The Solitary Envoy

Heirs of Acadia #1

by T. Davis Bunn, Isabella Bunn, Davis Bunn

Book 1 of Heirs of Acadia, continuing the story told in the bestselling Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn Song of Acadia series. Erica Langston's comfortable home and loving family living near Washington, D.C., carry no outward hint of the sorrows and fears faced by her Acadian forebears, but she will soon discover that similar determination and fortitude will be required of her. When the British once again invade the nation's capital and leave death and destruction in their wake, Erica is left to deal with the creditors circling around the crumbling family business. It seems her only recourse is to travel to England to collect on outstanding debts held in British banks. Arriving in London at the home of the United States ambassador, Erica is gradually immersed in a secret mission that brings her face-to-face with her most feared and reviled enemy. She discovers that Gereth Powers is part of a group of Christian activists headed up by William Wilberforce himself. Along the way, Erica comes to realize her faith has been more cultural than real, and her spiritual journey becomes far more signi?cant than her journey over the ocean.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Also writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.

Reviews

[Twyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give a half star if I could. I even tried to like it more. The first half of the book was thoroughly enjoyable; it was quietly spiritual. And then it turned. AT the halfway point I was really put off by the pushiness of the religious aspect. At the three quarter point I was like: "wait a minute, people don't talk like that and I can't imagine people talking that way either". I was also put off by the pushiness of "friend", "honesty", and something else. Sure those are great qualities, but they were thrown at you so often and emphasized like they had multiple exclamation points before and after each use the the speaker was gritting their teeth and spitting the words out harshly kind of thing. if that makes sense. The romantic aspects of this were very ... cold; to say the least. Very cold. The authors were adept at painting a picture of the times though; I'll give them that. And it wasn't the picture you normally get of regency novels. There is one other thing I wanted to mention. The horrible vague (very vague) veiled threats & I can't remember the word back and forth between people and establishments was offputting. If you're going to do something don't just say "ima do something about that ifn you ain't do whats i want". Its gotta be at least a little specific-er. And I didn't like the whole Ghandi-William W comparison either.
Ok maybe I take back that I'd give it an extra half star.

[Talia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yay! The saga continues... it doesn't pick up with Nicole and Anne' stories, sadly, but the family tale is still continued. We hear a little bit from Anne Crowley in her older age, but that is the only one from the beginning series.

Erica wants to help with the family business and maybe one day take it over for her father. However, her mother is not too pleased and is resistant to her daughter and husband's ideas of her being involved.

The new set of characters are vivid in color. Reggie and Erica are probably my favorites so far.

This story isn't mainly romance, so if you don't really care for the lovey-dovey types of stories, I think this one would be suitable for non-romance readers. It's there, but it's not the main focus of the story. Most of the romance or love story happens during the second half. It's not uber mushy either, more subtle, I guess you could say.

One kiss, non-descript. No cursing. Very clean. The romance was sweet.

Overall, it was an interesting book. I didn't understand some of the government talk and some of the banker situation, but that's okay. It wasn't such a big roadblock in the story that I couldn't enjoy the book.

The plot had a lot of extra-ordinary threads that wouldn't have tied up so well maybe in real life, particularly since the main character was given a lot of access to things that maybe she wouldn't have had access to "back then" (as a woman, mainly, but even as a normal non-governmental/powerful person as well). If that sort of thing bothers you, I'd skip this book.

I've never read a book that had a storyline like this before. So for me, it was different enough to be interesting.

3.5 stars.

[Shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simply put I was extremely bored 95% of the time and the other 5% I was amused by the unrealism and the predictability, as well as rolling my eyes at the cheesy romance. The only good character was Gareth, and even then he wasn't great. I feel like he tried to hard to make good characters and they ended up being too dramatic. And Erica cried a lot and I was annoyed. When the main character is sad the reader should be too but I was more exasperated.
I had a hard time getting through it. The only other book by Bunn I've read I never finished because it was so boring. He is not my favorite author.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable book; I was always sorry when I had to put it down and do something else, which is one of the things I use to decide whether a novel gets 4 or 5 stars. Set in the early 1800's, there is tragedy, triumph,and a romance along the way. The authors were adept at making you feel what that period of time might have been like, and there was enough going on in the story that it did not get dull. I will definitely read the rest of this series.

[Crysti Is A Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book!! I very much recommend!!

[Erica Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Heirs of Acadia series continues the story that began with The Meeting Place a generation before. Focusing on Nicole’s granddaughter Erica Langston, the characterization in The Solitary Envoy is wonderful and the historical research is impeccable, but the plot is at times a bit meandering.
The fact that my name is Erica threw me for a few chapters, haha, but I eventually got used to it and ended up really connecting with Erica’s character. Her character development is wonderful, and the romance is somewhat understated but sweet—Gareth is an awesome character and I really fell for him. And Abigail is absolutely precious and hilarious—she’s such a well-written little girl, she just jumps off the page and her personality and voice is exactly like that of a real-life outgoing eight-year-old. Erica’s story is woven throughout the historical context in a very interesting way, starting off with an event during the often-forgotten war of 1812 which drives her for the rest of the book.
I found it interesting how people and events such as the war of 1812, abolitionism in England, and the Dissenters were worked into the plot (featuring an appearance by William Wilberforce)! The research is awesome and the setting really gives the reader a feel for the time period.
The plot…doesn’t seem to have a clear focus throughout the book. While Erica’s goal of reclaiming her family’s money is a driving force, it meanders off into other goals, which work well enough into the story, but I feel the whole story could have had a stronger unifying thread and better structure.
But all in all, I did enjoy the continuation of this family’s story.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting and the plot. The historical details were well-researched and interwoven with the action, but there were times of info-dumping and extraneous detail especially in the beginning. The religious aspect was a miss for me. The MC seemed to be unsaved, but there was no point of salvation, just reformation and recommitting to a belief in God. One sentence would have been enough of a conversion here. The romance factor was a bit of a stretch and the ending a bit rushed, but I was very glad the novel had a solid, satisfying ending instead of the "to be continued" feeling in many historical Christian romances. The writing was solid overall. Far superior to many in this genre.

