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Lone Star Romance #1
Texas Angel
On the Open Frontier of the Rio Grande, One Woman's Fledgling Faith Might Provide the Light of Hope to a Man of the Cloth
Texas Angel is a riveting tale that blends together the lives of the courageous pioneers with a poignant, graceful romance about a woman redeemed from a life of shame. You will not soon forget the heart-tugging story at the center of Texas Angel.
Married into a successful family, Angela Toussaint Hearne thought the fact that her mother was a runaway slave could be hidden. When her secret is revealed though, the Hearne family disowns Angela and her infant daughter and she is left in great peril as the cruel slave owner who still holds her ancestors seeks to recover his lost goods. Captured, she is forced to make the journey to frontier Rio Grande as a slave.
There she meets Benjamin Sinclair, a New England evangelist determined to convert the lawless Texans with a strong dose of brimstone and retribution. Angela, who discovers God through a borrowed New Testament, shows Benjamin that God may have a better way to draw the people of Texas to Himself.
Texas Angel is a riveting tale that blends together the lives of the courageous pioneers with a poignant, graceful romance about a woman redeemed from a life of shame. You will not soon forget the heart-tugging story at the center of Texas Angel.
Married into a successful family, Angela Toussaint Hearne thought the fact that her mother was a runaway slave could be hidden. When her secret is revealed though, the Hearne family disowns Angela and her infant daughter and she is left in great peril as the cruel slave owner who still holds her ancestors seeks to recover his lost goods. Captured, she is forced to make the journey to frontier Rio Grande as a slave.
There she meets Benjamin Sinclair, a New England evangelist determined to convert the lawless Texans with a strong dose of brimstone and retribution. Angela, who discovers God through a borrowed New Testament, shows Benjamin that God may have a better way to draw the people of Texas to Himself.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
7 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Judith Pella
97 books235 followersJudith Pella is a bestselling, award-winning author whose writing career spans two decades. Her in-depth historical and geographical research combines with her skillful storytelling to provide readers with dramatic, thought-provoking novels. She and her husband make their home in Scapoose, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
April 26, 2024
4.5⭐️
It’s 1834 in the USA, and Elise is a young bride and recently, a new mom and she is loving her life.
Her whole world crashes in on her when one afternoon, her husband and in-laws discover she has african blood in her lineage. Her entire white world disowns her and abandons her and her infant daughter to her mother's former slave owner. This man is highly abusive and very dangerous, and forces Elise into the world of prostitution.
Benjamin is a young, enthusiastic preacher who drags his unwilling family with him to the desolate, harsh land of Texas to show the lost people the error of their ways. Through circumstances, Benjamin's wife and Elise meet and have a friendly encounter which shames and enrages Benjamin. His homelife is one of tension as his wife can't let go of the lovely life she had back home.
How will God reach into both of these families' lives and bring healing and redemption?
Triggers for pretty much EVERYTHING in this book; racism, abandonment, abuse, infidelity, suicide, unhealthy father/child relationships etc...
My MAJOR PROBLEM with this book is the use of the N word. it was used 6 times by racist white people, and while I understand that it was more common vocabulary in the time this story is set, it just made me cringe every time I read it and I wish it wasn't in there at all.
It’s 1834 in the USA, and Elise is a young bride and recently, a new mom and she is loving her life.
Her whole world crashes in on her when one afternoon, her husband and in-laws discover she has african blood in her lineage. Her entire white world disowns her and abandons her and her infant daughter to her mother's former slave owner. This man is highly abusive and very dangerous, and forces Elise into the world of prostitution.
Benjamin is a young, enthusiastic preacher who drags his unwilling family with him to the desolate, harsh land of Texas to show the lost people the error of their ways. Through circumstances, Benjamin's wife and Elise meet and have a friendly encounter which shames and enrages Benjamin. His homelife is one of tension as his wife can't let go of the lovely life she had back home.
How will God reach into both of these families' lives and bring healing and redemption?
