Botany

A Heart’s Rebellion (Revell), the second in the “London Encounters” series by Ruth Axtell, is a Regency-era romance set in the city of London. It follows the story of Jessamine Barry as she spends her first season in London and struggles to overcome the heartbreak of her youth.

Jessamine Bar A Heart's Rebellion ry, a vicar’s daughter from a small village in the country, is staying with her benevolent godmother Lady Beasinger for the season. Her best friend, Megan Phillips, has accompanied her. Still heartbroken and saddened over the rejection of Rees Phillips – Megan’s older brother – she tries to find solace in her new surroundings. Everywhere she turns, however, she is reminded of his neutral feelings and her unrequited love. While out with their older godmother, who is less in touch with society now than in her prime, Jessamine and Megan struggle to make the acquaintance of any eligible young men. It seems tha
t dinner parties and card games with Lady Beasinger’s associates are not the best place to make the proper social connections – until the girls meet Lancelot Marfleet.

Lancelot Marfleet, a vicar (preacher), has recently returned from a missionary voyage to India. A quiet and humble man, he is not concerned with socially expected obligations. However, as a Baronet’s youngest son, his parents are pushing him to marry and produce an heir, due to his brother’s current lack of children. After the two young ladies amuse and spark his interest, they soon become invited to more social gatherings.

When news of Rees returning to town with his new French wife reaches Jess, it makes her aloneness all the more real. With her newfound social status, Jess turns to more frivolous pursuits, determining to move past her small-village image. She proceeds to alter her dress to fit the fashion of the times, which happens to be immodest for a young lady of her character. As a result, her flirtatious manner attracts the attention of several “gentlemen” of questionable character.

The social scene of London consists of an endless array of dinner parties and balls – anyone who’s anyone is to be invited. Lancelot’s character continually finds himself at odds with Jess over matters of propriety. This serves to make her weary of him. She won’t admit that she’s fond of his interest in botany or his quiet manner because they remind her of her father. And that’s the last kind of man she’d be interested in. Jess is faced with circumstances and decisions which cause her to question her actions and the person she’s become.

Axtell includes beautiful detail of the era in London, from the dinner parties, dances, ball gowns, fashionable buggy rides in parks, and visits to gardens. Botany is an uncommon and refreshing element in this novel, complete with a visit to the famed royal Kew Gardens.

Axtell includes snippets about current practices of the Anglican Church of England – and then-radical evangelical tendencies of the Baptists and Methodists. One example is the idea of sending evangelists and missionaries to foreign lands. This added an interesting historical perspective to the growth of Christianity during that time.

At the opening of the story, Jess is already brokenhearted and determined to guard her heart from anyone else. As the story unfolds, the reader glimpses small bits of compatibility between Jess and her eventual hero. Her character faces challenges and must learn to rely on others to help her overcome them. Ultimately, the characters experience that real love forgives as Christ forgave, and trusting your heart and future to God is the best thing to do.

Learn more about Ruth Axtell at her website here.

Read this review on Family Fiction here.

Note: thanks to Revell for a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so happy to be sharing my review of Tamera Alexander’s latest novel, A Beauty So Rare¸ today! It is a beautiful novel that shares the hearts of the characters – and the beauty of God’s provision for us. Rich in historical details, it is set at the beautiful Belmont Mansion in Nashville (still standing today). I am privileged to be a part of a special group of reviewers who have access to extras on the novel – you can find a savory custard recipe from the novel here, and a shortbread recipe soon to come!

Kind, plain, and practical, Eleanor Braddock has come to Nashville for a new life after the Civil War. Facing her father’s declining health and her family’s dwindling finances, she moves to the prestigious home of her Aunt Adelicia Acklen, the famous Belmont Mansion. Hoping to achieve her independence from the benevolence and good intentions of her feisty aunt, Eleanor plans to open a restaurant to support herself and her father. Aunt Adelicia, however, disapproves of Eleanor’s premature plans to tarnish her social standing by cooking. Adelicia has other plans for Eleanor, including a potential suitor who could secure Eleanor’s future. But at what cost to her happiness?

Marcus Geoffrey, the Archduke of Austria and second in line to the throne (complete with good looks and a dreamy accent), has come to Nashville seeking to make a name for himself based on his own merits, not those of his family name. Finding solace in a new country by concealing his true heritage, he dreams of using his architect design and botany skills to achieve a lasting accomplishment of beauty and utilization. While he works at the conservatory at Belmont, he meets Eleanor and begins a friendship. As their paths cross in unexpected ways, God begins to give them a new dream and purpose in helping those less fortunate in the aftermath of war.

Both Eleanor and Marcus are enduring new seasons in their lives. Eleanor is unsure of herself, feeling somewhat out of place now as the responsible adult of the family, with her father dependent on Eleanor’s decisions. She has to learn to trust and to have a different relationship with him now. Marcus is also on his own, enjoying a unique sense of freedom – but still sensing a foreboding and pending commitment to his family and the House of Habsburg. As their relationship grows from that of friendship and confidants to something more, both must find the courage and strength to face their futures – futures that likely don’t include each other.

I really loved how Tamera showed a different side of the aftermath of the Civil War. She did so through immigrants’ experiences, specifically widows and orphans, as they struggled in that era. I also enjoyed the themes of botany and cooking featured in the novel. At times I could almost smell the fragrant peonies and roses. And the food! Let’s just say my mouth WAS watering sometimes. Doughnuts, strudel, custards, soups, shortbread….are you hungry yet?

A Beauty So Rare is a delightful story of love, trials, purpose, family, and history. Both main characters find purpose in helping others. Though neither one’s path is what they first thought it would be, God proved faithful and showed them how He is able to take mere dreams and make them much better, even if it at first seemed hopeless. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves history and romance. These characters are so dear and realistic, and the storyline perfectly complex, I feel like a simple review cannot do the story justice. You should just find a copy for yourself today – you won’t be disappointed!

For more fabulous book extras and information about Tamera’s other books, visit her website, her Facebook page, or find her on Twitter.

A huge THANK YOU to Tamera Alexander and Bethany House for the opportunity to participate in this group of blogger reviewers. I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review – I was not required to write a positive review.