Two years after the Civil War, Lydia Albright, 27, is an established teacher in Boston when she senses God’s call to leave the comfort and security of her job and go south. She accepts a position to teach in a school for former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina. A church there that’s affiliated with the American Missionary Association offers support, along with room and board at the parsonage. … parsonage.
The Ku Klux men are hell-bent on seeing that the new school fails. Lydia’s life is threatened, and the parsonage, church, and school are vandalized.
But they haven’t contended with a strong, determined woman like Lydia before. It also helps that she has a couple potential suitors on her side.
A Love to Behold is a tale of people who grow strong in the face of adversity and a church that learns love, compassion, and acceptance, even in the face of cruelty and hatred.
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I so enjoyed this story. It was so thought provoking. I don’t believe I would have had the courage that Lydia had to leave her home and move to another state and teach in a school for ex slave children. She had a lot of guts to do what she did. This story is well told. I love the children especially. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I usually do not read a lot of historical romance books, but upon reading the synopsis of this book, I decided to give it a try and am so glad I did! I was absolutely absorbed in this historical romance set back in the days after the Civil War!
Lydia Albright, a young teacher from Boston, feels her call to the south and follows God’s leading to Charleston, South Carolina, to teach at a new school for black children with no education whatsoever. Only 2 years after the end of the Civil War, not everyone in this town is happy about this school and do they do their best to not only get rid of the school, but also the teacher. As Lydia faces threats on her school as well as her own life, Lydia finds strength in God and those that have come to care so much for her. Will Lydia give in to the threats and leave, or will she trust God’s plan for her life?
This is book 3 in the series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone book. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, but was not required to give a positive review. This is my honest opinion of this book.
Welcome to a time period where opportunities abound and danger lurks just beneath the surface. Lydia has traveled to South Carolina to take on a job not all townspeople are happy about. She will be a schoolteacher for children of former slaves. I’m sure she was a bit nervous but God called her to do this and her obedience is obvious.
Her arrival is met with a shootout right in the middle of town. The author makes the story realistic with details that put you right n the center of the story. I love this time period and am amazed at how hard people worked to survive. I think Lydia is in for a big adventure and she has no idea what she has gotten herself into.
Reese is a good character who is wealthy, but uses his money to help others. His father is a bit unconventional and doesn’t mind speaking his mind. Reese’s brother has a huge problem with slaves being freed and supports the Klu Klux society along with his father. It is hard to imagine how prejudice people were even back in the frontier days. Reese has experienced a great loss in his life that has left him lonely. I loved that he still trusts God and knows how important his relationship with God is to keep him grounded in the Word.
Reese’s children are delightful and full of energy. They are excited to meet Lydia and already trying to get their dad to marry her. I love their enthusiasm and how full of life they are. Their addition to the story is fun and I laughed every time they got a bit carried away with things. Reese has done a great job raising them and teaching them about God.
It is very evident that some people in town and even in other states disagree with the Freedmen’s Bureau. I loved when Lydia said, ” Isn’t it our duty as Christians to show forth an attitude of love so that others may see Christ at work?” Lydia is determined that the school will be a success, but others may have a different opinion. The author writes a story about a subject that even today we still are divided about. God made us in His image. Lydia is the perfect character in this story to fight for what is right. She is feisty and has a strong sense of treating everyone equal. She will be tested over and over again as danger lurks near her. The author writes a scene that was an example of how far people will go when they decide to see only the color of someone’s skin. It made me shiver with fright as tears ran down my cheeks while reading what happens at school one day.
I love the way the author puts a bit of humor in the story with sayings like, ” As excited as a piglet in a puddle of mud.” It is such an expressive way of saying someone is happy. The story flows easily and I loved learning more about how slaves were treated and the struggles they had to overcome. There is a romance blossoming that is definitely something to catch readers attention. Overall the story is a wonderful example of the struggles during this time period. I am reminded that God loves us not matter what the color of our skin is. We just need to learn to see people the way Jesus does.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
” Hatred can carry from one generation to the next. But if the current generation wishes to stop the hatred, they can do it, one step at a time, one person at a time.”
