Rebecca DeMarino

I did enjoy this story, but like a lot it wasn’t a favourite. The first half was better, with fair amount of tension and drama, after that it started getting rather repetitive and just felt drawn out with the constant angst and uncertainty over Patience and Jeremy’s courtship.

The details about everyday life were interesting on one level (and I’m a sucker for social history at the best of times), but again, after a while they did become something of a drag. This was probably due to the somewhat repetitive nature of the story. I found myself skimming a number of parts with fast Text to Speech. I was interested in some of the details about Native American customs and way of life, and some of the historical details. Readers should be mindful that as the author’s note says, this book does not have such a solid founding in the history of the family as the others.

I liked Jeremy Horton, but I don’t think I ever warmed to Patience very much. Her faith in Jeremy was touching, and their relationship seemed genuine. Although, her attitude and behaviour at the end of the story seemed very selfish and bratty. As for the language- well it was interesting. The sea captain Harry was meant to be born and raised in London, but had one of those odd, Ham accents that all lower class British characters seem to have in books like this saying ‘Ye’ and ‘Aye’, regardless of where they are from. It sounds vaguely like something out of Yorkshire, but not really like any accent anywhere in the British Isles.

I was also unsure about the ages of the characters. The Epilogue states Barnabas’ age at death, which would mean he was in his 60s when the story was set, and so Jeremy could not have been far off that, but it seemed to be made out that he way younger. I may have that wrong though.
Despite the niggles though, this was a worthwhile read and a good ending to the trilogy which wraps up everything for the characters, and a good reimagining of the early history of the region. I personally just don’t really care that much for stories set in the Colonial Era.

I signed up for the blog tour of this book, and so received a free e-book edition for the purposes of review. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
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I've got to confess, Colonial America is not my favourite setting. I just find it hard to get on with and identify with, its not really my favourite period either. To be honest, I've yet to find a book set in this time that has been really immersive.
It was interesting that this book was based on the author's family history, who included some of the earliest settlers on Long Island. I do appreciate stories about real people and their real lives. In that regard, it was not a bad book, and it was in interesting story. It just lagged a bit towards the end.

Some of the historical details were also interesting, such as the interactions with Native Americans, and the the practices and customs that crossed between the cultures.

Personally, I did not find Barnabas convincing as a 17th century puritan. I don't hold to the incorrect view that they were all dour, miserable and solemn, but I think Barnabas seemed to be lacking in real convictions.
All he does is complain about the oppression of the wicked government in the manner one might hear about in a schoolroom- but he does not hold to many of the ideas common to puritanism. Indeed, his ideas are very modern and accomodating.

The langauge is also that strange, eclectic mixture of Archaic and modern American English with 'Prithee' used alongside terms like the modern American 'Bakeshop'- British people would not usually call it that. We would say Bakery, or Baker's shop.

Overall this was a good read, and since I have the third book as a review copy I will read it. For the reader interested in the period of the American founding fathers, and speculative fiction on what the lives of the women of the time would have been like, its a good choice


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This book finds a place in your heart! Mary Langton, the main character will take you through every emotion possible. Facing an unbearable marriage to a childhood friend Mary is torn apart. How can she avoid this inevitable tragedy? With her mother gone, she has no allies. She desires love, true love. Will Barnabas Horton be the man of her dreams? What develops over the pages keeps one glued to discover Mary's reality. Her trust in God keeps her hoping and longing. Her eventual marriage reminds me of the way Leah in the Bible must have felt as she watched Jacob grieve Rebecca. As the account moves to the New World I really enjoyed how they made their way in a new colony learning how to live off the land from the Indians. Another move causes them to start all over again. Her new friendships add a deep dimension there yet she still misses the true love she lacks. The way Rebecca DeMarino writes this story each character comes to life . Her words compel you to keep reading until the end. Mary is my favorite and I long with her in her hope for true love. This read has much to offer and I highly recommend it.… (más)

To Follow Her Heart is the third novel in The Southold Chronicles and I loved the culmination of the lives of these characters. Patience Terry has stood by all the families she came over to America with plus the natives they all befriended. She has quietly held a place in her heart for Captain Jeremy Horton and now has heard that his ship shipwrecked off the coast of Barbados with no survivors. Her captivating story of faith and patience adds to the beautiful saga that Rebecca DeMarino has weaved throughout the Chronicles.

The rich, authentic history, the beloved characters, and the detailed life of these settlers who left Europe to establish their own religious freedom creates multiple reasons to read To Follow Her Heart. I kept turning the pages in search of Patience's destiny and was deeply satisfied with the final pages.

I received a paperback copy of To Follow Her Heart from the author for my honest review.
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