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Sarah Quanli
STORY OVERVIEW
The beautiful yet deceitful Rossalyn McDonald had twisted the knife deep in David Adam MacDougall’s big heart. He was extraordinarily handsome: chiseled muscles, kindly soul, thoughtful personality, and totally faithful. Any other lass in his Scottish Highlands village would have cheated her own sister to become his bride.
Now David’s entire being felt broken into a thousand pieces. Now he only wanted to reach the faraway city of Beiping China where he was called to be a missionary. But before arriving in that mysterious mistress of the orient, he would face uncertain dangers.
The year is 1904. The bloody Boxer Rebellion is only four years past. Much of northern China still seethes with undercurrents of resentment and hatred of all things Western. If David can just make it to the ancient city with body and soul intact, if he can just survive, there he’ll find his new purpose, his new home, and his new people.
There, he’ll meet the woman he comes to believe is the love of his life. The lithe, athletic, saucy, highly intelligent and equally independent Xiu Li!
The beautiful yet deceitful Rossalyn McDonald had twisted the knife deep in David Adam MacDougall’s big heart. He was extraordinarily handsome: chiseled muscles, kindly soul, thoughtful personality, and totally faithful. Any other lass in his Scottish Highlands village would have cheated her own sister to become his bride.
Now David’s entire being felt broken into a thousand pieces. Now he only wanted to reach the faraway city of Beiping China where he was called to be a missionary. But before arriving in that mysterious mistress of the orient, he would face uncertain dangers.
The year is 1904. The bloody Boxer Rebellion is only four years past. Much of northern China still seethes with undercurrents of resentment and hatred of all things Western. If David can just make it to the ancient city with body and soul intact, if he can just survive, there he’ll find his new purpose, his new home, and his new people.
There, he’ll meet the woman he comes to believe is the love of his life. The lithe, athletic, saucy, highly intelligent and equally independent Xiu Li!
329 pages, Paperback
First published October 26, 2012
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 15, 2013
Jackson Keene may be the only author to have The Boxer Rebellion and the beginning of basketball in one book, all tied up with lots of romance... and do it so well that readers are pulled in so quickly that you realize that you are reading a very satisfactory ending! I enjoyed this historical novel immensely!
David Alan MacDougal was born in 1882 and, as with many of us, learned about the kirk, the church, and God from his parents, especially David's father. Jonathan, as they worked their farm, would share about his faith and talk routinely about what was happening and how they would face what the future held. Times were getting worse and many of those in the Scottish Highland were leaving. David's family were landowners and fairly wealthy but David knew that his older brother would control the land in the future.
But that had never concerned him, because even as a young boy, his pastor, Reverend Hennessey, had captured his attention through his words and soon David came to commit his life to God, and more specifically, to become a missionary...He knew he had been called to go to China; he was 18!
David was a good looking lad, one who had developed and maintained a body through hard farm work, weights and through the sports he loved. Basket Ball had just begun, so David and his brother soon learned the rules and practiced until David was totally enjoying this new sport...
So when he was ready to set off and was on the ship for his long voyage, it wasn't long before he was looking for ways to continue his exercise regiment...
Soon this personable young man had a Basket Ball group going. He also was soon asked to preach...
And he also developed a group of female admirers who were quite willing to have him forget his commitment and participate in a different type of exercise. David had, however, already learned the hard way--he had lost his sweetheart to his cousin while he had been away...
That didn't mean he wasn't tempted--so keeping busy with exercise helped... and it also led to his saving the ship and everybody on it from death.
In fact, the trip to China was a great adventure, full of surprises and fun; this was my favorite part for excitement!
But the story of David as he came to take his position at the missionary was a different type of enjoyment... The church, as well as the community had lost many members during the Boxer Rebellion, so there was much to do, and many coming to the church for help in meeting just basic needs of shelter and food...
As things became more routine, David began to think about introducing Basket Ball to the community. Many came, including one young female who was the daughter of one of the church leaders... What an interesting and fun love story to end with!
Highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
David Alan MacDougal was born in 1882 and, as with many of us, learned about the kirk, the church, and God from his parents, especially David's father. Jonathan, as they worked their farm, would share about his faith and talk routinely about what was happening and how they would face what the future held. Times were getting worse and many of those in the Scottish Highland were leaving. David's family were landowners and fairly wealthy but David knew that his older brother would control the land in the future.
But that had never concerned him, because even as a young boy, his pastor, Reverend Hennessey, had captured his attention through his words and soon David came to commit his life to God, and more specifically, to become a missionary...He knew he had been called to go to China; he was 18!
David was a good looking lad, one who had developed and maintained a body through hard farm work, weights and through the sports he loved. Basket Ball had just begun, so David and his brother soon learned the rules and practiced until David was totally enjoying this new sport...
So when he was ready to set off and was on the ship for his long voyage, it wasn't long before he was looking for ways to continue his exercise regiment...
Soon this personable young man had a Basket Ball group going. He also was soon asked to preach...
And he also developed a group of female admirers who were quite willing to have him forget his commitment and participate in a different type of exercise. David had, however, already learned the hard way--he had lost his sweetheart to his cousin while he had been away...
That didn't mean he wasn't tempted--so keeping busy with exercise helped... and it also led to his saving the ship and everybody on it from death.
In fact, the trip to China was a great adventure, full of surprises and fun; this was my favorite part for excitement!
But the story of David as he came to take his position at the missionary was a different type of enjoyment... The church, as well as the community had lost many members during the Boxer Rebellion, so there was much to do, and many coming to the church for help in meeting just basic needs of shelter and food...
As things became more routine, David began to think about introducing Basket Ball to the community. Many came, including one young female who was the daughter of one of the church leaders... What an interesting and fun love story to end with!
Highly recommended!
GABixlerReviews
January 20, 2013
Sarah Quanli follows David's hastened journey to China as a missionary after a painful betrayal from his loved one. There were some dangerous situations which David were in. I'm happy to read that he overcame all of those situations and there's even something about basketball!
The story was enjoyable, even though I find it difficult to follow for the first part of the book due to the slang used by the characters. It got better after David left for China and things started picking up from there, which made me glad that I continued reading. Also, the book emphasizes heavily on religion so it will definitely appeal to readers who prefer a more religious read, combined with romance and some action.
*Disclosure: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
The story was enjoyable, even though I find it difficult to follow for the first part of the book due to the slang used by the characters. It got better after David left for China and things started picking up from there, which made me glad that I continued reading. Also, the book emphasizes heavily on religion so it will definitely appeal to readers who prefer a more religious read, combined with romance and some action.
*Disclosure: I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review*
November 11, 2012
I very much enjoyed the book, i liked the way it was written in the style of a true story. It reminded me of the Autobiography of "Tisha" The story of Anne Hobbs who was a young teacher who went to the wilds of Alaska make a difference. It also reminded me of the story of the nun who worked as a missionary in China, sh led 100 children to safety and was part of the unbinding of the women's feet. Forgive me if i can't recall the name of the book or the lady it was about.
I very much like reading about people who gave up everything to go and work in remote places against all odds to make a difference.
I very much like reading about people who gave up everything to go and work in remote places against all odds to make a difference.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews