Cora Miller, a recent widow, moves to St. Augustine in 1875 with her young daughter Emily to start life over as a single mother. She opens a fine millinery shop to court the tastes of the wealthy and become part of the town’s social elite. She succeeds in gaining the hat business of tourists Pamela Worthington and her daughter Judith, as well as, the attention of their family friend, extravagant … extravagant Sterling Cunningham. But aloof Daniel Worthington, Pamela’s son, is more interested in the Indian captives recently brought to the fort.
Daniel Worthington has escorted his mother and sister to St. Augustine. Their trip has coincided with the arrival of Plains Indians being brought to Fort Marion as prisoners. He is sympathetic to the plight of the Indians and seeks to help them learn to communicate through art. Daniel believes Cora Miller is only concerned with unimportant frivolities, but when he sees her with a benevolence group at the fort, his opinion begins to change.
Just when Cora’s business is picking up, jewelry from her wealthy customers begins to disappear and then mysteriously reappear in Cora’s shop. What will happen to her when she is accused of theft? Will her reputation and future be ruined? Or will someone else step up in her defense?
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Redeeming Light by Marilyn Turk is a marvellous Christian historical novel. It is the third book in the Coastal Lights Legacy series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel is set in 1875 in a small Florida town with a fort. The reader witnesses the reaction of the townspeople to the arrival of the Native American prisoners. Some are fearful and do not trust them. Others see the beating heart beneath and reach out with love and care.
Clothes and upbringing do not make a man. There is far more kindness and compassion within the Native Americans than within the so-called civilized white people. Souls are seen and connected with as hearts are opened in friendship. The reader is reminded that God looks at our inward character far more than our outward appearances.
In contrast to the open-hearted Native Americans the reader witnesses the judgment and under-handed dealings of some of the townspeople.
There is a desire to squash the culture and heritage out of the Native Americans to make them confirm to the white way of life. This is wrong as their rich heritage and history needs preserving.
Within the tale the characters are well drawn, realistic and welcoming. We see the importance of not judging but getting to know the inner person.
Creativity comes in many guises. We need to nurture our creative spirits.
I love this Coastal Lights Legacy series. Marilyn Turk writes such delightful tales.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
Humans should be treated as humans. These are people not animals. And God loves us all.”
I received a free copy of the book from the author. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Loved the detailed description of fashion at this time in history, especially about hats. The story was entertaining & a mystery kept you reading.
Widowed Cora is a newcomer to town with a young daughter and has opened a Millinery shop to support themselves. Joining a Benevolent Society to help Indian prisoners gives Cora a new understanding of herself as she learns to Love two particular Indians with God’s Love. The twist her life takes is totally unexpected. I found the book hard to put down til I could finish it!
Redeeming Light is another winsome historical romance filled with plenty of history, action, romance and faith by Marilyn Turk. I was immersed into the lives of Cora Miller and her young daughter Emily as they made a new start in St. Augustine, FL. Cora was a gifted designer and opened a millinery to support her and Emily. Pamela Worthington was impressed with her work and told Cora she could keep her busy all the time in Boston after she had designed a hat for her that had been trampled on when they arrived.
The historical events of Indians being brought to Fort Marion, Lt. Pratt and specific Indians (true to history in 1875) brought history to life in this phenomenal story. I was caught up in the moment whether the scene was with Cora, Daniel Worthington, Sterling (a disputable character at times), the Indians, church gatherings and meetings, the St. Augustine Lighthouse, or teaching the Indians. My heart broke when Cora was accused of thief but in my own mind I thought I knew who was placing stolen items into Cora’s store. I’m not going to spoil this amazing read by giving that away. Readers of Christian historical fiction will want to read Redeeming Light that is filled with adventure, unexpected twists and turns, history, romance, suspense and message of God’s faithfulness will want to read this latest book by Marilyn Turk.
I received a complimentary copy of Redeeming Light. I was not required to write a review but I have expressed all my sincere thoughts for this story. Marilyn Turk has become one of my favorite authors for historical Christian fiction. I will look forward till her next novel is released, knowing it’ll be another compelling tale to be caught up in.
Janis Donellan
Cora, Cora, Cora!
October 24, 2018
I was given this book to read and was asked to give an honest review.
Cora, Cora, Cora…sometimes I want to shake her shoulders until she sees the light! Cora Miller is a young widow raising her little daughter alone in St. Augustine, FL during the period of post Civil War rebuilding of the South. She owns and operates an upscale millerinary business, intending to accommodate the elite of the city. Her self-doubt and insecurities lead the reader to question her motives for wanting to be accepted into high society. Is she a gold digger? Being pursued by two wealthy batchelor tourists, Daniel Worthington and Sterling Cunningham, is she in hopes of a well placed marriage? Is she so lonely and naive that she overlooks character flaws to achieve her goal? What about her faith? Is she a true Christian or a prejudiced bigot due to her personal feelings toward the newly arrived Indian prisoners? Has she no compassion? “Could it be possible that the savages could be more caring than a civilized woman like herself?” We shall see.
The author of “Redeeming Light,” Marilyn Turk, uses a clever method of self interrogation to reveal her characters’ personalities. She builds a strong case against Sterling Cunningham, one of Cora’s suitors, to convince the reader to suspect that he is the cause of townspeople’s accusations against her. The plot makes a giant twist, and Turk takes the story in a new and unexpected direction.
Marilyn Turk has created another excellent addition to her Coastal Lights Legacy series. This is my kind of book. Entirely captivating. Don’t miss it!