Triggers for pretty much EVERYTHING in this book; racism, abandonment, abuse, infidelity, suicide, unhealthy father/child relationships etc...
My MAJOR PROBLEM with this book is the use of the N word. it was used 6 times by racist white people, and while I understand that it was more common vocabulary in the time this story is set, it just made me cringe every time I read it and I wish it wasn't in there at all.
August 19, 2021
I am highly disappointed.
(Hanna, that's not a good way to start a review of a four-star book ...). Yes, but what can I say when the first half of the book was on its way to "amazing"? I envisioned a plot and characters reaching soaring heights, I saw the potential ... and then it crashed and burned. Nevertheless, there was nothing expressly wrong with the ending, and thus the still-high rating. But the potential ...
Setting: As the title suggests, the main setting is Texas (part of Mexico at the time, which is 1834). The story begins in April 1834 in South Carolina, but the geography gradually moves west (for both main characters) until both are in Texas. Part 5 of the book is set in October 1835. The Texas setting is best represented in the references to Texas independence, and the sentiments are exceptionally intertwined with the movement of the plot and with Benjamin Sinclair's character. The American sentiments and laws, particularly with slaves and Negroes, are also clearly shown throughout the book, and societal ranking perceptions are not discarded.
Characters: Oh, Benjamin ... oh, you could have been a glorious character. You kind of were (in an awful way), but then it all disappeared in a puff of smoke. [Warning: not only is this spoiler very ... spoiler-y, it is also a long-winded rant. Proceed at your own risk]
The other characters were written well: Elise is generally decent and had a good story. Rebekah is a bit annoying, but understandable, and has a great role for developing Benjamin. The antagonists are also written well, and John Hunter is a good supporting character. Micah is impressively written, though I didn't feel much emotion for him. I don't think that hurts the story any.
Plot: To avoid repeating my rant, I will say that it is a good plot, keeping my interest and presenting major problems that are not glossed over. I hesitate to call it a romance, since so much of it was not--and probably none of it should have been. I can tell more books in the series are necessary, but this plot was concluded satisfactorily. I did appreciate how Micah's life was concluded in this one (but I expect more).
Faith Content: Again, I won't rant. There are many spiritual questions that are raised, and caused me to analyze quite a lot. They are not really addressed, however (I will not rant. I will not rant). God's love and forgiveness are emphasized, which is appropriate given Elise's story (and also given Elise's story, perhaps not a book for teens, although the situation is written remarkably well and vaguely). Both main characters experience the transforming grace of God.
Conclusion? This was a well-written book, with a well-written plot and a good message. Perhaps for a reader who doesn't relate so deeply to the main character, this would be an excellent read. I mean, it was an excellent read for me. I just had such high hopes for Benjamin Sinclair ...
(Hanna, that's not a good way to start a review of a four-star book ...). Yes, but what can I say when the first half of the book was on its way to "amazing"? I envisioned a plot and characters reaching soaring heights, I saw the potential ... and then it crashed and burned. Nevertheless, there was nothing expressly wrong with the ending, and thus the still-high rating. But the potential ...
Setting: As the title suggests, the main setting is Texas (part of Mexico at the time, which is 1834). The story begins in April 1834 in South Carolina, but the geography gradually moves west (for both main characters) until both are in Texas. Part 5 of the book is set in October 1835. The Texas setting is best represented in the references to Texas independence, and the sentiments are exceptionally intertwined with the movement of the plot and with Benjamin Sinclair's character. The American sentiments and laws, particularly with slaves and Negroes, are also clearly shown throughout the book, and societal ranking perceptions are not discarded.
Characters: Oh, Benjamin ... oh, you could have been a glorious character. You kind of were (in an awful way), but then it all disappeared in a puff of smoke. [Warning: not only is this spoiler very ... spoiler-y, it is also a long-winded rant. Proceed at your own risk]
The other characters were written well: Elise is generally decent and had a good story. Rebekah is a bit annoying, but understandable, and has a great role for developing Benjamin. The antagonists are also written well, and John Hunter is a good supporting character. Micah is impressively written, though I didn't feel much emotion for him. I don't think that hurts the story any.
