“Teaching reading was usually Catherine’s greatest joy. Opening young minds to the wonder of language.” But faith is her other joy—faith found with pure delight one day while listening to Charles Wesley’s preaching. She was so sure it was God’s will that they meet; surely God’s will that she be on her brother’s short list of people the famous preacher might marry; and certain that Charles would never wed a younger woman, as now he has. Suddenly God’s will for Catherine’s life seems oddly obscured. Meanwhile an itinerant preacher, once sure God would call him to a place where he could stay and set down roots, feels equally unmoored.

Where Love Begins is filled with fascinating details of historical society, transport, teaching, clothing and even food—from anchovy toast to strawberry fritters, potato pudding and more. All is experienced through the convincing eyes of truly believable characters, longing for God’s will, and struggling with those choices that might define their lives. It’s a story of human spirituality and need, well-balanced between love and duty, honestly appraising the loneliness of rejection and the glory of fellowship, and seasoned with an aching desire to know and do God’s will. And it’s a tale that brings to vivid life an exciting time of change in England’s history. Faith is a natural thread in the characters’ lives and thoughts. And prayers just might be answered in God’s way and time, rather than man’s.

If you enjoy historical romance, and if faith does not offend, this book will surely offer both enjoyment and inspiration, plus more than a few twists of intriguing history.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review. ( )