Book Review and Giveaway: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1 by Rita Gerlach

This story starts with much potential but ends sadly out of tune.

Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1
by Rita Gerlach

File Size: 1682 KB
Print Length: 338 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1426714149
Publisher: Abingdon Press (February 1, 2012)
ASIN: B0071OOAVI
Genre: Historical Fiction; American Revolution
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
(INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL FICTION / HISTORICAL DRAMA)
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father's estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar's daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward's path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

"Filled with true-to-life characters whose struggles will linger with readers long after the last page is turned, Before the Scarlet Dawn is a memorable story of Revolutionary War-era England and America." - Amanda Cabot, author of Summer of Promise"Rita Gerlach has written a colorful historical with a feisty heroine on a search for survival, romance, and a place to belong." Cynthia Hickey, author of the Summer Meadows mysteries
"Ms. Gerlach's unique literary prose has once again captured my heart with a stirring tale of love and loss, desperation and hope during one of the most uncertain times in American History--the Revolutionary War. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!" - MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Dawn"A stirring story of love and its consequences, Before the Scarlet Dawn will draw you in from the start and not let you go again." ~ Roseanna M. White, author of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland and Jewel of Persia
"While reading Before the Scarlet Dawn, you'll travel back in time--and from England to Maryland--without ever leaving your easy chair! This is a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and  hearts. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!" Loree Lough, best-selling author of more than 80 award-winning books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor

Review:
Eliza, a rare beauty, and her maid, Fiona, face living on the streets when her father, a Vicar, dies. Still, Eliza refuses the offer of marriage from the local nobleman whom she doesn’t love but throws herself at Hayward, her childhood crush. Hayward is home from the colonies to wed a proper British bride. He has offered for a young lady of his station who refuses to move to the colonies. Eliza assures Hayward that she will follow him anywhere and that she is young, strong and brave enough to face the new world. Hayward, struck by her beauty and determination, reluctantly agrees that they will wed with the understanding that he will never offer her love.

Hayward, raised with the prejudices of the British aristocracy, was that taught that giving your heart to a woman would weaken a man. He had some misgivings about taking a mere Vicar’s daughter as wife, but he figured her beauty would make up for her lack of social standing. Hayward appreciates her strength and willingness to stand by him when he leaves their home on the Potomac River to fight for the Patriots. He has grown fond of her and is jealous when other men, especially a neighbor gentleman, Halston, shows her attention, but he is not going to give her his heart.

Hayward leaves at the birth of their first child and is away for almost five years without even sending a letter home. Halston, who is enamored of Eliza, comes to the aid of her household, even saving her life from extreme danger. When Eliza receives a message that Hayward has died on a horrible prison ship she runs, blind with grief, into the arms of Halston. The consequences are disastrous.

News comes that Hayward is alive and he comes home to his wife and daughter. He also finds another young woman and a two year old child, living and helping on the farm. Hayward has been hardened by war and is even haughtier about class levels than he was before he left. He treats everyone rather harshly and when he discovers Eliza’s secrets he is unwilling to forgive.

He sends Eliza to his mother in England, but Eliza arrives to discover she is abandoned. She despairs, fearing she will never see her daughter again. She nearly freezes in a field but is rescued by a kind man who takes her in.

This book started out well and I was interested to read details of the colonies, the hardships of wilderness living and even the horrors of the revolutionary war. The dynamics between Eliza and Hayward allowed for tension and growth in the relationship. Unfortunately in the second half of the book Eliza acts contrary to her values and new characters pop up that didn’t fit the earlier facts. I was disturbed by her "clinging" to Hayward but more disturbed when her actions go far afield especially considering her faith in God. Finally she seems to lose her backbone altogether. Even accepting that she is "only human", this was just too much of a character slide. I initially had some sympathy for Hayward’s misguided rearing but that sympathy quickly died in light of his cruel pride.

The ending chapters bring some relief to Eliza’s circumstances, but it is not a happy ending and is clearly unfinished with events to follow in the second book. I questioned the title as it seemed nothing more than a phrase the author liked and used but with no real significance. And I (we*) questioned the “Daughters of the Potomac” tag as it might fit book 2 but not this book, which started and ended in England.

Rating this is a bit difficult as I (we*) wanted to like it and started out enjoying the writing style and plot premise. It is just too bad that it went astray (no pun intended). The book club ladies agreed that we want inspiration - not depression - when we finish a book.

I purchased this book at discount price for Ladies' Book Club. *We all had the same reactions.

