Beryl's Blessing BY Edwina Kiernan

Beryl's Blessing

by Edwina Kiernan

Publisher: Moliant Publishing

Series: Gems of Grace

ISBN: 978-1838285081

Having read the first two books in the Gems of Grace series, I was so happy to receive Beryl's Blessing to review. I have a personal reason for wanting to read this book. My ex-husband's aunt was named Beryl. She was the only one I'd ever heard have this name. She was an amazing women who loved me even after the divorce. She always had this smile that lit a room, and she absolutely loved on everyone. When I saw the name of the third book in this series, my heart smiled. I received the book for review. 

Summary:

She’s used to being alone. He can’t get away from the voices in his head.

Five years ago, Beryl Haywood was permanently injured in a carriage accident that claimed two other lives. Since then, she has lived a solitary existence with only painting and reading to occupy her long, lonely days.

Frederick Sinclair is struggling to adapt to normal society after his time on the battlefields in France. It doesn’t help that he carries a hefty weight of guilt and regret, from which he believes he can never be free.

When an arranged marriage causes their worlds to collide, each one begins to wonder if there may be friendship — and even, love — ahead.

But a startling discovery soon drives each of them to new depths of despair, and circumstances seem set to snatch away all possibility of the future they’d just begun to hope they might share...

My Review:

What an absolutely lovely story! If you LOVE stories filled with faith and give a clear presentation of the Gospel, you will want to read Beryl's Blessing.

Beryl is a young lady who has gone through so much and my heart just ached for her. Either rejected or completely ignored, it was easy to feel sorry for her. Thankfully her governess pour Christ into Beryl in the years they were together so after the accident they were in, Beryl turned to Scripture as she'd been taught.

Then there was Frederick. The darkness he battled was palpable. Having been in the war, it was easy to believe it was PTSD. His own sense of worthlessness and that "tiny" voice telling him that over and over was very powerful. 

Bringing these two together in an arranged marriage certainly made for an interesting storyline. Beryl's gentle spirit mingled with Frederick's inherent kindness actually made them wonderful for each other, but their struggles keep coming into play. Their struggles are what continues to turn Beryl to God. I think readers will be able to relate in some way to both of these characters. Like Beryl says at one point in the story - her struggles are visible while Frederick's are hidden.

This is a rather quick read, but I just didn't want to put it down. I stayed up way too late last night wanting to finish it, but finally had to put it down. Had I started earlier I easily would've finished in one day.

About the Author:

Edwina Kiernan is a Christian writer, and author of the award-winning novel, Ruby’s Redemption. 

An enthusiast of classic novels and history, Edwina combines her faith, imagination and research in hope-infused tales set in times past. Her latest novel is the third in the Inspirational Regency romance series, Gems of Grace. 

A lifelong word admirer, with Welsh and Irish heritage, she started writing stories early in childhood and has always deeply loved words. She is a committed follower of Jesus (the Living Word), and endeavours to use her pen to point others to Him.

When she’s not writing, Edwina loves spending time with her dashing husband and lively little son, reading and studying the Bible, getting lost in a captivating novel and drinking more types of tea than most people realize even exist.

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