Lucinda's Defender

About the Book

Book: Lucinda’s Defender

Author: Blossom Turner

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: September 7, 2021

Lucinda's Defender (1) Life hasn’t turned out at all like Lucinda expected, but neither is the depth of love one man has for her.

The young and impetuous Lucinda Williams, through a series of bad decisions, is now in a situation she never dreamed conceivable—an unplanned baby and marriage to a man who proves to be far darker than she ever imagined. Pain is a cruel teacher but brings instant maturity.

Joseph Manning, a childhood friend who watched the love of his life leave, is heartbroken to find the bruised waif of a girl he rescues less than a year later. What atrocities did she experience to change the vivacious, bubbly soul into this shell of hopelessness? Broken. Bruised. Beaten. Does love really have the power to heal all wounds?

Lucinda marvels at how Joseph effortlessly whittles his way back into her heart and that of her child with kindness and respect. But she has a secret far too dark to allow the kind Joseph into her life. He deserves so much better than the likes of her. Is love strong enough to break down the barriers of bad choices? Can a second chance at happiness really be possible?

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About the Author

Blossom Turner_small Blossom Turner is a free-lance writer published in Chicken Soup and Kernels of Hope anthologies, former newspaper columnist on health and fitness, an avid blogger, and published novelist. Her authentic understanding of the power of love in the darkest of circumstances is woven masterfully through her first novel Anna’s Secret (a contemporary romance), in book one of the Shenandoah Brides series, Katherine’s Arrangement and again in this second book, Amelia’s Heartsong. Being a hopeless romantic, Blossom, endeavors to give you, the reader, entertainment value with an inspirational twist. 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 even 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 new 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 5 sisters and their 5 love stories. September 6th 2021 is launch day for book three called Lucinda’s Defender.

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. This third book, Lucinda’s Defender is back in the valley once again.

Have you ever made decisions that you wish you could unwind? If that is a yes, then you will relate to young, beautiful, sassy Lucinda who at the age of sixteen is forced to live with her adult choices. By seventeen her world crashes in doling out a future no woman deserves. But God is a God of second chances, and handsome Joseph a worthy life-long friend and hero. Passion, love, and undying devotion make this read a romantic page turner sure to 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. Contact me at http://blossomturner.com

MY REVIEW

I have read several books by this author and liked each one of them. This book however I loved because it centers on a few very hard topics. The author does an excellent job of addressing rape and domestic abuse with grace. It is hard to read how much Lucinda goes through. She is infatuated with Nat and wouldn’t believe any rumors about him. I think she wanted him to love her so much that she ignored all the warnings. Her spirit is broken as she endures physical and mental abuse by a man who is evil. Some may wonder why she stayed so long but I understand how hard it is to escape such a life. Her fear keeps her there and she almost feels like she deserves the abuse.

Lucinda is not a complicated person but her mind has held her prisoner. I loved the way the author shows us how abuse can affect someone. Lucinda feels damaged and ashamed. She wants to learn to trust again, but she needs to forgive and reconnect with God. The beauty in this story lies at the feet of Jesus. Even though Lucinda feels abandoned at times, we see the presence of God in her every waking moment. I kept thinking about this drama I saw at church one time as I read this story. It showed a girl being tempted by a boy, her friends enticing her to drink and she slowly turns away from God. Now Lucinda did nothing to deserve what happened to her, but in the drama it showed Jesus right beside the girl when she was abused and tossed aside. Just like in the drama, Jesus was there as Lucinda became a punching bag to a man who was evil.

I can’t forget to talk about Joseph. He is a kind, hard working man. He has loved Lucinda forever but for some reason she thinks Nat is the right one. The pain that Joseph feels as he sees Lucinda the day she was beaten is written all over his face. He vows that he will protect her and she will never have to be afraid again. I really liked how the author uses scriptures to enhance the story that illustrates trusting God and learning to forgive.

One of the things that I think is important is the relationship between Joseph and his father. Joseph sets a great example of loving unconditionally. He never turns his back on Lucinda and shows his brother and father what a husband is called to do. I so wanted Joseph’s father to let go of his anger and judgmental attitude towards Lucinda. This part of the story is special because it reminds me how we all can turn out back on someone because we think they have sinned. I think this is the best story the author has written. She gently takes us through a young woman’s life and guides her as she starts to believe in herself and finding a real relationship with God. He is truly the one who protects us, watches over us and loves us unconditionally.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.