"AMAZING GRACE! HOW SWEET THE SOUND
THAT SAVED A WRETCH LIKE ME!
I ONCE WAS LOST, BUT NOW AM FOUND...
NEWTON AND POLLY
A Novel of Amazing Grace
by
Jody Hedlund
Now remembered as the author of the world's most famous hymn, in the mid eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father -- until the night he hears Polly Catlett's enchanting voice, caroling. He's immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.
An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John's reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?
Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a son that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe.
THE AUTHOR
JODY HEDLUND is a CBA best selling and award winning author of more than a dozen books. Among a variety of genres she especially loves bringing long forgotten women of history to life. She is the author of Luther and Katharina, which was awarded the EDPA Book of the Year Award in fiction. Her other novels have won the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christy Award. She reside in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and their busy children.
MY THOUGHTS
One hymn that we all know is Amazing Grace. There's something about the song that soothes the soul. The message has touched so many of us through the years.
This is a fictional account of John Newton in the little town of Chatham, England in the 1740's. Newton is only 17 years old. He is the author of Amazing Grace.
Our two main characters are Newton and Polly, thus the title. Newton struggles and is quite frankly, a disaster. Newton makes mistakes time and time again and pays dearly for them. He hasn't quite woken up to that fact that God is holding his hand out to him. All he has to do is take it. Newton makes a mistake that lands him in prison.
Then we have Polly, who has her own struggles, just not the same as Newton. She struggles with issues of the heart and soul. She too needs to reach out for God's hand.
Newton meets his cousin's daughter Polly Catlett and has an immediate attraction to her. He doesn't take a very good job from his father because he wants to be around Polly.
Soon he will make a mistake that forces him to leave the town and Poly. Polly is heart broken. Her father keeps telling her that John isn't the one for Polly. Polly knows John struggles with faith and making right choices but she still loves him. Time passes, Polly tries to forget him but just can't. A visit from John's father tells of the change in John. But can Polly start over with him? Has he truly changed? Had John finally reached out to God? Had he taken God's hand? Will Polly give him another chance?
The author gives the reader two characters that are flawed, only in different ways. She writes with such flow that it reaches deep into the reader's heart and soul. You see the characters flaws, their faith or lack thereof. You see the struggles they go through with faith. It truly touches your heart. It makes you stop and think about yourself, your own flaws and faith.
I liked that the author references the facts so if you like you can do a little research yourself. Sometimes we don't stop and think of the power that God's love can work. We just don't reach out. We don't listen.
Get a copy of this book and you will follow John and his journey from a faithless, conniving person to a person with faith and belief.
If you love historical romance then this book is truly an Amazing Grace that will touch your heart and soul. A love story above all love stories.
Get a copy of this book and you will follow John and his journey from a faithless, conniving person to a person with faith and belief.
If you love historical romance then this book is truly an Amazing Grace that will touch your heart and soul. A love story above all love stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Blogging for Books and voluntarily decided to review it.
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