Customer Reviews

Where Hearts Are Free (A Darkness to Light Novel)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(20)
3 star:		(19)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the third book in a collection of three. The author starts us off in France and leaves us home in America. It was a pleasure to read about the Clavell family and their ups and downs, fighting for their freedom in religion and livelihood. These books are uplifting and great for the spirit!

I recently received a copy of Where Hearts Are Free from Tommy Nelson Publishers and Book Sneeze. In exchange for the book to read, I am supposed to tell you my opinion of the book. This is book three in the Darkness to Light series. I didn't realize that this was the concluding book in a series and I really struggled to understand all the back story of the characters. In some series, it is not only possible but also very enjoyable to jump in to a characters life even in mid series but not so in this case. There was so much history with each of the characters that I really need to go back and read the first two books to get a full grasp of the storyline.

The setting is late 1600s when indentured servants are being shipped to the colonies to work for the wealthy landowners. It is a good storyline of love, loyalty and faith. I did finally pick up the storyline and was able to find the conclusion very satisfactory where the girl gets the guy she loves even though they have to fight against family opinions.

It is written from a Christian perspective and by a Christian author and has a strong religious basis but is not preachy or overbearing.

My overall opinion? This is a good read but I wish I would have started the series with the first book.

Where Hearts are Free is third in the Darkness to Light Series. But this can be read as a stand-alone, like I did.

Though I love historical fiction I have never read historical romance. But this one was a very well-written book. The author has painted a beautiful picture of Colonial America. Its apparent that there has been much research involved.

Though this book is not my usual read, but its engrossing enough. Contrary to my expectations, the plot moved sufficiently fast.

Apart from the romance, the author has handled some social issues too, like a woman's place in the society and religion.

Bridget is a very likable character.She is a strong , brave woman, who despite societal constraints , can stand up for herself.

There were things that I found too dramatic and clichéd . It is a "boy and girl meet, fall in love, overcome obstacles and have their fairy-tale ending" kind of story. But overall I can say that Where Hearts are Free is a good read. Not being a very religious person, I had some problems relating to some situations. However after some point of time, it didn't bother me too much because the author doesn't overdo the religion part.

Overall:

Enjoyable Romance and a quick read

Recommended?

To fans of historical romance

Recently I received a complimentary copy of Where Hearts are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons. This is the third book in the Darkness to Light Series. In this novel we are introduced to Bridget Barrington. The story takes place in Philadelphia in the 1700s. Ms. Parsons combines history, mystery and romance into a poignant story.

There is mystery and tension as the various characters are challenged by circumstances to make godly choices. Questions raised are what expectations should parents have as their children contemplate marriage? Do our beliefs matter as long as we believe? How can we fulfill our obligation to Cesar and God?

We see Bridget learn to balance her desire to be a faithful daughter and aspiring wife with her natural desires and the social expectations of the day. Her spirituality is highlighted in her desire for guidance and wanting to be a person of faith. The characters are well rounded, and even though this book is part of a series, you do not feel that you are missing something from the previous books.

This is a wonderful book for a rainy day or to take on vacation. The plot gently progresses to a sweet and satisfying conclusion. I would caution there are scenes that depict aggression. I have to say though that I am going back for books 1 and 2!

Bridget Barrington is a young girl who is desperately in love with Philippe Clavell, a former French noble who became an indentured servant following hardships he and his family faced upon escaping to the New World. Because of their various differences, including the fact that Philippe is a Huguenot and Bridget is Catholic, Bridget's parents refuse to allow the two to be together. Once Philippe is released from his service, Bridget's parents quickly arrange for her to be married to Edward Moorehead, but Edward is far from who he seems to be. Both Bridget and Philippe must trust God to make a way for them. This book is book three in Golden Keyes Parsons' "Darkness to Light" trilogy. Though I have not read books one and two, my understanding of this novel was not at all compromised. It's a great stand-alone book, though I am sure that, if this book was any indication, the entire series would be a wonderful read. This was an excellent book, and I tend to be pretty picky when it comes to this particular genre! I didn't find any of the characters to be obviously fake or annoying, so that was very refreshing. "Where Hearts Are Free" is a book I didn't want to put down, and I'd love to read more from this author in the future. I received this book for free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as a part of their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review; my opinions, therefore, are completely unbiased.

