STORY-LINE LOVE’S CHANCE BY EMILY MURDOCH:
Katherine, aka Kitty, Morrison’s life went to Hades in the last three years. Running off at sixteen with Mr. Ernest Gilman, life did not proceed as she thought it would. Now considered a fallen woman, prostitution’s her only option. Working day and night, finally, a man comes into her life who knows someone in Sweet Grove. Sweet Grove, where her sister Elizabeth purchased land; how ironic, that Thomas Bryant and Katherine, searching for the same thing, will team up as man and wife in a marriage of convenience. Traveling from Nacogdoches to Sweet Grove, Texas will they become a united couple?
Sweet Grove represents forgiveness, second chances, and security. Thomas, however, has an agenda of his own; alienated from his family and ashamed of his behavior, Thomas has his own insecurities. Will these two find what they need? Can love bloom or will love once again be a let down for Kitty? Will Sweet Groves occupants welcome them or turn them away in horror? My romance book reviews of Love’s Chance follows.
CHARACTERS, PLOTTING, DEVELOPMENT:
The Sweet Grove Series by author Emily Murdoch grabs the reader immediately as Murdoch penned an emotional heart grabbing tale of second chances, forgiveness, and love. How sad the only option open for a fallen woman in 1841 is to prostitute herself for survival. I felt Kitty’s desperation and sorrow in the house of prostitution. While Thomas feels shame for his past and the things he did to his family; each emotion’s pungent. Murdoch‘s descriptive writing’s vivid; I could see the people, the smell the odors, and feel the emotions of Thomas and Kitty.
Thomas’ conflicted emotions as he tried to come to term with Kitty’s past, I found wrenching. He’s torn by the shame he feels because of her occupation.
“Am I to be shamed by every man in Texas? Was there no one that you did not give yourself to”?
Yet, Kitty had no more options than he did in his past occupation. Kitty did not know Thomas’ secrets; a shameful past he regrets. But will he show leniency to Kitty and regard her situation as unavoidable? Or will scorn and shame be Kitty’s lot in life? Thomas must come to terms with how many men have known her in the biblical sense; if he has enough strength of character, accept and forgive. I found Kitty’s strength of character endearing; she’s down but never out; she does not withhold her opinions stating them clearly and with zeal. Thomas’ basically a good man who made bad decisions, yet, has a second chance at life and happiness; if he’s willing to grab it with both hands.
Emily Murdock skillfully built the suspense in Love’s Chance. Her writings are clear and easy to follow with pacing perfect for the length of the book. I found the characters well-developed, the plot intriguing and scenes which transition smoothly. I would not hesitate to buy this book for myself or a friend. All of your questions are not be answered in Love’s Chance; leaving opportunities for further exploration of Bryant family members. When Love’s Chance ends, it titillated the reader; this is a new series with future books to come. Book two will feature Thomas’ brother, Jonathan. I am sure Murdoch will dive into the story-line and answer some of those pesky questions.
LOVE’S CHANCE RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY, PLEASE NOTE
Additionally, I received this book from the author and chose to review the book with honest romance book reviews voluntarily. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews online and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary romance book reviews.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR EMILY MURDOCH:
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