Review of "Beside Two Rivers" by Rita Gerlach

Rating: 3 Stars

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Summary from Abingdon Press: A tale of love won and love lost, and the faith to find it again.

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From the banks of the Potomac to the misty moors of England, Darcy follows a path where the secrets of the past slowly rise to the surface in this dramatic saga that began in Before the Scarlet Dawn. She meets Ethan Brennan, an aspiring English horse breeder, who embraces her independent spirit and marvels at the simplicity of her faith. Ethan and Darcy fall in love, but are kept apart by a promise to another and a sworn oath to a dying woman whose long-hidden secret threatens Darcy’s and Ethan’s lives.


Review: Beside Two Rivers is the anticipated sequel to Rita Gerlach's bittersweet novel Before the Scarlet Dawn. I was drawn into the plot of Before the Scarlet Dawn, and was anxious to read the continuing story in Gerlach's latest book.  Beside Two Rivers picks up several years later.  Darcy Morgan has grown up, sadly without the presence of her mother or father.  As she discovers the truth of her childhood, the reader is reminded of the heartbreak faced by Hayward and Eliza Morgan in the first novel. 
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Before the Scarlet Dawn ended on a sad note, so I sought closure in Beside Two Rivers. I was happy to learn that Darcy's childhood was pleasant and loving despite the troubling circumstances that defined her early years.  Both Darcy and Ethan are upstanding and warm-hearted characters, but I had difficulty finding a connection. Their responses to situations are relayed more factually than emotionally at times.  The love story between Darcy and Ethan does not find resolution until the end of the novel, but their love is quickly established in the first section of the plot. I always enjoy slower love stories, so I prefer strong feelings to progress more gradually. 
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Rita Gerlach's writing is somewhat reminiscent of classic romances, which is a quality I enjoy in her descriptions of the Potomac and Derbyshire, England.  There are also times when the formal style creates stiff dialog and slows the plot.  Beside Two Rivers is divided into three parts to correspond with significant changes in the plot. Part I moves the slowest for me, but once Darcy ventures to England in Part II, the plot picks up speed. 
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I am glad that Gerlach incorporates the main characters from Before the Scarlet Dawn to provide readers with a conclusion to their stories. Gerlach does not shy away from heartache and tragedy in her plots. Beside Two Rivers does not provide a happily-ever-after ending, and there are hardships that occur near the end of the novel. Last minute surprises keep the reader questioning how the novel will end; but at the same time, the changes can be unsettling.  The reader does not directly witness some of the significant events, but reads about them after the fact. 
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The last chapter of Beside Two Rivers is the happiest and most promising of the novel. After the sad events of both books in the Daughters of the Potomac series, I hoped for happiness to linger longer.  After anticipating a reunion of the Morgan family, I would have found much satisfaction in observing the reestablishment of familial bonds, especially between mother and daughter.  Although I did not enjoy Beside Two Rivers as much as Before the Scarlet Dawn, it does provide a much needed conclusion for readers who were left wondering what would become of the Morgan family. 


I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley, courtesy of Abingdon Press.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Review of Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach

Rating: 4 Stars

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Synopsis from Abingdon Press: In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter, Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.   

Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it's a temporary reprieve. Hayward joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness.

Review: After reading Rita Gerlach's first novel, Surrender the Wind, I was excited to discover her newest book Before the Scarlet Dawn, which will be released in February 2012.  This was one of the rare times that I did not read the synopsis before reading the novel, so I did not know what to expect of the plot.  However, even for those readers who do read the publisher's summary, they will not be prepared for the unexpected turn of events as the story weaves its course through the pages.  

Gerlach's characters are realistically flawed and make both good and bad decisions.  Particular characters frustrated me and maddened me with their reactions.  There were moments that made me want to jump into the novel and ask "Can't you see the error of your ways?"  Such moments added depth to the novel that I appreciated.  There were other times that I felt significant events were skimmed over or characters' reactions were presented in a more factual rather than an emotional manner.  Likewise, some dialogue seemed a bit formal and stilted.  Overall the novel flowed at a steady pace and kept me turning the pages and wondering what would happen next.  I truly had no idea how the novel would conclude. 

Bittersweet best describes the mood of Before the Scarlet Dawn; it left me with the hope of a happy conclusion but with the sadness of broken dreams and shattered relationships.  The last half of the novel really gripped me, and the last page left me wanting more pages to answer my lingering questions.  Fortunately, Gerlach is working on Books 2 and 3 of the Daughters of the Potomac series.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from NetGalley, courtesy of Abingdon Press.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”