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13 March 2013

Teresa Mathews Reviews Beyond the Valley by Rita Gerlach




Beyond The Valley by Rita Gerlach
Book Three of the Daughters of the Potomac

Abingdon Press

5 Stars*****

Reviewed by Teresa Mathews

Once again Rita Gerlach takes us on an intriguing journey that starts in 1778 Cornwall, England and ends in a place we fell in love with in the past two books of this series, the wild but wonderfully picturesque Potomac Valley. Here we are given the complete story of a beautiful young widow longing for the love of a family but it seems she will never have it. 

Since losing her husband Jamie, Sarah Carr has no family left so she does what Jamie would have wanted and turns to Jamie’s sister Mary and her notorious smuggler husband, Lem Locke for help. But sadly they would not provide what Sarah needed, instead they arrange for her to be kidnapped and placed upon a ship bound for a country that is at war. Once Sarah arrives in America she cannot believe that she is being sold on the auction block like an animal to the highest bidder, how much more can she endure?

Sarah’s new owners The Woodhouse’s treat her well and during her time with them she meets a young army doctor and hope begins to spring up in her heart that maybe one day she could be free to fall in love. Dr. Alex Hutton is smitten with Sarah from the first moment he meets her, he will do anything to rescue her from the hard life she has had to endure. But before he is able to convince Mr. Woodhouse to let him buy Sarah's freedom, she is sold to a foul smelling trader and whisked away deep into the wilderness and thus starts the horrendous chain of events that will separate them, possibly forever. 

During the time Sarah and Alex are separated she has to endure being held captive by Indians and wandering barefoot through the wilderness trying to avoid being retaken by the same Indians she escaped from. Then just when things seem at the lowest, Sarah finds sanctuary at River Run in the wilderness of the Potomac. Eliza Morgan and Sarah become like sisters and their love for each so strong that Sarah will do anything to protect Eliza. Will Sarah finally have peace in her life or will she have to endure even more lies, deception and sorrows before that comes? Will Alex be able to follow the winding trail of Sarah’s life so they can finally be together?

With this book Rita has taken me on the adventure of a lifetime in the wilds of the Potomac. Sarah’s story was one that deeply touched my heart, it had me wanting to reach out to this beautiful young woman that had endured more things than ten women could handle and yet she never wavered in her faith that God would bring her Beyond the Valley. Rita has a talent for details that will blow your mind, once you pick this up you will not want to put it down until the last page is turned, then you will find these characters have a place in your heart forever. For those who haven’t read Beyond The Scarlet Dawn and Beside Two Rivers you will be able to read this as a stand alone but I do suggest you read those also because you do not want to miss Eliza’s story. For the ones that had the pleasure of reading the first two you will find yourself once again enthralled by Rita’s captivating writing but then again I think you already know that.


You can find this book and others by Rita at AmazonCBDB&N, and BAM.

QUESTION: Despite all the bad things Sarah had to endure she never gave up on God, she relied on prayer and scripture to sustain her. What is your favorite scripture when things are going bad for you?

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE OUR WINNER!!

39 comments:

  1. Wow, this story sounds so eventful, and very exciting! Thanks for the great review TERESA!!

    I was given this Word when I was needing peace before a major operation once, but it continues to minister to me and I've encouraged others with these awesome words as well:

    "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust.
    For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler (hunter) and from deadly pestilence; he will cover you with His pinions (feathered wings); and under His wings you will find refuge..." "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.."
    "Because he cleaves to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will rescue him and honour him..."
    Taken from Psalm 91 - But if you can, read the whole Psalm!

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    1. NOELA that is my favorite Psalm too. I remember reading this to my Dad before he was going in to have heart surgery. And of course I have read it over and over through the years. It is such a comfort. :)

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  2. Great story, Rita i would love to win one of your books thank you for the chance

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    1. SHIRLEY thanks for stopping by, can you please give us you email address?

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  3. I for got to add my scripture, i dont know where its found but when things go wrong and i feel alone are scared, i say O Lord what time im afraid i will trust in you

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    1. SHIRLEY I believe that Scripture is Psalm 56:3. It is a great comfort when we're afraid to know God is taking care of us.

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  4. Awesome review as usual, TERESA! Twas a great book indeed!

    NOELA, that happens to be my hubby's favorite scripture as well! I have so many it's hard to choose just one. I love Malachi 4:2-But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings....

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  5. DIANA you are so right, all of Rita's books are wonderful. Thanks for sharing that scripture that is just what I need today. I just can't seem to kick this nasty cough. :)

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  6. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

    YES, I can!

