~ REVELL READS AFTER THE SHADOWS ~

 ~ HISTORICAL FICTION FEATURE ~ --  'AFTER THE SHADOWS'  -- AUTHOR AMANDA CABOT

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A brighter future awaits--if she canescape the shadows of the past

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight,but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcomeand comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died undermysterious circumstances. Then the house where the handsome new schoolteacher,Craig Ferguson, and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless.When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boardinghouse, her sister isso incensed that she leaves town.

Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined tosolve the mystery of her father's death--and to aid Craig, despite her fears ofmen. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovativeteacher, and an unexpected ally. As they work to uncover the truth, they justmay find the key to unlock a future neither could have imagined.

"If you love stories with interesting historical backgrounds, convincingcharacters, and compelling plots, Amanda Cabot's After the Shadows is a bookyou won't want to miss."--Ann H. Gabhart, bestselling author of When theMeadow Blooms

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Amanda Cabot

Amanda Cabot is the bestselling authorof After the Shadows, as well as several historical and contemporaryromance series, including Mesquite Springs, Cimarron Creek Trilogy, TexasCrossroads, Texas Dreams, and Westward Winds. Her books have been finalists forthe ACFW Carol Awards, the HOLT Medallion, and the Booksellers' Best. She livesin Wyoming. Learn more at www.amandacabot.com.

 

EXCERPT:

LINK TO EXCERPT COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER

 

TRAILER:

LINK TO TRAILER COURTESY OF THE PUBLISHER

 

REVIEW:

 

A touching story filled with faith, family, healing, and anunsolved mystery . . . 

I havehad the pleasure of reading several of this author's previous historicalromances, and this story is a strong kick-off to her Sweetwater Crossing series.Set in 1882 Texas, the story takes place in a small town namedSweetwater Crossing where things are not always as they appear.

Thelead female character, Emily Leland, has returned to her family's home after ayear away. Tragedy strikes the small family again, and Emily's life is sentinto yet another tailspin for the third time in a short time. When she learnsthat her family's home--Finley House--is in dire financial straits, sheimmediately springs into action to resolve the issue.

The newschoolmaster, Craig Ferguson, and his two-and-a-half year old son, Noah, arrivein town at the worst possible time. They are both grieving and want to begin anew life. Mr. Ferguson's teaching skills are effective, but his disciplinarymethods are questioned by many of the town's leaders and citizens. Noah isa lively addition to the story as his antics bring humor to the story at muchneeded points in the story.

Oneaspect of this story I found unique and which I greatly appreciated was theinclusion of a developmentally delayed twelve-year-old girl, Beulah, in theplot. Beulah was a delightful girl who wanted to attend school. Because of theinterference of some of the town's adults and one classmate in particular,things did not always go smoothly for this sweet girl.

Themystery which unfolds in the story was heart-wrenching for Emily and many othersin the town. Craig and Emily work together to solve the mystery so that theperpetrator can be stopped. In the meantime, the pair forms an undeniable bond.

Thefaith thread is strong and runs through the entire story. This book iscompletely clean in language and content. Fans of historical fiction andhistorical romance will appreciate this author's skill at immersing her readersin the time period and setting for her story.

 

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher through their Revell Reads Blogger Program. All of my thoughts and opinions shared here are solely my own.
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