Of Promises And Brotherhood

An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray is a marvellous Christian historical romance, set in the aftermath of the American Civil war. I absolutely loved it.

War changes people – for better or for worse. Bonds of brothers formed in hardship, persist in peacetime, united by shared memories and promises. Women and children suffered. Men did unthinkable things. Some people still believed in goodness. “She still believed in goodness in the world, even though she had survived a war.”

War can make or break people, freeing them from their past. In times of crisis, men turned to God. “I  realise how much they have to be thankful for and they count their blessings.

Conflicts continue to rage even though war has ended. Greed drives men forwards, when really they should be thankful for all they have.

There is the theme of loss. Characters who have lost their whole families still have a drive to survive. God promises to repay the years the locusts have taken.

War leaves scars. Some are visible, others are hidden deep inside.

There is a wonderful air of love and care that pervades the novel. Whilst some will let us down, others will always have our backs.

Kindness is over the whole novel. The leading lady is kindness personified. If she can alleviate suffering with a kind word or action, she will. Shelley Shepard Gray has drawn wonderful characters once again. Her heroine is a mixture of strong yet vulnerable. In her kindness, she will not suffer fools gladly. Likewise, the leading man is a mixture too. His past has made him self reliant and reluctant to let others in. His past has also made him the caring man, the reader sees. The pair have a wonderful volley of dialogue backwards and forwards.

I always adore Shelley Shepard Gray’s novels and An Uncommon Protector is one of her finest. For a real treat – buy it and read it today.

I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

JULIA WILSON