Friday, October 15, 2021

A Life Redeemed

About the Book

Book: A Life Redeemed

Author: Olivia Rae

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 16, 2021

1400x2100 Everyone has a secret, who can a queen trust?

Upon Queen Elizabeth’s order, Audrey Hayes travels to the borderlands of Scotland to learn where the fierce Laird Armstrong’s loyalties lie. Is he aligned with his mother’s English roots in support of the queen, or does he hold with the beliefs of his father, who wishes to see Mary of Scots on the English throne? The fate of Audrey’s family rests on her success in finding the answer.

After losing his lands in a wager and being betrayed by his kin, Gavin Armstrong entered a loveless marriage to obtain the funds to buy back his family home, Warring Tower. Now a widower, struggling against countless border wars, he is on the verge of losing his home and lands again. With few resources, he reluctantly makes another risky wager, one he cannot hope to win without trusting the secretive Audrey Hayes, a woman he suspects is an English spy.

As the two work together to save Warring Tower, their attraction to one another grows. But when Audrey finally gains the information she seeks for Queen Elizabeth, she realizes that the only way she can save her family is to betray the man she loves.

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About the Author

RAE 16 - 500x500px Olivia Rae is an award-winning author of historical and contemporary inspirational romance. She spent her school days dreaming of knights, princesses and far away kingdoms; it made those long, boring days in the classroom go by much faster. Nobody was more shocked than her when she decided to become a teacher. Besides getting her Master’s degree, marrying her own prince, and raising a couple of kids, Olivia decided to breathe a little more life into her childhood stories by adding in what she’s learned as an adult living in a small town on the edge of a big city. When not writing, she loves to travel, dragging her family to old castles and forts all across the world.

Olivia is the winner of the Angel Award, Book Buyers Best Award, Golden Quill Award, New England Readers’ Choice Award, Southern Magic Contest, and the American Fiction Award. She is an Illumination Award Gold and Bronze medalist. She has also been a finalist in many other contests such as the National Readers’ Choice Awards, and the National Romance Fiction Awards. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

More from Olivia

My novel, A Life Redeemed takes place in 16th Century England and Scotland. A very popular dish at the time was the meat pie. Back then making such a dish took a lot of time. My Grandmother made a similar dish with modern day ingredients that you can whip together in no time. Cheesy meat pie is a real family pleaser and a delicious bit of history.

Medieval Cheesy Meat Pie

1 pound ground beef

½ cup chopped onion

1 – 8 oz. can of tomato sauce

¼ cup parsley

1 – 3oz. can chopped mushrooms (drained)

1/8 teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon dried oregano

2 packages (8 rolls) crescent rolls

3 eggs

Shredded cheese (mixed cheddar and mozzarella)

In skillet, brown beef, onion (drain). Stir in tomato sauce, parsley, mushrooms, pepper and oregano, then set aside. Unroll one package of crescent rolls, forming 12×6 inch rectangle. Seal edges and perforations together. Roll to fit in 9-inch pie plate, trim. Separate one egg and set aside the yoke. Beat egg white with remaining two eggs. Spread over half the dough. Spoon meat into shell, arranging cheese on top. Pour remaining egg mixture over cheese. Roll out second package of crescent rolls, sealing on top of pie. Beat remaining egg yoke and a tablespoon of water, brush on top of dough. Bake at 350 degrees for 50 minutes. If pastry gets too brown, cover with foil. Let stand for 10 minutes.

MY REVIEW

Here ye, hear ye to those who love to read about 16th century England, grab a chair and get comfy. This book is sure to take you back as the Queen of England rules the land. Perhaps she doesn’t trust everyone as she sends our fair character Audrey on a mission to spy for her. I can just imagine what thoughts went through her head as the Queen sought her out. It will not be a pleasant journey for her as I sensed danger close around her. Well if she goes to Scotland to get answers for the Queen she will find much more than she bargained for. Did I mention that Audrey’s family was in danger if she did not succeed?

If there ever was a person who could be called rude and nasty it would have to be Gavin. He has a massive chip on his shoulder from tragic events, but oh my is his heart as cold as ice. His first encounter with Audrey is somewhat comical to me. She holds her own with him and I could feel his anger start to rise. Well what do you expect dear Gavin when you try to intimidate and belittle Audrey? She was after all sent to be be a companion to someone you care about.

Gavin’s dear wife met her fate in a most dreadful way. Why would a young mother of two want to take her own life? Audrey may have a mystery on her hand and perhaps getting to know Gavin will be a challenge for her. She must find out where his loyalty lies. Perhaps she can befriend his son Thomas and find out some answers.

Thomas is one my favorite characters. He wants his father’s attention so badly. He tries to please his father and spend time with him, but is dismissed like a servant. Audrey knows there is something amiss between the two, but why would Gavin treat his son so harshly? My heart went out to the little boy and I wanted to give him a hug so badly. This is much discord around and Audrey has her hands full trying to find out information for the Queen while wanting to befriend a sweet young boy.

There is much going on as Thomas seems to be in danger. Audrey must act quickly to protect him, but Gavin has grown suspicion of her. Their confrontation is filled with accusations and a secret is exposed. Can Audrey convince Gavin that she wants to protect Thomas ? I fear for Ashley when Gavin finds out who she is. Can he find a way to work with her? Trust will come into play when these two open up to each other. How far are they willing to expose their own secret?

The beginning of the story lays the foundation for an adventure where distrust, secrets and spies abound. I loved seeing how Audrey and Thomas began a sweet friendship. The lad is hungry for attention, but his father seems to hold him at a distance. Is there more to who Thomas is than Audrey knows? With swords and daggers this tale finds that fighting is not always the answer. Learning to trust and have a relationship with God is at the forefront for one particular character. The ending is a battle of faith as families fight for truth and justice. I loved how the center of everything was their faith in God. The author did put a few surprises in the story which made me wonder where the truth would take us. As I finished the last page, a sense of peace fell upon the people who witnessed that “truth shall set you free.”

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