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A Life of Blessing
After being wooed by a wealthy and socially prominent member of Cincinnati society, Blessing Cathwell leaves her family and beliefs behind to marry him. Widowed young and determined to never to be weak again again, Blessing reclaims her faith and sets out to use her wealth and influence for women’s rights and abolition.
Gerard Ramsey, scion of a wealthy Boston family, comes to Cincinnati to escape his father’s schemes to arrange an advantageous marriage for his heir. Moreover, Gerard wants to break with his father—in a way that will anger him—while providing Gerard with independence. His planning is soon complicated by Blessing and her tendency for speaking to him as his equal and challenging him to consider the lives of others over his own.
As pre-Civil War racial tensions rise in Cincinnati, Blessing and Gerard struggle to find common ground as violence escalates. And a secret adversary to both tries to reach a vengeful and lethal end game.
Written by Lyn Cote, an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of 50 novels.
Gerard Ramsey, scion of a wealthy Boston family, comes to Cincinnati to escape his father’s schemes to arrange an advantageous marriage for his heir. Moreover, Gerard wants to break with his father—in a way that will anger him—while providing Gerard with independence. His planning is soon complicated by Blessing and her tendency for speaking to him as his equal and challenging him to consider the lives of others over his own.
As pre-Civil War racial tensions rise in Cincinnati, Blessing and Gerard struggle to find common ground as violence escalates. And a secret adversary to both tries to reach a vengeful and lethal end game.
Written by Lyn Cote, an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author of 50 novels.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
38 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Lyn Cote
122 books589 followersLyn grew up loving books. Her favorite night of the week was Friday night, when the Bookmobile came to her neighborhood in Illinois. She’d spend those two hours chatting with the driver of the Bookmobile and the librarian and making the big decision of the week — which books to check out! In those distant days, children were limited in how many books they could check out. Lyn could only take home six a week — and there were so many to choose from. Her favorites were Cotton in my Sack by Lois Lenski, The Little House series and the One of a Kind Family series. Later, she discovered Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances!
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
This love of books led to a desire to write. Lyn won prizes in high school and college for her poetry and, not surprisingly, Lyn became a history and English teacher. When she became a mother, she gave up teaching, and while raising a son and a daughter, she began working on her first novel. Then she wrote her second and third. Long years of rejection followed — as it does for most writers. Finally in 1997, Lyn got "the call." Her first book, Never Alone, was chosen to appear in the first year of the new Love Inspired line. Lyn has written many articles on writing and the emerging Christian Booksellers Assoc. (CBA) fiction market. In 2006, Lyn's book, Chloe, is a finalist for the RWA's RITA, the highest award in the romance genre in the inspirational category.
Now, Lyn spends her days writing books that show the power of divine as well as human love. Her nest is empty and she and her real life hero, her husband, have more and more time to spend together in their home on a lake in the lovely northwoods. And books are still dear to her heart.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 5, 2025
Historically thought-provoking
I must admit that I did not like Gerard in the beginning; his attitude and actions were so wrong in the face of what is right in God’s sight. His heart is so hard and set on revenge and his own way. Blessing was definitely a woman of courage and kindness in an era that didn’t share her feelings or concerns. It is sad to see how society and sin changed how God intended things to be.
These two people were entirely at odds with each other and every meeting drove the wedge in deeper. She strove to better the lives of others while he persevered to take care of himself and irk those he disliked. They are both complicated and complex individuals. As their lives tangled together, they learned to trust God with the past, present, and future.
The Author does not shy away from difficult subjects and facts of history, but lays them open for all to see and judge. Prejudices are rampant among all and we need to see people as God sees them, worthy of salvation.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
I must admit that I did not like Gerard in the beginning; his attitude and actions were so wrong in the face of what is right in God’s sight. His heart is so hard and set on revenge and his own way. Blessing was definitely a woman of courage and kindness in an era that didn’t share her feelings or concerns. It is sad to see how society and sin changed how God intended things to be.
These two people were entirely at odds with each other and every meeting drove the wedge in deeper. She strove to better the lives of others while he persevered to take care of himself and irk those he disliked. They are both complicated and complex individuals. As their lives tangled together, they learned to trust God with the past, present, and future.
The Author does not shy away from difficult subjects and facts of history, but lays them open for all to see and judge. Prejudices are rampant among all and we need to see people as God sees them, worthy of salvation.
I received a complimentary copy from the author and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
September 11, 2025
This story encourages me and broadened my knowledge of what women suffered in pre-civil war days. The death of Blessing's husband leaves her with money she can use to make a difference for women who are enslaved to unscrupulous men. She also helps orphans and runaway slaves. Gerard leaves his parents to make a name for himself. When Blessing & Gerard meet, he can't believe the dangerous activities she is involved in. Gerard helps her and also gets involved in dangerous activites of his own. Each of them do not want to reveal the secrets they have. The ending is perfect. I was given a copy of this book. This is my voluntary opinion.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews