Author Blossom Turner has penned a heartwarming Christian historical romance with her book Gracie’s Surrender. It is Book 4 in her Shenandoah Brides series. I have not read the first three books in the series, but I had not trouble following the story. As wonderful as this book was, I am looking forward to reading those now.

Set in 1879, this is the story of Gracie Williams. She is a young woman that is beautiful on the inside and out. Gracie has a heart to serve God and help orphans. In her mind, she can never marry if she wants to totally devote herself to God and serving the children of an orphanage.

Matthew Weston is the Superintendent of the Orphanage the other main character. He was left at this very orphanage when he was just four-years-old. He, too, has a heart for God and to help orphaned children. Unlike Gracie, Matthew wants to get married and has been praying for a wife. His desire is to find one who was his friend first. These are two fabulous characters. It was interesting to watch their faith grow and mature throughout the story. I loved how God worked in their lives and orchestrated each step. 

This is extremely well organized, researched, and written. The story flowed at an even, easy to read pace. The Orphan Train was hard to read about and take in. My heart went out to those children and the rejection they faced. I was invested in this interesting story from the first chapter until the end. It has stayed on my mind even though I finished it days ago. Good books will stay with readers.

I highly recommend this inspiring book. The faith message is woven throughout the entire book. The story is a clean one that has timeless lessons of hope, grace, unconditional love, trusting God, and love. There are no discussion questions at the end, but it would make a nice Book Club choice. It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from me. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

About the Book

Book: Gracie’s Surrender

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian historical romance

Release date: March 8, 2022

Helping the orphan children in Richmond just might overturn everything Gracie thought she knew, including the value of love. 

Gracie Williams has always had an adventurous streak, which led her from her home in the Shenandoah Valley to Richmond, Virginia, where she can devote her life to the orphan children. Though her beauty has brought on the advances of many men, she has no plans to marry, and finds suitors an unfortunate irritation she doesn’t have time for—much to her parents’ chagrin.

When she befriends Matthew Weston, the mature and serious orphanage superintendent, she confides in him and believes he shares her goals. Neither are prepared for the sparks that fly. Tension grows as Matthew falls in love with her, yet realizes he is just another man in the long line of would-be suitors.

A family crisis, an orphan train, and the plight of a sweet orphan named Emma throw the couple together in deep and meaningful ways. But will this be enough for Gracie to embrace a new way of thinking, and the gift of love that only true soul mates can share?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Blossom Turner is a freelance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger and published novelist of the Word Guild semi-finalist Anna’s Secret. However, she has found her home in the writing of historical fiction. The power of love and romance is authentically woven into the Shenandoah Bride Series about five sisters and their love stories. She and her husband, David, have two grown children and live in beautiful British Columbia, Canada. Read more at blossomturner.com.

More from Blossom

Do You Enjoy Romance That Keeps You Thinking Days Later?

Long before I knew I could write, I loved to read. Being a hopeless romantic, I gravitated to all romance stories either contemporary or historical. I soon realized that finding clean fiction, but still written with the passion God created us to experience, was hard to find. (Song of Solomon is a good example of the expression of passion and love between a man and woman without being explicit.)

Given the gift of a writing career later in life, one thing was for sure…I wanted to write what I like to read. Clean romance does not need to be boring. As each story pours out, I realize that writing historical fiction is my passion. I finally know what I was born to do. My favorite theme was an arranged marriage…so birthed the first book of the Shenandoah Brides that has now morphed into a series of five sisters and their five love stories. March 8, 2022 is launch day for book four called Gracie’s Surrender.

Where-as book one was set in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, post-civil war, the second book Amelia’s Heartsong took place in the big city of Richmond, Virginia where balls, debutants, pomp and circumstance matter. The third book, Lucinda’s Defenderunfolded back in the valley, and this fourth one takes place once again in Richmond. However, you will find a very different Richmond than in book two, for Gracie has a life mission to help the underprivileged orphans.

The backdrop for this fourth book includes the historical orphan train, street urchins, and the love for children in the orphanage to which Gracie and Matthew devote their life. Gracie, who feels men are just a distraction, is in for a grand surprise. Much to Gracie’s vexation, awareness, attraction, and alas, even love grow for her serious but well-meaning superintendent, Matthew. I promise this read will be a romantic page turner with grit and impact that will keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning.

Although this book can easily be read as a stand-alone, enjoying the whole series as the family saga unfolds will deepen the experience.

I sincerely hope you enjoy the read as much as I enjoyed the write. I love to hear from my readers.

Blog Stops

Inklings and notions, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 9

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 9

Texas Book-aholic, March 10

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, March 11

For Him and My Family, March 12

Connie’s History Classroom, March 13

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 14

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, March 15

Simple Harvest Reads, March 16 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

deb’s Book Review, March 17

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 18

Splashes of Joy, March 19

Miriam Jacob, March 19

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 20

CarpeDiem, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Blossom is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/1b4c4/gracie-s-surrender-celebration-tour-giveaway