Delany Fleet, a widowed former indentured servant living in the colonial port of Norfolk, Virginia, dreams of having an estate of her own where she will never have to compromise her freedom.When the only man she ever loved shows up with a load of smuggled firearms, Delany is forced to leave her home and her livelihood to protect her family and property from Lord Dunmore’s raids and the conniving … conniving plots of a man who claims to be her friend.
Now, with her destiny forever altered, Delany must find a new way to happiness. Can reconnecting with her husband’s family and a former love be the path that God has for her?
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The Shop keeper’s widow by Izzy James.
In this book, you’re going to meet fascinating characters. The two main characters, Delaney Fleet and Field Archer go way back to when they were young.
John Crawley made me twist my face in disgust.
Izzy James writes her story is a way you can follow through and experience all emotions.
This is a Christian fiction book. The book cover made me attracted to the book.
War is a nasty business, I must agree based on the plot in the book.
Themes of friendship, prayer, kindness, love and many more were addressed in this book.
In the eyes of God, all of mankind are equal. Delaney did an impressive work with the slaves under her care. I am not going to give out spoilers but you can get the real reason why I said so when you read this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are mine.
I loved this book. I felt like the characters were very well developed. Delaney is the shopkeeper’s widow and she is trying to determine her place in the world. She does own the shop now but was also an indentured servant when she was a child so her place in society is limited, at least in her own mind.
Field is the other main character. He is the son of wealthy landowners and his place in society is established. Delaney has had a crush on Field since she was a child but Field didn’t see her that way.
The other lesser characters were also well developed. Delaney’s family by marriage, the man that does want to marry her and the villains are all well portrayed.
Delaney has to decide if she will stay in town and run her shop or if she will go to live in her country home when the British start to take over her town. Field is trying to smuggle things to his father and wants Delaney’s help. Will she help him?
This is a Christian book and very well done. I enjoyed how faith is portrayed in the book and I did not find it preachy. It is also historical fiction and that was also very well done. I felt like it was a very good representation of the times.
My biggest disappointment was that it ended too soon, too abruptly. I have never read a book by Izzy James before and I hope this is not the last book of her’s that I read. I would recommend this book to my friends. I give it a 5 out of 5-star rating. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. This was given to me through Celebrate-Lit.
If you enjoy historical fiction like me then you are really going to enjoy this story by Izzy James. This was my first book by her and I have to say that I will definitely be adding her to my historical fiction writers favorites list! Did I mention I Historical Fiction? I really should have a shirt with that on it! LOL!
In this story we meet Delany who is a former indentured servant. She is a no nonsense kind of woman and is not afraid to speak her mind. She also protects herself from not being dependent on anyone. She is a very independent woman. Which makes her a bit obstinate at times and makes her seem like its her way or the highway type of person. We also meet Field Archer I must say that the introduction did not put him in my graces at all. As the story goes on you understand that they are in different social circles and he must make a decision from his heart or by society standards.
This story definitely has adventure, a bit suspense and love. The love story between Delany and Field is superb. You see him change before your eyes as you are reading the story. Well you see how God changed his thoughts on social class and his feelings on servant hood. They both have flaws and are flawed people which made the characters for me relatable.
Overall I would recommend this book if you enjoy historical fiction. I think that the author did a great job in her research and she takes you on a journey to colonial times in which you really can picture the setting and experience it through reading. I enjoy when an author can do that!
Favorite Quotes:
“I am still a servant to the only One who never left me. The One who sent His Son to die for me. He has my allegiance, and I will not betray Him for you or anyone else.”
(I received a copy of this book as part of the Celebrate Lit Tour. I was not required to post a positive review. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)
I love books about the American Revolution! Widow Delany decides it is not safe for her to remain in Norfolk much longer so when her youthful crush, Field Archer, shows up and needs assistance moving boxes of smuggled firearms she is willing to help. Delany is ready to leave Norfolk to get away from John Crawley who is pursuing her even though she is NOT interested! You will want to help Field realize that he loves the former indentured girl who was his sister’s friend! Field and Delany are both great protagonists as they work to help the patriots. I recommend The Shopkeeper’s Widow to others who enjoy historical America. I received a complimentary e-book from the author. This is my honest opinion.
“When God sends a present, it is always right”
Field’s and Delany’s relationship was a very unique one. Slave and freeborn. And I loved the way the author illustrated how every man is created in the image of God and is not to be owned or sold.
I greatly admired how she rose from slave to the mistress of her own home. It shows how when you put your mind to a worthy cause you succeed. I like her uniquely owned business. Delany’s efforts in the war were unmatched. I loved the dignity and boldness she exhibited.
For a while Field couldn’t see pass her indenture but i love how time and Godly influence changed his mind. It was so admirable the risks he took for what he believed in.
Through war and fighting for what they believed in, this book brings a wonderful, intrigue and action filled tale of love, sacrifice and determination.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion
Historical romance. Colonial Virginia, 1775. A young girl falls into an unlikely crush with a rich landowner’s son, only to meet him years later under different circumstances.
My reading juices are salivating over such a description of The Shopkeeper’s Widow by Izzy James. This book’s rating was a conundrum for me, as I sorted out what I liked (a lot) and what I think would like to see different (sometime it would be fun to have an author write a story and have different people finish it, just to see the different opinions.) I would like to highlight that these wishes, especially for a different take, are MY OPINION.
Delaney Button Fleet, the widowed owner of a toy shop in Norfolk, becomes an outspoken advocate of abolition, though it may not have been referred to as such in 1775.
Delaney chooses to align with the colonists when the British loot a local print shop.
First wish: I wished the book would have ended without the epilogue. I expected some rewarding tidbit to be uncovered but felt it was too abrupt.
