Let me begin with the cover. Genius! Just a gorgeous cover and very telling of the story. We have the main character, the flying machine, and the backdrop the cliff that brings this story together.
We travel back to the year of 1909. The Edwardian Era. That alone catches my attention for a great read. The Grayson family moves to a new estate. It is here on this estate where Isabella Grayson meets James Drake. Both of these characters are so well depicted. Even in the conversation the reader is allowed to see the heart of the character.
Bella's parents are wanting her to focus on marriage and accepting a suitor sooner than later. Their focus is all about appearance and the social calendar. We see a time where a woman doesn't have the rights we so often take for granted today. Women are expected to be in their place, but Bella has dreams that she isn't giving up on and that is so wonderful to see in a character. She respects her parents. She knows where she has come from and the heritage that gives her a name. She feels confident within herself. She is entering a whole new world that gives way for other women. She's a trailblazer that doesn't allow her fears to hold her back.
Now we James Drake. He too has dreams and isn't giving up on those. I absolutely love his character. He doesn't know much about his past. He was raised by his mentor that gave him a wonderful life, but one much different from Bella. Where she finds herself to be comfortable anywhere, James doesn't have such confidence. He is surrounded by wealthy people. People where your name means everything. He isn't sure of his last name. I find him to be content, but also he has that heart like us all that just wants to be accepted for who he is.
We see these characters come together and grow in mighty ways. As their dreams are taking flight we too not only get to see how these dreams soar, but also we find answers to a hidden past. A name may give status, but in Christ Jesus we are all valuable. I love how faith is gently weaved throughout this story. So many years separate then and now, but there are many things that are still prevalent to us today. To find ourselves in a world that is all about status brings us to see what's really important in life.
I really enjoyed this novel. Beauty from first to last page. Exceptional writing within these pages. Turansky has the gift to bring a story to life. Such descriptive writing that gives the reader just enough to keep them captivated and enough room to allow their imagine to soar. The writing easily flows. The characters are so captivating I was easily drawn to them. All of this makes for an amazing story.
Happy reading!💚
Happy reading!💚
This novel was a gift from WaterbrookMultnomah for sharing my review.
Carrie Turansky is an award-winning author of nearly twenty novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. A prolific writer of contemporary and historical romance, women's fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. Carrie lives in central New Jersey with her husband, Scott. They have five adult children and several grandchildren.
