I am so embarrassed, apparently I won this finished copy in a contest, probably back in 2011. At the time, I was about four or five books a day and I was putting them on the shelt to read very quickly. When I picked up recently a note card from the author fell out. Dorothy Love requested that I review this but said that there was no obligation! I have finished reading her book and I am belatedly posting a review!

I loved it, it flowed seamlessly from beginning to end and was enriched with historical detail and she developed the two main characters, Ada Wentworth and Wyatt Caudwell that I cried tears for them and hoped for the best for them.

The book is set in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee in 1871 and ending up in Texas. The tensions between the Union Army and the Confederate Army vets were very strong as was Klu Kux Klan showing their presence. Those tensions are still alive in Texas today. Even though, much time has passed, racial harmony at times seems beyond grasp making this a timey book to read right now.

Ada came to the town without much to her name, the house that she lived in burned down, she lost her boyfriend and her father died leaving her without much money. But she did not know why all of this had happened, she was a woman with a past that was a mystery to her own self.

I loved it, it flowed seamlessly from beginning to end and was enriched with historical detail and she developed the two main characters, Ada Wentworth and Wyatt Caudwell that I cried tears for them and hoped for the best for them.

The book is set in Hickory Ridge, Tennessee in 1871 and ending up in Texas. The tensions between the Union Army and the Confederate Army vets were very strong as was Klu Kux Klan showing their presence. Those tensions are still alive in Texas today. Even though, much time has passed, racial harmony at times seems beyond grasp making this a timey book to read right now.

Wyatt Caldwell had hired her with the assistance of a house maid who ran off with her boyfriend. He had a lumbermill but longed to reunite with his father and have a cattle ranch in Texas. There are intricate stories behind both characters and it is Christian historical romance. That suited me fine, the book is subtle, not preachy and you will end up wanted to hug the book. Now I want to buy the next in the series. Thank you, Dorothy Love for keeping me enchanted with this story.

My thoughts and feelings in this are entirely my own. ( )

Dorothy Love spins an interesting of life after the Civil War. Set in Tennessee, the war is over but emotions still run hot. Coming from Boston and trying to establish for herself a new life, Ada is branded as a “Yankee” and thus often disliked on sight. Left alone in the world after the sudden death of her father and aunt, she must make her own way. Now a companion to a cantankerous old woman, she wonders if she has chosen the right path. And her life is further complicated by the man who hired her to take care of his aunt. In this inspirational tale of romance, the author illustrates how the choices one makes can be life-changing, not only for oneself but for others as well. With likable and well developed characters and an intricate storyline, this historical work of fiction is entertaining as well as informative, and will have you reaching for the next book in the series. ( )

BEYOND ALL MEASURE by Dorothy Love is an exciting inspirational historical fiction set in 1871 Hickory Ridge, Tennessee. This is this author's debut into Christian fiction. It is the first in the "A Hickory Ridge Romance". It is written with depth and details.The plot is intriguing,easy to follow,exciting with the charm of the old South.The characters are enchanting,charming,engaging and will capture your heart. It has romance,faith,healing,the struggles of the aftermath of the Civil War,trust,community,dreams,forgiveness,painful past,betrayal,the charm of a small community,misunderstandings, fear,hate,h,and finding love after the sacrifices of war. Ada Wentworth,is penniless,and has lost that she holds dear.She must find a job and travels to Hickory RidgeTennessee from Boston to become a Lady's companion. Ada stills has dreams of her own. Wyatt Caldwell,local lumber mill owner,kind,ex-war veteran,a,his Aunt Lillian is who Ada is a Lady's companion,and he believes Ada coming to town was Providence,but he has dreams of his own. While Ada and Wyatt fights their attraction,they must learn to trust each other and let go of the past. This is my first time reading this author but it will not be my last. While this is a Christian historical fiction is not "preachy".It does have the underline message of faith,hope and God's plan for our life. A must read for any historical,romance,inspirational,post civil war,and Old South readers. A keeper. This book was received for review from the author.Details can be found at Thomas Nelson. ( )

I enjoyed this book. I believe that this is the author's debut novel and I think she did an impressive job for her first published work of fiction. The main character was headstrong and had problems- without seeming irritating or unlovable to the reader. The main male figure in the store, Wyatt, was strong, dependable and likable. I have to say, the idea of including the KKK as the main protagonist in the story was original and interesting. I also enjoyed reading about the rifts between the North and the South.The only thing that I had trouble with was the pacing of the book. I felt as though all of the big climactic scenes were within the last 20 pages of the book- that left little drama for the reader. Also, some of the reasoning behind the decisions that the main character made were a little unclear. All in all, this was an enjoyable book and I look forward to reading more of this author in the future. ( )

I’m not entirely sure how I felt about this book. Was the story enjoyable? Yes, but within means. Ada, our heroine, wasn’t an entirely likeable character in the beginning, but her personal growth added to the story. Wyatt on the other hand, was a charming southern gentleman from the beginning. But there was the problem, he was annoyingly so. It was unrealistic to think that he could be so good natured and unwaveringly kind, even in times that the pair clash. And can I just say, what man calls a woman he loves my dear friend? That term of endearment slipped under my skin from its first emergence and every time is reappear, more often than I would ever wish it to, it just annoyed me more. Dorothy Love is a wonderful writer, but really Ms. Love, that is not romance. I want to rate this higher because I think it was beautifully written and the flow kept my attention despite the issues I had with the actual plotline, but it was nothing special. It fits the same formula of so many other novels, destitute woman with a dream who falls for a man that is different from everything she’s wanted, but has everything she needs. And in the end, they work past their differences and make it work. ( )