The Solitary Envoy

Erica Langston lives in Washington D.C. during the War of 1812. Her father is training her to take over the family business, but his life is cut short when English troops march on Washington and he is accidentally killed while trying to save his warehouse merchandise. After the war is over, Erica decides to go to England to receive payment for goods that a British bank promised but never delivered.

I read this for the "Go Review That Book!" group and it took me over a month to read. This is partly because I owned the book and felt no pressing need to return it to the library on time, but it's mostly because I didn't like it. I thought the story itself sounded interesting, but I was disappointed by the writing and found some of the show more historical aspect unbelievable, such as Erica's training for business and her family's general acceptance of that. The narration told me what to think about the characters, and sometimes what was shown contradicted what the narration said (for example, Erica is supposed to be a reserved, do-it-yourself kind of person, but while she's in England she pretty readily trusts people and tells them her troubles). There were so many sentence fragments and awkward descriptions, I became irritated. So instead of getting interested in the story or invested in the characters, I started counting down the pages. show less

About a girl with a fine financial mind who was encouraged by her father to work the business, but was thrust into control if ut when he was killed in the war of 1812. She has to go later to England to try and get justice from a British banking firm and becomes embroiled in the work of Wilberforce in stopping slavery and bringing justice to the people, and incidentally falls in love with the British soldier who saw her just after her father’s death and kept her in his heart. The Christianity expressed in the book is strong and persuasive. Well written.

Book 1 of Heirs of Acadia, continuing the story told in the bestselling Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn Song of Acadia series. Erica Langston's comfortable home and loving family living near Washington, D.C., carry no outward hint of the sorrows and fears faced by her Acadian forebears, but she will soon discover that similar determination and fortitude will be required of her. When the British once again invade the nation's capital and leave death and destruction in their wake, Erica is left to deal with the creditors circling around the crumbling family business. It seems her only recourse is to travel to England to collect on outstanding debts held in British banks. Arriving in London at the home of the United States ambassador, Erica show more is gradually immersed in a secret mission that brings her face-to-face with her most feared and reviled enemy. She discovers that Gereth Powers is part of a group of Christian activists headed up by William Wilberforce himself. Along the way, Erica comes to realize her faith has been more cultural than real, and her spiritual journey becomes far more significant than her journey over the ocean. show less

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