Blessing by Lyn Cote

★★★★★

An impetuous love swept Blessing Brightman away from the Quaker community, into the highest ranks of Cincinnati society. But behind the glitter of ballroom and parlor, her spirit slowly eroded in an increasingly dangerous marriage. Widowed young, determined never to lose her independence again, Blessing reclaimed her faith and vowed to use her influence to fight for women's rights and abolition.

Gerard Ramsay, scion of a wealthy Boston family, arrives in Cincinnati hoping to escape his father's clutches with a strategy that will gain him independence. His plan is soon complicated, however, by the enchanting widow. Never before has a woman spoken as if she's his equal – or challenged him to consider the lives of others.

In a city nearly ablaze with racial tensions quickly dividing the country, can two people worlds apart possibly find common ground?

Ever since reading Honor last year, I have been eagerly waiting for the chance to read Lyn Cote’s next Quaker Brides book, Blessing. In this second novel, Cote uses Blessing Brightman (the daughter of Honor and Samuel) as one of the main character to continue highlighting prominent social issues of the mid-1800s, including the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage. Blessing proves to be an independent, determined and forthright character, willing to face challenges as they come and providing Gerard Ramsay, the other main character, with a few entertaining challenges of his own. Filled with drama, suspense and romance, Blessing provides its readers with an excellent and enjoyable historical read and I recommend it to fans of the genre - especially to those who enjoyed Honor.

Thanks to Tyndale BlogNetwork, I received a copy of Blessing and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.