Plot: To avoid repeating my rant, I will say that it is a good plot, keeping my interest and presenting major problems that are not glossed over. I hesitate to call it a romance, since so much of it was not--and probably none of it should have been. I can tell more books in the series are necessary, but this plot was concluded satisfactorily. I did appreciate how Micah's life was concluded in this one (but I expect more).
Faith Content: Again, I won't rant. There are many spiritual questions that are raised, and caused me to analyze quite a lot. They are not really addressed, however (I will not rant. I will not rant). God's love and forgiveness are emphasized, which is appropriate given Elise's story (and also given Elise's story, perhaps not a book for teens, although the situation is written remarkably well and vaguely). Both main characters experience the transforming grace of God.
Conclusion? This was a well-written book, with a well-written plot and a good message. Perhaps for a reader who doesn't relate so deeply to the main character, this would be an excellent read. I mean, it was an excellent read for me. I just had such high hopes for Benjamin Sinclair ...
September 13, 2024
Once the dangerous secret comes out that Elise, a young mother, has Negro blood, it spells the end of her marriage—and the beginning of her enslavement. A minister's compassionate wife may be able to provide some urgent help for Elise, but it'll mean facing the fire and brimstone of the minister, Benjamin, who's determined to convert the lawless sinners of Texas in Texas Angel by author Judith Pella.
Some time ago, I read and enjoyed The Russians series, a sweeping historical saga by this ChristFic author, even though I had some issues concerning the style. So when it came to this historical Western novel, I wasn't surprised by the occasional overuse of exclamation points, some overdramatic depictions of the main characters, and an overdone villain.
On a different note, I expected I'd probably be somewhat uncomfortable with the handling of race in this book, but I was curious to see how that aspect of the plot would play out.
On at least two different occasions, certain characters speak almost as if they (and Jesus) are there for Elise in spite of the fact that she's part Black. Of course, being a person of color isn't an offense or an inadequacy, something that Christian grace must overlook. While it unfortunately wouldn't be unrealistic for the white characters in this setting to see Elise's mixed race as a flaw, the story doesn't make it clear that they'd be wrong to see her that way.
Later on, Benjamin reflects on how God's love is simple enough for the "savage Indian[s]" in the story, and he doesn't grow past using the "savage" label in his thoughts regarding the indigenous people.
Moreover, because I recently learned this publisher used to allow the N-word to appear in their novels (I'm assuming they don't anymore?), I wasn't caught off guard by the few racial slurs in this book, which was published in the 1990s. Still, I don't believe everyone fully grasps the magnitude of what comes with words like that and what it means for a diverse audience when authors include slurs as strong as the N-word in fiction. I'm in no way saying that no racial epithets should appear in any art or literature anywhere, but for certain books, it's just unnecessary as well as an inappropriate choice, especially from publishers that aren't known for publishing many diverse authors of fiction who'd bring their own cultural perspectives and the experience of their own race.
Now, concerning all that Elise suffers in slavery: Although her feelings of shame and guilt are all too common for abuse victims, the abuse isn't something that victims need to apologize or be forgiven for, or to be accepted and loved in spite of. The story doesn't make it 100% clear that Elise isn't at all at fault for what her abusers have done to her and what they've forced her into.
Aside from that, I struggled with the love story. One look at the book cover's beautiful artwork...
...let me know where the plot would eventually go, but when one character or another thinks, believes, and behaves in downright awful ways for half or more of a novel, I tend not to feel great about that character as a romantic hero or heroine. Also, I'm all for a fictional couple's embraces and kisses when they're passionate and respectful and the moments feel earned. But this love story had an icky feel to me, largely because the broken hero acts on his libido in a broken way on more than one occasion, bursting into insensitive and desperate physical "affection" that doesn't honor the heroine.
