Recent Reads - Undaunted Hope

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Undaunted Hope (Beacons of Hope) by Jody Hedlund - Having read the previous novels in the Beacons of Hope series, I was eagerly looking forward to this latest installment. The stories are all based on Michigan lighthouses and lives of their keepers during the late 1800s. In this one, Tessa Taylor arrives to teach school at an isolated mining community in upper Michigan. She's determined to do the best job possible, and to distance herself from some embarrassing mistakes in her past. (Readers of Hearts Made Whole will remember what those are, as Tessa is the younger sister of Caroline, the heroine of the second novel in the series. However, you don't need to have read the previous novel in order to enjoy this one.) Tessa is almost turned away by the superintendent because the town was expecting a male teacher, and her welcome to the community is not at all a warm one, with one exception. Handsome Alex Bjorklund steps in to help her when she runs into problems at the dock, and soon becomes one of her only friends. His attraction to her and his willingness to act as her protector are endearing, but Tessa realizes that in order to keep her position as a teacher, she has to be careful about keeping company with him.

Soon two of her students capture her heart, and they decide that she should marry their widowed father Michael, who is Alex's older brother. Tessa finds herself in a very awkward position, with the two men vying for her attention. Even worse, she is sure that Mr. Updegraff is watching for any opportunity to fire her or to take advantage of her, and she fears that he may harm the Bjorklunds or other families in the town if they are associated with her. And besides, when she left her previous lighthouse home, she vowed to never set foot in a lighthouse again, so she tries desperately to stop herself from caring for either one of them. But her heart may already be lost to one of them - lighthouse keeper or not . . .

As in every one of the previous books in the series, I was completely drawn into the story from the very first, and loved the characters and settings. Another highly recommended novel from Jody Hedlund!

From the publisher:

1871

Eagle Harbor, Michigan

In a Town Mired in Darkness,

She May Shine the Light They Need

Running from the mistakes of her past, Tessa Taylor heads to the uppermost reaches of Michigan, planning to serve as the new teacher to the children of miners. She quickly learns the town had requested a male teacher, but Percival Updegraff, superintendent and chief mine clerk, says she can stay through the winter since it's too late to replace her. Tessa can't help but thank him and say she is in his debt.

Determined to make herself irreplaceable once spring thaw arrives, Tessa throws herself into her work, and soon two students have decided Miss Taylor is the right match for their grieving father. At the same time, charming assistant lightkeeper Alex Bjorklund makes his interest known, surprising Tessa, who has never had men fight for her hand before. But not all is well as she feels that someone is tracking her every move, and she may not be able to escape the trap that has been laid for her.

Visit the Baker Publishing Group for info on where to buy.

By the same author: Hearts Made Whole, Love Unexpected

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