Wednesday, March 14, 2012

CFBA Blog Tour for Before the Scarlet Dawn!

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Before The Scarlet Dawn
Abingdon Press (February 2012)
by
Rita Gerlach




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Rita Gerlach lives with her husband and two sons in a historical town nestled along the Catoctin Mountains, amid Civil War battlefields and Revolutionary War outposts in central Maryland.



"Romantic historical fiction that has an inspirational bent, is one way people can escape the cares of life and be transported back to a time of raw courage and ideal love," she says. "The goal of my writing is to give readers a respite, and inspire them to live fully and gratefully."



In many of her stories, she writes about the struggles endured by early colonists, with a sprinkling of both American and English history. Currently she is writing a new historical series for Abingdon Press entitled 'Daughters of the Potomac'. See her 'Novels In Progress' page on her website to learn more.



There are other novels on her list to be published, and a proposal for another book series.



She was born in Washington D.C. and grew up in a large family in the Maryland suburbs. Her family claims that storytelling is their blood, handed down from centuries of Irish storytellers. Rita believes there just may be something to that theory.



ABOUT THE BOOK



In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,

Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.



Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward

joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Before The Scarlet Dawn, go HERE.



Watch the book video:





MY REVIEW-I have read several books written by Rita Gerlach before. But this one really caught my attention and I fell in love with it from page 1!! I rushed through this in about half a day!! The characters are real and even though you don't like some of them, they are still very life-like. I practially fell in love with a character who doesn't even appear until near the end of the book.

Now, Rita left the end of this hanging and I sure hope there is another book in the works:) Excellent book even though there are a couple things people might find objectionable. I think Rita did very well in not being specific about the sin that occurs. Way to go!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation.

7 comments:

A Cooking Bookworm said...

When I saw your comment on CFBA's post, I had to see your review!

I thought for sure you'd be one that wouldn't like this book!! I left a 1-star review on Amazon! I thought Rita was too specific -- ok, maybe she didn't describe the actual infidelity that occurred, but I thought lust and adultery were the main subjects, from chapter 1 to the final paragraph!! I was very disappointed in this book! HERE's my post.

A Cooking Bookworm said...

Hm, wrong link. Here it is:

http://www.acookingbookworm.com/2012/03/before-scarlet-dawn-by-rita-gerlach.html

Anonymous said...

I did not see the subject of this novel being one lust or that Ms. Gerlach's subject was adultery. The contrary. The subject of redemption when we fall into sin, the search for forgiveness and Christ's love for the sinner, is predominate up to the ending.

You might want to add that you admit you did not even finish reading the book. That makes your comment not credible. I've seen your post on Amazon, and it seems to me you are determined to discredit this author. If you didn't like the portion you read, why write comments and give a one star when you never finished the book?

I read a lot of Christian fiction, and this was a refreshing change. Other real book reviews called this book emotionally charged. USA Today gave it five stars. Christian Book Review said Ms. Gerlach's characters are addicting.

Bonnie Toeews said...

Well, Stephanie aka "a cooking bookworm" -- maybe you should stick to reading cookbooks. It seems you think Christian subjects and material have to be unblemished in content -- maybe you live in a bubble where no sin ever occurs. The last time I looked Christians are also real people and real people face temptations (sins) that they can't control. Real people make mistakes. It's called "choice." And choice is something the Lord has given to everyone, including fictional characters. Do you forgive people's mistakes or do you condemn them? If you condemn them, you are going against the fundamental principle of Christ's teachings -- FORGIVENESS. Rita, in this book, has shown what happens to people when their choices are flawed. Her characters live through the consequences of their actions and it takes a lifetime before they find redemption and forgiveness -- this is a closer rendition to real life and real Christian values than a honey sweet tale of a perfect world. If you had finished the novel, you might have found the angst and redemption you lack in your biased review. But then, maybe you are an example of a perfect Chrtistian who feels she can sit in judgement of others who are not so fortunate.

Stephanie said...

Sorry, Charity! Should have emailed you privately. Didn't mean to start a whole big thing on YOUR blog! ;-)

Anonymous said...

I feel I must also speak out on "A Cooking Bookworm"'s unfair, untrue and down-right hurtful comments. Before the Scarlet Dawn is a beautiful and poignant, historical drama with a strong, clear message of Christ's teaching that "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." It is a reminder to all Christians that God wants us to keep compassion and forgiveness in hearts. Lust and adultery are not the subject of Ms. Gerlach's book. It is very sad and troubling that you could not grasp the true message of this book and that were unable to enjoy it because of being blinded by self-righteousness. May God open your eyes to compassion, so you can learn to treat others as you would have them treat you.

Giveaway Lady said...

Okay, well to jump into things here, I would prefer you had kept your comments elsewhere people. Stephanie is a friend who commented on my post and I don't know why you all are following her comments to post on my blog. If you had a problem with her or her review, you should have kept it private with her. We often chat back and forth about books, but I don't want my post to become a bashing thread. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I think Stephanie is giving hers. So what!
So, please keep comments nice and polite from here on out.
Thanks!

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