Anyhow. I felt compelled to address all of this because of the overall journey I'm taking with Christian Fiction (a genre that's changing) and because of the social climate we're living in, where we need to tackle some critical issues with open honesty. Nonetheless, this historical fiction lover ultimately enjoyed working through some thoughts and emotions with the help of this interesting story, and I fully intend to read the sequel that features a different main character.
Some time ago, I read and enjoyed The Russians series, a sweeping historical saga by this ChristFic author, even though I had some issues concerning the style. So when it came to this historical Western novel, I wasn't surprised by the occasional overuse of exclamation points, some overdramatic depictions of the main characters, and an overdone villain.
On a different note, I expected I'd probably be somewhat uncomfortable with the handling of race in this book, but I was curious to see how that aspect of the plot would play out.
On at least two different occasions, certain characters speak almost as if they (and Jesus) are there for Elise in spite of the fact that she's part Black. Of course, being a person of color isn't an offense or an inadequacy, something that Christian grace must overlook. While it unfortunately wouldn't be unrealistic for the white characters in this setting to see Elise's mixed race as a flaw, the story doesn't make it clear that they'd be wrong to see her that way.
Later on, Benjamin reflects on how God's love is simple enough for the "savage Indian[s]" in the story, and he doesn't grow past using the "savage" label in his thoughts regarding the indigenous people.
Moreover, because I recently learned this publisher used to allow the N-word to appear in their novels (I'm assuming they don't anymore?), I wasn't caught off guard by the few racial slurs in this book, which was published in the 1990s. Still, I don't believe everyone fully grasps the magnitude of what comes with words like that and what it means for a diverse audience when authors include slurs as strong as the N-word in fiction. I'm in no way saying that no racial epithets should appear in any art or literature anywhere, but for certain books, it's just unnecessary as well as an inappropriate choice, especially from publishers that aren't known for publishing many diverse authors of fiction who'd bring their own cultural perspectives and the experience of their own race.
Now, concerning all that Elise suffers in slavery: Although her feelings of shame and guilt are all too common for abuse victims, the abuse isn't something that victims need to apologize or be forgiven for, or to be accepted and loved in spite of. The story doesn't make it 100% clear that Elise isn't at all at fault for what her abusers have done to her and what they've forced her into.
Aside from that, I struggled with the love story. One look at the book cover's beautiful artwork...
...let me know where the plot would eventually go, but when one character or another thinks, believes, and behaves in downright awful ways for half or more of a novel, I tend not to feel great about that character as a romantic hero or heroine. Also, I'm all for a fictional couple's embraces and kisses when they're passionate and respectful and the moments feel earned. But this love story had an icky feel to me, largely because the broken hero acts on his libido in a broken way on more than one occasion, bursting into insensitive and desperate physical "affection" that doesn't honor the heroine.
Anyhow. I felt compelled to address all of this because of the overall journey I'm taking with Christian Fiction (a genre that's changing) and because of the social climate we're living in, where we need to tackle some critical issues with open honesty. Nonetheless, this historical fiction lover ultimately enjoyed working through some thoughts and emotions with the help of this interesting story, and I fully intend to read the sequel that features a different main character.
June 4, 2014
Texas Angel was the first book I picked up by Judith Pella. I started it and got bored and put it down before picking it back up again. However, after getting through the first quarter, I couldn't put it down. I found Pella's transformation of the hero, Rev. Benjamin Sinclair, from a jerk to a hero truly compelling. I literally couldn't stand the man at the beginning of the novel. But, by the end he is quite a likable fellow. Great book, and a must read!
January 24, 2014
Rather focused on God, Jesus, but I did love the book and wanted to read on and on. It had that Little House on the Prairie good always wins feeling. I always love that feeling and want it to be true.
January 11, 2016
A Quickie Review
A heartbreaking story, but one that I moderately enjoyed.
Score: 3/5
A heartbreaking story, but one that I moderately enjoyed.
Score: 3/5
March 14, 2020
I loved the main female character Elise. Her life was a horrible disaster but she was courageous and persevered. During the first half of the book, Elise is a slave and as property, used as a prostitute. The last time I read a Christian novel with that much detail in regards to 1800's Western prostitution was Francine Rivers Redeeming Love. I really liked how Elise was introduced to various genuinely Godly people who helped her develop her fledgling faith. Her developing faith ultimately is what turned this story around.
Through most of the book, I absolutely did not like Benjamin. The pages practically dripped with his judgmentalism and self-righteousness. He made the lives of his family miserable. When he suddenly found himself a widower with an angry 13 year old boy, a scared 6 year old girl, a one year old and a newborn and he didn't have a clue how to take care of anyone, I felt just a little sorry for him. Not too much though because of the way he continued to treat his son Micah throughout the story. As horrible as the story seems to be for a very long time, it does get better. Benjamin had to become a completely broken man in order for God to really begin to change him.
The story was very "preachy" which most of Christian fiction shies away from now but was very common in the 90's when the book was written. There's A LOT of scripture quoting (long scripture passages) in this book. I felt like some of it needed to be there, that it really helped in regards to the characters state of mind, but some of it was just too much and hindered the flow of the story. My favorite part of the book was in regards to Benjamin's ministry. He had preached a revival and some local natives showed up... later he runs into the same natives again. They are rumored to be cannibals. During the revival he had preached very intensely about Hell and how our sins will result in us being thrown into the fires of Hell. Later when talking to the natives, one of them wanted to know about Jesus and sin and fire. He asked "Jesus-God going to throw me in fire? He cook me?". It was an honest question but I found the wording hilarious. At this point in the story, Benjamin was a broken man and so his witness to the natives was much more sincere and I think the story could have really taken a different direction if the author had wanted it too. Benjamin believed that God had called him to Texas to minister to the White people but this exchange really opened up for the character an opportunity to be a missionary to the natives instead. The author didn't go that route but that's okay. The last half of the book was much better than the first half and I'm genuinely looking forward to reading the sequel, Heaven's Road.
Through most of the book, I absolutely did not like Benjamin. The pages practically dripped with his judgmentalism and self-righteousness. He made the lives of his family miserable. When he suddenly found himself a widower with an angry 13 year old boy, a scared 6 year old girl, a one year old and a newborn and he didn't have a clue how to take care of anyone, I felt just a little sorry for him. Not too much though because of the way he continued to treat his son Micah throughout the story. As horrible as the story seems to be for a very long time, it does get better. Benjamin had to become a completely broken man in order for God to really begin to change him.
The story was very "preachy" which most of Christian fiction shies away from now but was very common in the 90's when the book was written. There's A LOT of scripture quoting (long scripture passages) in this book. I felt like some of it needed to be there, that it really helped in regards to the characters state of mind, but some of it was just too much and hindered the flow of the story. My favorite part of the book was in regards to Benjamin's ministry. He had preached a revival and some local natives showed up... later he runs into the same natives again. They are rumored to be cannibals. During the revival he had preached very intensely about Hell and how our sins will result in us being thrown into the fires of Hell. Later when talking to the natives, one of them wanted to know about Jesus and sin and fire. He asked "Jesus-God going to throw me in fire? He cook me?". It was an honest question but I found the wording hilarious. At this point in the story, Benjamin was a broken man and so his witness to the natives was much more sincere and I think the story could have really taken a different direction if the author had wanted it too. Benjamin believed that God had called him to Texas to minister to the White people but this exchange really opened up for the character an opportunity to be a missionary to the natives instead. The author didn't go that route but that's okay. The last half of the book was much better than the first half and I'm genuinely looking forward to reading the sequel, Heaven's Road.
February 22, 2023
Married into a successful family, Angela Toussaint Hearne thought the fact that her mother was a runaway slave could be hidden. When her secret is revealed though, the Hearne family disowns Angela and her infant daughter and she is left in great peril as the cruel slave owner who still holds her ancestors seeks to recover his lost goods. Captured, she is forced to make the journey to frontier Rio Grande as a slave.
