One for the land and one for the war— One for the church, and pray for no more... –Anonymous
Serenity Ravensworth is the lone sister among four brothers who seem to match descriptive lines of an ancient, anonymous poem. The youngest has no inheritance according to English law. The next brother in line studies to be ordained at Oxford. The soldier has been in British North America fighting the French and their native allies. And the eldest usurps control of Fernsby Hall. Reckless gambling endangers all the Ravensworth brothers and puts Serenity squarely in harm’s way.
Without the aid of Serenity’s soldier-brother, former grenadier Marcus St. James would not have made it back to England. Wounded and left for dead in the wake of the massacre at Fort Michilimackinac, Lieutenant St. James is found alive eight weeks after and five hundred miles distant from his last known whereabouts. His disturbing lack of memories gnaws at his sound mind and his sense of loss is compounded by unanswered questions.
An introduction to Miss Ravensworth inspires St. James to collect shattered pieces of the life left to him. Predicated by stronger feelings than he is able to articulate, his timely rescue of her deepens the growing attachment between them. Compelled to follow the pull of unexpected opportunities in a new land, Miss Ravensworth braves the Atlantic crossing, while St. James—at Benjamin Franklin’s behest—returns to the Pennsylvania colony as a member of Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon’s survey team.
Far from the familiarity of England, will these two find purpose together or challenge apart as Parliament dictates stricter regulations and imposes taxation on British citizens dwelling in the North American colonies? The Seven Years’ War is over, but King George III’s Royal Proclamation is the first domino to fall on the way to igniting a revolution.
T. Elizabeth Renich is the author of the Shadowcreek Chronicles, a series of four historical novels set against the backdrop of the American Civil War. Ms. Renich’s research repeatedly brought her to the East Coast while digging for accurate historical background information for her novels. These research trips indirectly led to her decision to move from her native California to Charlotte, North Carolina, following a five-season stint (1992-1997) as Secretary to the Head Coach of the San Diego Chargers.
In addition to her interest in the Civil War, her favorite pastimes include reading, writing, photography, football, and horseback riding, the last of which resulted from her studies of the Southern cavalry. While writing, Ms. Renich often listens to movie soundtracks such as Last of the Mohicans, Gettysburg, and Braveheart; and music from Civil War period or traditional Scottish tunes. Although she inherited her love of books and reading from her father, the greatest influence on her writing career came from her Senior Composition teacher in high school.
The Shadowcreek Chronicles (Word of Honor, Matter of Trust, Not Without Courage, and Strength and Glory) are Ms. Renich’s first published effort. Future projects may eventually lead her into non-fiction writing.
One of her long-range goals is to visit all fifty states prior to her fiftieth birthday. She has traveled to Alaska and only has Hawaii and twelve other states left to go. Ms. Renich first visited Winchester in the summer of 1998, and since became enamored of the Lower Shenandoah Valley. She hopes to realize her dream of residing there some day. In the meantime, she enjoys conducting research in the Winchester environs, whenever she gets the chance.
I have heard great things about T. Elizabeth Renich’s books, including from author Laura Frantz, so I knew I needed to make the first book in her new Georgian romance series a priority in the new year. And I am most happy to report that A Worthy Risk swept me heart-first into a story brimming with emotionally textured characters and vibrantly researched history – rich with faith, hope, and love. This multi-continental blend of epic family saga and slow-burn romance (one definitely NOT lacking in sparks) has me completely invested in stalking the internet for any word of book two!
Serenity Ravensworth is a delightful heroine, and I very much enjoyed making her acquaintance. So does her brother’s friend Marcus St. James, and I very much enjoyed making HIS acquaintance as well. (Can we say ‘swoony brooding hero’ and ‘yes please’?) Despite her name however, Serenity’s world when we first meet her is not at peace and it has nothing to do with the soldiers returning to England from the Seven Years’ War or the stirrings of rebellion in the American colonies. No, the conflict in Serenity’s world lies with her family and specifically with her eldest brother who has become reckless with the Ravensworth name and fortune – and, as it turns out, with Serenity’s life. Enter Marcus, who saved her second eldest brother Gideon’s life in the same war that cost Marcus his father & brother and made him (also a second born son) the unexpected heir. Oooo I loved the sparks between these two, chemistry that shows up in their first meeting and in all their subsequent conversations, including almost-kisses and forehead kisses and looks of longing that kept me quite happy while I waited for the real kissing to begin.
One of the aspects I loved most about this novel is the way Renich lets us inside more than one characters’ head. Not only do we see the events of the story from Serenity and Marcus’ individual perspectives, we also occasionally get a peek at Grandee or Gideon or Jonathan’s perspectives as well. This gives the telling an almost cinematic feel and keeps the plot advancing at a steady pace, drawing me deeper and deeper into the heart of the Ravensworths and their close inner circle. When you add the actual ravens that reside on their estate – and the role they play in the story – it becomes almost gothic by nature … if ‘gothic with an infusion of hope’ should indeed exist. I truly found the main cast of Serenity, Marcus, Grandee, Gideon, Jonathan (and their little brother Amos), as well as secondary characters such as Twitch and Madelaine, even tertiary characters like Ian and Johnna, to be delightfully drawn friends I wasn’t ready to leave when the book ended. And I have sooooo many threads I can’t wait to follow through the series, including whether baby Jenna and Amos fall in love when they grow up. (Young Amos may have been my favorite character in the book, with Serenity and Marcus a very close tie for second.)
