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My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily's Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar - One of the dilemmas Lily Laughlin faces is introduced in the very first pages of the book. Captain "Mac" Albright and his friend John Blake are looking over the land Mac has recently purchased, and where he plans to start farming and building his new life in hopes of distancing himself from the painful memories of being impressed into the British Navy during the recent war. In an awkward first meeting, Lily is shocked to discover that Mac now owns property she thought was hers. Lily handles the news as best she can and tries to be a gracious neighbor, and the two quickly becomes friends.
Lily has more dilemmas though - Silas Everett, who is guardian to Lily and her two younger brothers, is constantly overbearing and critical, and Lily is sure that her father would not have left him in charge of all their affairs and with so much control. If only her father's will could be found, Lily is certain that he would have left all of the farm to his children, and that Everett has no authority over them. But Everett seems to hold all the cards, and although he hasn't formally proposed, he has made it clear that he intends to marry Lily. The very thought makes her ill, but what choice does she have?
Lily has more dilemmas though - Silas Everett, who is guardian to Lily and her two younger brothers, is constantly overbearing and critical, and Lily is sure that her father would not have left him in charge of all their affairs and with so much control. If only her father's will could be found, Lily is certain that he would have left all of the farm to his children, and that Everett has no authority over them. But Everett seems to hold all the cards, and although he hasn't formally proposed, he has made it clear that he intends to marry Lily. The very thought makes her ill, but what choice does she have?
Mac fights his growing love for Lily, knowing he has little to offer her, and still haunted by his own past failures. But when her life is threatened, he realizes just how much she means to him, and he also experiences the power of prayer. But as Mac and Lily establish an understanding, Everett steps in to disrupt it and then another disaster strikes and Mac's newly constructed farm buildings go up in flames.
This story drew me in from the first pages, and was very compelling. I loved the setting and the characters - all but Everett, of course! However, I thought the plot elements of the missing will fell short a few times, and especially when it came to Everett's claims that he held the deed to the Laughlin property. At one point, Lily demanded that Everett show her the deed or title that he claimed to have, and when he put her off, she said she would visit the solicitor to view it. This was never done, and it seemed illogical to me that it hadn't been done immediately upon Lily's discovery that Everett had sold "her" land to Mac. I found this aspect of the story to be inconsistent, but it didn't take away from the overall pleasure of reading this delightful novel.
From the publisher:
Journey into the Shenandoah Valley of 1816 where . . .
With Very Little Left of the Family Farm, Lily May be Forced into a Loveless Marriage.
With Very Little Left of the Family Farm, Lily May be Forced into a Loveless Marriage.
Captain McAlister "Mac" Albright has purchased land in the Shenandoah Valley. However, the land belongs to Lilyanna Laughlin -- or so she erroneously thinks. Mac sets her straight and despite a poor start, the two become friends . . . if only he were financially stable enough to offer her more.
When Lily's life is threatened and his whole future goes up in flames, Mac truly becomes a man without means, and Lily is forced to make the impossible choice between a loveless marriage with a man twice her age or the man who has shown her what true love could be. How can she choose between love and economic security? Her family is depending on her. Is her heart destined to break?
Journey into Virginia's Shenandoah Valley of 1816 where a woman's dreams and future happiness are on the line.
Other books in this series: My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla's Reveille by Erica Vetsch, My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring
Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.
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