Undaunted Hope

I had the privilege of reviewing Undaunted Hope, Jody Hedlund's third book in her Beacons of Hope Series. This is a series of three very well written books about lighthouses and the keepers who provide the light that leads the way on the often perilous Great Lakes in Michigan.

Tessa Taylor arrived in town for her position as the new school teacher only to be told by Mr. Updegraff that the job was for men only.  Not easily dismissed, she retrieved her trunks from the pier and narrowly escaped the advances of rowdy crew members, only to nearly drown when her would be rescuer tries to maneuver the voluminous skirts and petticoats!  It is after Alex Bjorkland's gallant rescue that the two come face to face with one Percival Updegraff.  Percival is the other Mr. Updegraff, the Cole Mine Clerk and her new boss. He hasn't a bit of trouble with her being a woman teacher and goes so far as to offer her room and board at his home. Alex quickly provides another option for Tessa with the Rawlings family. An option that offers protection from the single men who greatly outnumber the women of Eagle Harbor.

Tessa quickly became a much beloved teacher. She was born to teach and was determined to make a difference to the miners and their families.  She offered evening classes for the adults who lacked basic education.  It became evident though, that Mr. Updegraff ruled the town with the same iron fist as he ruled the mine. He set no store on miners bettering themselves with an education, just as he brooked no refusal by Tessa from his advances. He chipped away at everything that mattered to her.  It took her strong will to withstand his cruel punishments not only to her but everyone that has become dear to her.

The story tells of our immigrant forefathers who worked in industries with company houses and the company stores. It must have sounded so appealing to be provided for by the company.  The reality was that many of those homes were substandard and the stores offered company credit for over-priced goods. It was hard for the employees to get ahead and if they lost their job they also lost their home. While that is not the case with all of these situations, our story is indeed about just such a place.  Intertwined with the story of the people who mined in Eagle Harbor is the story of two brothers who keep the light on for the ships on Lake Superior.  It is well worth your time and entertainment to read this book. 

Love Unexpected!

I am captivated by lighthouses. I love to visit them and simply look up at them in awe because they are so amazing and each has its own stories to tell. Recently I enjoyed reading Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund. It is the first in her new Beacons of Hope Series. Before this one, I read her e-book prequel, Out of the Storm, which takes place on the same location, Presque Isle on Lake Huron.  

Love Unexpected is a poignant story of two people who marry for purely practical reasons.  Emma Chambers emigrated to America from Ireland with her family for a better life. Instead, she loses her mother and moves with her father and brother wherever the next job comes along. After losing her father, she and her brother Ryan are moving once again for the next job that may change their luck. It all seems promising until the steamboat they are traveling on is boarded by pirates and subsequently sunk.

Patrick, the lighthouse keeper is one of the men who rescue the survivors. Emma awakes after her rescue to find him and his young son burying his wife. The traveling preacher, Holy Bill watches Emma as she bonds with the child who strays from his father. His surprising proposal to Patrick and Emma starts their real story of a quick marriage of convenience. Emma wishes to stop being a burden to Ryan and has long dreamt of a home of her own. Patrick can't perform his duties as keeper of the lighthouse while caring for his young son. Can two people who marry within an hour of meeting build a strong marriage of love and respect? Do either have anything to hide under the privacy of a deserted lighthouse?  The answer lies between the pages of this book.

The story is well written and the characters will hook you right away. I confess I stayed up far too long in the evening to finish the book but it was worth it.  Love Unexpected is to be read, shared and discussed!