Bottom Line: Romance. Danger. Secrets. Family Drama. Faith. History. A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich has it all! I was hooked by the gorgeous cover and then quickly found myself captured by the authentic period touches, the layered plot, the infusion of Scripture and prayer, and the beautiful love story too. But it’s the nuanced characters that have me deeply invested in the series as a whole, eager for book two, and apparently planning out their family trees. A large part of this owes to the story being told from not just the protagonists’ viewpoints but also occasionally of three other Ravensworth family members, a terrific writing choice that made reading it feel like watching a movie – certainly, at least a sweeping miniseries on the BBC. While some of the dialogue and written letters leaned a bit more into a history lesson than a conversation for my preference, I still found A Worthy Risk to be such a rewarding reader experience and a great choice for your next read, especially for fans of Laura Frantz and Lori Benton.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
What a compelling story rich with history, the aftermath of war, betrayal, complicated family bonds, flawed characters, bravery, and love, spanning places in England, Italy, and the New World.
Author T. Elizabeth Renich has done her historical homework in creating this wonderful world of characters, and even some real historical figures like Benjamin Franklin make an appearance. The author has a beautiful way of writing and her use of words and dialogue is engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the characters, the history, and reading about places mentioned in the book that I've visited, and places I'd like to visit. So much great history!
I couldn't put A Worthy Risk down and didn't want it to end! For a moment I forgot it was the start to a new series and I REALLY wanted an epilogue, then I recalled there will be more. Whew!
I can't wait to read more about Serenity Ravensworth, and her brothers Gideon, Jonathon, and Amos, their grandmother Grandee, Uncle Twitch & his wife Susanna, her dear friend Madelaine Northcraft and her family, and the handsome hero Marcus St. James who is still struggling from the aftermath of the Seven Years War (also known as the French-Indian War) that left his father and brother dead as England and France fought for control of North America.
"The Seven Years’ War is over, but King George III’s Royal Proclamation is the first domino to fall on the way to igniting a revolution."
The next story in this series cannot come soon enough for me! This would be a great series to binge read. The books in this series will need to be read in order.
I highly recommend A Worthy Risk. Historical fiction lovers will love it!
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read an early copy. All opinions are my own.
If you’re looking for good history reads, A Worthy Risk is the book for you. This book is rich with history of England before the revolutionary war and how that came about. You will learn things you don’t already know. Serenity and Marcus’s story is an interesting one. Who doesn’t love a strong masculine hero that is always there for the heroine. His loyalty to friendship and love is refreshing. The point thing I didn’t like was how the book left off. Now I anxiously look forward to the next installment to see where the characters take me!
This pre revolutionary war start to a new series is full of interesting historical tidbits. I enjoyed that the author used a lot of historical words and correct names for things from the past. It was nice to read a book that was set pre revolution as there are many books set during the revolution. I enjoyed the MFC Serenity, her steady strength and unwillingness to let fear rule is a joy to read. Her love interest honestly drove me crazy! But he does grow and learn in the end, so I still liked him. The addition of adding other characters point of view in the last thirdish of the book was enjoyable and makes me very curious to see where the series is going in future books. A Worthy Risk ends on a complete cliffhanger!
A Worthy Risk has a more slow pace, with some of the larger plot points coming off as anticlimactic. This could be a plus for readers who prefer this style, it just was not for me.
Just a note this book does have an attempted r8pe scene, also physical spouse abuse and child loss is mentioned in conversation.
I received a copy of the book. My opinions, as always, are my own.
In T. Elizabeth Renich’s, A Worthy Risk, Serenity Ravensworth is one of five children but the only daughter. Each of her brothers are pursing legitimate ventures to establish themselves on a sound financial footing amid rumors of unrest between England and her colonies. However, one brother threatens the family’s good name and future fortunes. In fact, Serenity may be the next casualty of his poor choices. Meanwhile, Marcus St. James has troubles of his own. He is still recovering physically and emotionally from the Seven Years War. Truth be told, he is indebted to a Ravensworth for his survival on the battlefield. Will he be able to put the pieces of his life and memory back together, so that he can pursue marriage?
A Worthy Risk is Historical Fiction and set in the aftermath of The French and Indian War. Relations between America and the Mother Country are becoming strained. The story is full of page-turning drama on multiple fronts. The characters are authentic with complicated relationships that make the narrative riveting. The romance angle is a central part of the story and conveyed with humor and heart. However, it is the political and personal intrigue that make the novel exceptional. The attention to historical detail is incredible and captivating. A Worthy Risk is well-written, well-researched, and is a credit to the author and the genre. The climax does not solve all the subplots but sets the rest of the series up for more amazing stories. If you are looking for high-quality Christian Historical Fiction, look no further than A Worthy Risk.
