In this sweet and mild Regency romance, Eden Barrett, daughter of a country vicar, finds herself crossing verbal swords with the atheistic brother of her student as her beliefs both get her into and out of trouble with an unprincipled
rake and a chimney sweep out for vengence.
Excerpt
She asked God to help her discern the right answer to his proposal. Promptly, she was reminded he espoused atheism. He seemed to respect her beliefs and not attempt to change her, but there would be children. Her own convictions were so central to who she was, she found it impossible to think of becoming one with someone whose beliefs ran so counter to hers. How could she be a parent without sharing her faith with her children? Her faith was herself.It was the most important thing in the world to give a child. No riches, no power, no beauty, no knowledge could sustain like faith. He would imbue his children with his negative, no absolutes, and no purpose to life views. She must never entertain any designs upon him. How often her father had preached from the pulpit that a marriage must be composed of three people: a husband, a wife, and God. God is the force that holds them together, guiding them, keeping them whole and safe in hard times and rewarding them with joyful times.
Professional Reviews
Readerviews
Gentle Journey
Elaine Lyons Bach
Outskirts Press (2007)
ISBN 9781598008869
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (1/07)
Author Elaine Lyons Bach has truly found a way to touch your heart with a romantic story, while
still appealing to those who desire a hearty helping of plot added to their romance.
As Eden Barrett finds a way to usually go against everything her mother has hoped for, she finds
herself with dreams that she's simply not supposed to have. She doesn't come from money, but is
bred well. Her father, a now deceased pastor, had created a sense of caring for others so deeply
within her that she knew she wasn't going to follow her mother's dreams of marriage, kids and
happily ever. These weren't her dreams. She wanted more in life and was determined to find it.
Taking a position with a wealthy Earl, she hoped that this was one way to move a step closer
towards her own dreams of making a difference in the world. She doesn't expect to become so
involved with the young lady she is hired to school and befriend, but when she does she finds a level
of comfort she's never found before. She instantly, from the first day of her employment with this
wealthy but somewhat dysfunctional family, finds that she can make a difference in the world from
where she's at. Her job is perfect, the life she's handed as a well-cared-for governess for young Diana
is something she hadn't even dare dreamt of before. She has hired help at her disposal, dresses sewn
for her to be well presented at various occasions and outings, along with a schoolroom that is
equipped well enough to teach an entire school of children let alone one young girl. Add to this an
intellectual and somewhat single, handsome man named Colin as her employer and you can imagine
the troubles she has in keeping herself earthbound.
Fighting all those around them, her wealthy employer finally admits his desire for her, but everyone
else has other plans for him and they don't include a lowly governess. She is torn as to what to do but
somehow knows that he is the answer to the world she's been looking for. He thinks like her in so
many ways, yet is so different. She’s a woman of strong faith, while he's an atheist. He is a man of
power and wealth; she is an educated woman of lower class and poverty. With so much against
them, can they truly find each other or do they have to settle for what they are expected to accept as
their future and live for fleeting moments together?
The romance itself is so down-to-earth and real that you are touched deep within your heart from the
moment it begins. As Eden becomes more and more involved in the Earl's life and his daily
happenings, she sees a side of him that most others never acknowledge. But can the issues he deals
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with as the caregiver for his only sister, the expectations of him finding love with a woman he's been
with since his childhood and the troubled mind he deals with from a stressful relationship with a now
deceased father he never felt accepted by, be overcome? Touching moments as Eden and Colin work
together to make a difference in his constituent’s lives and the lives of those around him, including a
home of orphans whom he entrusted to others who failed him, along with romantic moments of
stolen kisses and tender touching will make this book so very hard to put down. But unless someone
makes a move, things are going to continue snowballing down this mountain of deceit until they're
both forced into a life neither wants.
“Gentle Journey” is passionate, intriguing and completely enthralling. Bach finds a way to tell a
story that brings the reader instantly into the pages and never wanting to leave. This is an excellent
book to carry you away on a romantic getaway of your own, without ever having to leave your own
cozy reading chair.
J. Kaye Oldner Review for Shelfari Author'sReview
Gentle Journey by Elaine Lyons Bach
October 7, 2007 at 10:51 pm (Uncategorized)
by Elaine Lyons
Reviewed by J. Kaye Oldner
Gentle Journey is a beautiful love story set in Regency times. This delightful book will capture your heart as the surprising turn of events will keep you wondering what will happen next.
Eden Barrett’s dream is to become an artist, but there’s no way she can afford the tuition. After her father’s death, she needs to seek employment, and hopes to find an artist needing an assistant or an apprentice. After writing many artists and only one willing to hire her who had questionable motives, she realized this wasn’t going to happen.
Since Eden successfully taught her three sisters and two brothers, finding a job as a governess was fairly easy. What she wanted though was a position that would still allow her the opportunity to pursue her dream. There is one job with promise.
Colin Aston, Seventh Earl of Edmond, is in need of a governess for his younger sister, Diane. During Miss Barrett’s interview, he discovered who her father was and wanted to send her away. His sister pleas for Eden to stay swayed his decision. Against his better judgment, he hired her but with a warning.
“Miss Barrett…You are daughter of a vicar, a man whose sermons I was privileged to hear as a boy, a very convincing orator. That fact may make your employ more desirable to some. To me it is impediment. I fear you may have inherited the propensity to sermonize. You will teach my sister the usual material without reference to matters of faith if you please. My sister and I are not religious; I will not have her badgered into a belief against her will.”
Eden has faith and draws strength from God. Colin has been hurt and his heart is closed. As the attraction between them ignites, forces beyond their control threaten to keep them apart. In the end, Colin will need to find faith in God or risk losing what he holds dear.
In the predawn hours during a solitary ride on her ranch, Montana Freeborn collides with Seth Phoenix, centaur-turned-man and the embodiment of her psychic visions.
