The Innocent Libertine

The second book in the series Heirs of Acadia, this book has lots of history plus fiction and suspense. You'll want to have all five books in this series. It's a good read.

I liked this book. The characters of Abigail and Lillian seem very "real" to me in this book. My only real quibble with it is that it seems that everyone falls in love so quickly. I will admit that the book is only 318 pages long and that you have to move quickly in a book that short. Lillian's story is so mysterious that when it is finally revealed, many things make sense. The novel is about the anti-slavery movement in both the US and England, the westward expansion of the United States, a little bit of the political system of the 1800s, but mostly about how forgiveness can change a person's entire outlook on life.

Abigail's story begins in "The Solitary Envoy", when she is still a child. Now grown, she is determined to see and share more adventures than her privaleged family intends to allow. Her rebellion brings disgrace on herself and her family; so, the family has little choice but to send her to her grandmother in America.....which of course leads to more intrigue and unexpected romance. Davis and Isabella Bunn again weave a fascinating and hard to put down tale that mixes well researched historic realities told with all-too-true human missteps and foibles. Let's hope this is but the beginning of a substantial book series.

In 1814 and though her wealthy American expatriate family has become part of London's high society, eighteen years old Abigail Aldridge feels she must help those less fortune than herself. Abigail sneaks out with her cousin at night to tend to the needs of the residents of the Soho slums when Reverend Derrick Ames finds her wandering the dangerous alleys. While her cousin flees for home, Derrick and his friends escort Abigail to the Soho Square Church. When a raid of the church occurs, Abigail is arrested and taken to Newgate along with others. Her parents use their contacts, influence and affluence to gain her release. However, the subsequent scandal forces Abigail to return to the United States. Though stunned by the reactions of the Ton to her good intentions, Abigail plans to continue her efforts to help the poor chaperoned by the Countess Lillian Houghton, who seeks solace from her own woes. INNOCENT LIBERTINE is a vivid early nineteenth century character study that looks deeply into two women (more so Abigail than Lillian) as they adapt to new lives trying to tend to the poor. Abigail and Lillian have learned what paves the road to hell (or at least "colonial" exile), but both courageously move on with hopes of helping the impoverished as they feel all good Christians should do. Fans of inspirational Americana tales will appreciate this fine look at an expanding nation through the eyes of the two brave females and Abe, a brilliant intellectual who helps them find the path even as he and Abigail fall in love. Harriet Klausner