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Leaving Lennhurst #1
Love Covers: Elias
Strangers hiding their life-long secrets. Pretending to be married can’t be that hard.
Leaving Lennhurst Asylum 1: Elias Browne
The town of Greenlock shuns the daughter of the mortician. How deplorable, that Lauren has to take over the duties that are her father’s. Day after day the work creates loneliness in her tender heart that spurs despondence.
Then a voice speaks from the morgue basement. A rough and tumble outlaw who's supposed to be dead is still alive! For some unfathomable reason, Lauren agrees to help him stay dead.
Elias had escaped from Lennhurst Asylum, where he was born and raised. Since he had no family or future, he was taken from his prison sentence, enlisted in the recent Civil War and trained to wield explosives to further the cause. From running and surviving all his life, all Elias could ever promise anyone was loyalty. Love was out of the question. When Lauren mentions her longing to see her mother and sister in Colorado, for loyalty’s sake, he offers to take her on the arduous wagon train journey. Of course, it wouldn't be proper not to be married while traveling together. Therefore, Lauren and Elias, so vastly opposite, agree to pretend to be married during the months of difficult travel.
Loyalty versus love. Can these two find truth and acceptance in their hearts? Can love cover a multitude of sin?
Love Covers is a gratifying love story of lives changed, and of healing and restoration while on a dusty trail west.
Leaving Lennhurst Asylum 1: Elias Browne
The town of Greenlock shuns the daughter of the mortician. How deplorable, that Lauren has to take over the duties that are her father’s. Day after day the work creates loneliness in her tender heart that spurs despondence.
Then a voice speaks from the morgue basement. A rough and tumble outlaw who's supposed to be dead is still alive! For some unfathomable reason, Lauren agrees to help him stay dead.
Elias had escaped from Lennhurst Asylum, where he was born and raised. Since he had no family or future, he was taken from his prison sentence, enlisted in the recent Civil War and trained to wield explosives to further the cause. From running and surviving all his life, all Elias could ever promise anyone was loyalty. Love was out of the question. When Lauren mentions her longing to see her mother and sister in Colorado, for loyalty’s sake, he offers to take her on the arduous wagon train journey. Of course, it wouldn't be proper not to be married while traveling together. Therefore, Lauren and Elias, so vastly opposite, agree to pretend to be married during the months of difficult travel.
Loyalty versus love. Can these two find truth and acceptance in their hearts? Can love cover a multitude of sin?
Love Covers is a gratifying love story of lives changed, and of healing and restoration while on a dusty trail west.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2018
276 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Julia David
15 books76 followersJulia David is an avid reader, writer and communicator. Married and mother to five, Julia works with pregnant and parenting teens. Her first historical series, Mighty One has readers enjoying this fresh voice in Inspirational Romance. When taking time away she enjoys camping around the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
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March 7, 2019Uh, okay, that was enjoyable odd.
November 9, 2018
When I started Love Covers: Elias I didn't have any expectations, as I've never read a book by Julia David before and didn't know her writing style. I was pleasantly surprised when right from the beginning chapter my attention got hooked and I was fascinated by the plot.
I liked the characters. I felt for the heroine and how scary it would be to have someone who was "supposed" to be dead talk to you. I liked the romance too.
All in all, Love Covers: Elias was a good read and I am eager to read the next book.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I liked the characters. I felt for the heroine and how scary it would be to have someone who was "supposed" to be dead talk to you. I liked the romance too.
All in all, Love Covers: Elias was a good read and I am eager to read the next book.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
February 15, 2019
If Elias and Lauren had a tagline, it would probably be "desperate times call for desperate measures." Each has survived extreme difficulties and unusual family situations since childhood, but they have only barely survived. At the start of the book, they are frayed and hollow. Their plot to join a wagon train heading west is a desperate attempt on Lauren's part to make a better life for herself and reconnect with her mother and sister, and on Elias's part his way of repaying a debt he owes Lauren.
I have raved before about this author's creation of wonderful characters before, and I will do it again. Lauren and Elias start out as people I would want to steer clear of: Lauren is bitter, brash, desperate and empty, and I must admit that if I faced her as she is in the opening pages I would be at a loss as to how to interact with her. Elias is a wanted criminal, and I did not share Lauren's sympathies or hope towards him. As they travel on the wagon train, however, they begin to change. As they experience freedom, dependable friends, and prairie air they are also introduced to God in a way they had not known possible. While the Gospel is never clearly presented and I have a few niggling issues with the way theology is used and almost manipulated for certain situations, the foundation is there and is what Lauren and Elias need most.
