As a book reviewer, I have been in hiatus for a while. However, a new book caught my attention and begged to be read and reviewed. A Bend In The River, by Emerson Ford soon to be available on September 29, 2005 through Storm Publishing was well worth my time. I received access to this book through NetGalley in exchange for this review.
A Bend In The River is a historical fiction set in the late 1700's during the French and Indian War and subsequently entering the American revolutionary war. It centers around the main characters, Rosanna Waters and Callum Stewart. Rosanna is a wild and impetuous imp of a girl, wanting to follow her twin brother Philemon in all things fun, as she shuns her mother's desires to make a lady of her. Callum is an indentured servant as an orphaned child, sent to America after his prison release following the Scottish rebellion in 1745. Both characters are followed throughout their growing into adulthood while surviving the wilds of a young country facing hardships and war.
As an avid reader of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon, I appreciated the style of writing and historical details that went into this novel. It was well written with a strong voice and a knack for storytelling that captivated this reader. The dialogue used highlighted the character's personalities without becoming over done with the "brogue" of the Scottish language or colloquialism of a young girl like Rosanna. The dates included to set up the historical references were accurate and enhanced the story further. There were enough references to the past to peak my interest and encourage me to want to know more about the time period and setting. Cameo appearances or mentions of actual historical figures such as General Washington and Alexander Hamilton gave the book just the right amount of "spice" for any historical fiction buffs, without overpowering the story of the two main characters.
I would highly recommend taking the time to read, A Bend In The River by Emerson Ford. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
