About the Book

Book: Rescue in the Wilderness

Author: Andrea Byrd

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 27, 2023

William Cole cannot forget the cruel burden he carries, not with the pock marks that serve as an outward reminder. Riddled with guilt, he assumed the solitary life of a long hunter, traveling into the wilds of Kentucky each year. But his quiet existence is changed in an instant when, sitting in a tavern, he overhears a man offering his daughter—and her virtue—to the winner of the next round of cards. William’s integrity and desire for redemption will not allow him to sit idly by while such an injustice occurs.

Lucinda Gillespie has suffered from an inexplicable illness her entire life. Her father, embarrassed by her condition, has subjected her to a lonely existence of abuse and confinement. But faced with the ultimate betrayal on the eve of her eighteenth birthday, Lucinda quickly realizes her trust is better placed in his hands of the mysterious man who appears at her door. Especially when he offers her the one thing she never thought would be within her grasp—freedom.

In the blink of an eye, both lives change as they begin the difficult, danger-fraught journey westward on the Wilderness Trail. But can they overcome their own perceptions of themselves to find love and the life God created them for?

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About the Author

Andrea Byrd is a Christian wife and mom located in rural Kentucky, who loves to spend time with her family in the great outdoors, one with nature. Often described as having been born outside her time, she has a deep affinity for an old-fashioned, natural lifestyle.

With a degree in Equine Health & Rehabilitation gathering dust and a full-time job tethering her to a desk eight hours a day, Andrea decided it was time to show both herself and her children that it is truly possible to make your dreams come true. Now with over 1,000 contemporary Christian romance novellas sold, Andrea is pursuing her passion of writing faith-filled romance woven with a thread of true history.

More form Andrea

There is so much inspiration that fed into the creation of Rescue in the Wilderness.

Not only was the Good Lord’s guiding hand ever-present, but so was the influence of those that came before me. This story was inspired by my own ancestors, as well as the countless others, that made the arduous journey through Cumberland Gap to settle in Kentucky. Those brave souls opened up a whole new world, and for some of us, established the area in which their families would preside for centuries to come.

As a lover of books that integrate history into fiction myself, I also wished to shed light on the “Hard Winter” of 1779-1780. This was a winter that came early, and with great intensity. While it caused hardships for many across the country, it made the journey through the Cumberland Gap all the more perilous.

Beyond these historical facts, I also wished to pay tribute to those who suffer from chronic pain conditions. I will never forget the day a friend of mine, whom the Lord called home all too soon, told me of her childhood rheumatoid arthritis and how there were days she was in too much pain to leave her bed. In this book, I wished to explore what pioneer life might have been for someone who suffered from such a condition.

MY REVIEW

The opening scene of this book was very emotional and I was hooked right away. Lucinda has lived a very sheltered life but not by choice. Her cruel father blames her for her mother’s death and now punishes her by keeping her locked up in the home. We can feel her complete hopelessness and I had to cry. This hit home for me because my parents never once said they loved me and told me every day how stupid I was. Like Lucinda I was abused which made me not trust anyone or even want to get close to anyone. Lucinda became the younger version of me that I never was and I desperately wanted her to be rescued and find love.

William is a loner who mostly lives in the wilderness hunting and occasionally comes into a town for provisions. What he overhears while in a tavern pushes him to do something out of the ordinary for most people. He carries guilt around for something that happened and thus he keeps his distance from everyone. The adventure begins when he and Lucinda join together on a mission that will have lasting effects on both of them.

The treacherous terrain they travel on is unforgiving and at times seemed hopeless. I loved how deeply William cared for Lucinda as her guard starts to come down around him. By accident he discovers some scars on her and you can feel his anger start to rise. It made me think of the scars many of us carry everyday. Some may be visible but a lot are hidden deep in our soul. As the author illustrates, God is there to heal us and give us joy as we begin a new season filled with forgiven and acceptance.

The time period is represented well by details the author provides that make you feel as if you are shivering as the snow falls. The story flows well and is not only a lesson in God’s mercy and forgiveness but in how unconditional love from God sets you free from your past.

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