Balkan Women Book

I was fortunate enough to hit a narrow window of time where the author shared the kindle book for free on Amazon. I enjoyed the setting and the characters, although I kept feeling like I was missing something. Not knowing the author, I was completely unaware that there was a previous book I should have read first. It didn't keep me from figuring out the storyline, though, thankfully.

I find I appreciate stories more when the central characters are flawed and make mistakes I consider to be very human. Timothy's temper, Martha's insecurity, Daniel gambling away the claim - still, it felt like a punch in the gut when Daniel fell for Harriet's machinations, especially knowing she wanted a child. For a one-time dalliance, a child would link Daniel to Harriet for a lifetime, potentially causing problems in the future. I found it extremely disappointing that Daniel couldn't have been physically faithful to Martha. For as much as Daniel valued Martha, loved her and was set on spending his life with her, it seemed out of character for him to sleep with Harriet. Daniel's character seemed more upright and honorable than that.

I also felt that Arthur taking his guilt over the unanticipated death of Peter to the point of turning clergyman was a bit much. The death was a tragic accident that lay at the feet of Judge Stark, who was supremely unrepentant. That certainly felt in character; Arthur's way of dealing with the tragedy did not.

Regardless, the story is certainly a good one that draws the reader in, and one I would not hesitate to recommend to others.