This novel was a
pleasant surprise. It doesn't grab you in the beginning but the authors laid
the groundwork for our understanding of what motivated the heroine, Lillian
Porter. Lillian is a young woman on a mission. She braves losing her
connections with her grandfather and home to follow the dream of her deceased
mother in going west. She has been
corresponding with Woodward Colton in Angels Camp, California who needs a nanny
for his seven year old son who hasn't spoken since his mother died.
Woodward Colton
needs a nanny and he needs hope again. His wife was murdered and he was
arrested and charged for her murder; but then he was let go for lack of
evidence. Now he has withdrawn from society through no choice of his own and
still grieves finding his wife brutally murdered and his son mute. Now he
struggles to continue farming his Olive Farm in the midst of a drought and his
neighbors mistrust and accusations.
Other things I liked
about this book were the historical setting of Angels Camp and the details
about Olive Farming. In addition, I liked how the author depicted the rush to
judgement by some but the mercy shown by Lillian. Also, one character who was
mentally challenged allowed for demonstrating how society treats these people
and how we can value them and allow them to find their place in society.
Lillian must get
"Beyond the Silence" of her small charge and that of her estranged
stubborn grandfather. You will find it worth the read so get "Beyond the
Silence".
I received this book
from blogger review for my honest review.
