Beneath the Heavens
Lindsey Barlow
ISBN-13: 978-1611531473
October 2016
Light Message Publishing
Historical inspirational romance
ebook $7.99
Print $14.99
Buy on Amazon
About the Book
When the beautiful and coddled Abigail Silvers is sent from
her parents’ lush Texas ranch to the untamed wilds of Tall Pine, Colorado, her
mother is hoping that Abigail will learn independence and self-reliance. What
Abigail finds among the Colorado mountain people is a community built on hard
work, faith, and family––she also finds the handsome Pastor Will who, much to
her dismay, seems only to have eyes for Esther, the community’s midwife hiding
from a dark past. Fiercely protective of her young son Michael, Esther’s
determined not to let anyone close enough to hurt them––even if that means
sacrificing true love. But when the Texas Ranger Joseph Silver, Abigail’s
brother, shows up, Esther’s past is unearthed and her heart is exposed. Abigail
and Joseph’s brash Texas manners rattle the people of Tall Pine, but ultimately
the brother and sister may be an answer to prayer the townspeople didn’t know
they needed. Lindsey Barlow’s inspirational debut introduces readers to a rich
cast of characters and picturesque scenery that will leave readers falling for
Tall Pine.
My review
The power of women generally makes for great reads, and
Barlow shows her storytelling chops in this debut novel. More than a romance, Beneath the Heavens is a story of four
women attempting a new life on the late nineteenth century mountains of
Colorado. Each represents choices of womanhood, and a challenge to rise above
and become the person God calls into being.
The midwife who scorns men, remains aloof and independent,
learns her lesson when her son reminds her that he, too, will someday become a
man. The frilly rich man’s daughter is showered with with hard love, but learns
her true worth is more than a trophy wife. The spunky dress shop owner gets
over herself and accepts true admiration and love, and finally, a hard-knock
Bonnie who chooses her Clyde over everything gets what she wants.
Lovingly fleshed-out characters in a beautiful setting with
a wealth of detail that brings the reader into the story keep the reader
turning pages. Unforgettable hardship, lessons in self-determination, both
positive and negative, balance faith elements that fall naturally. Blossoming
love unfolds for a preacher who is looking for the right kind of wife, and a hardened Texas Ranger who wasn’t looking
for a wife at all. A kindhearted baker and fool of a slimy criminal round out
the cast. Told from multiple viewpoints of the two female and male
protagonists, there is a fair amount of leaping from one perspective to another
without warning, but it’s nice to hear all sides and watch the growth. Fair
warning: there is some limited cursing and suggestive imagery, along with mild
fist fighting and shooting.
I especially enjoyed the youthful pastor who is not a
typical city preacher, but a charming and hard-working single man who is
willing to listen to a teacher he respects, and the lawman who goes to the ground
for a child. Barlow can only grow her skills from here. Good job. Those who
love prairie dramas with grit and teeth will enjoy Beneath the Heavens.
About the Author
Lindsey Barlow has a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and
Religious Studies from California Sacramento State University. She has traveled
throughout Eastern Europe as a missionary teaching English and serving those in
need. She has worked in the Saint Petersburg Hermitage Museum and has visited
the Mayan ruins in Mexico. When Lindsey is not writing, she enjoys discovering
new bookstores, going on hikes with her children, and pretending she knows how to
sew. Lindsey resides in northern California with her husband and children in a
house with too many books.
