Tabitha

(Copy submitted to The Kindle Book Review.)



From Goodreads:

“From the author of the groundbreaking series, A Prairie Heritage, comes the compelling story of fiery-haired, fiery-tempered Tabitha Hale. Rescued from a life of depravity, Tabitha gives her heart to God and her life to nursing.

As this tenacious, redeemed woman perseveres toward the vocation God has placed on her life, her temper and stubborn independence threaten to derail her selfless aspirations. Will Tabitha pass the trial by fire that is necessary for God to truly use her?

And what is Tabitha to do with her feelings for Mason Carpenter, the man who simply refuses to give up on her? Is it even possible for God to ordain a shared future for two such different people, both with fervent callings upon their hearts?

When the Great War erupts in Europe, Carpenter leaves for England to train British pilots to fly reconnaissance missions over Belgium and France. Soon after, Tabitha hears God asking her to nurse the war wounded. However, because America has not joined in the fight, Tabitha has few options. Will the elite British Nursing Service make a place for her? Will they accept the services of an American volunteer? And will Tabitha and Mason overcome the differences that stand between them?

Revisit Palmer House—a most extraordinary refuge for young women rescued from prostitution. Renew your acquaintance with Rose Thoresen, Joy Michaels, and the others who live at Palmer House. Glimpse the years between Stolen and Lost Are Found.”


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Tabitha is definitely a Christian work first and foremost--there is a lot of ministry in its pages. Some readers may find it refreshing or it may cause them to ask questions about the Christian faith--all good results. On the other hand, this believer who is solid in her faith found the story compelling enough that I just wanted to get to the plot to find out what happened next!

Tabitha's voice is strong, and she tells the story of her early years and her training to be a nurse with the viewpoint of someone who realizes she's made many mistakes and is doing her best to overcome her personality flaws. I like that kind of character refinement--when someone takes their own rough edges and starts smoothing them--and I was happy to watch it unfold in Tabitha's case, to her credit. It sounds like she wasn't very likeable in the first books of the series.

The romance wasn't sweep-you-off-your-feet, but it was a solid connection between two people who were doing their best to follow God's plan for them in difficult times. Mason felt a bit bland at times, but that may have been to due to the extraordinary amount of info dumping he did on planes while out with Tabitha. Good thing she was a fan! The ending was predictable but satisfying. Truly, Tabitha is a sweet story.

Gentle Reader Alert: I found nothing of concern.