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Book Review: Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love & Giveaway

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Beyond All Measure is the debut inspirational fiction novel by Dorothy Love and one I have to say I enjoyed immensely. These are the type of stories that I love to curl up with and lose myself in for a day which is exactly what I did. These novels always leave me feeling hopeful and I love that in a book.

Ada Wentworth has lost a lot in her young life – her mother, her father, and her fiance; not to mention all her money and possessions. Not wanting to become a mail order bride she accepts a position as a lady’s companion in Tennessee. What Ada still holds onto strongly in spite of all this loss is her independent spirit. She’s a strong woman who you won’t likely find swooning. She refuses to give up which is why she heads out so far away from her home to start a new life. Her biggest hope is to someday open her own millinery shop and do what she loves the most – make fancy hats.

When Ada arrives in Hickory Ridge she is met by Wyatt Caldwell who she later learns is her boss. She also learns she is to be the only one caring for eighty year old Lillian Caldwell who can be more than a handful. Ada is also a Yankee and one has to keep in mind that this novel takes place shortly after the Civil War and Yankee’s weren’t all that welcome in the South. For Ada, not everyone in Hickory Ridge gives her a very warm welcome.

Wyatt owns the local lumber mill and is quite successful and respected in Hickory Ridge. He’s never seen anyone as beautiful as Ada and he just can’t get her out of his thoughts. Ada too feels a strong attraction to Wyatt but she just can’t let herself be hurt again. Yet the more time she spends with Wyatt the more drawn to him she becomes. Lillian is always telling her to trust in the Lord. He will lead her in the right direction. Has God brought her to Hickory Ridge for a reason? Is that reason Wyatt and the young orphan Sophie? The more time that Ada spends in Hickory Ridge the more she realizes she likes it there and the people begin to accept her and she makes friends. Still there are some evil forces in Hickory Ridge and they are determined to rid the town of Ada.

Beyond All Measure is so full of great characters and is such a heart warming story. Ada is a character I was drawn to because of her will to always keep going forward as well as her caring attitude towards the people she cares about. Wyatt is easily described as the gentleman of the novel. His love for Ada shines through and while he’s not perfect, he’s pretty close. By far my favorite character was Lillian. She was cranky and loved to complain but hey she was eighty and entitled. She was charming to me and I loved to hear what she might come out with next.

Beyond All Measure is the first in the Hickory Ridge series and I can’t wait for the next installment. If they are all as good as the first one I’ll have a new series to follow. If you like Christian and inspirational novels then you’d love this one. It’s a feel good story that was a joy to read although there are also a lot of serious issues tackled in the book as well. I did not find the Christian elements overwhelming; what I did find is that faith shines through in every page of this book.

I read Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to visit Dorothy’s website as well as find her on Facebook and Twitter. You can purchase your own copy of Beyond All Measure here in the US and here in Canada.

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry just leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday,  December 10/11.  Good luck everyone!

Source: Review copy provided by TLC Book Tours and the Publisher. I was not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are my own.

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Comments

  5. The cover alone is enough to interest me in this book; and your review sealed the deal. I love books set in post Civil War era. Thanks for the giveaway.

    GFC follower
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  6. Oh, this sounds like a wonderful historical piece that I would really love, and I am glad to hear that you loved it too! I have long been fascinated by millinery, so there is a lot here to hold my attention! Great review! I would love to be entered in your giveaway as well, so thanks for hosting it!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  7. Darlene, thank you for such an encouraging review. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed Ada’s story.

    Zibilee, I love millinery, too, and had a great time learning about how hats are made and incorporating some of that research into the story. I hope you enjoy reading the details of Ada’s hat making. Linda and Diane, I was so delighted with this cover. It captures the story perfectly.
    When you have a chance, come on over to my website for a sneak peek at the second Hickory Ridge novel coming out in February. Can’t wait to share the next story with all of you! Blessings, Dorothy

  11. I have read such good things about this book. Great review Dar. Thanks for the giveaway.

    I am a follower.

    nisethusfarATyahooDOTcom

  12. I really enjoyed this book but I have it on my Kindle & would love to win it so I could have the beautiful cover & let my family share it too.

  16. Beautiful cover! It sounds like a story that would definitely interest me. I haven’t read any Christian/Inspirational fiction before.

    I follow by email, twitter, and blog feed.

    I posted about the giveaway, but I have no idea how to get the link for it to post it here.

  22. After losing so many of her family members and her fiance I would like to read how she made it in Hickory Ridge. I like Civil War based stories

  35. I would love to be entered into this giveaway, Darlene. I just found your blog, and am now a follower.

    I look forward to reading more of your posts in the future. 🙂

  36. This sounds like a wonderful debut. I have been reading a lot historical inspirations lately and found some great stories.

  39. I would love to read this book. I enjoyed the review, and the cover is beautiful. 🙂

    Thanks for the chance!