Souls of Valor

by Trudi Jackson

Elizabeth Randolph is a newly baptized member of the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She has left all she knows behind in Boston, Massachusetts to become a teacher in a one room schoolhouse in Grays Lake, Idaho. Elizabeth struggles to adjust to her new home and is starting to succeed when Alex Cannigan, an embittered, former soldier wounded in a battle in the First World War, crosses her doorstep.


Elizabeth attempts to help Alex overcome his pain by teaching him about God. As trust slowly develops between the two, a devastating pandemic sweeps the world killing millions. Alex and Elizabeth both learn that the only way to pull themselves from the darkness is to follow God into the light.

348 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2010

Reviews

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Souls of Valor by Trudi Jackson

This stunning debut historical novel by Trudi Jackson, Cheri Crane's younger sister, was a big page-turner. I felt like I was right there experiencing everything that was happening.

This story takes place during the First World War in the deep trenches of France. When Alex Cannigan, an embittered former soldier who was injured in the war, crosses Elizabeth Randolph's doorstep in Gray's Harbor, Idaho, both their lives change in ways neither expects.
Elizabeth leaves her home in Boston when her family and those around her scorn her for joining The Mormon Church. She finds the answer to her prayers by an ad in the newspaper for a schoolteacher in a one-room schoolhouse in the middle of nowhere. She learns how to take care of herself, faces the elements with courage, faith and determination, even to tangling with the children she teaches.
When Alex has issues with believing in a God who allows pain and suffering, Elizabeth attempts to teach him about God's love. When both Elizabeth and Alex find trouble with a couple of outlaws, they get their friends to help them thwart them.
When Elizabeth finds her father sick with the Influenza, she goes to his bedside. With this epidemic sweeping all over the world, with people of all ages and from all walks of life being stricken, Elizabeth and Alex are overburdened with challenges.
This is a sweeping historical novel with deep characters throughout, making you come to feel close to them. Trudi has done an outstanding job of writing about this troubling time in America's history. I guarantee you will treasure ths book as I did. Bravo, Trudi!!!
I received my revew copy from Granite.

Published by: Granite Publishing & Distribution LLC
Date Publishing: March 2010
ISBN: 978-1-59936-051-5
349pp

[Jennie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's much to savor and love in this book. The historical research that high lights the lives of people during World War I is well done, particularly the descriptions of the Spanish Flu epidemic. The characters are interesting, but never felt real to me and there's too much dependence on coincidences and misunderstandings. In spite of thse shortcomings, the book is well worth the time I took to read it.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. The historical portion of it was incredible- well researched and fascinating. The characters were very likable and the story was intriguing. I was very frustrated with the lack of communication and misunderstandings between the main characters and that distracted from the story at many points in the book. It was still a very good story and just seemed to need a better edit.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It was interesting to read a story set during World War 1 and the Spanish Flu epidemic.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story shows how people can live in a world full of suffering and still find peace through the gospel. It was uplifting and not depressing even though the subject matter was heavy.