by Ann H. Gabhart
When cholera sweeps the country in 1833, Springfield, Kentucky doesn't escape its grasp. Adria Starr's parents and brother die. The orphaned girl stays temporarily with Louis Sanderson, a slave who, after his owner gave him the keys to his hotel before fleeing the town, could have lit out for freedom in the north but instead stayed, carrying for the sick and burying the dead. When the danger has passed, Louis has buried 55 people--including the local schoolteacher. Looking for a home for Adria, Louis asks the teacher's widow, Ruth, to take the girl in. Ruth moves into Adria's home and cares for her as best she can. Twelve years late, Adria is nineteen and well on her way to becoming an abolitionist. Although there are those in town who think that she should be happy to marry the son of a well-off family, Adria can't commit herself to that life when there's more burning in her heart. When Louis's owner passes away and she learns that his sons intend to sell him off, Adria is horrified. With Ruth's help as well as the help of the new minister--who connects with Ruth in a way no one since her late husband has--Adria just might be able to repay the man she owes so much.
Wow! This book did not play out how I thought from the first couple of chapters--I thought we'd see a lot more romance in Adria's life, but that's not what happened. Adria's story was more about finding her purpose in life, while Ruth's was about opening her heart again. I loved the message about "pray believing"--but also the true-to-life examples of when prayers both were and weren't answered the way the person praying had hoped. Louis's rock-solid faith was inspiring, but the more up-and-down (not inconsistent, just shaken sometimes) faith of others was also touching and I enjoyed seeing their struggles. This was a really enjoyable book. I'm hoping there's a sequel!
4.5 stars.
I read an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
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