Of course, as Lauren and Elias spend so much time together and learn each other's personalities in new ways, they fall in love. The romance and respect displayed is admirable in a situation where those around them already believe them married. It understandably takes the entire journey to break down the walls and fears created by their past experiences and self-preservation; I appreciate that their romance is not sudden, and that they must work together to figure out how things are going to work. Furthermore, Elias respects Lauren's mother and her requirement that he wait to marry Lauren once they reach the end of their trail. This proves an uncommon maturity and loyalty, despite the fact that he lacked examples of anything positive in his childhood.
Diversity is also a major component of this story. For example, Lauren is the daughter of a mortician, which is not exactly the most common back story. Elias grew up in an asylum without his parents. Lauren's parents are separated, which is rare for the time. In the wagon train alone there are Mormon sister wives, an African American couple transporting former slave families to new lives, and a family wanting to breed and raise dogs for money. None of these things are common in historical romance stories, though they certainly are realistic. These characters are well written, too; although some are not as fleshed out as others, such is the nature of a story. The reader learns some about each situation, but not everything. The representation adds rich support to the story.
Extended review posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
I have raved before about this author's creation of wonderful characters before, and I will do it again. Lauren and Elias start out as people I would want to steer clear of: Lauren is bitter, brash, desperate and empty, and I must admit that if I faced her as she is in the opening pages I would be at a loss as to how to interact with her. Elias is a wanted criminal, and I did not share Lauren's sympathies or hope towards him. As they travel on the wagon train, however, they begin to change. As they experience freedom, dependable friends, and prairie air they are also introduced to God in a way they had not known possible. While the Gospel is never clearly presented and I have a few niggling issues with the way theology is used and almost manipulated for certain situations, the foundation is there and is what Lauren and Elias need most.
Of course, as Lauren and Elias spend so much time together and learn each other's personalities in new ways, they fall in love. The romance and respect displayed is admirable in a situation where those around them already believe them married. It understandably takes the entire journey to break down the walls and fears created by their past experiences and self-preservation; I appreciate that their romance is not sudden, and that they must work together to figure out how things are going to work. Furthermore, Elias respects Lauren's mother and her requirement that he wait to marry Lauren once they reach the end of their trail. This proves an uncommon maturity and loyalty, despite the fact that he lacked examples of anything positive in his childhood.
Diversity is also a major component of this story. For example, Lauren is the daughter of a mortician, which is not exactly the most common back story. Elias grew up in an asylum without his parents. Lauren's parents are separated, which is rare for the time. In the wagon train alone there are Mormon sister wives, an African American couple transporting former slave families to new lives, and a family wanting to breed and raise dogs for money. None of these things are common in historical romance stories, though they certainly are realistic. These characters are well written, too; although some are not as fleshed out as others, such is the nature of a story. The reader learns some about each situation, but not everything. The representation adds rich support to the story.
Extended review posted on Reviews From the Stacks.
December 7, 2018
Interesting
Interesting tale of wagon trails and blossoming love. But, authors, please please please edit your work! So many editing mistakes such as unclosed quotation marks, a multitude of simple spelling errors (eg peak instead of peek) characters names changing back and forth (Ida Mae/Ida Bell), spelling of character's names (Chrystal/Crystal) etc. Maddening to readers, and shows little respect for them or your own work.
Interesting tale of wagon trails and blossoming love. But, authors, please please please edit your work! So many editing mistakes such as unclosed quotation marks, a multitude of simple spelling errors (eg peak instead of peek) characters names changing back and forth (Ida Mae/Ida Bell), spelling of character's names (Chrystal/Crystal) etc. Maddening to readers, and shows little respect for them or your own work.
March 14, 2022
The book blurb of this story grabbed my attention and intrigued me, as it was nothing like I had read before. Sure enough, I was riveted by the relationship between the small town funeral director’s daughter, Lauren Campbell, and Elias Browne, a man with a questionable past. Each had their own dreams and reading about how they went about achieving them made for a captivating read. Wagon train life came with its own hardships and to read how these characters developed individually, interpersonally and spiritually made for quite an engrossing tale. The slowly developing romance was so sweet and realistic while inspirational messages of trust, hope and second chances were a beautiful part of the narrative. I love it when I find a new new-to-me author whose backlist of books I can’t wait to read and I highly recommend this book for readers of Christian historical romance!