[Carol Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been sitting in my kindle for ages. I am pretty sure it was offered free at some point on Amazon. I just loved this book. Set in around the time of the war of 1812, the main character is a woman who faces great problems. She ends up meeting William Wilberforce (a great Christian man in parliament who was crucial in the anti-slavery movement), and learns to trust in God. There is history, romance, and tons of moral traits portrayed. Now I have another series to finish! I give it five stars. No swearing, or sexual content, some violence as it relates to war. I can recommend for teens and up

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

It might have been a little preachy, but it is so much better to read this kind of literature than a story with foul language and gratuitous violence. If I want that, I can just watch Jerry Springer. I think it's important to read a story with flawed characters that learn how to overcome those flaws. And as much as people try to reject religion, the only real way to overcome our problems within ourselves and others is by having a strong faith and trying hard to practice it.

[LeeAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. as I began it, I expected a work of historical fiction set during the War of 1812 with Christian romance elements mixed in. I'm not sure, now that I've finished the book, how I should classify it, but I can say I enjoyed it greatly.

[Michael Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was engaging, even though predictable. Erica made a slightly far fetched though likable protagonist. The probability of a young woman inheriting a business and running it before the changes in inheritance law in 1860 is rather small, especially when a male heir was available. However, in reading it with my wife, it was quite enjoyable. The 3.5 stars are mainly due to the misrepresentation of William Wilberforce's views concerning the Manchester riots and using Wilberforce to resolve Erica's financial dilemma was just too convenient. Engaging story, but the historical errors pulled me out of the plot.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Book/Series by Davis Bunn so i wasnt sure what to expect but i have to say i throughly enjoyed The Christian Noblity and Histroical Aspects of this Series.

The Characters were so interesting and intriguing to read about. It was hard to pick just one favorites since i seemed to enjoy all the characters.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in The 1820s London England while reading, especially when the scenery was described.

Overall a very enjoyable and intriguing Book 1 in this Historical Christian Fiction Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!

[Sharon Eikenberry-Deary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Erica Langston was a girl her father taught her the business of a mechant. When Washington came under seige of the British army her father was killed. When she decided to go to England to get the money back from the the bank who took the money from her family. What she never thought was she would gain friends, a family, and the love of God.

[Mary Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, the historical aspect of the Acadian Saga Series was enlightening and filled with spiritual wisdom. (The Solitary Envoy, The Innocent Libertine, The Night Angel, The Noble Fugitive - Falconer's Quest) The Anit slavery movement during the Post-Revolutionary War era included settings from America to London.

[Martic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story though it did drag a bit in parts. Because of its time period in the Regency era , being mostly after the close of the War of 1812, the dialog was “ quite proper” as well so listening to it with mostly British accents was tiring at times. Nevertheless, this is not a time period with which I am very familiar so all the historical events were fascinating.

[Allan67 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I read to Diana. We can't do much anymore after her stroke, so I read to her to spend time together. Diana has always loved to have someone to read to her - and I like to do just that.

[Donia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel gave me some insight into how a few American's and English experienced the War of 1812 . I found that part of this novel interesting. The first half of the story made more sense and was written with more clarity than the second half which came across choppy and confusing.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the way this story was more than a romance - it's also a beautiful journey of faith. (The conversation about vengeance was incredible!) And bringing in historical figures like the great William Wilberforce was icing on the cake. Another predictably great read from the Bunns.

[Diana C. Kobylak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story set amidst animosity between England and the United States. William Wilberforce is a driving force later in the story. Tis a story of friendship, loss, forgiveness, perseverance, and diplomacy.

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book out of curiosity. I enjoyed reading this book because of the drama and the romance. I loved that the story was set during the War of 1812. I thought the novel was well written. It is a must read.

[LaGail Lenoir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

Very good and clean reading for Christians of any age. Gripping! Couldn’t wait to get to the next book!! Found I couldn’t put the book down with only one chapter left!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed - looking forward to the rest of the series.

[Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Historical fiction at its best! I was hooked and read the entire series.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I finished it, but for me, this book was a little slow. Interesting history and decent plotline, but the characters seemed flat. Definitely hallmark worthy, however!

[Kelli Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but may seem repetitive

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindle unlimited freebie

[Stephanie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

superb historical fiction

To readers who like social justice, beautiful descriptive language, a bit of suspense and romance this is a must read.

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book well enough to finish it, but I found it somewhat tedious.

[A.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the character growth, though I felt like Erica was a little too perfect, and her name wasn't in use during this time period, which annoyed me! I enjoyed the faith elements, and the authors kept me captivated till the end.