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| A Lady in Defiance |
Rivulet Publishing (February 27, 2013)
Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow
5 STARS *****
Compelling Historical
Romance
In ‘A Lady in Defiance’,
Heather Blanton has composed and fascinating and compelling story. It is
gritty, bold, and at times breathtakingly dramatic. Engrossing from the onset
to the finish, this Historical Romance set in a Colorado mining town, seizes
you within its pages and doesn’t release you until the thrilling conclusion.
In the shockingly
lawless and godless town of Defiance, Naomi and her two sisters arrive with the
intent to bring God to the people of this town. Led by the Lord to this place
after the tragic death of her husband on the trail, Naomi is shocked to
discover the town’s name fits it only too well. Still reeling from the recent
loss of her husband, and burdened with looking out for her sisters, the
tenacious Naomi proves she is not one to trifle with. Naomi battles to accept
God’s supposed will for this sinful place, and to control her temper when
situations continue to get out of her control. The inner struggles she faces
are refreshingly and realistically portrayed in this story.
Charles McIntyre owns
and runs Defiance, but he knows he needs to try and clean it up some in order
to persuade the railroad people to build their railroads through his town.
McIntyre sees God-fearing Naomi and her sisters becoming part of that solution.
The trouble is, he also sees the beautiful and genteel but also headstrong
Naomi as something to conquer. At some stage that seems to change for him, but
Naomi detests him, seeing him as dishonest, a cad, and worst of all, a man who
has prostitutes working for him above his saloon.
What was it that drove
Charles McIntyre to shake his fist in God’s face and name his town Defiance,
and why of all places did God bring the sisters to McIntyre’s depraved town?
This riveting story
illustrates challenging messages of reaching the lost with forgiveness,
tolerance, love, and endurance. It also testifies to the grace of God and of
what he can do within anyone. Based on and inspired by true events, ‘A lady in
Defiance’ rings with an undeniable authenticity that envelops the characters,
and delivers an entertaining and engaging story!
_____________________________________________________________________
GIVEAWAY: Two copies are up
for a giveaway, one is being given by Heather and one by OWG.
PLEASE ANSWER WITH A COMMENT TO
ENTER: Share a positive scripture or comment to encourage others
that may be having difficult inner struggles. (And make sure you also leave your email so we can contact you if you're the winner!)
*******************************
Great review of what sounds like a wonderful book, Noela!
ReplyDeleteThe Scripture that always encourages me when I have inner struggles is from Romans 8 the last verses:
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us! For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen Marian!! I love those verses! They've been a great blessing to me at times also, reminding me that nothing will ever separate me from His deep all-encompassing love!
DeleteIt really is an awesome book Marian, I hope you get read it soon!!
Oh so much peace in Romans 8 for sure Marian ! To know that nothing come between my Lord and I.
DeleteWhat awesome verses! Did you know if you highlight verses in A Lady in Defiance in your Kindle, they'll show up on my Amazon page? I think that is so neat. Let's get God's word out there.
DeleteI didn't know that Heather! :) I've highlighted verses before just to remind me of something when I've had to review it... lol, the author has probably thought, why on earth would someone highlight 'that'!
DeleteAmen to getting God's word out!!
Wonderful review, Noela! I have this one on my Kindle!
ReplyDeleteEncouraging scripture: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear... Psalm 46:1
Also: No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgement thou shalt condemn... Isaiah 54:17
Thank Diana, I loved this beautiful romance so much I almost re-read it again once I'd finished it! :)
DeleteGreat scriptures too, thanks for sharing them! I've quoted and prayed Psalm 46:1 many times!
I have quoted both of them many times...truly comforting!
DeleteCan you imagine being these girls in THIS town? Don't you know you would find so much comfort in God's word. Thanks for reading, y'all!
