Early Review: Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

Description

Gavin MacKenzie, a chieftain heir who is hired to restore the ancient Castle of Braigh, discovers a hidden village of outcasts who have created their own private sanctuary from the world. Among them is Serena Boyd, a mysterious and
comely lass, who captures Gavin’s heart in spite of harboring a deadly past that could destroy her future.

The villagers happen to be keeping an intriguing secret as well. When a fierce enemy launches an attack against them, greed leads to bitter betrayal. As Gavin prepares a defense, the villagers unite in a bold act of faith, showing how God’s love is more powerful than any human force on earth.

My Review:

Highland Sanctuary by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Serena and her mother have been living in secret exile after Serena's father tried to kill her for her seizures (he thought they were a sign of evil). When Gavin goes to the town where Serena and her mother lives to help protect the new laird, he is surprised that he finds someone he is interested in. But so much will happen to keep them apart, what with murders, fires, and even a 2nd love interest. Will they get to live and love each other, or will someone not make it?

So, I started reading this book, and I was immediately struck by how Ms. Taylor gives an idea on how seizures might have been seen during Medieval and Renaissance times. A person with such an affliction could be considered possessed or evil. She has a great way to add a mystery to the book, without it being over powering. Throughout the whole thing, I was pretty sure I knew who was the villain, but it was nice to still not be sure.

The book has a great theme of trusting in God, even when all the bad in the world comes crashing down on you, but without the Bible beating that some Christian fiction can do. You cheer on the hero/heroine in hopes that they will save the day and get to live happily ever after. But you also want most of the issues solved by the end of the book. Both of these were equally fulfilled, though the issue with the seizures would never be completely solved. That gave it a taste of real life, which can, and was, refreshing.

As a whole this was a good book. There are a few times where I was confused because Ms. Taylor will refer to a conversation that the main characters supposedly had, but I don't remember ever reading any of those conversations or even a synopsis of them. Also, there were some times where they refered to events and even the facts on why the MacKenzies were there in the first place were a bit hazy even in the middle of the book. Again, those holes don't take away from the story, it just frustrates me :-/

Overall, this is a great and easy read.

Cana

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