ONE PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

US Only

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!
I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR

OR

(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) April 24, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after April 24, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Audible Book Review: Dog Tags by David Rosenfelt

This is a wonderfully entertaining lawyer with dog series. There is always a good legal plot and snarky humor.
Dog Tags
Written by: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner

Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
Series: Andy Carpenter, Book 8
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:09-02-10
Publisher: Listen & Live Audio
Genre: Legal Mystery with Dogs
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
A German Shepherd police dog witnesses a murder and if his owner - an Iraq war vet and former cop-turned-thief - is convicted of the crime, the dog could be put down.
Few rival Andy Carpenter's affection for dogs, and he decides to represent the poor canine. As Andy struggles to convince a judge that this dog should be set free, he discovers that the dog and his owner have become involved unwittingly in a case of much greater proportions than the one they've been charged with.
Andy will have to call upon the unique abilities of this ex-police dog to help solve the crime and prevent a catastrophic event from taking place.
David Rosenfelt, a native of Peterson, New Jersey, is a graduate of NYU. He was the former marketing president for Tri-Star Pictures before becoming a writer of novels and screenplays.
©2010 David Rosenfelt (P)2010 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Review:
Andy Carpenter is a very shrewd lawyer. He is independently wealthy so he doesn’t have to work too hard which suits him just fine. He loves dogs and he and his friend, Willie, an ex-con whom Andy helped release, set up a dog rescue called the Tara Foundation (named after Andy's golden retriever.)

Billy is a former cop who lost his leg while serving as a soldier in Iraq then came home to no job. He adopted his old police dog, Milo, and re-trained him to help steal to make a living. They were quietly waiting for a mark who was meeting for an apparent exchange. Milo leaps in to grab the envelope at the same time as the man is shot and the shooter turns the gun on Milo. Billy foils the shot towards the dog but ends up knocked out at the scene, next to the gun and with gun shot residue on his hands. Billy becomes the prime suspect for the murder especially when the police realize that the murdered man was the army commander responsible for Billy’s injury. Milo is captured and locked in a cell with guards.

Andy is asked to represent Milo and get him released from incarceration. Billy is sure that the dog will find the envelope and that it will prove his innocence. Andy can’t let a dog stay in jail so he takes the case and springs the dog. One thing leads to another and soon Andy is representing Billy against the murder charges. Andy’s investigation begins looking at the army security team that was responsible for allowing the bomb attack in Iraq. During the trial a thug tries to kidnap Milo, threatening Willie’s wife, which brings out the ire in Willie. It is clear there is more going on than a simple robbery and murder. Slowly the evidence points to other murders, missing people, greed and corruption.

Andy sets his intrepid team of investigators to the task. His sweetheart companion, Laurie, is recovered enough to get back into PI work. His usual research expert has gone off on a mission trip but left a recommendation for Andy to use Hike. This fellow is an “always see the worst” sort but he turns out to be a great researcher. Andy’s brilliant accountant friend, Sam, who can hack any computer line, steps in to follow the money and the phone trails while Marcus, the intimidating human eating machine, guards Milo.

There is plenty of action and I loved the plot twists, the dog and human involvement and the usual underlying snarky humor that is a Rosenfelt forte. I didn't realize I was several books behind and I will be very glad to catch up. If you haven’t read this series I do recommend starting from the beginning - I think you’ll enjoy the fun run with the dogs.

Audio Notes: Grover Gardner does a great job with this series. It had been a while since I listened to an Andy Carpenter mystery but as soon as this started I felt right at home. Grover manages just the right inflection for the intensity and humor of the story I completely enjoyed the narration and highly recommend this series on audio.

This is a book I picked up at Audible in January. It qualifies for Audiobook Challenge.

It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 13, 2015

This meme starts at Book Journey! In case anyone is not aware, Sheila's younger son, Justin, was killed in an accident on April 4. Right now the family is dealing with the tragedy and their grief. I am not sure when she will get back to setting up IMWAYR links. Meanwhile my prayers continue for her family.


What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I had a good work week with a couple of small closings and preparing for a big closing next week. I finished the week working on taxes to be filed next week. I was finalizing records Saturday and didn't even think until I came home that I hadn't posted a review during the day. 

I enjoyed my reading last week although I only finished one audio and one eBook.  I posted three reviews (one with a giveaway) so I stayed up to date. I also posted the usual memes. :-)

I visited blogs early in the week and I did get to visit a bit more late in the week.
Thanks as always to all the nice people who visit me.

These were last week's posts:

• It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday April 6, 2015.

• Book Review: A Hope Remembered by Stacy Henrie; Historical Romance, WWI; my rating 4.25

• Audible Book Review: The Maze Runner: Maze Runner, Book 1 by James Dashner; Teens, Thriller; my rating 4.0. 

• Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway April 10, 2015. Open Worldwide. Ends 4/16/2015.

• Audio Book Review: All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terril; Teen, Sci Fi Thriller; my rating 4.0.