January 10, 2020
Great Christian Historical Fiction
Love covers mostly takes place along the trail of a wagon train. Several folks traveling west were running away from their old life and starting fresh. This book dealt with love, faith, forgiveness, trusting, etc in God. Along the way of the wagon trail true friends were formed and they were taken at face value without judging what their former lives were like. A lot of the travelers were looking for true freedom not just free to do or be who they wanted but also freedom from past sins. A great read and will be starting the next book in this series.
Love covers mostly takes place along the trail of a wagon train. Several folks traveling west were running away from their old life and starting fresh. This book dealt with love, faith, forgiveness, trusting, etc in God. Along the way of the wagon trail true friends were formed and they were taken at face value without judging what their former lives were like. A lot of the travelers were looking for true freedom not just free to do or be who they wanted but also freedom from past sins. A great read and will be starting the next book in this series.
November 9, 2020
Unusual
What do you say about a mortician's daughter, who has basically taken over the business, who feels friendless because of her profession? It is historical fiction, set in the 1800s, but that hardly covers it.
The fact that she wants to see her mother, who left her father and moved to Denver from Ohio, sets the stage for a fake marriage to travel by wagon train with a former "client". Yes, the mortician's FORMER client.
I'm sure many wagon trains had diverse groups, but the beginning four wagon group would be at the top of the list
It is a lovely, touching, clean story, with some violence, and don't miss the hymn lyrics at the end.
What do you say about a mortician's daughter, who has basically taken over the business, who feels friendless because of her profession? It is historical fiction, set in the 1800s, but that hardly covers it.
The fact that she wants to see her mother, who left her father and moved to Denver from Ohio, sets the stage for a fake marriage to travel by wagon train with a former "client". Yes, the mortician's FORMER client.
I'm sure many wagon trains had diverse groups, but the beginning four wagon group would be at the top of the list
It is a lovely, touching, clean story, with some violence, and don't miss the hymn lyrics at the end.
August 7, 2020
Help me
A beautiful refreshing love story full of suspense, surprises, and adventures. The characters are awesome an outlaw, a beautiful mortician’s daughter, and friends they make on the wagon train. They face many dangers, difficulties, and hardships, but never gave up. Their emotions are so strong you feel them, suffer the dust, weather, and unpredictable people they encounter. Their love grows as the miles they travel, the friendships, and faith in God develops to make them worthy of each other.
A beautiful refreshing love story full of suspense, surprises, and adventures. The characters are awesome an outlaw, a beautiful mortician’s daughter, and friends they make on the wagon train. They face many dangers, difficulties, and hardships, but never gave up. Their emotions are so strong you feel them, suffer the dust, weather, and unpredictable people they encounter. Their love grows as the miles they travel, the friendships, and faith in God develops to make them worthy of each other.
August 7, 2020
A different love story
I love the premise of Elias and Lauren’s story. An outlaw waking up in the morgue and the woman mortician who saves him.
Is a wasted life worth saving? Can a dead man rise above his circumstances to be the man he was always meant to be?
This is a tender tale of unconditional love and redemption. Two misfits who find that they fit perfectly together as they travel to the western territories.
All the characters had their own distinct personalities that added to the overall feeling of the story. I recommend it.
I love the premise of Elias and Lauren’s story. An outlaw waking up in the morgue and the woman mortician who saves him.
Is a wasted life worth saving? Can a dead man rise above his circumstances to be the man he was always meant to be?
This is a tender tale of unconditional love and redemption. Two misfits who find that they fit perfectly together as they travel to the western territories.
All the characters had their own distinct personalities that added to the overall feeling of the story. I recommend it.
August 13, 2024
Captivating unique plot when Lauren, the daughter of a compromised mortician has to take over for her father. When the sheriff brings in three dead outlaws, she is beyond shocked to realize one was still alive. Faking his burial, he promises to help her escape to Denver City when her mother and sister now resides. Pretending to be married, they join a wagon train for their dual escape. Despite Elias being a hardened orphaned criminal, Lauren somehow softens his heart during their trip. With a different twist, this wagon train adventure maintains one's attention throughout.
