Barbara Sontheimer

Heart-wrenching, Victor's Blessing by Barbara Sontheimer will have readers reaching for their tissues and loved ones. It is a beautifully-written story of tolerance, faith and forgiveness. Philosophical and interwoven with complicated subplots, the novel teaches us the important lesson of not looking at the shallow bit but the part that is deep within; the things that should always take first priority. The characters left a deep impression on me, especially Yvonne. She possessed the time-honored gift of being able to perceive what any good wife and mother worth their salt would see, thus, ensuring the happiness of her family. The plot was extremely good and I felt myself drawn into the war of family, deception and heartache and two central characters who ultimately wanted the same thing: Love.… (plus d'informations)

A well versed love story set in a different zone

I am fond of love stories, and when they involve extreme conditions like war, it makes them more interesting for me.

The main character, Victor Gant, is our conventional hero, tall and dark-skinned with a heroic personality, just like his mannerisms and virtues. He is a man of his words and has shaped himself out of crucial and unwelcoming life situations. He had a troublesome past, yet he believed he could make bright future for himself. He designs his life the way he wants, and it takes a beautiful turn with love and romance when a beautiful town girl enters his life.

Just when he thinks everything is perfect, the American Civil War forces him to leave for the country and serve away from his love. How this will change his life or how this helps in his growth is worth reading.

The writer has done an applaudable job by drafting such a beautiful story with a realistic approach. This was a well-versed, romantic read for me.… (plus d'informations)

A love story set in the mid 1800s in Missouri. Victor is the son of an Osage woman, and is love with the beautiful Celena. He begs her father for her hand in marriage. A blacksmith by trade, Victor is a whiz at imagining how to create and engineer things. He invents a coupling for railroad cars. He is wealthy, and together, he and Celena, have a great love.
Victor's friend, Ethan, is also in love with Celena, but doesn't interfere with their marriage. They are business partners. The story is ambitious, covering many decades, and includes the Civil War, and the abuses at Andersonville prison camp.
I thought the story could have been half as long, without so much info on the minor characters. But, overall, a true love story.… (plus d'informations)

I love a book that can take me to another place—double points if I also get transported to another time. Sontheimer did a wonderful job of throwing me into the pre-American Civil War era. The plot and writing are solid, and the pages just flew by.

Victor is a unique character rife with hardship; however, he’s worked himself up into something more than what he was born into. His great character and drive to do the right thing by himself and those he loves left such an imprint that even one he impacted honored him by naming their kid Victor. Without spoiling it, I could feel the heartache from Celena and the understanding of Ethan. The characters are incredibly realistic.

It’s a great story with love that persists beyond the boundaries of life and proximity.… (plus d'informations)