Perhaps it’s from my early love of Janette Oke books, but I have to say I tend to really enjoy reading stories that involve a new schoolteacher in town. A Love to Behold is a bit more unique because the young woman travelling to be the schoolteacher has been sent by the Freedman’s Bureau to teach the newly-freed slave children. Her heart and the heart of many in town were refreshing to read. There were the “bad guys” but for once it didn’t appear like they were the majority. I’m not sure how accurate some of it would be, but I would be hopeful that more people would be like that.
The story-line itself was well paced and easily held my attention. I loved Reese and his children, particularly Owen, and really enjoyed reading about how their relationship with Lydia developed. I wasn’t a fan of John Forrester for a few reasons but mostly because I couldn’t figure out if he was supposed to be painted as a “good guy” or “bad guy.” I really resonated with Lydia’s spunk and tenacity, and felt myself cheering her on for the good cause.
It’s highly possible that I’m wrong, but I kept having to remind myself of the times while reading because some of the details didn’t feel like they fit historically. It was enough that I stopped reading a few times to do some googling about it. One thing I will say is that the children went to different schools. I’m not talking about the obvious racial segregation, but each of Reese’s young children. It just didn’t ring historically accurate to me. I wouldn’t think schools would be big enough back then to separate the lower grades especially at a time of horse and buggy. As I said though, it’s highly possible that I’m the one that’s wrong here. It was just that some of the details felt a little more modern than the time period.
So while there were a few quirks to the story that had me thinking, overall I enjoyed the story and found it highly engaging. I’d love if the author were to share more from their story in the future. One thing of note that I noticed is that currently on Goodreads this story is listed as a standalone but the author lists it as book 3 in the Forever Freedom series. Upon reading the blurbs it’s quite clear they belong together in the series. I haven’t read the others yet, but I’d be interested in checking them out. This was an engaging read and one I’m glad I took the time to read.
*I received a copy of this book from the author through Celebrate Lit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.
A love to behold
This book was so good that I just devoured it. A fast reading book, great flow of words, great characters. Of course, I already knew it would be since I love the authors writing.
The book is an historical set back right after the slaves were set free by president Lincoln. Lydia comes to Charleston, South Carolina to teach a school for black children. A lot of men in town is trying to sabotage it. She meets Reese who is a widower.
I loved all the children in the book. Children are so innocent, they don’t care about the color of the skin. Reese has several children of his own that would love a mother in their lives.
I received an advanced copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an positive review. This is my own opinion.
It has been awhile since I have read a book by Sharlene MacLaren but I have always enjoyed them. I also have not read the previous books in this series but that did not take away my enjoyment or understanding of this excellent novel that easily stands on its own merits.
With vivid imagery and strong characterization, the author offers an intimate look at the era following the Civil War in Charleston, South Carolina including a glimpse of the early days of the Ku Klux Klan. Teacher Lydia Albright follows her calling to teach a school for children of former slaves and meets with more opposition than anticipated including threats against her life. Nevertheless, between her own determination to follow the Lord’s leading and a group of strong supporters, Lydia refuses to back down even in the face of repeated violence.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Love to Behold and the history behind it. Plenty of action and danger, a bit of a love triangle, and a strong thread of faith kept me steadily turning the pages. I may just have to pick up the previous books of this series to see what I missed.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Celebrate Lit. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Sharlene McLaren’s A Love to Behold is a beautiful, thought-provoking story about the Reconstructionist South. A time of the country being deeply divided, neighbors hating neighbors, and people not recognizing the worth of others made in God’s image. Although it sounds like it could be a tale of today, it is in reality, a tale of over one hundred fifty years ago.
I loved the spunk and spirit of Lydia. She has a mission and nothing can dissuade her. She is a “Steel Magnolia” from the North, determined to help the oppressed. I enjoyed the love triangle that develops. Of course, I always wonder why the characters let it go on as long as they do.
What added life and breadth to the novel was the colloquialisms that McLaren uses that were native to the area. Examples are “ fine as sifted flour,” “ heap of tired,” and, “I don’t give a skunk’s ear!”
