Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik holds two timelines with vastly different content. I enjoyed both storylines and stayed interested throughout the novel. The questions from the timelines unraveled with perfect pacing that showed the author’s ability to precisely craft a story. The ending wrapped up things with a bit of “telling not showing”, but I still liked the book.

Love’s Fortress tackled the historical actions of removing Native Americans from their tribes, detaining them in Fort Marion (now Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, Florida), and teaching them the white man’s culture. The novel handled the situation carefully and gave it a hopeful spin while still showing the understandable distaste for the white man’s ways through Broken Bow’s perspective. Reading about these happenings made me wish that United States history hadn’t happened the way it did.

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik is part of the Doors to the Past series from Barbour Publishers, but reads as a standalone novel. Recommended for fans of Christian fiction who enjoy a tightly crafted story with interesting historical detail. I adored the beautiful Gospel presentation to Broken Bow. I read Love’s Fortress with my local book club and there was plenty to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own. ( )

MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK

Love’s Fortress by Jennifer Uhlarik is another book in the Doors of the Past series from Barbour Books. I enjoyed this story very much, even though it took me a while to get into the story. I felt bad for Dani. She knows nothing about her father’s life or any possessions he might have. These two characters, along with the other characters learn well as the story unfolds. Uhlarik does well in her research for the book. I like that the story switches between modern and historical times. This takes so great writing skills and not everyone can pull it off but Jennifer Uhlarik does a nice job.

Readers who enjoy both historical and present times reads will enjoy this book. Also someone who enjoys reading about the history of Indian’s perhaps would enjoy this one. I’m giving it four out of Five Stars.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )

Another story in the Doors to the Past series, Love’s Fortress captured my attention. This dual timeline story focuses on Dani and her fractured family in the present along with Sally Jo, Luke, and Broken Bow in the past.

The author creates a powerful story of learning to forgive and love like Christ loves us in both the. Past and the future. The author created characters with depth that drew me into the story. The plot line moved along at a good pace. I felt like the transitions between time periods moved along at a good pace.

This ok illustrates how sometimes our plans differ from God’s plans, but God always knows best. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own. ( )

“Love’s Fortress” by Jennifer Uhlarik is book seven in Barbour’s “Doors to the Past” series, and in many ways, I find it to be the most compelling thus far. I also commend both the author and the publisher for taking on this controversial subject, especially at such a divisive time in our country. The treatment of Native Americans is a source of much bitterness and anger, and understandably so, and to approach this from a Christian viewpoint both historically and currently offers a healing lens that can serve well going forward. One of the advantages of fiction is that it allows for the exploration of how current ideas could have changed the outcome of historical situations, or how historical methods could influence contemporary issues.

Uhlarik skillfully articulates several of the main obstacles involved in the three-year incarceration of the seventy-three Native American men from various tribes at the Castillo de San Marcos (later renamed Fort Marion) in St. Augustine, Florida, in 1875. They were detained due to their roles in the conflicts in the American West. Through the characters of Lieutenant Richard Henry Pratt and Broken Bow, primarily, the challenges of forced assimilation become evident, as well as the impact of Christianity. Broken Bow’s character demonstrates how difficult it was for the Native Americans to understand the foundation of the Christian faith, and how important effective communication is, not only in ministering to others, but in establishing the trust necessary to earn another’s respect. If we want someone to listen to us regarding personal matters and beliefs, we first need to demonstrate our care for them; other approaches likely seem condemnatory, be that the intention or not.

Relationships likewise constitute another major theme in “Love’s Fortress.” As a dual-timeline story set in 1875 and in the present day, generational trauma and moral tradition both inform the narrative through the characters’ actions and the resulting series of events. As surprising as some of the revelations were, they all serve as reminders to disregard rumors in favor of facts. So much tragedy stems from relying on the incorrect interpretation of another’s culture or lifestyle. As such, Matty Joie is an exemplary illustration of the joyful servants that the Lord calls us to be. Likewise, one observation by Sally Jo Harris particularly resonated with me: “Just as if they were on a mission field in some faraway country, she and the others must rely on God’s leading and His timing. If she and Luke would have made it to Liberia or another mission field, her experiences would have differed there too. And regardless of where they were called, no one held the power to bring true healing and change through their own wisdom. Only the Holy Spirit could break down those walls.” The mission field is often within our own communities, and sometimes all it takes is a wild goose chase to find the blessings God has planned for us!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own. ( )

I have been greatly enjoying the Doors to the Past series published by Barbour Books. This particular novel piqued my interest because although I read a lot of historical fiction, I have not yet read much of Native American struggles. This story does a great job of detailing some of the historical aspects of their culture while portraying the influence of white people, giving both the good and the bad of both sides. I appreciated the author’s note at the end as well. One of my favorite parts of split time fiction is the way the two timelines intersect and this novel does a great job of bringing them together by the end. I also really liked the way the spiritual truths are woven into the story. Overall, I enjoyed this novel and I am excited to read more in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. ( )