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  7. ANNE that's another great Scripture! Thanks for coming by. :)

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  8. Anne, I was going to say the same scripture.
    Here's a couple more:

    Matthew 6:34 ESV “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

    Matthew 6:25-34 ESV “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

    Philippians 4:6-7 ESV "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    II Timothy 1:7 KJV "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
    I will never forget when my husband prayed this last one, when I was in labor with my middle child. My older daughter had woke up vomiting, we couldn't reach our midwife, and my contractions were getting stronger and faster, when my husband prayed with me and said: "God, you are not the spirit of fear and confusion, and this is definitely confusion!" After his prayer, we reached the midwife who was there in a flash, my daughter started feeling fine, & the rest of the delivery was the quietest and calmest, and yes, I will say it, easiest delivery ever, of our 2nd daughter! (Our oldest was a son...)
    Vicki OWG
    vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. VICKI that's a marvelous testimony, God is so good!! Thank you for sharing it with us. :)

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    2. Oh, that I could obey that scripture more perfectly! About not being anxious over anything...how does one do that? I do pray and am getting better, but not to be anxious over ANYTHING! Oh my...

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  9. Ladies, thank you for your posts. You inspire me!

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    1. RITA your books inspire us, you are truly gifted. Can't wait for the next one!! :)

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  10. My favorite scripture is Isaiah 41:10 for anytime I need to be assured of God's presence and His love for me as I deal with a challenging situation. God is ever faithful!

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  11. JANETTE that is another precious scripture...Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness." Thank you so much for sharing that with us. This is doing me good today to read all these scriptures, I have been sick for almost 3 weeks and this is very encouraging to me. CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE US YOUR EMAIL? Thanks!! :)

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  12. So happy for yet another chance to enter! I love Rita's work and have read the 2 previous books. My always enduring scripture is "Great is His faithfulness. His lovingkindness begins AFRESH each day." Lam. 3:23 LB In other words nothing left over, always covering, everything fresh and new!!!!!!! Blessings! Darlene
    spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. DARLENE very nicely put!! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, :)

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  13. I always go back to the book of Job.....makes my troubles seem quite small. God bless!

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    1. CHAPLAINDEBBIE when we read about JOB it should put everything in perspective for us. IF we remain faithful to GOD no matter our circumstances He will take care of us. Hope to talk to JOB one day and give him a hug for all he went and for him being such a Godly example for us to follow. Thank you for sharing your favorite Scripture with us,. :)

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  15. EVERYONE THIS IS A FRIENDLY REMINDER TO PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN CONTACT YOU IF YOU ARE OUR WINNER!! THANKS!!

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  16. Thanks for another great review, looking forward to this series!
    How terrible for Sarah to be betrayed by those you thought you could trust.

    Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart...

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. PATTY glad you liked the review, this is a wonderful book. Sarah's story is very moving, Rita knows just how to pull you into the story. Love that Scripture also...sometime it's hard to do but but it's something we should strive for.

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  17. I can do ALL things thru Christ who strengthens me! Phil. 4:13

    missionwife@hotmail.com

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  18. MELODY that's a great Scripture, thanks for sharing it with us. It is a powerful verse we should all remember. :)

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  19. Three years ago my husband fell and broke his neck. What sustained me was not a verse from the Bible but this song that kept running through my mind.
    "On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand".
    I clung to that verse through his surgery, his therapy, and all those countless trips we made to the doctor. Thanks be to God he is fine today.
    Janet Estridge
    von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. JANET what a miraculous story! Praise the Lord your husband is well. I am so glad you had that song to remind you CHRIST is our SOLID ROCK no matter what comes our way HE IS THERE FOR US. Thank you so much for sharing with us. It's always encouraging to hear of GOD bringing others through trying circumstances. :)

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  20. One of my favorites would have to be:

    Psalm 119:76
    May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

    OWG

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. MARY that is a wonderful verse for any occasion. Thanks for coming by..

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  21. Psalm 119:111
    Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

    Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. KATHLEEN that's another great verse. Thanks for sharing.

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  22. I can do all things thru Christ....it doesn't mean only the easy stuff...

    truckredford at (gmail) dot {com}

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  23. II Timothy 1:7 KJV "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." i would love to win this book thank you
    jcisforme@aol.com

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    1. SHIRLEY thanks for sharing this powerful verse with us! :)

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  24. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. VERONICA this is one we all should remember! Thanks for sharing.

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