Loved this one!! From the first page I was drawn into the lives of the Ravensworths of Bath England, and of the mystery of who Marcus St. James and his past. I loved all the characters of this story, especially how we got to see glimpses of the points of view on not only the two main characters but also a couple of other family members as well. The author did a great job weaving the whole tale together. I was never quite sure I knew where she was going with everything. The fact that the end of this book didn't wrap everything up tidily but instead leaves several loose ends has me super excited for, what I hope, are at least a few more books in the series. You can tell the author loves history as the amount of historical facts woven into the story were so well done. She did a great job imparting little known historical facts, to me at least, without making it feel like a boring historical tome. If you are interested in historical fiction with a dash of romance and a sprinkle of intrigue do yourself a favor and check out this author. This is the first book by her I've read, but it certainly won't be the last. *I read an early ARC of this book from the author/publisher for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich offers a unique perspective on history set between in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War as a revolution between England and the American colonies looms. The prose-like style is immersive in the customs and daily life of a broad cast of characters with Serenity and Marcus at its center, spanning life in England and the daunting trials of the American colonies.
The romance between them builds slowly while family machinations, the impacts of Marcus’ service in the war, and themes of loss and grief influence the story. The growth of Serenity and Marcus, both separate and together, is a major feature of the story, especially as family secrets are revealed amidst scandal and challenge of Serenity’s family. I particularly liked the occasional point of view of Serenity’s grandmother, Grandee. The end of A Worthy Risk leaves some questions and character fates to be anticipated and answered in future books in the series.
My thanks to the author for the review ecopy. This is my honest review.
This is my first time reading a novel by Renich, but I promise you it will not be my last. First of all, she includes So. Much. History. And I am here for it! My goodness, you can tell the care and thought that went into each and every page of this book. I learned so much and wanted to keep going. Why is it we cannot just learn from historical fiction novels? (lol I know obviously because they are fiction, but man history just comes to life in these stories!)
The romance between Marcus and Serenity was wonderful. It was full of tension, swoon, and more. Renich also gives readers a beautiful faith theme. It added such a wonderful layer to the story, and I think it will really resonate with readers.
A Worthy Risk is worthy of your attention. (ha, see what I did there!) Historical fiction fans looking for something different will really enjoy this story. I received a complimentary copy and was not required to write a favorable review.
A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich is an absolute triumph in Christian historical romance! An entire cast of characters sets the scene for the coming series installments, intrigues readers with different points of view, and entertains while driving a riveting story. Above all, Marcus and Serenity’s love story is full of romantic tension, suspenseful separation, swoon-worthy encounters, and a happily ever after— true perfection! Fortifying themes of faith and the Lord’s love add wonderful depth to an emotional story. This book is also meticulously researched and history lovers will love all the little nuggets of information and beautiful depictions of life in 1760s England, the North American Frontier, the American Colonies, and even Italy! This story is incredibly well done, and I eagerly await further installments of the Sovereign Liberty Series!
I received a copy of this book for review purposes, and my thoughts are my own. I really did love it!
As a lover of historical fiction, and T. Elizabeth Renich’s previous books, I knew I needed to ready A Worthy Risk immediately! And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Her attention to detail on the historical aspect is top notch. I learned so much about what life was like in the 1760’s and some of what led up to the American Revolutionary War. The story line was so intriguing and captivating. I couldn’t put it down. This is a must read!
Thank you to T. Elizabeth Renich for the ARC and the ability to read another of her fantastic novels!
This is such a well-written historical novel! The plot line will suck you into the story and the rich characters will steal your heart. Not only will you dream of a trip to Bath, but you will also long for an enduring friendship like Serenity and Madelaine, or a little brother like Amos. I'm eagerly looking forward to Book #2!
I received a copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
If you’re a fan of swoony heroes, intrepid heroines in heart-pounding danger, quirky grandparents (along with other really fun secondary characters), and extensively researched historical fiction, this book is for you!
I enjoyed this (presumably) first book in the series. It doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but there's quite a bit that is nowhere near concluded by the end. It has the feel of a family saga. I would be interested to see where the story goes from here!
The lives of two families intersect after their sons return home from British North America following the prolonged conflict with the French and their native allies. Although Lieutenant Marcus St. James bears an external scar, the most troublesome imprints are internal. Traveling to spend time with a favored cohort, he meets Gideon Ravensworth's sister, Serenity, whose outward beauty and vivacious spirit whisper peace to a place buried deep inside his worrisome spirit. However, all is not well within the inner sanctum of the Ravensworth household as the eldest brother has gambled away a fortune, placing Serenity's honor on the line as collateral.
As Serenity's love for a most beloved younger brother and Marcus' dedication to his military commission take the two in different directions across the Atlantic, their patience and trust in each other will be severely tested as they depend upon God to direct their paths.
Overflowing with history between two continents, this story expertly displays the tightened tension between England and her colonies without overburdening the story, rather using the time period as a backdrop for an intriguing romance between two characters worthy of the risk.