There she meets Benjamin Sinclair, a New England evangelist determined to convert the lawless Texans with a strong dose of brimstone and retribution. Angela, who discovers God through a borrowed New Testament, shows Benjamin that God may have a better way to draw the people of Texas to Himself.
There she meets Benjamin Sinclair, a New England evangelist determined to convert the lawless Texans with a strong dose of brimstone and retribution. Angela, who discovers God through a borrowed New Testament, shows Benjamin that God may have a better way to draw the people of Texas to Himself.
October 26, 2023
How this book went for me:
*reads a few chapters* “Omg this is kinda crazy”
*reads a few more chapters* “alright, get to the point.”
There were some chapters that I really did find interesting and others that were so incredibly slow.
Also it really bothered me how Elsie seemed to be blamed for so much with she was the victim. Also Ben is so dumb. He could never put 2 things together.
April 22, 2021
BEAUTIFUL! What a stirring account of not only unconditional spiritual love stemming from God to the wounded, flawed beings He made but also of the undying, staunch romantic love of a man and woman - both marred in their own ways! I haven’t read anything so powerful in a long while!
July 15, 2021
4.5 stars. Really enjoyed this one! It reminds me of Redeeming Love and Love Comes Softly.
April 28, 2012
This is not the first time I have read Texas Angel - I bought the book many years ago when it was first released and loved it them. I always find the test of a good title is how long the story stays with you and the esecially good ones never truly leave and you can usually recall them pretty quickly once the title is mentioned.
Such is the case with Elise and Benjamins story. Two poles-apart characters drawn together through common adversity and need. Elise is a woman cast out from her husband and his family when they discover that she has negro blood and then sold to her mother's former slave owner and forced through blackmail harm to her only child into a life of prostitution.
Benjamin is a fully self righteos minster set to turn the world upside down and on fire and saved all at the same time. He dosen't realise, however that in the meanwhile his family are tearing themselves apart through his neglect and cold hearted atitude.
When there paths meat on more than one occasion Elise finds she is drawn to the simple care and love of Benjamin's wife. When she finally escapes her situation she runs to find Mrs Sinclair only to discover that she has passed away and only Benjamin and the children remain.
The two are then thrown together and eventually realise that despite all their differences and former animosities, actually they are simillar than they ever imagined. Yes the format is predictable but I still bought into it 100%. It's a sweet tale and even with it's rather seemy begining it never goes into lyrid detail. Enough to know the degredation without wollowing in it.
Definelty a title for a rainly day when you just want to be wrapped up in a wonderfully warm tale with a incredibly satisfying conclusion.
Such is the case with Elise and Benjamins story. Two poles-apart characters drawn together through common adversity and need. Elise is a woman cast out from her husband and his family when they discover that she has negro blood and then sold to her mother's former slave owner and forced through blackmail harm to her only child into a life of prostitution.
Benjamin is a fully self righteos minster set to turn the world upside down and on fire and saved all at the same time. He dosen't realise, however that in the meanwhile his family are tearing themselves apart through his neglect and cold hearted atitude.
When there paths meat on more than one occasion Elise finds she is drawn to the simple care and love of Benjamin's wife. When she finally escapes her situation she runs to find Mrs Sinclair only to discover that she has passed away and only Benjamin and the children remain.
The two are then thrown together and eventually realise that despite all their differences and former animosities, actually they are simillar than they ever imagined. Yes the format is predictable but I still bought into it 100%. It's a sweet tale and even with it's rather seemy begining it never goes into lyrid detail. Enough to know the degredation without wollowing in it.
Definelty a title for a rainly day when you just want to be wrapped up in a wonderfully warm tale with a incredibly satisfying conclusion.
March 18, 2011
I really struggled to get through Texas Angel. I was completely unprepared for a story with so much detail about the life of a prostitute in the 1830's. It was heartbreaking. I felt like there was a little too much about that part of the story.
The part of the story about Benjamin was interesting, though hard to get into because he started out (and stayed) pious for a very long time.
For me the best part of the story was the last third of the book. Most of everything leading up to the romance part of the story tried my patience and my stomach.
