Golden Keyes Parsons (1941–2017)

Amanda Belle is living in Texas with her family when she meets Kent, an Army officer. With the start of the Civil War, Kent suddenly becomes “the enemy” as a Union soldier, and Amanda’s father forbids Kent and Amanda to even correspond.

The story follows Amanda and her family through the war as her brother fights with the Rebel army while Amanda tries to hold everything together at home. We also get Kent’s story, which includes occassional contact with the Belle family in one way or another.

Amanda’s father, then her brother, believe that Amanda should just forget Kent and that all Federal soldiers are evil and can’t be trusted. Kent’s family is also against a marriage to his Texas sweetheart.

Amanda has grown up hearing about God’s love and forgiveness, but when she needs guidance, she feels as if God has abandoned her and her family. Eventually, both families have to decide if they will choose to forgive or let past wrongs get in the way of Amanda’s and Kent’s happiness.

I think the historical and romance aspects of the story were nicely balanced. Historical fiction and romance are my two favorite genres and I love it when I find a book that brings them together.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

For more reviews, go to http://www.livinglearninglovinglife.com… (mais)

Innkeeper Naomi Lockhart should be happy on Christmas Eve of 1944. She has a batch of healthy daughters and a military husband who’s stationed at home instead of overseas, in the midst of a world war. But Naomi has never gotten over the past Christmas Eve disappearance of her infant child, and this holiday could make or break Naomi in The Gift of the Inn, a novel by author Golden Keyes Parsons.

I only skimmed maybe a sentence or two of the blurb before I decided I wanted to read this book, which I later found out is, sadly, the last book by this author. Coming to this novel knowing next to nothing about the plot, most of its unfolding was all the more interesting to me. I also felt wonderfully steeped in the historical setting, with fashion, hairstyles, and music so reminiscent of the period.

Nearly halfway into the book, I wasn’t expecting that the war would then come to the foreground for much of the time, with mostly different characters and much of its own storyline. Hence, several of the chapters felt a bit like a different book to me. Also, I wouldn’t want to give too much away, but there were at least three key issues in the plot that didn’t add up to me. Concerning one of those issues, I’d think that if you had a dark, crucial secret to hide, you wouldn’t knowingly leave clear evidence of it where other people could easily get to it.

Nevertheless, even beyond its themes of love and loss, this story includes a critical message on trust that I hope fellow ChristFic readers won’t miss. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
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WhiteFire Publishing provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.… (mais)

HIS STEADFAST LOVE by Golden Keyes Parsons is an interesting and intriguing inspirational historical romance set in 1861 Texas during the Civil war era. How can you chose between love and family?But during the Civil war era that is exactly what Amanda Bell must do.Captain Kent Littlefield aligns with the Union, while her brother,Daniel aligns with the Confederate states,Amanda finds herself in a conflict of the heart. Filled with the atrocities of war,faith,the chaos of war,internal struggles,romance,and love. Fast paced story of love and decision that could cause one to lose their life,the other their heart. A must for anyone who enjoys historical romance,fiction,Civil war era,inspirational stories and love. Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details at the author's website,Thomas Nelson, and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4.5
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews… (mais)

Author Golden Keyes Parsons deserves much praise for the manner in which she presents the story line for "His Steadfast Love". In the beginning of the book, as with the beginning of the War Between the States, many people were uncertain as to what the conflict really entailed and how long it would last. No one could have predicted the intensity and tenure of the tragic battle and it's terrible toll. Amanda Belle is a parson's daughter, helping her widowed father to care for her younger siblings on their Texas homestead. Kent Littlefield, a career army officer from Pennsylvania, is stationed at an army post near the Belle's home. When Kent and Amanda meet at a church supper, there is an immediate attraction, and he begins to attend her father's church. Making friends with her family, and visiting them at their home, encourages Kent to pursue his courtship of Amanda. However, when Texas secedes from the Union, the federal troops are called home, and the division of hearts begins. When Amanda's father learns that Kent will be fighting for the side of the Union and against the Confederacy, he forbids Kent to correspond with Amanda. Daniel, Amanda's brother, joins the Rebel army, and the Belle household is left in turmoil. Over a year later, Amanda and Kent meet again when his troops bring a wounded Kent to the Belle home for assistance. Soon the Union soldiers commandeer the home, and it becomes Kent's military office during his recovery. Amanda is torn between her feelings for Kent, her loyalty to her family and homeland, and the fear and outrage of having the enemy under her own roof. This is a very worthy read for historical romance fans, in particular those who are intrigued by the Civil War. Many aspects of both sides of the conflict are presented in a very personal manner, and the increasing horror of the seemingly unending torment is strongly felt. The two elements which most prevail throughout the story are the love between Kent and Amanda, and the steadfast love that they gain through their heartfelt faith. I was particularly impressed with Kent, who was a strong and honorable man with very deep personal beliefs. While he and Amanda's father were at odds over their loyalties to their own causes, they both loved Amanda, and they were both men of abiding faith.

Review Copy Gratis BookSneeze… (mais)