What a fabulous conclusion to this wonderful series! This book is written so that you could read it as a stand-alone novel if you haven't read the first two books, but I would encourage you to read them all. They are definitely worth it! I have read and enjoyed this whole series so it was really nice to be back with this wonderful family again! This story is beautifully written and it grabs you from the very start. Once I started I could not put it down until I had finished. There's family drama, adventure, danger, suspense, and romance. And it's all woven together with beautiful messages of love, faith and hope.

I VERY highly recommend this book and this whole series. It has a little something for everyone. There is real history blended with fiction, which I love! There's drama and suspense and romance. The writing is fabulous and the messages will keep you thinking long after you've finished the book. And this whole family will steal your heart and will stay with you forever.

Another new author for me, Golden Keyes Parsons. I just loved the name of the author. I could imagine that her computer has the "golden touch" as she types her stories. the cover of Where Hearts Are Free is both beautiful and gives a hint of what lies in the covers of this wonderful read!

Where Hearts Are Free is another read set in Texas. I just love reading all these stories with Texas as the backdrop. Of course, I may be partial to Texas

This story is the third book in this set. I didn't read books one and two but I easily read book three as a stand a lone book. If I go back and read books one and two I may see that the books go together but having read book 3 by itself I see no "back references" to the previous two books.

Bridget is a young woman who is spirited and definitely knows her own mind. However, she also has a gentle and loving spirit. Her gentle and loving spirit helps her to recognize that the "older gentleman" her father has picked as her husband is not a good match for her. Her struggles to make her own marriage match is what this story is about.

Faith in God, trusting one's own self and a good friend are the keys to Bridget making her own marriage match.

The "older gentleman", Edward Moorehead, is not what he seems. He seems to be a man of wealth and a gentleman. However, Bridget, sees through his disguise and discovers another faucet of this gentleman.

Bridget and her childhood friend, Phillippe, are compatible and long to have more than friendship. But Phillippe is a man of character and Bridget's father does not approve of him.

Bridget must find her own way and this 4 star read is all about her grand adventure. And the two men whom she must choose betwixt---one for her parents approval and one for her own approval.

If you're looking for a "golden" well thought out story then be sure to pick up this great read!

*I reviewed this book for Thomas Nelson/BookSneeze*

I really enjoyed this book, having never read anything by the author. This book is the last in the triology, but I had no problem figuring out what was happening or how people were related. It was very easy to follow the characters and the plot was actually believable.

I had heard in an interview about her that she likes to write strong protaganists that have a believeable weakness so that everyone can relate to her. She did just that. Bridget was torn between choosing love because she loved someone or forcing love upon herself, thanks to her parents intervening. Bridget and Phillipe want to be together but are forbidden, partly because of their religious views.

I am now intrigued by this author and am definitely going to hunt down her first two books. She writes her books in an enjoyable style that makes the book hard to put down.

This is a historical romance set in America in the 1600s. Bridget and Philippe come from different backgrounds, including different religions. Bridget can't convince her parents or Philippe that the differences can be overcome, and she caves in to their pressure to choose a more suitable suitor. Philippe, who was an indentured servant to Bridget's father, returns to his own family and tries to forget about Bridget.

Edward seems to be a perfect match for Bridget, and they become engaged after a short courtship. No one suspects Edward of being involved in gun smuggling and murder, except Philippe's younger brother, Charles. Charles risks his life to warn Philippe that Bridget is in danger, and the two of them make plans to rescue her.

This is the last book of a series, and there is a lot of backstory thrown in regarding Philippe's family. The characters were all interesting, though, and I was able to keep track of them without much problem even though I haven't read the earlier books.

This one has some references to God and religion, but isn't what I'd consider a religious book. Some of the content was not what I'd expect in an inspirational romance but, over all, it was an enjoyable read.

Where Hearts are Free, by Golden Keyes Parsons, was provided to me for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

This book was set in the outskirts of Philadelphia, 1681 and it is about Bridget and her love. In this age the parents could pick a mate for their daughter where she wanted it or not. This is what happened to Bridget, but lets go back to her childhood. She was riding her horse in the cornfield and saw a murder happen right before her eyes, and she ran and hid, but she saw the face of the killer.

This event carried all the way into her adult life, she was always afraid to go in the corn fields. She fell in love with her father's indentured slave, but when she told her parents they would not consider it because he was beneath her social life. They picked a man they wanted her to marry, not knowing his ugly past, and they were to be married on Christmas day.

Philippe the indentured slave was set free so that he would not be around Bridget, but the love they had for each other stayed in both of their young hearts. Will she get to married the one she loves or will her parents force her to marry Edward?

This book was sent to me by BookSneeze review.