After
watching her widowed father drown, Caroline Taylor assumes his responsibilities
as the Lighthouse Keeper at Windmill Point, and as the provider for her four
siblings. Four months later, however,
she is given notice to leave by week’s end.
Although her performance is exemplary, her supervisor is prejudiced
against her because she is a woman.
Her
replacement, Ryan Chambers, stumbles into her life – and her home - drunk,
unkempt, addicted to painkillers, and haunted by his memories of the Civil
War. Caroline faithfully keeps the
light, while the new keeper sleeps.
They
come to an agreement in which Caroline works as his assistant and trains Ryan
to do the job. Ryan is grateful for her
help, and he finds strength and healing in work and in her family. Caroline’s kind, non-judgmental ways help
Ryan to heal, and Ryan’s strength and commitment to help Caroline’s family
endear him to her.
Strange
things begin happening around the lighthouse, putting Caroline and her family
in danger. Caroline doesn’t want to
leave the home and work she loves, but in order to protect her family, she
considers accepting a marriage proposal from the local innkeeper’s
feeble-minded son.
I
enjoyed reading this book, and as I was reading, it got better, and better, and
better! It is historical, romance, and
suspense - something for everyone! I
highly recommend it.
This
is the second book in Jody Hedlund’s Beacons of Hope series, and while I
recommend the first book, Love Unexpected, this book easily stands on
its own.
I
received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an
honest review, which I have given.
About the
author:
Jody
Hedlund is the bestselling author of seven novels, including Captured by Love, A Noble Groom, winner
of the 2014 Carol Award for Historical Fiction, and The Preacher’s Bride, winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence. She received a bachelor’s degree from Taylor
University and a master’s from the University of Wisconsin, both in social
work. She lives in Midland, Michigan,
with her husband and five busy children.
She can be found online at www.jodyhedlund.com.