Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse

Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse ~ Photo: Mark Papke

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Beyond the Valley

Author: Rita Gerlach
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Release: February 1, 2013 



When Sarah’s husband Jamie drowns, her young life if shattered and takes a turn that she never expected. Pregnant and now widowed, she reaches out to Jamie’s family for help but they are unwilling. Instead they devise a plan to have her kidnapped and taken to the Colonies to live a life of servitude for seven years.  

She is deceived and taken aboard a ship headed for the Colonies to be sold, bound to unspeakable hardship and forced into the same world she left.  

Caught in the talons of servitude, she falls in love with a young conscientious doctor, Alex Hutton, who has arrived in Virginia to care for his widowed sister in law and two young nieces. Called back to serve in Washington’s army, he promises he will return for her, gain her freedom and wed her. Other plans were made for Sarah when her owner finds himself bankrupt and sells her the first chance he gets. She’s taken out into the frontier, captured by Indians, and faces unbearable hardship.

When the mistress of River Run along the Potomac encounters Sarah’s plight after she has escaped, Eliza Morgan pities her, and a way is made for Sarah to remain with her and care for Eliza’s young daughter, Darcy. Revolution has ignited in America, and together they endure many hardships which bring them together in friendship. But when Sarah learns that Zachary Halston, a local landowner, has seduced Eliza, she is troubled about what to do. 

Grateful for Eliza’s kindness, Sarah is forever bound to keep silent. She promises Eliza to never reveal the secret that Ilene is Eliza’s child, even at the risk of living a life in shame if her master should ever discover the truth upon his return.

Trapped in Eliza and Hayward’s troubled lives, Sarah flees River Run. Will she make her way back to Alex and freedom as he searches the wilderness for her? Or will her hopes be crushed at the hands of the man who deceived her long ago in Cornwall when she faced destitution?

Praise for 'Beyond the Valley'.


Beyond the Valley is a delightful escape of adventure and romance and a sweeping saga of tragedy and hope that you won’t want to miss! (5 Stars) MaryLu Tyndall, author of the Surrender to Destiny Series
 

Rita Gerlach

 
 
Review in RT Book Reviews Magazine - 4 stars

(Creating characters with intense realism and compassion is one of Gerlach's gifts. Her books typically involve dramatic situations, giving her characters a chance to rise above their adversity. Beyond the Valley is a shining example of that, reminding us that we are never forsaken. This is the third in the Daughters of the Potomac series. Sarah's character was introduced in the first novel, Before the Scarlet Dawn, and now she has her own heart-wrenching story that takes us from England to Virginia and Maryland. The historic setting is vividly descriptive, bringing the story to life, almost becoming a character unto itself. You may shed some tears, but you'll come away with deep contentment and satisfaction of a story well told.)

Book 3 in the Daughters of the Potomac series, Beyond the Valley, will be released February 1 and is available for pre-order from online bookstores. In ebook upon release. Available in all fine bookstores.





Giveaway for Beyond the Valley: 


15" Colonial Doll

....and will also include a Currier & Ives print suitable for framing, a silk fan, scented candle and peppermint tea.

Rita would welcome comments too at: http://ritagerlach.blogspot.com/

10 comments:

  1. Sounds fraught with emotional entanglements and anguish.

    Wyndyc
    http://wynswonderland.blogspot.ca

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Wyn,
    Sarah in Beyond the Valley does face some trials indeed. But you will find love, hope, and redemption as the story moves forward, and a happy ending. Sarah's faith helps her through each adversity.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congratulations on your new release, Rita, and thanks for this great giveaway, Pat. I tweeted it and will also put up a link on FB. Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love historical fiction, and this time period is one of my favorites. Looking forward to reading about such a strong heroine triumphing over desperate circumstances and finding hope along the way.
    dsks88gmailcom

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sounds very interesting. Would love to read your book and congrats on a new one. Thanks for the nice giveaway. I collect dolls.
    blessings
    joeym11@frontier.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway. Lovely Americana doll.
    Thank you.
    Annette
    bellevieanne@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. This sounds like a great series I have not had a change to read the other too, they are on my wish list, will be adding this one also. Would love to win the wonderful giveaway.
    debbispaulding@gmail.com
    Deborah

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry I am late getting over here. I woke up with the worst head cold! Congratulations on your new release. This is a great giveaway, I adore the doll that Pat made!
    debsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Rita, this sounds like such a good book. So many problems for Sarah. Hoping allwill work out for her in the end if she keeps faith in the Lord. Would love to win this gift package. It is a good one. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. That doll is so pretty and this book looks great.
    hbroadwayphann(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete