The Edge of Light (At Home in Beldon Grove Series #1)

A Story of Strength, Survival and Surrender

Molly McGarvie, the heroine of Ann Shorey's debut novel The Edge of Light, exhibits strength, determination and self-reliance. When her husband, Samuel, dies of cholera, leaving her with three children and a fourth due soon, she searches for a way to provide for them. When Samuel's scheming brother forces her out of the family business, she begrudgingly accepts her brother's offer to start over again in Beldon Grove.

En route to her new home, tragedy strikes once again, leaving Molly reeling. When she goes into labor, she's forced to accept the help of Dr. Karl Spengler, the very man she blames for causing her further heartbreak. While Molly struggles with her lack of forgiveness and shoulders burdens she's reluctant to surrender to the Lord, Karl is plagued with guilt. Can these two overcome their differences, allow God to bring healing, and give love a chance?

Shorey has created likable characters and does a great job throwing hurdles in their paths. I ached for Molly and Karl and longed to see their situations improve. This need kept me turning the pages. Since Shorey focuses heavily on Molly's struggle and her day-to-day life, I hungered for the few scenes when the reader gets to know kindhearted Karl. Being a fan of traditional romance, I would have liked to see more interaction between Molly and Karl.

The Edge of Light is well written. Shorey does a fine job of depicting life in 1838 Missouri. Her story takes the reader on an emotional journey they won't soon forget. If you're a fan of historical inspirational fiction, I recommend Shorey's debut novel. If, like me, you find her to be an author who delivers a satisfying read, you'll want to look for the upcoming books in the series, At Home in Beldon Grove.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good reading for a rainy day!

Ann Shorey has given us a good story that feels true to the time period in which it takes place. It does have religious overtones, but they are central to the completion of this families journey. I will be reading more of this series.

Great

Love the romance novels set in the 1800's

Terrific!

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Excellent clean read!! Page turner.

Somewhat predictable, and totally fictitious, but with enough twists in plot to keep you turning pages. I love a good ending and this book delivered!!!

I liked the book

I have read a lot of historical romance with a christian inspired quality. This book had a good story line. I did feel for the heroine and all she went through. However I do think it was too much for this small book.

OUTSTANDING Book

This book made me cry, I acked for the mother and the trial she went through. This is defently a keeper for your Nook Libuaryt

Little over the top for my tastes.

This was a free book, which often times I'm so drawn into the free books I choose to purchase another book by the author. This time I have no desire to continue on with these characters. This book had potential, but unfortunately, I found myself, saying "Oh come on already" after each predictable tragedy.

The West Can Be Hard

Molly's story gives a glimpse of how difficult living in the West must have been. When her husband died, many would have just given up but she kept going strong for her children. Even though things kept going downhill, she never stopped because it got too hard. Frontier life was very hard and she somehow managed to survive and take care of her family by herself. It's a very inspiring and motivating story. I would have been so angry and bitter towards her brother in law and would have wanted to wish a thousand deaths on him. She however learns not to give in to vengeance and while she is angry, she moves on and does not let it consume her. It was also an interesting aspect of the story to focus also on slavery during the time period. Usually Western stories and slavery don't usually mix so it was a nice change to see them integrated. There was one scene that made me want to gag as it involves a stick and an eyeball. That was the first time I've read something like that in a book and it caught me off guard and made me shiver.

While I enjoyed the book very much, there were times when I felt the story to be cliched and a bit predictable. I felt like I had read the plot before in other historical Christian fiction novels and that I knew what was going to happen. The way some of the characters acted felt like I had seen them before. Also the way the how Westward experience was portrayed such as the portrayal of Native Americans, slavery, and just Western frontier life in general seem to play up the "myth of the West". There's nothing wrong with how it was portrayed, it just seem like there was nothing new to add and it just added to the stereotype of Western life. I just didn't feel that anything new or innovative added to the subject. However, as I said, I did enjoy this book. Even though the story was familiar, it was comforting. Molly is a strong women and I enjoyed reading her story. I will be looking forward to the next book in the series.

Storytelling at it's best..

Synopsis:

It is the summer of 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, and Molly McGarvie's life is about to change forever. When her beloved Samuel succumbs to cholera, Molly is heartbroken but resolves to take care of herself and her children.

When Samuel's unscrupulous brother takes over the family business and leaves Molly to fend for herself, she knows she must head out on her own. It is a dangerous journey, and along the way she must face the loss of another family member. Somehow she must find a way to make a living, restore her family, and fend off some overeager suitors.

****
Review:
Ann Shorey's debut novel will grip and tug at your emotions from beginnning to end. The story is true to the time period, where many women found themselves widows with children and having no where to go. Molly has a choice to marry someone she may not really love, but can give her security or follow her heart and forgive a doctor that brought her heartache. The struggle she has managing children, work and her own social life is reflective of how women today have to find that balance in their lives too. It just amazes me how much 'life' hasn't changed that much in all these years.
The writing is strong and easy to read, which makes reading the book go very fast! I was done way too soon! This is the first book in the series "At Home in Beldon Grove" that Ann Shorey will be writing. I can' wait to read the next one. If you are looking for a book that shows how determination and strong-will can pull you through almost anything, this is the book you show read!

If you like Little House on Prairie or Janette Oke's, you will enjoy this

Molly loses her husband to cholera. Molly decides she is going to try to make it on her own. But then her brother-in-law steps in and takes away the business from out from under her and leaves her without her house. So she writes a letter to her brother and asks him for help moving her near him. It is hard to live with her brother and she moves into her own place. If you have ever been a widow or a single Mom trying to do what is best for your kids, you will understand the hardships. However I never have but I still understood how hard it is for all Mom's trying to provide for and protect their children. Molly's brother helps her out as some families do.
This is a book you won't be able to put down. It only took me two days to read it.
I have always enjoyed reading about the West and how families survived in the old days. It is a book to encourage and lift you also as you face many problems in your own life.
A must have.

an engaging inspirational historical romance

Edge of Light
Ann Shorey
Revell, Jan 2009, $13.99
ISBN: 9780800733308

In 1838 in St. Lawrenceville, Missouri, Samuel McGarvie dies from cholera. He leaves behind a loving pregnant wife Molly and three children. With the help of Betsy the slave, Molly hides her grief as she knows she must be strong for her shaken children (Franklin, James, and Luellen).

Samuel¿s brother Matthew arrives intending to bring back to his home to Illinois his sister-in-law and his two nephews and niece. However the stubborn widow makes it very clear she will not remarry although several men seem interested in her. When Franklin goes missing on the journey east, Molly turns to God to help find him while one persistent suitor Karl falls in love with the feisty skin ripping widow but focuses on helping the kids as he assumes he has no chance with her.

The first At Home in Beldon Grove is an engaging inspirational historical romance with the emphasis on the era through the cast. Without preaching Ann Shorey makes the case through her deep characters like Betsy and her enslaved almost husband Ruben that God has room for everyone. Fans will enjoy EDGE OF LIGHT, a wonderfully inspiring early nineteenth century Americana.

Harriet Klausner

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