DEEP IN THE HEART |
Gilbert Morris
Integrity Publishing
Historical
2003
ISBN: 1-59145-112-4 |
 |
It’s 1831 and Jerusalem Ann Hardin tends to an ailing mother, a
mentally diminishing grandfather, and raises her children, Brodie, Clinton, Moriah, and
baby Mary Aiden as a single parent. (She’s not a single parent, but might as well be
the way her husband, Jake, is continually absent following one venture after another, his
most recent being fur trapping.) She remains a rock in the midst of life’s upheavals.
When Mr. Rusk, the banks Vice President offers to accept ‘favors’ from Jerusalem
in lieu of farm mortgage payments, Jerusalem is insulted, angry and scared. She
steadfastly refuses his offer. But, wonders how they will make the payments.
Clay Taliferro travels to the Hardin place to let them know of Jake Hardin’s
whereabouts. He’s been trapping with Jake and explains Jake didn’t come home
because he’d broken his leg. Jerusalem accepts Clay into her family and after a
confrontation in the bank where she is vindicated; she is greatly relieved she did welcome
him. Clay finds himself falling for the wife of his friend.
Because Jerusalem is hard headed and so virtuous, the course of events in her life take
the family on a journey like no other. Soon, Indians face them with threat of kidnapping,
and when Jerusalem takes the family to find Jake to make them a complete family again, she
is not prepared for what she finds.
In addition to the interesting life stories of the Hardins and their friends, we travel
from Arkansas to the budding town of Austin, Texas where we meet the not yet famous, Jim
Bowie and Davy Crockett. And as the struggle for Texas begins, we feel the angst of Texans
as well as the anger of the Mexicans. When the war begins, we’re cheering whether we
want to or not.
Mr. Morris is an incredible storyteller weaving a strong faith message through his
stories. Deep in the Heart is an excellent tale of passion, love, and providence. This
book presents a piece of American West history with a fresh new spin where beloved heroes
are mere men and the challenge of settling a wild land is scary and not easily accepted.
As usual, Mr. Morris tells a riveting tale and brings us to the edge of our seat in
anticipation. Two things bothered me, however. One is the peacefully pious way
Jerusalem’s mother dies and the other is Jerusalem’s saintly, virtuous and
righteous personality. With all the dangers and heartbreak she faces, I really wanted her
to get as angry as I was. But, she didn’t. She handled things head on with a huge
heart and a more than right relationship with God. I just wanted her to be a little more
human.
Deep in the Heart is the first of the Lonestar Legacy and with Mr. Morris’s obvious
ability to weave fact and fiction so neatly together, I can’t wait for book two.
Reviewed for Road to Romance by Linda Mae Baldwin November 24, 2003 |
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