River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart

River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart ISBN-13: 9780800723644 Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Revell Released: July 3, 2018

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who stayed in Springfield, Kentucky, when anyone with means had fled. A man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions. Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom.


My Review:
River to Redemption is a Christian historical set in 1845 in Kentucky. It was partly inspired by a true event. During the 1833 cholera epidemic, a slave named Louis was left in charge of several businesses in Springfield, and he also nursed the sick and buried the dead. In gratitude, the town collected money to buy and free him when his owner died years later.

The fiction was worked around this: An orphaned girl is taken in by a young widow. She's partly raised by the slaves that helped her during the cholera epidemic, so she believes in freeing all slaves. She's the one who suggests raising funds to free Louis. Her suitor owns slaves, so she's conflicted about marrying him. A charming drifter also makes her question what she really wants in her future. We also have the love story of the woman who took her in and the new, widowed pastor.

The characters acted realistically and were likable and complex. Interesting historical details were woven into the story. The Christian themes were to "pray believing" and to look for the good things even during times of sorrow. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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