Title: River to
Redemption
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Chapters: 36
Pages: 336
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
Rating: 4 stars
After being orphaned by a cholera epidemic in 1833
Springfield Kentucky Adria Starr is first taken in by a slave named Louis and
Tillie. They were one of the few people who stayed behind to tend the sick and
dying when everyone fled. Louis single-handedly buried the 57
dead. Once word got out that people were returning to the town and the
school teacher's widow would be taking over the school; Louis convinces her
to take in Adria as it wouldn't be proper for him and Aunt Tillie to raise the
her.
But Adria never forgot the kindness that Louis and
Tillie showed her after her parents died in the epidemic. As a young woman
she is determined to find a way to repay Louis. Her plan is simple find a way
to buy Louis's freedom. This is something that isn't going to go over too well
in 1840s Kentucky.
The Events of Adria's life have shaped her made her
the woman that she is. If it hadn't been for Louis she wouldn't have lived, to
her Louis and Tillie are like an loving uncle and aunt despite Adria having a
different skin color than them. Blood and looking alike doesn't make you family
love does.
In her historical novels Ann H Gabhart
doesn't shy away from the hard stuff and River
to Redemption is no different. That's what I love about her
novels. That even in south central Kentucky in the 1840s there was a
pocket of people who knew slavery to wrong and where willing to do something
about it; no matter what it cost them. Though Adria Starr is a fictional
character the story is based on real life events.
Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this novel.
Everyone should read it as Louis's story deserves to be heard. But a
fair warning it will make you cry.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher
through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions
expressed are mine alone.
