Redeemed Hearts

by Cathy Marie Hake

When famine ravages Ireland, Brigit Murphy and her family are forced to move to America. There, Brigit becomes a maid in the Newcomb home, where the mistress of the house, Emily Newcomb, is determined to marry off her brother, Duncan. When Duncan, a ship's captain, discovers he's fallen in love with the maid, he plans to tell her his feelings and make her his wife. But when some things come up missing from the Newcomb house, Brigit becomes the chief suspect. Will Duncan obey his sister's orders to rid the household of Brigit's presence? Or will the captain's heart determine his next course? Fall in love with this inspiring love story and our entire collection of Christian romance novels from Heartsong Presents!

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical, Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian, Christian Romance, Fiction

170 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

As a child, Cathy Marie Hake had an imaginary playmate. Now "grown up," she indulges in a host of imaginary friends as she writes. She teasingly says she decided if those voices in her head were talking, she might as well write down what they said and make a living by doing it. She met her sweetheart in the High School department at church and married him after finishing nursing school. They live in Southern California and have two children and two dogs (one of them even moos - one of the dogs that is, not the kids). Faith in God, a loving family, and a wacky sense of the ridiculous keep her going.

Known for surfing across the kitchen on a dropped dill pickle slice, waterskiing on sea anemone spit, and using Right Guard® as hair spray; she considers herself living proof that God does, indeed, possess a healthy sense of humor.

Cathy loves classical music, romantic getways with her husband, and Diet Pepsi Free®. "I need chocolate to survive, love my friends, and enjoy a deep personal relationship with the Lord. Although an extrovert, I'm very conservative on a personal level."

In her writing, Cathy attempts to capture a unique glimpse of life and how a man and woman can overcome obstacles when motivated by love. In her inspirational pieces she enjoys the freedom of showing how Christ can enrich a loving couple's relationship.

Reviews

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice, quick read. While reading the book I wondered whether this was a sequel or part of a series, so I look to see and it appears to be a sequel to Precious Burdens...which I now want to get and read. However, the story completely stood on its own and I enjoyed reading it.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

For the first part of this book, I was feeling fairly indifferent. The characters were somewhat endearing. The plot with the sister parading eligible women past her brother was entertaining in spots, less so in others. I was a little bored but not bored enough to quit reading. I thought I was on my way to a solid 3-star, pleasant but forgettable read.

Somewhere around the halfway point though, things got a lot more interesting. Just not in a good way. The story veered out into left field and set up camp. One thing after another made little to no sense.

1) Duncan decides he’s going to marry Brigit just because. He’s not ready to “settle down” and they’ve had only a few brief conversations. Then he leaves town for a few days and comes back ready to propose.

2) Brigit notices something missing and wonders if it has anything to do with the mysterious man she’s seen roving the property. This is the first mention of said mysterious man.

3) The logic that pinpoints Brigit as the thief is sketchy at best yet Duncan is positive it’s her. For many scenes I pictured him as an actor wandering around saying, “What’s my motivation here?”

4) Any realistic thread holding the story together snapped when Brigit climbed onto the roof. The door from the servant quarters apparently sticks regularly. She decides that climbing onto the roof (it’s covered in snow) from her attic bedroom late at night then down the trellis towards Duncan’s bedroom (that propriety kept her out of earlier when it was daylight and they were fully clothed) is somehow faster than whatever trick would have opened the door. I’ve lived in houses with doors that stick. Haven’t we all had to jiggle something or knock something or lift something a certain way to make it work? Right now I know I can’t open the back of my van unless I stomp on a particular part of the bumper at the same time. How has Brigit lived in this house for (if I remember right) about two months without knowing how to open the sticky door? How in the world does she think climbing down the roof might be faster than, you know, tugging harder?

5) Duncan takes Brigit being on the roof as absolute proof that she is a thief rather than proof she’s lost her marbles.

6) He decides he’s actually been wrong about her being a thief when he looks at her. Seriously. He looked into her eyes and just knew he loved her and he couldn’t love someone who’s a thief.

7) Don’t get me started on who the culprit turns out to be. Why didn’t this book have any mention of being part of a series? The big reveal is pretty meaningless if you haven’t read the earlier book. I don’t even know for sure there is a prequel, but the constant mentions of the past leave me thinking there must be one.

[juanita dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redeemed Hearts

Liked how they kept from acknow!edging sides they would take politically and focusing more on their jobs. If more people today took that attitude there may be less hatred. Jesus binds us together but stuff like politics pulls us apart. Thanks.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this before... in another title with less Christian and more romance wondering if she writes both ?

[Joleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brigit was an Irish lass working for a wealthy shipping family as a servant. She had also come from a family who used to have servants, but fell on very hard times. She always maintained her integrity and always thanked God for the small amount of income she made in order to help her family.
Duncan was a brother and captain in the shipping family. He started falling in love with her, but things started coming up missing. All the servants were cleared of the thefts except Brigit, so Duncan decided she did it and regretted the love he felt for her, as if he was duped.
The rest of the book was him being horrible as he tried to entrap her and could not see her innocence, even though his sister was sure Brigit was not guilty, that she was good and honorable.
The book was good, but Duncan bothered me. I felt nothing for this character. There would be no way I'd let a man like that in my life, even if he was repentant once he learned of my innocence. He was awful, and if he can be like that with someone he loved, what would stop him from being that way again with Brigit or with others?
Forgiveness is one thing, but trust is another. He proved untrustworthy, and heartless as he mistrusted her. I think the reader might have been more sympathetic toward Duncan if he had been written a bit less mean and vindictive.
Short easy read, but not one I'd recommend as good good literature.

[Anna Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! One of the best parts of this book was that the author was able to incorporate Christian truths throughout the book without it coming across as contrived. I also really liked how the author used Brigit’s plight to highlight trusting God’s plan even when we really don’t understand why things seem to be going all wrong.

This book was well written with a nicely paced plot and likable characters that were well thought out. I especially liked the history of each character that came out as the story progressed.

I would definitely recommend this book. It’s a quick easy read, but still enjoyable.

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet story, though not especially interesting to me. I enjoyed the storyline, though it wasn't very unique, and the characters were realistic. The romance was cute, though I prefer a bit more romancy than it was. The faith was again weak, unfortunately.

The story was pretty good, but not very unique. Though I did enjoy it, it's not something I'll remember in a few years.

[Lynda Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book!

This is the first time I have read this author. The story was well-written and the characters seemed to come to life for me. I enjoyed the story of Brigit and Duncan. I will definitely look for more by Cathy Marie Hake!

[Pat Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ebook

Lovely story about Irish immigrants and how they make their way in America. A rough start for the young lovers, but God and persistence find a way to a happy ending.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

This is a great book! I love the characters and the plot was good as well. It made me smile.