His Steadfast Love
by Golden Keyes Parsons
This was an interesting historical fiction book placed in the time of the Civil War. I think it brought out an important part of the war that few people realize. What I am referring to is the idea that not all slave owners beat their slaves, however it was still wrong to own another person. This was a concept that many Christian slave owners had a hard time coming to grips with. This struggle is brought out in the story.
Amanda's father is a preacher and devoutly religious. He owns slaves and refers to some of them as family. But through the book the reader is shown the discrepancies of what the Bible teaches us about treating each other and being a slave owner. Amanda begins to question her lifestyle especially in connection to slaves when she begins a friendship with a soldier on the Union side.
This book blends interesting facts about our country at war, the emotional turmoil of having friends and family on opposite sides of the war and the power of God's forgiveness.
The only thing I didn't like was that they made the women a little too helpless in various situation. But I have to remind myself that back in the 1860s perhaps women appeared helpless because they did not have the freedoms and independence that women enjoy today.
I appreciated that the love story showed a friendship that deepened into commitment. It was refreshing to have the couple show respect for each other and honor each other as their love grew. I also thought it was important that while they loved each other they did not rebel against their parents who were opposed to the relationship. Instead they endeavored through love and prayer to “win” their parents over to understand why they felt God had brought them together. They were patient as they waited for God to show them if they could be together forever.
I received this book free from the publishers through booksneeze.com. I was not required to write a positive review.