• Sharing Beyond Books #198 Comment Giveaway 4/11/15; Open Worldwide. Ends 4/18/2015.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement April 12, 2015 - Happy Resurrection Day.

Finished Reading:

1. Audible/MP4

Dog Tags
Written by: David Rosenfelt
Narrated by: Grover Gardner
I really enjoyed this plot and the humor.
Click on book title for full description.

2. eBook/Kindle

Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1
by Rita Gerlach
We read this for Ladies' Book Club. It had good points and not so good issues. I will post a review this week. 
Click on book title for full description.

I did watch two books made into movies this week too: 
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments Book 1) by Cassandra Clare -- I read the third book, City of Glass. I certainly wish I had read book 1 as it would have helped me understand book 3 better.

Ender's Game
Ender's Game (The Ender Quartet series Book 1) by Orson Scott Card -- I read this maybe 10 or more years ago at the encouragement of my son. I never did get around to reading the sequels and had been thinking I should re-read book 1. I enjoyed the movie which helped me remember the book.

Currently reading:
1. eBook/Kindle

Shadow Study (Soulfinders)
by Maria V. Snyder
I am 60% along on this adventure and enjoying the danger.
I hope to post the review this week.
Click on book title for full description.

2. Audible/ MP4

Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1
Written by: L. L. Muir
Narrated by: Jim McCance
I selected this through AudioBook Jukebox 
because it sounded like fun.
I am really enjoying it!
Publisher's Summary
If he unmasks her, she's as good as dead....
As the mysterious writer who exposes gentlemen's secrets, it is not the first time The Scarlet Plumiere has been hunted. But this time it's different. This time, she interferes with one of the Four Kings, and the brotherhood will not rest until they marry her off and place her securely under a man's thumb. Only they have to catch her first.
The Earl of Northwick is falling for this writer, sight unseen. Will she be pretty? Will she have all her teeth? In his rush to claim her for himself, regardless of who she might ultimately be, he places her in grave danger - her desperate enemies are watching closely for the moment her mask is removed.
Blood for Ink is a full-length Regency romance and is the first of four novels in The Scarlet Plumiere Series. The sequel is Bones for Bread and an excerpt is included at the end of Blood for Ink.
©2012 Lesli Muir Lytle (P)2012 Lesli Muir Lytle

3. eBook/Kindle

The Fire Sermon
by Francesca Haig
I am looking forward to this book I received through NetGalley.
Book Description
Publication Date: March 10, 2015
The Hunger Games meets Cormac McCarthy’s The Road in this richly imagined first novel in a new post-apocalyptic trilogy by award-winning poet Francesca Haig.

Four hundred years in the future, the Earth has turned primitive following a nuclear fire that has laid waste to civilization and nature. Though the radiation fallout has ended, for some unknowable reason every person is born with a twin. Of each pair, one is an Alpha—physically perfect in every way; and the other an Omega—burdened with deformity, small or large. With the Council ruling an apartheid-like society, Omegas are branded and ostracized while the Alphas have gathered the world’s sparse resources for themselves. Though proclaiming their superiority, for all their effort Alphas cannot escape one harsh fact: Whenever one twin dies, so does the other.

Cass is a rare Omega, one burdened with psychic foresight. While her twin, Zach, gains power on the Alpha Council, she dares to dream the most dangerous dream of all: equality. For daring to envision a world in which Alphas and Omegas live side-by-side as equals, both the Council and the Resistance have her in their sights.

I am reading The One Year Bible again along with my husband and others from our church. I am also listening to the companion commentary online. -- Really enjoying my Bible reading. It seems my eyes are open to more details and meaning. To go a step beyond the Bible reading I am also reading Jesus Daily 365 Interactive Devotions.

April Scheduled -
4/23/15 Fringe Benefits by Sandy James Blog Tour Review
4/28/15 Sinfully Yours (The Hellions of High Street) by Cara Elliott Blog Tour Blitz
4/30/15 The Brass Giant: A Chroniker City Story by Brooke Johnson Blog Tour

I am still focusing on reading NetGalley titles and TBR titles for the next couple of months.

I posted three reviews last week so I am still up to date. :-)
I am (very) slowly reading the waiting NetGalley titles in between the new ones.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs.  This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Leslie of Under My Apple Tree, Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit and Vicki of I'd Rather Be at the Beach. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I received two audio review titles, one print win book and selected two Audibles with credits..
I downloaded more free kindle titles to my library.
(Although I have gotten to a couple, I still have many author requests, old and new ones, to consider and reply to.)
 Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

I received two audio books from AudioBook Jukebox:

Blood for Ink: The Scarlet Plumiere Series, Book 1
Written by: L. L. Muir
Narrated by: Jim McCance
I selected this through AudioBook Jukebox because it sounded like fun.
See the full description above under current reading.

