Defeated on the fields of Culloden in the failed Scottish uprising, Alex MacKinnon is sentenced to indenture and deportation, where is sold to a Carolina plantation as their new blacksmith. Joanna Carey, the mistress of the house, has a different vision for the estate than her stepfather, and she finds herself confiding with Alex, a man from the simple roots that she wishes to return to. However, troubles plague the plantation, and as blame begins falling on Alex, he has to choose whether he will stay and fulfill his contract--and, just maybe win the woman he admires--or make a break for freedom.
Of all the retellings of fairy tales and Shakespeare plays and bible stories that I've read, I've never before encountered one inspired by Philemon (nor thought to look for one). But Lori Benton has done it, framed masterfully in the turbulent colonial era.
This is Alex MacKinnon's book. Joanna is a wonderful heroine, strong, compassionate, and captivating, but Alex is the one who drives this story, much as Willa was the driving force behind Burning Sky. His is a hard road--defeated in battle, imprisoned a year in the belly of a ship, sold as a slave--everything and everyone he loved and fought for gone. After all he has been through, it's easy to understand his rejection of faith, but it's inspiring to watch his return to it.
There is some significant darkness in this story, and it's not just the nature of the times, with slavery, the inhuman treatment of prisoners, and indenture (though it has its fair share of that too). But there's also grace and hope. Sacrifice. Choosing the right path, even when it's hard. I love how the title--the name for the stay of execution of prisoners by deportation and enslavement--has an entirely different meaning when the King refers to God, not a human ruler.
With and intriguing plot, compelling characters (besides Alex and Joanna, there's Jemma, Elijah, Reverend Pauling . . . a whole host of complex, relatable characters), and words of faith we could all benefit to hear, it's a book I highly recommend!
Thank you WaterBrook/Multnomah for the free book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.
Related novels:
Kindred (takes place 40 years later)
2. Shiloh (2021)
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