About the Book

Book: An Uncharted Dream

Author: Abbey Downey

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 1, 2025

An explorer in search of answers, a determined protector, and an expedition that could cost them everything…

Leonora Thornton always envisioned following in her father’s footsteps—exploring the world and chasing adventure. But after his tragic death, she can’t get past the debilitating fear…until she meets an explorer who promises to take her on his expedition to the very place where her father died.

Marcus Turner knows a con man when he sees one, and after years of hiding his family’s shameful financial situation, he won’t let anyone he cares about be swindled again. Especially not Leonora, his longtime best friend and the woman he secretly loves. Joining the expedition, Marcus embarks on a mission to protect Leonora from the swindler, no matter the cost.

When betrayal leaves them stranded far from their destination, Leonora and Marcus must determine if they can rely on God—or each other.

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this story of a young woman who dreams of exploring the world in the early 1900's. Lenora only wanted to follow in her father's footsteps, but after his untimely death she has shifted her focus to staying home and helping her family. Though she still found ways to stretch her talents, one being teaching English to immigrants and the other running an exploration club of her own as the prestigious ones would not accept women.

Marcus Turner has been her best friend for many years. He would like to be more, but he knows Lenora would like to have a chance to stretch her wings and he doesn't want to be the one to hinder her. However, he is very protective of her and when someone comes with promises of adventure for her, Marcus is leery and very watchful. He has good reason as there is a big secret he has been keeping from her.

With mysterious notes, a fated voyage, and secrets unveiled this was a story that delved deep into friendships and family relationships. Though this was somewhat of an adventure story, it does develop a little bit on the slow side, but it did keep me turning the pages.

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

Abbey Downey started writing inspirational romance stories during naptime when her kids were babies and found she couldn’t stop. She previously published two books with Love Inspired Historical under the pen name Mollie Campbell. She also works with Spark Flash Fiction producing a quarterly digital magazine that contains love stories under 1000 words.

A life-long Midwestern girl, Abbey lives in central Indiana with her husband, two kids, and one rather enthusiastic beagle. She loves watching her kids play sports and fixing up a 1900 farmhouse with her husband.

More from Abbey

Have you ever doubted God’s faithfulness toward you? That He could take a tough circumstance and make anything good come out of it?

As with all my books, An Uncharted Dream is filled with romance and fascinating real history. I had the best time writing the love story between lifelong friends Marcus and Leonora. And the research into archeology, exploration, and surveying in the early 1900s was so interesting. You can get a peek into that in my author’s note.

However, I also wrote An Uncharted Dream while struggling with the kind of doubts I mentioned above in my own life. I was fighting to understand how God’s loving plan for me could include so much heartache that quite honestly still seems to have no end in sight. I know I’m not alone. Many of us grapple with questions like this every day and it’s so tough.

Leonora also faces these questions. Just when there might be a chance for romance with her best friend and her dream of going on an archeological expedition is within her grasp, she faces an obstacle that makes her doubt God’s goodness in her life. Like us, she has to come to grips with the reality that following Christ doesn’t mean things automatically go smoothly. Even for His faithful followers, God doesn’t always work out a difficult situation with a tidy happy ending. Often, we’re left to learn to lean on Him as we go straight through the worst of that situation, instead.

It’s not easy, I know that just as well as many of you. And while I don’t know why it has to be that way, I can tell you that God’s faithfulness is constant. He doesn’t love us any less when He lets us remain in a struggle. This story is just that—a work of fiction. But I hope you’ll go through this journey with Marcus and Leonora and be encouraged. I hope you’ll see the unwavering truth of God’s Word and His character. And I hope you’ll be uplifted by the moments of joy and success these characters find in their hardship and see those same kinds of blessings in your life.

Happy reading!