A Cherished Betrothal by Denise Weimer is a Christian Historical Romance. As the third book in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier, this book takes place in the days before the Revolutionary War. When Elspeth Lawrence sets eyes on Alexander Morris, she immediately recognizes him as the one who saved her life during the Long Canes Massacre.

These characters and their family and friends have to overcome a lot in the book in Georgia and the Carolinas. Called to minister to the Cherokees, Elspeth and her father are caught up in scenarios they did not expect or want.

This book will take you through twists and turns to keep you reading and wanting more. The character development and how the author reveals parts of their pasts and presents create a meaningful and realistic view of what life may have been like during that time.

So, if you want a Christian Historical Romance, check out A Cherished Betrothal by Denise Weimer.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

What I think you should know:
A Cherished Betrothal is Christian Historical Fiction by Denise Weimer. It is the third book in the Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series. It is set in the 1775 Frontier of South Carolina and Georgia and can be read as a standalone. This book features Elspth Lawrence, the daughter of a pastor and Georgia Ranger Alexander Morris.

What you might need to know:
This book tries to give an authentic portrayal from a settler’s perspective, it does include both conflict with Native Americans and hostility between the Patriots and the Loyalists. It gives a brutal look at wartime violence.

What I think about this book:
This was such a fascinating book. I appreciate how the author showed the strength and fortitude that was required to survive in the wilds of the colonies. It was very interesting to read the book from the perspective of Elspeth whose father, a pastor, tried not to take sides and instead tried to show God’s love to all people. Alex was a very realistic character, he had lost so much, but grew as a character and a man during this book. As a South Carolina native, genealogy and history buff, I loved this book, the places were familiar to me and the people could have been my ancestors. I can't wait to read more in the series .

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

A powerful story! Survivors of an Indian massacre, Elspeth and her father, a preacher, forgave them and are missionaries to the Cherokee in the area where they live. Alex is a Patriot soldier and doesn't recall the details of when he and Elspeth attacked. A story of love, forgiveness and redemption as well was a story of America. Very real, I found myself wanting to tell my husband when things happened in the story, and could clearly hear their Scottish brogues, nearly slipping and speaking that way myself. Excellent story with strong Christian lessons and faith, beautifully applied. Bravo Alex! I only wish there was a bit more to their tale, that the story had lasted longer.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

#ACherishedBetrothal #DeniseWeimer #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel ( )

Great story with wonderful characters. Loved the time period and the historical facts that made it more realistic. The emotions are raw in the story and draw readers to understand them better. Good story that features Native Americans. I did like the struggle that was felt very strongly when faced with a traumatic event by one of the characters. Her pain was real as she struggled with trying to move forward.

It was difficult to understand how this person could have forgotten the pain he caused and there were moments where anger may have come over the victim. It is a book that illustrates how people looked upon others in a way that was unkind. I think it is important to note that during this time period battles broke out between people from different backgrounds. Forgiveness was hard to deal with as one of the characters still carried bitterness. Overall good story.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. ( )

“If anyone could break this heart of stone in me chest, ye could, lass. But it has been hard for too long.”

“‘A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your
flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.’” Her eyes settled again on his. “What me da said was true. I canna save ye, Alex. Only God can.”

The year is 1775, the place the colony of South Carolina. It is a time of great political uncertainty, as Patriots and Loyalists vie for not only control of the land, but an alliance with the Cherokee, the Native Americans in the area. Denise Weimer, in A Cherished Betrothal, introduces us to Lt. Alex Morrison and Elspeth Lawrence. While both Elspeth and Alex survived a horrific massacre of their neighboring families while children, Elpeth’s reaction is to depend on her faith and idolize Alex, who saved her. Alex’s reaction is to develop amnesia and turn away from the God Who would allow such a tragedy.

What I liked/loved about the book was the early American history including Native Americans and the location, South Carolina. I loved how Alex grudgingly learns to love someone unthinkable, but still struggle with forgiveness.

I loved that Elspeth hangs on to her dream, but want to ask, what if… Alex has married while she yearns for him, what if he never commits to her or Jesus? Or follows Him in a heart-chaging way. I love that Elspeth has to decide if she will release her most precious dreams to the Lord.

The secondary star of the show in this novel is Inoli! How I wanted to help heal him, hug him, show him a better way than the gods he grew up with.

I loved the eventual ending, with a caveat. One specific part of the HEA I thought I wanted, and got, didn’t fit my idea of reality. You’ll have to read the book to see what I mean. And maybe you’ll disagree. The novel would have gotten five stars from me, but I felt there were places it lagged a bit.

Overall, still a great read of the times in South Carolina frontier, preceding the Revolutionary War. A key statement I loved, showing more understanding of the complexity of the conflict between the Patriots, Loyalists, and Cherokee: “That these were people, not monsters. Their anger at the loss of their freedoms ranked no lower than his. Was he not joined to the Patriot cause, fighting for the same reasons as they? Whatever side they took, like the whites who remained divided, they took it for the best chance of preserving that freedom. Their way of life.”

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I also bought my own copy. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“Love your enemies. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”

“Could it be possible to battle even more effectively from a place of righteousness…right standing with God? Would God be the source of strength he could exchange for revenge? And would that lift the heaviness that had followed him for sixteen years? He could not imagine breathing free.” ( )