Lyn Cote's Blessing ~ Reviewed

Blessing
Lyn Cote
Series: Quaker Brides (Book 2)
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 18, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1414375611
Description: 

An impetuous love swept Blessing Brightman away from the Quaker community, into the highest ranks of Cincinnati society. But behind the glitter of ballroom and parlor, her spirit slowly eroded in an increasingly dangerous marriage. Widowed young, determined never to lose her independence again, Blessing reclaimed her faith and vowed to use her influence to fight for women’s rights and abolition.

Gerard Ramsay, scion of a wealthy Boston family, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to escape his father’s clutches with a strategy that will gain him independence. His plan is soon complicated, however, by the enchanting widow. Never before has a woman spoken as if she’s his equal―or challenged him to consider the lives of others.

In a city nearly ablaze with racial tensions quickly dividing the country, can two people worlds apart possibly find common ground?

Review: 

Blessing is a story set in Cincinnati at the height of women's suffrage and the Underground Railroad. Because Ohio borders Kentucky many a slave sought the chance at freedom through those generous enough to care about human beings regardless of gender or skin color. 

I've not spent a lot of time studying this piece of our history. And though I know it was scandalous to expect any rights if not a white, wealthy man, the struggle is foreign to me. I can vote just as easily as my husband after all. This is one of my favorite things about historical fiction, that a story can make a situation long past very real to me through characters I grow to care about. 

Lyn Cote does an excellent job making characters change and develop into people I was able to admire. And she brought to life that some of my freedoms did come at the very real cost to others. 

Anyone interested in a rich, deep story set in a volatile time in our history should look into reading this novel. 

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer

Bonus Review:

Blessing is about a young woman named Blessing Brightman. Having straying from her Quaker faith to marry a man not of the faith, she found herself in an unhappy marriage. After her husband's tragic death, Blessing returns to her roots, and becomes involved in Women's Rights and the Underground Railroad. Gerard Ramsay comes from a wealthy family, but is trying to get out of the control of his father, so he goes to Cincinnati in hopes of talking his cousin out of getting married, as he believes marriage only ties a person down. Through mutual contacts, Blessing and Gerard's paths keep crossing, though both casual and dangerous events. However, as much as neither believes in marriage for themselves, they can't help the pull that they feel towards each other.

The first chapter of this story started a tad slow for me, but not slow enough for me to put it down. The pace picked up quickly, and I hard a hard time keeping myself from “binge reading.” I really loved this story and admire Blessing's character. She was a strong woman that fought for the rights of people, yet she was still a Godly woman, looking out for people's best interests. This book was wonderful, and I hope to read more by her.

Reviews by: Sarah Meyers