July 23, 2021
Sweet
I was a little iffy when I first started to decide to read this book. I was pleasantly surprised. What a great little story. Good character development. My husband and I took a road trip out west a few years ago and when I saw the terrain and rivers the westward settlers crossed, I was simply amazed at how truly difficult their trek was. I was in an air conditioned car and I was getting tired sitting in the car! This is a great read.
I was a little iffy when I first started to decide to read this book. I was pleasantly surprised. What a great little story. Good character development. My husband and I took a road trip out west a few years ago and when I saw the terrain and rivers the westward settlers crossed, I was simply amazed at how truly difficult their trek was. I was in an air conditioned car and I was getting tired sitting in the car! This is a great read.
December 3, 2018
Touching Story
Of redemption and love. Lauren and Elias are in very different ways captives. The reverend and his family have been slaves, but now they are free --sort of.
Lauren and Elias work to find their ways,,as do the sisters on their way to Utah and the war profiteers fleeing their guilt.
This fine novel could have stood more work, but it's acceptable.
Of redemption and love. Lauren and Elias are in very different ways captives. The reverend and his family have been slaves, but now they are free --sort of.
Lauren and Elias work to find their ways,,as do the sisters on their way to Utah and the war profiteers fleeing their guilt.
This fine novel could have stood more work, but it's acceptable.
December 27, 2018
Very touching story
Loved this book! I can see a bit of myself inside Lauren, as I am sure most of us do at one time or another. The story is well written and keeps you glued to its pages till you are done. My husband had to get my attention by tapping me on the arm at one point as I was so engrossed in the story I didn't hear him asking me a question!
Loved this book! I can see a bit of myself inside Lauren, as I am sure most of us do at one time or another. The story is well written and keeps you glued to its pages till you are done. My husband had to get my attention by tapping me on the arm at one point as I was so engrossed in the story I didn't hear him asking me a question!
December 9, 2019
Super poor editing
The story is good. I cared about Lauren and Elias, and they were believable. Unfortunately, the editing and the transcription into Kindle were atrocious. Ungrammatical sentences, etc. that I have to believe were original, as well as run on sentences and misused homonyms from the kindle edition made it a struggle to read.
The story is good. I cared about Lauren and Elias, and they were believable. Unfortunately, the editing and the transcription into Kindle were atrocious. Ungrammatical sentences, etc. that I have to believe were original, as well as run on sentences and misused homonyms from the kindle edition made it a struggle to read.
September 6, 2020
Very informative
Lauren gets a surprise when one of the men on her ice slab turns out not to be dead Eiasis agreed to take Lauren on the wagon train to Denver city. You get some information on how the wagon train worked Lauren and Elias fall in love and face some obstacles ends with a hea
Lauren gets a surprise when one of the men on her ice slab turns out not to be dead Eiasis agreed to take Lauren on the wagon train to Denver city. You get some information on how the wagon train worked Lauren and Elias fall in love and face some obstacles ends with a hea
March 22, 2021
Our main couple have a unique meeting and a have not quite bonded in friendship when they set off together to join a wagon train west.
The main part of the story brings them together in a bunch of misfit families on a wagon train that forges them into a cohesive team. It was wonderful to see the changes and growth from strangers to friends and family.
The main part of the story brings them together in a bunch of misfit families on a wagon train that forges them into a cohesive team. It was wonderful to see the changes and growth from strangers to friends and family.
April 6, 2021
A captivating read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Written about people who have not had easy lives but continue to push through and start afresh. Wonderful characters throughout the story all with different backgrounds and experiences but with a persistent faith in God. Julia David writes very well with a lot of humor and wit. Thank you for a great reading experience.
April 7, 2021
An amazing story of endurance and faith, hope and love.
This wonderful story filled with adventure faith, hope and love is the most amazing story I've ever read. I recommend it highly promising you an amazing opportunity to enjoy everything about it. Congratulations, you're an excellent writer. Thank you for the opportunity to read your wonderful writing.
This wonderful story filled with adventure faith, hope and love is the most amazing story I've ever read. I recommend it highly promising you an amazing opportunity to enjoy everything about it. Congratulations, you're an excellent writer. Thank you for the opportunity to read your wonderful writing.
September 26, 2021
Not my usual genre, but I loved it!