The best part of the book, though, is that the protagonists base their character upon Scriptural principles and pray about their problems.
There is plenty of suspense, mystery, action, and a bit of romance to keep the reader flipping pages to see how God (and McLaren)allow things to level out.
Favorite quote?
“But if the current generation wishes to stop the hatred, they can do it, one step at a time, one person at a time. We all have to work together, and then, with God’s help, we can achieve peace. God is love and He commands us to love one another. In fact, loving God and others is the greatest, most important commandment of all.”
Second?
“They calls her a half-breed, but she ain’t half t’ God, is she? She be whole t’ Him.”
I highly recommend this book, possibly in light of today’s animosity in our country. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own, and no positive review was required.
A Love to Behold is yet another fabulous addition to Sharlene MacLaren’s Forever Freedom series. In this installment, it is readers are introduced to 27 year old Bostonian Lydia Albright. She finds it her calling to accept a position teaching former slaves in beautiful post Civil War Charleston, South Carolina. She quickly finds out that she is not welcome and her school and life is threatened by the Ku Klux Klan. Will she be fearful and leave town? Or will she be brave and stay?
I believe A Love to Behold is my favorite from the Forever Freedom series. I just loved Lydia. I admired her bravery, courage, and determination. I felt connected to her right from the start. I had no problem reading the whole book in one sitting.
I give A Love to Behold a very well deserved five plus stars. I most definitely highly recommend this book for readers who love well written and clean historical fiction.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
Wow, this book leaves me full of emotions, some good, some not so good. I just barely remember when the KKK was going pretty strong in our area. And as a child, I’ll admit I was scared to even hear talk of the group. I also remember feeling like the men were cowards because they wouldn’t show their faces. And it’s was the same reasons that the men in the KKK group in this story. They didn’t want anyone to know what they were doing. But they had such a hatred for people for black people that they did horrible things to try and drive them out of school and communities.
My heart hurt so bad for the teacher if the school that Lydia Albright taught. She was the new teacher that came from Boston to teach the black children. Children that were now free and willing to learn to read and write. But Lydia was sure spunky enough to stand up to these men. Which only made them more determined. And Reese, bless his heart, his heart was so tender and willing to help Lydia and her students, no matter the strong opinions of some of the neighbors, including his own dad and brother. Sharlene MacLaren does a fantastic job of creating characters that we do amazingly realistic, and they developed so well throughtout the story.
As you can tell, there is so much going on in this story. The tension and emotions were first at an all time high, then they would hit bottom, and then back up again. If this is a subject you enjoy reading, I highly recommend A LOVE TO BEHOLD for anyone to read. It is so refreshing to read a book that ends as sweet as this book ends. I’m glad I had the honor to review this book!
A copy of this book was provided by Celebration Lit Tours and the author for me to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions in this review are mine only.
A young lady from Philadelphia, PA arrrives in Charleston, SC with the calling to teach the children of former slaves. Whatever could go wrong? The civil war is over but animosity to change has NOT disappeared! Those that are unhappy with the freeing and teaching of the slaves are prepared to take action accordingly and thus the Klu Klux Klan is born. With innocent children caught in the middle, damages to church and school create fear and learning is hindered. Will the discontent ever be over?
I found myself marveling at how this antagonism is still alive today. Is it possible that we will one day realize that we are all the same on the inside?
I received this book through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.
This is an exceptional book and I wish that I could give it more than five stars! “A Love to Behold” is labeled as Christian historical fiction and it has facts that are as relevant today as they were in 1867 with its theme of racial bigotry and the attempts to label certain people as undeserving. The heroine of this story isn’t a young girl just out of school; she is 27 and has already enjoyed a teaching career in Boston. Lydia Albright has been raised as a Quaker and she now feels God’s call to teach at a newly established school for black children in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War has been over for two years but Charleston society remains divided. Many people are ready to accept that all people are created equal but there are some who believe the opposite and they still feel the sting of slavery being abolished. Part of Sharlene MacLaren’s story touches on a group of prominent citizens in Charleston who have secretly started thier own group of the Ku Klux Klan and she vividly describes their activities. I had studied about the Ku Klux Klan in American history classes but she mentions several ugly incidents and I found them very disturbing. One incident involves these members taking a cross off of the wall of a church sanctuary, carrying it outside and setting it on fire. Yes, I knew about the burning of crosses but the author created such a poignant and upsetting scene. Lydia worries that her teaching has been the cause of such destruction but her friend and landlord reminds her that God had called her to this place. “You must be strong in the face of conflict. In the end, God will have His way, but we cannot allow the enemy to win this battle.” (p. 238)
“A Love to Behold” is also a love story. Yes, there is romantic love and there are scenes between Lydia and widower Reese Lawson that made me almost swoon but there is also love of God and love for your fellow man. Despite all of the threats and ugliness, Lydia remains determined to prove to her students that they all are worthy to be loved, they all deserve the right to get an education and they must continue to hope for a better future. The love of God is also evident as Lydia and Reese share their beliefs with others. In one scene, when Lydia is trying to console Reese after the death of his father, she tells him “I shall pray for God to plant a seed of faith and hope deep inside your heart, so that whenever you have nagging fears, He will give you rest and speak words of truth and love into your spirit.” (p. 258) Beautiful words that all of us need to hear and understand!
This is listed as the third book in the Forever Freedom series but I didn’t find it necessary to have read the first two. I certainly intend to do so, however, because I truly loved “A Love to Behold”!
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book but I voluntarily chose to write this review and these are my honest opinions.
What a wonderful conclusion to The Forever Freedom Series. I loved all three books in this series and wanted to say this would also work as a stand-alone. Ms. MacLaren’s sense to detail and authentic speech patterns makes this book stand out in the historical aspect. It is a troubling time after the Civil War and Ku Klux men are stirring up trouble. This story tugs on your heartstrings. I love the strength that Lydia shows in the midst of being bullied into not teaching the former slaves. This book has a little of everything and keeps you engrossed from beginning to end. I loved the orphan character of Luetta and would love to see a story of her after she grows up. This is an all around great book that would appeal to a variety of audiences. It will make you laugh, cry, and strengthen your faith. It shows what being the hands and feet of Jesus means. My favorite quote is “But you have wisdom and that’s what counts. You’ve taken your many life experiences, not to mention your sorrows, and have grown from them rather than use them as excuses to feel sorry for yourself or to blame God and others. Tragedy and hardship can steal our breath away, leaving us desperate for life‘s meaning. Or they can force us to breathe more deeply than we did before and find more purpose in life than we ever thought possible. You have learned from your hardships not everyone does.” I recommend this book as well as the first two in the series, as it flows like a well oiled machine.
I received a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Wow! A phenomenal and superb story! A Love to Behold is the absolute best one by Sharlene MacLaren thus far. This historical Christian romance is a sweeping story filled with authentic, vivid and picturesque scenes, the dialect of characters with their ethnicity, a strong faith message and history. This was a compelling book that I did not want to put down till I finished. The hero and heroine had strong faith but encountered difficult situations in Charleston, SC after the end of the Civil War. Their were residents that believed Lydia Albright had a right to teach negro children in a school for them, with others strongly opposed of Negroes freedom and rights after the proclamation by President Lincoln at the end of the Civil War. Reese Lawton, a widower, with three children and a thriving family business was supportive but had family members against him. I do not want to spoil this masterful Christian historical romance filled with action, history, mystery, romance, and God’s promises and faithfulness to the characters. A Love to Behold is a must be read book by Sharlene MacLaren. Even though it is book three in her Forever Freedom Series it can be read as a stand alone. However, I strongly recommend reading Summer on Sunset Ridge and Their Daring Hearts to appreciate the history, depth and life of Lydia Albright with her Quaker upbringing.
I received this complimentary book from the publisher Whitaker House in exchange for my honest review. I was under no obligation to write a positive review, but I have expressed my own sincere thoughts.
I look forward to reading more books by Sharlene MacLaren as they are released.