UNCERTAIN HEART by Andrea Boeshaar centers around Sarah McCabe, a young lady determined to strike out on her own and prove she can be a woman of independence. Leaving her family home in Missouri for a teaching position in Chicago, her plans are dashed when she finds the position has already been filled. With a promise to be hired in the Fall, Sarah heads to Milwaukee and takes a governess position for the summer, in the home of Captain Brian Sinclair, a widower.
Captain Sinclair, though a stern man to his four children, offers Sarah everything she has ever dreamed of; a home in the lap of luxury, a place in society, an exciting life in a large city, even a hint that the dashing, older, captain might be interested in Sarah as more than just the overseer of his children. With all that she could ever imagine at her fingertips, Sarah also struggles with feelings for Richard Navis, an indentured servant to Captain Sinclair. Richard is kind-hearted, loves the Captain’s children as his own, and is everything a woman could ever want in a man, except that his desire in life is to put aside the prestigious job he now holds as the Captain’s assistant for the life of a lowly farmer. To work the land alongside his father is what really brings Richard joy. With Sarah’s mind set on loftier goals, she treats Richard as nothing more than a good friend, even though she knows his interest in her goes beyond friendship.
Sarah struggles with her feelings for the Captain and for Richard. At times she almost fears the advances of the Captain, not knowing if he has true feelings for her, or if he is just a master of persuasion. Richard on the other hand makes his feelings clear to Sarah, and she in turn lets him know that her goals in life differ from his, and so friendship is all they can hope for.
As the summer progresses, Sarah finds she has fallen in love with the Captain’s children and struggles with the idea of leaving in the Fall. But, when the Captain shows his true colors by intimidating Sarah and allowing her character to come into question, sullying her reputation, she knows her only recourse is to go home to Missouri, thus proving her strong-willed independence was nothing more than a young girls dream.
UNCERTAIN HEARTS was intriguing to read. Though at times Sarah’s wishy-washy feelings frustrated me as a reader, I realized how the character of Sarah could easily be torn between everything she ‘thought’ she ever wanted in life and the love of a man who is kind, descent, and perfectly content with his station in life. Just when I thought I had figured out the ending, Ms. Boeshaar threw in quite a shocking surprise. I enjoyed UNCERTAIN HEARTS and the writing style of Andrea Boeshaar enough that I will be purchasing UNWILLING WARRIORS, the first installment in the Seasons of Redemption series, and look forward to UNEXPECTED LOVE, releasing in 2011.
Book provided for review purposes.
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