Linda Chaikin

The "Heart of India" trilogy was one I read many a time in the early years of my Christian-fiction experience (junior high school and beyond). It was a small genre then, so I read and re-read what was available - including this series. And I loved it!

I revisited just now after a long absence, partly because I was between library books, and also to see if the book and series held up after so long. It totally does ... and with this first re-read, anyway, I was amazed at:
- how much I'd show more forgotten
- how Chaikin interweaves history not only of India, but Bible translation, mission work, and hymn writing (oh haiiiii, John Newton!! Like, whaaat?! Love it!)
- how much more there is to the series than "just" a love story.

I was also struck by the prevalence of powerful people drugging others to cover things up, make them question their sanity, and more -- 1700s gaslighting, basically (and unfortunately). So much I didn't pick up on 20-some years ago, or I did to some extent but not near to the same level as now.

All of the above combines to really testify to Chaikin's skill as a writer and her ability to create a layered read that stands the test of time, as well as to deal with super tough subjects in a sensitive way--not backing away from or glossing over their wrongness, but also not giving them undue attention or trying to justify them.

There were a handful of grammatical errors I didn't recall from the print books (I read the Kindle version)--likely due to transition from print to ebook. But, that's not at all a reflection of content! show less

Linda Lee Chaikin is awesome! She writes with vivid detail and complexity. This story immediately drew me in, especially when I got to visit Catherine De Medici again! Reading C.W. Gortner's Confessions of Catherine De Medici, I became a HUGE fan of her and while this book is about Rachelle, it still visits with the Queen Mother Catherine De Medici and her courts. That was a bonus for me!

Rachelle's character was vibrantly created. She falls in love with a forbidden man-someone far, far show more above her in society. When Rachelle learns of Catherine De Medici's conspiracy against the Huguenots, the suspenseful twists to the plot begin, for Rachelle, in the court as a seamstress to De Medici's daughter, is a Protestant in secret. The man that Rachelle fell in love with, that far above her man, falls in love with her, too, and together they try to stop the plotting of a conspiracy. It all came down to an amazingly written, well researched, and beautifully blended historical, romantic suspenseful novel!

Linda Lee Chaikin is a new-to-me author, though with books like this one, she has earned a top spot on my list! This 5 star novel is filled with love, mystery, pain and lots of French history. I highly recommend this to ALL book lovers! show less

As I was reading this book I kept thinking I was reading a movie I might have watched. This was a story that took you on a train ride through the Northwest territory in the late 1800s. It would stop at different times in the story and then take off again until you came to another year or years later. It was about men who wanted to make it big either in the Northern Pacific railroad or the rich timberland of the Northwest. It was about what some would do to protect their fortunes and what it show more would cost them in the end.

Ember Ridgeway is the pampered niece of the railroad tycoon Mack Ridgeway. She will grow up during this story and find that life doesn't always turn out the way you planned, but if you rely upon the Lord He will see you through when everyone else seems to let you down. Tavish Wilder is a man who grew up knowing to do good but finds out quickly how evil men can trample you down. Will he grow bitter and seek revenge or stay true to what his parents had taught him from the Bible. The story revolves around these two characters but there were so many more people involved in this story. I think the author did a wonderful job of making this story come alive, like watching a movie! All aboard for a train ride that will take you through danger, romance, sorrow and conflict but will bring you to a satisfying conclusion. show less

Many times when I'm in the mood for a good Christian romance novel, I find that after I'm finished reading the book I've chosen, I feel good, but also feel like I've missed something. Too many times the storyline is good, but the characters are not in-depth enough or the whole story is just too predictable.

I will be honest and expected the same from "Spoils of Eden". Instead, I found a book that took place in Honolulu in 1891 and was rich in the history of Hawaii, well before Hawaii was part show more of the United States. With the Islands being reigned by Princess Liliuokalani, the want of Hawaii to become part of the US, and all the rich descriptions of the island, I knew this book was going to be something much better than the typical romance! I found that once I started this novel, I couldn't put it down and was saddened to finish it. I so wanted it to continue!!

The main character, Eden and her "finance" Rafe, are both wonderful characters that try to live the Christian life. That doesn't mean their lives are perfect nor does it mean that they come from wonderful Christian families. Instead, they are very realistic, and come from families that struggle with some very dark backgrounds.

The romance part in this novel is interesting, as it comes from the side of the male. Rafe loves Eden and wants to be married, but Eden has made a promise to her father she intends to keep - even if it means alienating Rafe. It made the storyline more fascinating to me. The other family members and their side-stories were also interesting, because power and money dictated what would happen in their lives and happiness wasn't normally a consideration.

"The Spoils of Eden" is a fantastic beginning to a very promising series. I cannot wait for the next book in "The Dawn of Hawaii" series to be released! Linda Lee Chaikin is a "new to me" author, and after reading this novel, I have a strong feeling she will be making my favorite authors list. I'm putting all of her other books on my must-read list! show less