Uncertain Heart

This weekend, Molly's high school put on a musical called Anything Goes. Molly played Mrs. Wadsworth T. Harcourt, which as the name suggests was a snobbish wealthy woman trying to marry her daughter off to a rich Englishman. Jesse and I enjoyed it so much that we went both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. The show was terrific. I was so impressed with these high school kids! Their singing and acting was truly amazing. I have to admit that it was often a bit racy, and I wonder how the music teacher came to select it (and I'm curious if there will be any repercussions), but I really did enjoy myself, and I was so very, very proud of Molly. She went to practices, often four or five days a week, spending each night at school until 9 pm, and many Sunday afternoons practicing for over three months!

Uncertain Heart by Andrea Boeshaar is the second book in the Seasons of Redemption series about the McCabe siblings. Youngest child and only girl in the family, Sarah McCabe has often dreamed about leaving her family farm for city life, and she thought that she had achieved her dream with a position at a music school as the piano teacher, but when she arrived, she discovered the position had already been fulfilled. Rather than return home in defeat, Sarah finds herself a new position as governess for wealthy Milwaukee business owner Brian Sinclair's four children. When she arrives, she quickly falls in love all of the children who have had to do without a parent's love all of their lives. Their mother was a busy socialite before her sudden tragic death, and their father is often busy, as well as absent-minded. Gabriel, twelve; Michael, ten; Elizabeth, six; and Rachel, three keep Sarah's days busy, but not so busy that she doesn't find her heart softening toward Captain Sinclair's assistant, Richard Nevis, but Richard intends to quit working for the captain at the end of the year and return happily to the family farm. Sarah has no intention of becoming a farmer's wife, so she is swayed by the Captain's beautiful home and luxuries, but his intentions toward her are worrisome when he can't keep his hands off of her, despite his recent engagement. Boeshaar recreates mid-19th century Milwaukee well, with its growing reliance on breweries and new wealth. Sarah is truly a young woman, uncertain of where her heart lies, with big dreams and a determination to trust in the Lord. Boeshaar's characters are enjoyable to read about. I was a bit disturbed however at how the children's prayers were answered at the end, as well as the too neatly tied up ending. I would think the children (and Sarah) would feel a bit guilty for the result of their prayers. That said, Sarah's two brothers should make for fascinating future reading.
Thank you to Glass Road Publicity for providing me with a copy of this book for review!