MY REVIEW:
After reading Lori Benton’s wonderful first novel, “Burning Sky”, I was eager to read “The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn” so I was honored to be included among her influencers for this novel.
A story about a man and a woman from very different backgrounds, “The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn” takes the reader on a grueling adventure with Tamsen and Jesse Bird as he helps her to escape her cruel stepfather. Tamsen has lived a life of privilege while Jesse spent most of his young years with Indians after the murder of his parents. The pair experience numerous hardships such as harsh weather as they make their way over the mountains to relative safety but even then they cannot relax their guard. Although Jesse fell in love with Tamsen almost immediately, his own wishes were set aside as he vowed to protect her while allowing her time to choose to marry him for the right reasons.
I loved everything about this book. The characters and the plot were superb! The action, drama, and suspense were so artfully timed that there never seemed to be a place to stop reading. I HAD to find out what would happen next. There were moments when I was afraid to keep reading because I was sure something would happen that I would not like – that is how involved I got with the characters. Thankfully everything turned out especially well but not without some big surprises. “The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn” is the kind of novel that keeps me reading historical fiction. I cannot wait for Lori’s next book to be released.
An advance reader copy of this book was provided for review by the author.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.
Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God’s transforming grace.
When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching 18th century history, Lori enjoys exploring the mountains with her husband – often scouring the brush for huckleberries, which overflow the freezer and find their way into her signature huckleberry lemon pound cake.
Learn more about Lori and her books on her website.