I've read many other books by Judith Pella and have loved them. This one is not one of her best in my opinion.
The part of the story about Benjamin was interesting, though hard to get into because he started out (and stayed) pious for a very long time.
For me the best part of the story was the last third of the book. Most of everything leading up to the romance part of the story tried my patience and my stomach.
I've read many other books by Judith Pella and have loved them. This one is not one of her best in my opinion.
October 8, 2023
#throwbackthursday
Book: Texas Angel
Author: Judith Pella
Monday's theme features a book recommended by a friend. My friend recommended this book to me and at the time it was a new experience for me.
This book brings together so many beautiful themes that can be "taboo" or not talked about as it relates to CF. Angel was half black and sold in to sexual slavery. Benjamin was a complete and utter Pharisee. The way these two lives collided was beautiful, well thought out, and for the time period in which this book was written, I'd say, pretty progressive.
I highly recommend this book!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
Book: Texas Angel
Author: Judith Pella
Monday's theme features a book recommended by a friend. My friend recommended this book to me and at the time it was a new experience for me.
This book brings together so many beautiful themes that can be "taboo" or not talked about as it relates to CF. Angel was half black and sold in to sexual slavery. Benjamin was a complete and utter Pharisee. The way these two lives collided was beautiful, well thought out, and for the time period in which this book was written, I'd say, pretty progressive.
I highly recommend this book!
https://m.facebook.com/groups/scriptl...
March 15, 2010
I liked the beginning of this book a lot. It started out really interesting however, I didn't love the rest of it because it felt too preachy. It is Christian fiction so it shouldn't be surprising, but for me it seemed forced, much more so than the other book I read by this author. If the main character hadn't been a holier than thou preacher through most of the book I might have liked it better.
March 27, 2008
I didn't care for either character in this book. Elise forced into prostitution, escapes to the doorstep of Benjamin whose wife had died and he was now a single father in the western time frame. He hired Elise to take care of his children, they develop a relationship, and the bad people come looking for Elise to return her to her "owner."
Very dull.
Very dull.
October 27, 2009
in my opinion this was a very good book because it gives you insight to how one lived back in the praire and discriminatory ages when if you were a mulatto child/adult you were ridiculed and hated by the rich people..but it also has a flavor of compassion and kindness from an individual that no one would of guessed..
January 10, 2010
This was a great book , it shows the strength you can have even when you don't know it . It's an inspirationl book which I usually don't like , but this one is worth reading . It made me cry and cheer at the same time for all that she went through and how she handled it all . Like I said inspirational . (:
November 11, 2010
I really liked this novel. Pella's characters are a bit stereotypical at first, but develop into real people. The plot is very engaging. A young girl, married to a southern plantation owner's son, discovers she is 1/8 black. She is cast aside and recovered as a slave by her mothers former owner. It's very heart wrenching, but fascinating.
Read
August 26, 2011For some strange reason I really enjoyed this book. I finished this a whie bac ago but wen i close my eyes i cud see the slave girl in the hut tryna make a living n escape the life that she has come to accept was her faith...Its definitely a good read.
October 11, 2008
So far its sad but its getting better.
Read
December 4, 2008YA Pel
February 11, 2010
Set in the 1800's, trials, death and of course a love story. I enjoyed the story, it was easy to read and captured my attention from the beginning.
June 4, 2010
A truly GOOD novel; keeps you interested the whole way through, and I loved the romance between the heroine and the preacher towards the end...two wounded souls finding each other.
September 18, 2010
Serve God, not yourself. Self-righteousness is an act of unbelief.
Read
August 5, 2011Excellent story.
September 11, 2011
An influential book for me, at a very young age! A real blessing and amazing story! One I love to re-read from time to time.
January 4, 2024
I enjoyed this one. It’s a reread but it’s good to read a story about mercy and forgiveness.
November 4, 2012
I read this during the summer. I nice, light read!
Read
December 12, 2012my first judith pella book to read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews