About the Book

Book: Redemption in the Wilderness

Author: Andrea Byrd

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: September 19, 2023

Two sisters alone on the Kentucky frontier…love is the last thing they expect to find.

After the death of their parents during the Hard Winter, Margaret and her sister have struggled to survive. Between her mother’s dying wish that Margaret protect her sister, and the nagging sensation that they are not alone, guilt and worry are her constant companions. And if someone is following them, is their watcher friend or foe?

Iain Donegal can’t afford roots, not with the pain and guilt of the life he’s left behind, or the memory of the drink that once threatened to consume him. But his solitary life as a long hunter in the wilds of Kentucky finds a new path when he happens upon a young woman digging a grave for her own mother. Unable to pull himself away when he realizes that she and her sister are on their own, he begins to provide anonymous aid. But when the women truly need him, can he risk leaving his solitary life behind to step in and fill the void?

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My Thoughts:

I was delightfully surprised by this book. I don't always like to read the back covers of books, I like to be surprised, but I did read this one. However, it just touches only a little about what is in this book, and that is what surprised me, how deep this novel got with only 163 pages or so.

The title of this novel fits the story well. It is not only one character that finds redemption in the wilderness, but all of them. The sisters Margaret and Muireall, have had to watch both of their parents die. Now they are living alone in the Kentucky wilderness surrounded by dangers from men, war, nature, and sickness. Neither of them is aware of a lone guardian watching over them until one fateful day when he must intervene.

Ian Donegal is a lone wolf who is trying to run away from who he is and his past. But he cannot help but help the two sisters who are barely surviving. What he does not realize, and he needs to, is that his actions speak of those of a changed man already. That is his story to find out.

Taking turns and twists I did not see coming and including some of my favorite tropes, I could hardly put this book down. It is one that will stick with me for a while.

I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Andrea Byrd is a Christian wife and mom located in rural Kentucky, who loves to spend time with her family in the great outdoors, one with nature. Often described as having been born outside her time, she has a deep affinity for an old-fashioned, natural lifestyle.

With a degree in Equine Health & Rehabilitation gathering dust and a full-time job tethering her to a desk eight hours a day, Andrea decided it was time to show both herself and her children that it is truly possible to make your dreams come true. Now with over 1,000 contemporary Christian romance novellas sold, Andrea is pursuing her passion of writing faith-filled romance woven with a thread of true history.

More from Andrea

One of my favorite aspects of being a historical fiction author is learning new tidbits of information with each novel I pen.

Not only have I always loved learning, but I also harbor a deep passion for novels that incorporate real places and events. In Redemption in the Wilderness, I was blessed with the opportunity to research the beginnings of Harrodsburg, KY. This town was founded in 1774 as Harrodstown by James Harrod. What began mainly as a civilian fort with the building of Fort Harrod has endured more than 200 years of Kentucky’s rich history. Tourists and locals alike can still visit a replica of Fort Harrod today. And, you, yourself, can visit the original fort in Redemption in the Wilderness.

Beyond historical places and events, I also always find myself on a search engine with the strangest little inquisitions. Such as… What plants are native to Kentucky? When do said plants bloom? And which can be used as a natural remedy for this particular ailment? With this novel, I found that feverfew, a native Kentucky wildflower, was so aptly named because early settlers used this native plant to reduce fever. I cannot wait for you to see what role it played for the characters in Redemption in the Wilderness.