Book Description from Amazon.com:
“Six long years ago, Captain Reynolds Macy sailed away from his bride, looking forward to the day when he would return to Nantucket Island with a ship’s hold full of whale oil. But when that momentous day finally arrives, Ren soon discovers that everything has changed in his absence. Everything. “Is nothing on this island as it appears to be?” he whispers in despair.
Unlike most islanders, bold and spirited Daphne Coffin doesn’t defer to Ren as an authoritative whalemaster, but sees through his aloofness to the aching heart beneath. She encourages him to return to his Quaker roots and “mind the Light,” finding solace in God and community. As Ren becomes the man she believes him to be–honorable, wise, faithful–she finds herself falling in love with him.
But how can she, when her heart is spoken for? Tristram Macy is Ren’s business partner, cousin, and best friend–and Daphne’s fiancé. Love always comes at a cost, but when is the price too high?
Suzanne Woods Fisher welcomes readers back to the Quaker community on Nantucket Island for this riveting love story, full of unexpected moments.”
My Review:
I love Christian historical fiction. Suzanne Woods Fisher is one of my favorite authors and I’ve enjoyed many of her books. Although both of those things are true, I almost passed over reading this book because it’s my least favorite time period and I have very little interest in Quaker history. Wow—would that have been a huge mistake! This book is terrific. By the end of the first chapter I was completely invested in the story. There are many things that impact this storyline: Love, romance, faith, hope, treachery, bigotry, revenge, compassion. All blend together to create a book that compelled me to keep reading and finish it quickly.
The historical research the author did for this book is accurate and adds much to the story. The author describes the setting so well that you can almost hear the sounds of the waves as you read. Every character is unique. Daphne and Ren hold center stage in the story, but each supporting character played a crucial role, too. The Quakers’ core beliefs are challenged all throughout the story, and as is true in our own time, each individual had choices to make that had a crucial impact on others.
I also loved the “split time” feature of the story. As Daphne reads through her ancestor’s diary, she finds help for her own pressing dilemma and solidifies her faith.
One note for Christian readers: The Quakers’ belief in “minding the light” might bother some readers, but I thought it fit well with this story and the Quaker history of the time period. I’m not endorsing that thought, although I did like the book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.