DeleteNOELA once again you have penned a wonderful review! I have this on my kindle and I need to take the time to read it, especially now that I know Heather's story. :) Psalm 91 is one of my favorite scriptures, it gives me the mental picture of GOD being my shelter when the storms of life surround me, I can run to him and NOTHING can come near me that would cause me harm. I especially love the 15th verse "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him." No matter what the need might be we can call on our Father and HE will deliver us!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Teresa! It was a wonderful story - I'm going to keep hassling... I mean, reminding you until you read it lol, because I know you'll absolutely LOVE it! :)
DeleteIt was actually Psalm 91 that gave me the encouragement and strength I needed before I underwent major surgery a few years ago. It was an awesome word from God just when I needed it!!
I haven't put in my favorite scripture. That's actually kind of hard, but after seeing what he has done with my sister's story, I think I would pick, "...with God all things are possible." Math 19:26. It's short, but it says it all.
DeleteSounds like a great book
ReplyDeleteGod bless you
Chris Granville
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
It sure is Chris, and bless you back!!
DeleteThank you, Chris. Hope you like it if you read it!
DeleteHere is my most recent favorite scripture for hard times:
ReplyDeleteIsaiah 12:2
Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com
Beautiful! Love it!
DeleteThanks for sharing that Heidi! I love how that says He is our 'song' as well as our strength and salvation! So true!!
Deletelove your books ,my favorite scripture is what time im afraid i will trust in you.
ReplyDeleteShirley B jcisforme@aol.com
Thank you, Shirley. And thanks for sharing!
DeleteThanks for stopping by Shirley... I love that when we put our trust in God, He can take away our fear and replace it with absolute peace!
DeleteA Lady in Defiance sounds like an interesting read. It reminds me of Jonah and how God wanted him to go to Nineveh. Thank you for offering a chance to win a copy.
ReplyDeleteA verse that comes to my mind is John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
may_dayzee(at)yahoo(dot)com
Can you believe I didn't even think of that?! You are so right, though. Human nature doesn't change, does it.
DeleteWow, isn't that amazing Heather how it reminded Kay of Jonah and Nineveh?! :) I would love for you to read this story Kay!!
DeleteThanks for sharing that scripture too Kay, that is one I have spoken aloud many times in times of struggle - the word of God is so powerful!
Faithful is He I Thes. 5: 24 I find much peace in the knowing that even where we are doubting, He is faithful to those he calls and that he is able to do all he has set to do in our lives. It is also touching that he can use us women folk to bring the gospel to those needing it and sometimes we can reach those that many a man couldn't. I teach my childen the Verse your talking of Shirley Blanchard, it is a very good one for them to learn as little ones. It says that His Strength is made perfect in weakness... Our weakness.... Surely we cannot do it over our own strength, this I learned the hard way... walking in the flesh and thinking things were ok when I was in my 20's... thank you Jesus in my 40's , now 49, I know it is all Him and very little of me...
ReplyDeleteNow you know that this book name draws me right into wanting to read it don't you... I read the review and realize Duh Linda, its a town... forgive me...smile Bring God to people is a awesome thing and I can't wait to read this book. It sounds like a great read. Do folks get saved in the story, I read in one of Julie Lessmans books a salvation experience and was so touched I cried... sigh Do we need tissues ? I look forward to reading and reviewing this book in the near future..
Linda Finn
Faithful Acres Books
http://www.faithfulacresbooks.wordpress.com
faithfulacres7@gmail.com
Linda, I have been surprised how many people have told me they cried. There is one seen with Daisy, that I teared up ... and I wrote it! But God can redeem anyone!
DeleteAmen Linda - God can use anyone! And I loved how He called these women in A Lady In Defiance (such a clever title btw, Heather!) to reach this very lost town. And discover that doing things in their own strength is definitely the hard way to go about things!
