her father has chosen someone else for her to marry. His plans won't allow him to stay in New Orleans for long, so he pushes away his feelings for her.

At first the story seem fairly predictable, although enjoyable. But there is a mystery about Valerie's father and Benjamin makes some mysterious contacts as well. Before long, both their lives unravel and Benjamin sends Valerie to his parents' home in Missouri for safety. In spite of his family's welcome, she succumbs to her doubts about his intentions. She wonders whether he is just being a gentleman or if he loves her.

At first I thought Unwilling Warrior was just another romance and I skimmed through it fairly quickly. But the conflict comes from several story lines and the story took several unexpected turns. An unforeseen enemy emerged who challenged Valerie, and she had to learn to trust and forgive. And just like in real life, some of the plot threads were not resolved neatly, although it has a feel good ending.

I definitely would put this book near the top of the historical romances I've read.

Pros: Romance, drama and intrigue set against the backdrop of the Civil War. The setting and history seem authentic and there are enough plot twists to keep you interested.

Cons: Occasionally modern day language creeps into the dialogue.

The original review was posted on Pix-N-Pens

I have read several of Andrea Boeshaar's novels and this one was as enjoyable as the others. Andrea offers a well-written novel, set during the Civil War, that kept my interest from beginning to end. It was nice reading a good story with interesting characters, that you wouldn't be embarrassed to leave laying around on your coffee table. I am impatiently looking forward to reading the next one in the series due out in October.

Although not one of my favorite era's to read about, Unwilling Warrior by Andrea Boeshaar is set in the Civil War time period of the United States and is very well written. The main Character, Valerie, having lost her mother returns home only to find her father angry at her for leaving the relative safety of the school for young women she is attending. Valerie discovers that her father is involved in activities that make it dangerous for her to be home and is sets in motion her flight to safety.

While home, Valerie meets her father's house guest, Ben McCabe. Ben is a photographer who is trying to capture the heart of the war and now is committed to searching for his brother who has gone missing since the battle of Bull Run. What neither of them suspects is the long road they must each travel in distance and understanding before they can be together.

There are many facets of this book, and not all of them are the main story line. It reads like real life as you see glimpses of others around the main characters and how they impact their journey. Altogether a great read!

*This book was provided free of charge by Glass Road Public Relations for my honest and individual review. *

An excellent book. It is the first in a 5 part series. I have read them all. This author is very good.

One of my favorite eras in history to read about is that of the US Civil War, so I eagerly accepted the offer to read this book. I was not disappointed in the least.

Andrea Boeshaar brings us a lovely historical tale full of characters you'll embrace from the moment you meet them, antagonists who will have you seething at the injustice they inflict, relationships that will bring redemption to hurts left festering too long, as well as romance that will please fanciers of that genre.

One element of this story I found quite compelling is the use of Psalm 55 as its theme. I read through Psalm 55 and Andrea Boeshaar should be commended for how well she weaves not so much the words of the psalm itself into the story, but the meaning behind the words.

I loved the ending of this book, even while wishing the story wouldn't end. Good news, though, as Uncertain Heart (book 2), will arrive in just a few short months. I know I'll be adding it to my bookshelf.

A beautiful era. A fascinating history lesson. Unwilling Warrior is an elegant love story set in 1861 and 1866 during the Civil War. Valerie Fontaine must endure the betrayal of her father, the stalking detriment of her childhood friend-turned-fiancée James Ladden, the spontaneously ardent romance from a mysterious visitor, the adaptation into a new family of lower societal status, and constant betrayal of a severely jealous woman. The horrible despair that erupts with Valerie finding herself on the run pushes the storyline along as if being narrated from an old 19th century steamer.

I delight in the romantic affair between Benjamin McCabe and Valerie Fontaine. The author saturates the storyline with this as the main theme, gratefully. Boeshaar's characters in Unwilling Warrior are ripe with animation and depth. The beastly role of Catherine is so excruciatingly abhorrent that it makes you want to reach right through the pages of the book for a stranglehold.

Exquisitely written, Boeshaar fulfills the story. Unlike other stories I've read with either loose ends or weak scenarios left unattended, Unwilling Warrior is completely satisfying. A winner of one's heart. Her upcoming sequels to this first installment in the Seasons of Redemption series will be on my literary radar.

This book was provided free for review by the publicist.