Secondly, when I finished the book, I was left with a few loose ends, which I didn’t know how to secure.
For happy points, I did like that we were shown how much Delany enjoyed her nieces and nephews. A book always gains my interest when children are involved in a loving, wholesome way. I did appreciate how Ms. James shows that brothers can be very different and have very disparate values. Tom Fleet is the antithesis of his brother, Sam. Also, George and Freewill were opposites. One can only assume that children raised in the same home by the same parents still can make very different life-defining choices.
The novel is a little preachy in spots. I would prefer a more naturally flowing message, but I do agree it is life’s most important message.
I like romance but got a little impatient with Delany in her unwillingness to give Field Archer room to grow. However, Ms. James was on it. I loved that Sarah reminded Delany, “you have to allow for growth to happen at its own pace.” So, the heroine is flawed. Well and good, because so was the hero.
Now, with the list of pros and cons presented against each other, I gladly rate this historical novel a solid four stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are solely my own and no positive review was required.
First of all, I must comment on the era—the American Revolution. This is right up my alley in research, writing, and reading. I’m always looking for new authors and books about this time. 1774! What a time to be alive! A lot like right now, not knowing what will happen next. The unknown. The number of decisions that confront the characters daily keeps the reader engaged. Priorities shift in a time of crisis. Survival and protection move to the top.
These characters make commitments that determine their actions. We haven’t changed much in 200 years. The flight syndrome looms. Is there a way to escape? Will the problem follow me? A flight from society, hoarding secrets, resting in an inner cave with daily familiar surroundings. The last one is what I tend to do. Find that comfortable place and hibernate. Sometimes it is flight to a different place, a book, a room, a job, a country.
Izzy James is a new author for me. I look forward to reading more from her. If you enjoy the intrigue of the American Revolution with all of its problems with loyalties, slavery, freedom of all kinds, then this book is for you.
First, the cover, it’s gorgeous. But there is definitely something about it that made me raise an eyebrow and not love it as much as I should I think. It did make me want to read the book though.
This is a good book. I started reading and then couldn’t put the book down. Delaney is quite the strong feisty character who has a mind of her own and isn’t afraid to speak it. That might get her into trouble though.
When the one man she has always loved shows up at her door asking favors she can’t refuse her life takes a new turn. But he owns slaves and she’s forever against that. She is adamant that they have no future unless he no longer owns slaves.
The book has a nice plot and some suspense but mainly it’s about Delaney and Field. I highly recommend this book as it is a great read and I found it to be mostly historically accurate. History is something I love and I’m always keen to read a good historical fiction book!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through 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.
I really enjoyed the setting of Colonial times in the book. It was interesting to get a feel for how it was and I liked how the author made it realistic. The story centers around Delany who is a widow who at one time was a servant. It doesn’t take long to realize how Delany feels about slaves. She doesn’t believe in them and in fact set hers free. Not everyone around her has the same mind set.
Field has a past history with Delany which dies bring up sparks between them. He has come to her for help. I thought it was a big favor he was asking of Delany . The mission is extremely dangerous and it does put their lives in danger. There is mention of slavery and women’s rights but the story really focused on Field and Delany’s relationship. I did think that Delany stood her ground when it came to her faith. She is adamant that she will not be with Field as long as he has slaves.
It is a nice look at how people dealt with topics we still struggle over today. I kept thinking about compromise. Sometimes it is necessary to compromise but not at the expense of your beliefs. That’s why I liked Delany so much. She was determined not to be unequally yoked to someone.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The Shopkeeper’s Widow makes me wonder why this is the first book I have read by Izzy James. This book was fantastic. It was fascinating being transported back in time to Virginia in 1774. I really liked the character of Delaney from the start. The historical details made me feel like I was along with her throughout the story. I had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next. I had the whole book read in one sitting. The Shopkeeper’s Widow is getting a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend this book for readers who enjoy clean historical fiction, set during pre-Revolutionary War era. I will most definitely be looking for more by Izzy James in the future. She has earned herself a new fan. I received The Shopkeeper’s Widow from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page. It has just the right amount of drama to keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Field and Delany’s story was a wonderful read and I highly recommend it to everybody that likes christian historical romance. Thank you Pelican Book Group via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This story takes place in 1774, Norfolk, Virginia, a volatile time in our National history. Delany Flint is a former indentured servant who is now a widow and owner of extensive properties. She is fearful that the English will destroy or seize her shop and house. Delany departs for her other holdings in a more remote place. But trouble follows her. She is adamantly anti-slavery, having allowed her indentured servants to purchase their freedom for a nominal sum and giving them land.
Field Archer is a landowner, who is heir to a vast plantation. He is a patriot who will stand up for the Colony. He is torn about the question of slavery. It is a crime to free slaves. He cannot fathom the logistics of such an act, although he agrees with the principle that no one should own another human being. Delany and Field have known each other since childhood. But new circumstances threaten their connection.
This was a very interesting glimpse into Colonial times. Delany is shown to be independent but still needs protection. Field wants to provide that protection. He is loyal and in his own way fights for the cause of liberty. Ms. James has a way with words that puts you in the story. She writes her villains with a nastiness that has you rooting for the hero and heroine. She shows the age old quest for power but also shows the value of independence and true freedom. Faith is clearly portrayed and the Christian World View is depicted. A takeaway is: when you surrender to Christ, you find your worth in Him.
If you like stories set in Colonial America, I highly recommend this book. I have found a new historical Christian Fiction author! I look forward to reading more from Ms. James.
*I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
This was a very good historical romance that I read very quickly. I liked the characters a lot and enjoyed the plot. At times I got a little confused as I read it but I liked the parts about what was happening as the patriots were starting to try to gain ground in parts of Virginia before the actual fighting started. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.