DeleteLinda, you'll LOVE this story and I'm looking forward to reading your review! Btw, I think you may definitely need a tissue or two.. ;)
Thank you Ladies, I am loving reading and reviewing , seems there are so many books and not enough time to do them all at one time right... I am going to have to use my kindle and do text to speech on it and have it read to me when I am laying in bed and going to sleep , just to keep up with demand !!! lol I will make sure to buy a stock in Puffs and keep them handy by ! Heather, I cannot wait to read your book and review it, wishing i had a copy of it now...I think there needs to be more of me to go around ..Right ? smiling... Oh boy if it makes the author tear up... I guess it will inevitably do the same to me.... But emotions are a good and godly thing.
DeleteWhatever you are facing now or in the future, give it to God. Nothing is too big or too small for Him.
ReplyDeleteI should know, my husband fell 3 years ago and broke his neck. Today, he is a walking testament to what God can do if you will only let Him.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Very good advice Janet! I can't believe the number of times I've been in awe of God helping and blessing me in even the smallest things - We just need to give it up and over to Him and trust in God to act. That is an awesome testimony of yours and your husband's Janet!!
DeleteThank you for coming by to read about Heather's book!
Janet, that is an awesome story. I'm so glad your man is all right!
DeleteNo matter what comes your way in the form of grief or strife, you are never given more then you can bear. Trust & have faith.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
If only we could do that all the time. Such frail creatures, we humans. Thanks for sharing, Mary!
DeleteIt's good to know that isn't it Mary?! Reminds me of the time we were experiencing extreme financial hardship and I was trying to work out a shopping list for the week with next to nothing. Just when I gave up and walked away and said to God in tears, 'this is too hard', not even five minutes later, a blessed friend dropped off a $100 supermarket voucher into the mailbox! God knows, even before we get to that place!! :)
DeleteThe Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want...Psalms 23
ReplyDeleteWonderful passage of scripture that has been a big comfort to so many, Sonja! Thanks for coming by! :)
DeleteAgain, simple eloquence that really says it all. God is so good. Thank you for reading and sharing, Sonja!
DeleteThis book sounds fantastic! I have always reminded myself of Psalm 40:2. It's a good one.
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
Yes that is a good one Susan - He lifts us up out of the miry clay and sets us upon the rock (Jesus)..! Thanks Susan, and yes I'm glad you think this book sounds fantastic - because it is! :) Hope you get to enjoy it soon!
DeleteThe NIV mentions a "slimey pit." Being lost is a bad place to be. Glad MY feet are on the firm foundation! Thank you, Susan!
DeleteWOW! A mining town and three Christian ladies. This ought to be interesting for sure. When I was in Colorado and Wyoming we used to go where mining had been done and sift through some piles still there. Hoping to find a tiny piece of Gold. Of course I found some but it was what they called Fool's Gold. It was and still is very pretty, and a great keeper. And, adds to my memories of that beautiful country. Thanks Heather for visiting the OWG blog. They really are a great bunch of ladies. They are keepers too! I love them all. Thanks to all for a chance to win this book. I haven't read any of Heather's books.
ReplyDeleteMAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
Maxie, you seriously are one of my favourite visitors! :) We love you and just love having you come by! And Maxie, trust me when I tell you this story is extremely interesting, you'll love this one!!
DeleteI've always wanted to go sifting for gold, but never got around to doing it. Of course, I wanted to be able to also find some too - that wish probably not as easily done as the first! I guess Fool's gold is better than no gold though, lol!
All the best with your entry Maxie!
Maxie, I explored and dug through the ruins of some old Ghost Towns, so so remote it's a wonder they could even get up there to FIND the gold. Haunting places, really, lost and lonely. Hope you like my book if you win it!
DeleteWould love to read this book....
ReplyDeletemissionwife@hotmail.com
Are you a mission wife? Where at? Thanks for reading and entering! Blessings!
DeleteI love Ecc. 3 it always helps me. This looks like a great book that I need to read!
ReplyDeletebookwormgal2011(at)yahoo(dot)com
Michelle, thank you for commenting. There are several beautiful and wise sayings in Ecc. Hope you like the book, if you get around to reading it!
ReplyDelete