I usually read sci-fi, fantasy or paranormal books. Something with a lot of action, sex and romance. But this story totally delighted me. Reading about people traveling out west by wagon train in the post Civil War period was fascinating. Beautiful romantic story and Christian message melded together beautifully.
I usually read sci-fi, fantasy or paranormal books. Something with a lot of action, sex and romance. But this story totally delighted me. Reading about people traveling out west by wagon train in the post Civil War period was fascinating. Beautiful romantic story and Christian message melded together beautifully.
April 18, 2022
This is an interesting study in human nature, insecurity, and feelings of unworthiness that can surround a young person because of their past. Though a bit lengthy at times (nobody goes from Ohio to Colorado by covered wagon overnight!) it shows the joys and struggles of two young people trying to move forward and gradually growing up and in love. Wonderful ending and great characters.
February 17, 2023
Lovely Lauren and her Elias 💞
What a should stirring story! This book captured my attention and kept it…I barely got anything done as I couldn’t put it down!
I can’t imagine the pain and agony suffered by Elias. How horrible those institutions must’ve been back then. But God had plans for this young man!
What a should stirring story! This book captured my attention and kept it…I barely got anything done as I couldn’t put it down!
I can’t imagine the pain and agony suffered by Elias. How horrible those institutions must’ve been back then. But God had plans for this young man!
August 12, 2024
Great story!
What a wonderful story. Sometimes life throw us a rough deal, we go through hardships and pain. Can we change, can we become responsible, can we learn to love? This story covers so much ground, learning who we are to the Lord is the most important truth that it gives us. So much to think about out in this story, it was very good.
What a wonderful story. Sometimes life throw us a rough deal, we go through hardships and pain. Can we change, can we become responsible, can we learn to love? This story covers so much ground, learning who we are to the Lord is the most important truth that it gives us. So much to think about out in this story, it was very good.
March 12, 2019
Our past is not our future
What a story, I was caught up in it immediately.
What a dark beginning and what joyful end. Everything that God allows to come into our lives He will use for our good and His glory if we trust Him and allow Him to.
What a story, I was caught up in it immediately.
What a dark beginning and what joyful end. Everything that God allows to come into our lives He will use for our good and His glory if we trust Him and allow Him to.
May 6, 2019
Awe inspiring
What a lovely an novel. This is truly this most uplifting book I have ever read. The hardships of the wagon train in a covered wagon were so important to the way it lead to a romance between two broken souls. I hope there are more in this series
What a lovely an novel. This is truly this most uplifting book I have ever read. The hardships of the wagon train in a covered wagon were so important to the way it lead to a romance between two broken souls. I hope there are more in this series
December 16, 2019
Beautifully written romance
This story touches the heart with the straightforward tale of a young man whose background is heartbreaking. His strength shows through in the love and care given to others.
This story touches the heart with the straightforward tale of a young man whose background is heartbreaking. His strength shows through in the love and care given to others.
August 9, 2020
A child brought up in a terrible place comes to a great love!
What a great story! Your heart goes out to these two people put into a crazy amount of circumstances and comes out with a strong faith and a stronger love!
What a great story! Your heart goes out to these two people put into a crazy amount of circumstances and comes out with a strong faith and a stronger love!
August 10, 2020
God's love so deep and wide
The tale is so beautifully written and the characters develop so well. There are trials and tragedy but joy comes in time. l love Lauren's resilence and their happy ending
The tale is so beautifully written and the characters develop so well. There are trials and tragedy but joy comes in time. l love Lauren's resilence and their happy ending
January 4, 2021
I have given up on so many books lately that I made myself finish this one. It had a great start, but after that, it's not very good. It has a lot of grammatical and spelling errors in it and that always annoys me as well.
February 11, 2021
My Musings
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The characters are delightful and the plot is emotionally charged. I am so glad I found this book on Kindle Unlimited and can't wait to read the next one in this series.Happy ☺reading 📚!
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. The characters are delightful and the plot is emotionally charged. I am so glad I found this book on Kindle Unlimited and can't wait to read the next one in this series.Happy ☺reading 📚!
February 20, 2021
Dead Comes to Life
This sweet romance deals with second chances and overcoming fears and negative traits due to the past. Great, diverse characters in this story. I enjoyed the plot and the ending.
This sweet romance deals with second chances and overcoming fears and negative traits due to the past. Great, diverse characters in this story. I enjoyed the plot and the ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews