The
Untamed God: Embracing The Adventure of Faith
“Safe?” said Mr.
Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about
safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”
—
C.S. Lewis, The
Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
As I wrote The Pursuit of
Tamsen Littlejohn, the titular character’s clothing became a metaphor.
Gowns, petticoats, hose, shoes, and stays—the choosing of them, the altering of
them, the discarding and creating of them—reflect the changes taking place in
Tamsen’s character as she navigates her challenging—and often unsafe—circumstances.
Clothing is a joy to Tamsen, yet when the reader first meets her she feels
imprisoned in the beautiful gown she’s forced to don to win a wealthy
husband—and a life that deep down she doesn’t want. A life God doesn’t plan for
her.
In an outward rejection of that unwanted life, she burns the gown.
Tamsen will go through several more changes of garments before all is said and
done. Each outward change presents a picture of Tamsen’s attempt to hear God’s
voice leading her ever further into a life radically different from anything
she’s known. At the end of that path is the woman she desires to be. To reach
it, she has to trust in a God who often seems less than safe in His handling.
Yet step by step (gown by gown) He’s transforming her, giving her revelation of
herself as she pursues Him, until, having reached a place so far beyond the
boundaries others once set for her, she joyfully creates a set of clothes unlike
any she ever imagined wearing.
God invites His sons and daughters to take His hand and trust Him
to lead them through challenge, uncertainty, blessing, hardship, and triumph,
embracing the individual adventure He has in store. Not reluctantly, or
fretfully, but with the joy that comes in knowing that though He may not be an
altogether safe God, He is Good,
forever weaving the brilliant hues of mercy and grace through each life’s
tapestry.
By faith Abraham, when he was
called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance,
obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
By faith he sojourned… in a strange country…
Hebrews 11: 8-9
And we know that all things work
together for good to them that love God…
Romans 8:28
THE PURSUIT OF TAMSEN LITTLEJOHN
Frontier dangers cannot hold a candle to the risks one woman takes by falling in love
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.
Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?
READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS
The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: Behind the Scenes
In an act of brave defiance, Tamsen Littlejohn escapes the life her harsh stepfather has forced upon her. Forsaking security and an arranged marriage, she enlists frontiersman Jesse Bird to guide her to the Watauga settlement in western North Carolina. But shedding her old life doesn’t come without cost. As the two cross a vast mountain wilderness, Tamsen faces hardships that test the limits of her faith and endurance.
Convinced that Tamsen has been kidnapped, wealthy suitor Ambrose Kincaid follows after her, in company with her equally determined stepfather. With trouble in pursuit, Tamsen and Jesse find themselves thrust into the conflict of a divided community of Overmountain settlers. The State of Franklin has been declared, but many remain loyal to North Carolina. With one life left behind and chaos on the horizon, Tamsen struggles to adapt to a life for which she was never prepared. But could this challenging frontier life be what her soul has longed for, what God has been leading her toward? As pursuit draws ever nearer, will her faith see her through the greatest danger of all—loving a man who has risked everything for her?
READ THE FIRST TWO CHAPTERS
The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn: Behind the Scenes
YOU CAN PURCHASE LORI'S BOOKS ON THE FOLLOWING SITES
Amazon Barnes & Noble Christianbook.com Lifeway WaterBrook Multnomah
Random House Powell's BAM Walmart
In Canada: Amazon Indigo Worldwide: The Book Depository
Random House Powell's BAM Walmart
In Canada: Amazon Indigo Worldwide: The Book Depository
WHO ARE THESE FOR?
These books are great for women who like good historicals. The ones that draw you in and don't let go until the very end. Excellent gifts for any woman!!
THE GIVEAWAY!
Lori Benton has offered to giveaway two copies of her newest book, The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn. Two winners will receive one book each. USA ONLY!! Giveaway will end 12/2. Winners will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.a Rafflecopter giveaway
**DISCLOSURE: Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
24 comments:
love 1776. thankyou, ken pohl19@comcast.net
At the moment, my favorite historical fiction book is your Burning Sky. Why? The history is woven in but rich in detail. The characters decisions are never simple and they each change and grow with the story. And I could see the hand of God working through it all. Keep writing.
I like your books Lori and would be pleased to win this one. I like historicals and women who are strong enough to make hard choices.
I have not read any of Lori Benton's books, but would love to!
Charity, thanks for introducing me to Lori Benton. I've not read any of her books. Thanks for the opportunity to win/read The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn.
psalm103and138[at]gmail[dot]com
Choose just one?! The Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz is spectacular, but so are so many others!
I can't choose a favorite historical novel. I've read so many wonderful books. However, one I've read recently that I rate very highly is For Such a Time by Kate Breslin. It's a powerful retelling of the book of Esther, but set during World War II in Germany.
Both of Lori Benton's novels are excellent. They are rich with detail and absolutely captivating! I cannot wait for next April when The Wood's Edge comes out!
My favorite historical novel id The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky
I've wanted to read this from the first time I saw it - and now after reading this post / blurb about it, I want to read it even more!! I love the analogy of inner changes represented with outer changes!
I would be thrilled to win this book by an author new to me! I love Laura Frantz, so if it's anything like her novels, I'd love it and give it a grand review on amazon.
I've read about this book and I so want to read it! Keeping my fingers crossed. Have just got into recent historical's. Dawn Crandall has a couple of great ones out now. The Hesitant Heiress and The Bound Heart.
I've not read any of Lori's books but this sounds great and I like the cover!
I have not read anything by her. But would love to. Name is Jennifer Davis email is moseylion@aol.com
Favorite historical book is Tale of Two Cities.
I love "Girl with a Pearl Earring." Tough choice! kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
My favorite historic book is The Diary of Anne Frank or in fiction - Leon Uris' book Exodus.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
For movie, I love Gone with the Wind. I have so many favorite books that are historical...can't pick just one.
I don't have just one historical favorite. I love almost all historical fiction that I read!
I would love to win a copy of Tamsen Littlejohn to give to a friend for Christmas!
I'd say my favorite is "These is My Words" or "John Adams" (although that's probably nonfiction)
annejk112233 at yahoo dot com
I love Lori Benton and her writing! It is fun to enter something, and more fun to win something !Patti Iverson pattiiverson@gmail.com
Loved the first book, looking forward to reading about Tamsen!
My favorite movie is Citizen Kane
Post a Comment