Benjamin Beckett, a handsome young English lord, lacks purpose in his life of privilege. After learning the truth about his heritage, he decides to leave unbearable boredom behind, making drastic changes in his too predictable life. Adventure awaits Benjamin across the ocean, and he embraces the challenges before him. Can a man who’s not yet thirty be strong enough to impact the New World? Will … World?
Will he find a cure for his loneliness and ennui?
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Another wonderful book from this author. 1843 finds Benjamin Beckett trying to assimilate news that, as the youngest son, he never expected. Taking on a plantation in South Carolina is quite different than the manor house at Ormonde Park. Seeking to follow God’s plan for his life, he does his very best at this new assignment, to which he adds the job of U.S. Marshall.
I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely tale. It once again reminded me of how important it is to live a life in service to our Lord regardless of our chosen career.
This copy was received through CelebrateLit. The impressions, comments and rating were in no way solicited.
What I think you should know:
Lawfully Innocent is a historical fiction novella set in the mid 1840s with the bulk of the story taking place in South Carolina. Benjamin Beckett was raised as the son of an English Nobleman but after his Aunt leaves him a plantation in South Carolina he learns that he is the son of an American. Benjamin arrives and works to build a life for himself in pre civil war South Carolina.
What I think about this book:
This book had potential, however I feel like it was too rushed to develop the characters or the story. I kept feeling like I had skipped critical parts of the book, I tried hard to keep up with the story only to realize that the lost parts were never actually included. I particularly liked a portion where Benjamin laid out the steps to salvation. I feel that if the author were to revisit the book she would have a great starting point and several meaty chapters and I would gladly read it.
I received a complimentary copy for this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
There’s some good themes in this short 75 page novella. At times it felt as if it could almost be a Grace Livingston Hill book. There’s a good scene of the Marshall explaining salvation through Jesus, and good morals are emphasized all throughout the story. The author did an interesting job of showing efforts that were made to help the slaves find a better life after the war, and some of the difficulties faced by both the slaves and those who tried to help them. This is a clean story with no foul language and I appreciated that.
I will say that I would have liked this book to be longer. There wasn’t time for much character development. When I finished the book, I felt as if I hardly knew anything about some of the main characters. There also wasn’t time for an overarching storyline to develop. There were scenes in the book that I really liked, but those didn’t always feel connected. If this book would have had two or three more chapters, it could have been outstanding.
However, if you are looking for a shorter and clean story to read, this one is fine.
It’s a credit to the author that I wished I could know more about these characters. I’d give this one a 3.75 rating for its potential.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
Set in the 1840s, Robin Helm’s “Lawfully Innocent” begins in England but takes place mostly in South Carolina. An antebellum novella, it interested me because of the unique perspective of the hero, Benjamin Beckett, raised as a member of the upper class in a country that had already abolished the importation of African slaves and passed an Emancipation Act, then immigrating to South Carolina to run the Magnolia Heights plantation. This is an interesting viewpoint to consider, and although I appreciated it in this story, overall I felt that the novella fell a bit flat.
“Lawfully Innocent” is a nice, short tale and can easily be read in one sitting. And that’s part of my problem with it. In my opinion, Helm covers too many events while simultaneously not giving readers much in the way of conflict or tension, resulting in a cursory story that is quaint but not memorable. For a young audience, I think that this would work well, but the young adult/adult target audience here doesn’t seem to be a good fit. The plot is very idealistic and unrealistic for the time and place, almost harkening back to the nineteenth-century sentimental novel. Lack of a central conflict leaves readers adrift, and while there are a few brief dramatic episodes, these are easily and quickly resolved.
This is not to say that I didn’t enjoy this novella, because I did; I was just looking for more. Moses was my favorite character, and what little we know about him comes through Benjamin’s reflections and two fleeting scenes. I didn’t really connect with any of the characters; the way in which they are written is impersonal. They were one-dimensional and superficial and therefore difficult to relate to. I also found them to be too picture-perfect; it would be wonderful if life was really like this, especially prior to the Civil War, but sadly it wasn’t and still isn’t.
In that regard, I think that “Lawfully Innocent” offers a beautiful portrait of Christ-like behavior, to which we should all aspire. As Benjamin remarks early on, “He [God] may use me to make life better for an oppressed people.” Benjamin also realizes something that the rest of the nation misses, for the large part, until decades later (and in some cases, even longer!): “People who are independent and responsible for their own advancement make better employees”. Indeed, the points that Helm makes throughout this novella are prudent and encouraging, demonstrating the positive difference that we as Christians can make in our own families and communities, fulfilling our Savior’s call.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
The time period is perfect in this book for a look at life in 1840’s . The author does a great job describing the countryside and making readers feel a part of the story. The story is short but packs a good adventure within the pages. I did like Benjamin and loved how he treated a young boy who had been a slave. The way he opened his home to Moses was a good example of treating others as you would want to be treated. Every time I read a story about slaves, I can’t comprehend how someone could treat a human being so disrespectful.
Benjamin knew owning slaves was wrong and was determined to set Moses free. He became like a father to him and helped him learn who Jesus was. To me, this is the heart of the story. Benjamin loves to share his faith and has opportunities to do so with unlikely people. The two men who were put in jail awaiting their fate reminded me of the men on the cross with Jesus. I thought it was a nice illustration of how God forgives. He doesn’t measure one sin worse than the other. Sin is sin. The author uses scriptures throughout the story that was very well placed in areas that helped emphasize the importance of asking Jesus into your heart.
We do get to know Benjamin’s wife a bit, but I would have liked to have a little more interaction between Benjamin and his wife. Being a Marshall has its draw backs, but I felt like Benjamin’s heart wasn’t really into being a lawman. There is a bit of danger in the book that leads to a scene that is inspiring. There is a theme of forgiveness and sharing your faith with others that makes the book interesting to read. It’s a good short story that needed a bit more depth.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
Lawfully innocent
This is a book that only takes a short time to read. I found it very relaxing book. I loved how inspirational it was. Benjamin becomes a Marshall but he is so different from other Marshalls. He was engaged when signing up. Him and Rebekah got married before left for his job. I loved Rebekah so much, how she stood up for things.
A lot of history when the book first starts on how Benjamin inherits the farm. It is all important to the story.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
My Thoughts on Lawfully Innocent:
I have read Robin Helm before in her Austen works. While this is written with the same voice we get to travel to a different time and place in Lawfully Innocent.
Benjamin isn’t the oldest so he’s not set to inherit his father’s estate. Instead, he chooses to travel to America and become a US Marshall. He’s not even thirty yet but life seems to be throwing him some significant curves.
Can Benjamin do what God wants him to do with his life or is he doomed to follow the will of others?
Great read. This read really quickly and is more of a romance than a mystery or even a good conflict novel. There is some conflict but it’s small episodes and not a theme throughout the book.
Ben is a fun character who truly loves God and wants to see Him work in his life. He does a great job as a marshal and definitely has an impact on those around him.
This is a short read. It’s going to read quickly and then it’s going to be over. I enjoyed it and think you will too. I look forward to seeing what else Robin Helm is bringing out in the next year.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, Unbound, which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.