Recent Reads - Love's Fortress

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Love's Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik - Danielle Sango is skeptical and bitter when she hears that she has inherited her father's estate. She's had no contact with him for years and he was a convicted art forger whose reputation has overshadowed her life, so she doesn't expect to find anything in his home or belongings that she wants. What she does find is his best friend and neighbor, Matty, who has plenty of information about her father, and plenty of fatherly advice and encouragement for her. Matty takes Dani under his wing and helps her navigate all the shocking discoveries. 

Among Franklin Sango's effects is a book of Native American drawings, and some email messages about it. Dani follows up on the emails and meets museum curator Brad Osgood who helps her research the book's authenticity and how Franklin acquired it. Brad has just taken guardianship of his four-year-old niece, and despite his reluctance to get involved with any drama or complications related to an art forger's daughter, he and Dani are drawn together and both of them find that Matty is a wonderful mentor.

In the story from the past, Broken Bow is among a group of Plains Indians relocated to St Augustine, Florida in 1875. They are imprisoned at Fort Marion, but the Lieutenant in charge wants them to be educated and trained so that they can eventually return to their tribes and live peaceably with the white settlers. Sally Jo Harris and her fiance Luke Worthing have been hoping to go to the mission field, but the arrival of the Indians opens the door for them to teach and share the gospel right at home. Broken Bow initially rebels against his captors but finds friendship with Sally Jo and Luke, and makes great strides in learning to speak and read English. Not everyone in St Augustine is accepting of the Indians though, and Sally Jo's father is harsh and controlling, which eventually leads to danger and false accusations that put all of them at great risk.

The story is told from multiple perspectives - switching back and forth between present day viewpoint characters Dani and Brad, and 1875 viewpoint characters Sally Jo and Broken Bow. At first I felt it would be difficult to follow, but it's actually quite clear. Dani is a brittle and negative character at the beginning, but after awhile I warmed up to her as she found out the truth about a father she never knew. Matty is a wonderful father figure character that brings each of the characters in the present day story together and guides them towards healing and answers. The story from the past is quite compelling, as the situation of Broken Bow and the rest of the Indians is difficult, and the commanding officer is doing his best to help them under restrictive circumstances. The scene in which Broken Bow hears the gospel is one of the most moving I've read in a long time. 

A great read as the connection between the past and the present characters is gradually revealed, and the storylines of healing and forgiveness combine.

From the publisher:

An Epic Love Story From the Past Brings Closure to Dani's Fractured Family Roots

Walk through Doors to the Past via a series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

When Dani Sango's art forger father passes away, Dani inherits his home. Among his effects is a book of Native American drawings, which lead her to seek the help of museum curator Brad Osgood to decipher the ledger art. Why would her father have this book? Is it just another forgery?

Brad Osgood's four-year-old niece, Brynn, needs a safe home, and Brad longs to provide it The last thing he needs is more drama, especially from a forger's daughter. But when the two meet "accidentally" at St. Augustine's 350-year-old Spanish fort, Castillo de San Marcos, he can't ignore the intriguing woman. 

Broken Bow is among seventy-three Plains Indians transported to Florida in 1875 for incarceration at ancient Fort Marion. Sally Jo Harris and Luke Worthing dream of serving God on a foreign mission field, but when the Indians arrive in St. Augustine, God changes their pans. Then when a friendship develops between Sally Jo and Broken Bow and false accusations fly, it could cost them their lives. 

Can Dani discover how Broken Bow and Sally Jo's story ends and how it connects to her father's life?

 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.

By the same author: The Scarlet Pen

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