August 2011

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With over a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading-but not all at the same time!

Read more about Carrie Fancett Pagels.

Title: Surrender the Wind
Author: Rita Gerlach
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Genre: Historical romance
Release date: August 2009
ISBN: 978-1426700729
Reviewed by: Carrie Fancett Pagels

In September, the ACFW Book Club will read two books. One of them is Surrender the Wind by Rita Gerlach. Join now to read this book with Carrie Fancett Pagels and other book club members.

There is a lush quality to the writing and richness in Rita’s voice that seem appropriate to this time.

Seth Braxton, who fought for American liberty from the British, finds himself the heir to his Loyalist grandfather’s estate in England, where his stepbrother, Edward Darden, wants what is Seth’s, including the lovely Juleah. Then Seth finds that someone has abducted his sister Caroline’s son, and he will not rest until both the child and the culprit are found.

Gerlach’s writing style is somewhat reminiscent of Hemingway, in that she includes the setting as a character in her stories. She brings the countryside of both late 18th century America and England to life. There is a lush quality to the writing and a richness in Rita’s voice that seem appropriate to this time.

While the romantic tension continues throughout, the suspense reader will enjoy the many twists and turns in this book, too. How will Seth and Juleah ever get to begin their life together in America?