Selah - Review

Selah (The Sugar Baron's Daughter, # 3)

By: Lisa T Bergren

Publication: March 3rd 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

352 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

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Goodreads description--Selah Banning has come of age on the West Indies island of Nevis, shaped by experiences far beyond the typical upbringing of a young British lady in 1777. She never anticipated that the most tumultuous time of her life might await her in the year ahead.

Jedediah Reed, a young Methodist preacher with a call to serve the slaves of Nevis, has settled at Selah's family's plantation, the Double T. As Selah's heart is drawn to the same people, their shared purpose brings them together--despite her guardians' concern with a romance that promises little security for the future.

As Jedediah's faith and Selah's abolitionist leanings lead to changes on the plantation, the Revolutionary War continues to build in the States. With the threat of starvation and the conflict with island mogul Angus Shubert growing ever stronger, the future of the Double T and its people hangs in the balance.

I'll just be honest. I don't enjoy reading about slavery. It's heartbreaking. And there are just some periods that I don't enjoy reading about. On the one hand, I have felt these stories bring history to life. Yet on the other hand, I like to read to escape the troubles of life and these periods are simply too full of pain.

While I enjoyed Verity more than I expected to, I had a little hesitation going into Selah. I knew I wanted to finish the series, but I wasn't excited about digging in deeper in this particular area. Plus I wasn't sure how the romance would be between Selah and Jedediah. All in all, I have to say that I really enjoyed it.

Selah truly has a heart of gold. She sees people and hearts where others see a means to an end or property. She connects with those who are oppressed. And her heart sees a kindred spirit in Jedediah. He opens her eyes to see God better, and they find a common bond between them. I ended up liking their story a good bit more than I expected.

I do think Jedediah's reasons for needing some space from Selah were a bit bogus. Selah calls him out for his lack of faith quickly but it takes him much too long to come to his senses if we're looking at realism. But of course that wouldn't make for a good story. Or would it?

I enjoyed seeing more of Ian and Verity. I find their story so intriguing. I do feel like I'm missing out since I never read Keturah and I do hope to go back and read it some day if time and opportunity allow.

Selah ended up being more enjoyable than I briefly worried it would be. Even though I don't love reading about the painful period and events involving slavery, I found this book full of hope (is that the right word?) for what could have been. I liked Selah and Jedediah. They had a mission and a bond that inspired, but I could have enjoyed a little more romance. Selah gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Selah? What did you think? Let me know!