Trident's First Gleaming: 
A Special Operations Group Thriller
Written by: Stephen Templin
Narrated by: Brian Troxell
Former SEAL Chris Paladin leaves SEAL Team Six to become a pastor, but CIA spook Hannah Andrade pulls him back into Special Operations Group, the ultra-secret unit...

Won

Another book I won From Mary's Bookfan:

The Bookseller: A Novel
by Cynthia Swanson
"A provocative and hauntingly powerful debut novel reminiscent of Sliding Doors, The Bookseller follows a woman in the 1960s who must reconcile her reality with the tantalizing alternate world of her dreams."
This is hardcover no less - I haven't had one of these in a while. :-)
Thank you Mary and Cynthia.

Purchased

I selected these two audible titles with my March credits - they both had high ratings and look very interesting!
Stolen Songbird
Written by: Danielle L. Jensen
Narrated by: Eric Michael Summerer, Erin Moon
"As Ccile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer's daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever."

Predator One: A Joe Ledger Novel

Written by: Jonathan Maberry

Narrated by: Ray Porter
"Joe Ledger and his team begin a desperate search for the secret to this new technology and the madmen behind it. But before they can close in, the enemy virus infects Air Force One. The president is trapped aboard as the jet heads toward the heart of New York City. It has become Predator One."

Free

Over the past week I added only 44 free Kindle titles to my library. Titles found linked through Bookbub, Bookfun, Ereader News Today, Free Par-tay, Ignite Your Book, Inspired Reads, Pixel of Ink or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement April 12, 2015

Our Sunday School teacher had gone with another friend to visit Pastor E in Haiti. Our Band of Brothers, consisting of about 20 men from 7 different churches, has been contributing to help Pastor E build a church. The local representatives said they were received warmly and treated like visiting royalty which embarrassed them. Fortunately one of the pair speaks French (another piece of God’s orchestration) so he was able to interpret during the visit. The report we received this morning was good news indicating that the nearby Voodoo worshippers have been backing off in response to the show of God’s work and power through the support of American brothers and sisters. Pastor E and the growing congregation ask for prayers and financial assistance.

Haiti is a very poor country and has few resources left after stripping its own forests and suffering damage from hurricanes and earthquakes. The area we are supporting is a good four hours away from Port of Prince which gets most of the financial aid and mission attention. Our American men are determining the best way to get the supplies there to build the church, at which time we expect to have a wonderful mission trip!

We had lovely praise and worship singing in service and a good message from our Pastor that I will save for another day.

We sang this song in worship this morning and I loved the words so I located a version to share.

Forever - We Sing Hallelujah by Kari Jobe.

(There is another version showing the live performance at this link.

A Verse for Today:
1 Corinthians 15:55 (NIV)
55 “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?”

I am so thankful that God's LOVE overcame the power of death! Lord, help us to show Your love daily to others.

Sharing Beyond Books #198 Comment Giveaway April 11, 2015

Hello again on Saturday night and Welcome to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB!

I hope everyone is having a lovely spring and good weather. We did have showers today but the trees are growing and flowers blooming.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.

Six people do not participate in a sport and three others didn't say. The most popular sports for us are swimming (5) then walking/hiking (3). Other sports mentioned were running, volley ball, golfing, mini-golf, badminton and bike riding.
Sports we like to watch include the Olympics (4), Hockey (our Canadian friends! 4), Gymnastics (2), football (2), baseball, cricket, tennis, horses/jumpers, soccer and ice skating. Nice variety and it is interesting that the selections are a bit regional. :-)

~~~~

The Winner from SBB #197 comments is: #4 Carol L who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated ARC/Review titles or (not yet updated) Love titles - all linked near the end of the post. I'm hoping to update the book choices this week. Please let me know your choice by completing the (new) WINNER FORM.

WEEK #198 (One Question.)

Q1. nrlymrtl asks: Several of my friends/family have had their taste in entertainment change as they age; i.e. no longer enjoying action movies. Have you noticed a significant change in your reading tastes as your age??

A: This is a good question and I have to say "Yes, I think so". I find myself reading at least as many sci fi and action stories now as romance.  I also find I prefer to pick romance with suspense, mystery or history... although I can still enjoy some small town romances too.

Image found at Everything Teaching! Pinterest

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! We still have a supply of questions but from the same people so hopefully others will send more in -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify to use.

Your turn to share:

Q1. nrlymrtl asks: Have you noticed a significant change in your reading tastes as your age??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the  Valentine and "Love" books or the February 2015 Newly Updated ARC/Review List. (My daughter pulled several of the Christmas titles to give with gift bags we made up for the nursing homes. I still have to go back and update that list with what is left and a few new titles to add.)

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on either of the two questions above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday April 18, 2015 at 5 PM  central.