About the Book
Book: A Calculated Betrothal
Author: Denise Weimer
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: November 12, 2024
A Patriot scout, a Loyalist widow, and a desperate fight to save what matters most.
The death of her titled husband means that not only is Tabitha Gage no longer a lady—but she’s also abandoned on an isolated Southern Georgia plantation on the eve of revolution. With the fine house and fields sold to a neighbor, she’s left with a log cabin on unsettled timber land. Rather than marry the neighbor’s son, Tabitha determines to make her own way—and never again be shackled to a man she doesn’t love.
Sergeant Edmond Lassiter is one assignment away from promotion when he comes to the aid of a red-haired beauty fending off cattle rustlers. Thrown together during an attack at a nearby fort, the Patriot scout and Loyalist widow are surprised by the values they share—including honesty, loyalty, and equality. When Edmond learns the same man who ruined his family is after what little Tabitha has left, he convinces her they should work together to make her land profitable—all while fighting off the British from East Florida and her greedy neighbor, who sabotages their every effort to succeed. Their work together will be a business arrangement…nothing more. But as a British invasion threatens, the truth soon becomes clear—continuing the connection between them will risk far more than their hearts.
My Review:
Tabitha Gage is a woman who is ahead of her time. She is strong willed, a free thinker, and carves independence. However, she lives in a time where men make all of the decisions and women’s opinions are generally not regarded not wanted. When Tabitha’s domineering, unloving husband dies she has the chance to explore avenues that were never open to her before. But, unforeseen circumstances threaten to put her into a worse situation than she was in before. I loved her grit and determination as she looks for ways to keep her land and defy some very greedy and unscrupulous men.
Edmund Lassiter was a true hero. Not only did he help with defending the fort, but he also came to Tabitha’s aid. He fought off their common enemy and helped her to make business deals for timber and another venture. He helped Tabitha see she was intelligent, lovely, and a child of God.
I enjoyed this story of the Revolutionary War and learned quite a bit about the role Georgia and Florida played in it through this story. I would recommend this story for mature readers as it does have a sexual assault scene, although not graphic. I enjoyed the faith thread that was present throughout the story and Edmund realizing that he needed to forgive his enemy.
*suicide, premarital relations
I was given a complimentary copy of the book. A positive review was not required, and all opinions are my own.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
North Georgia native Denise Weimer has authored around twenty traditionally published novels and novellas–historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and time slip. As a freelance editor and Acquisitions & Editorial Liaison for Wild Heart Books, she’s helped other authors reach their publishing dreams. The mother of two wonderful young adult daughters, Denise always pauses for coffee, chocolate, and old houses.
More from Denise
There were only going to be four books in my Scouts of the Georgia Frontier Series. But have you ever had a character take over a story? That’s what happened for books four and five.
Temperance Scott, the shy but principled heroine of A Conflicted Betrothal who started her own Daughter of Liberty group during Savannah’s 1765 Stamp Act Protests, had a feisty twin sister named Tabitha. Tabitha kept marching all over the page in her bright silk gowns, making Temperance feel pale by comparison, jockeying to maintain her position as Daddy’s favorite, and plotting to steal Temperance’s beau. When that failed, she stole the end of the novel instead, saving her sister from authorities tracking down the spy who wrote the Townsman Letters that accused prominent Loyalists of supporting the Stamp Act. Then she wed her father’s choice for her, the much older Henry Gage, Lord Riley, and sailed away on his sloop to avoid punishment. As the book closed, Temperance got to marry her Royal Ranger-turned-Patriot, Ansel Adams, while Tabitha was left to an unknown fate in swampy South Georgia. I kept wondering whatever became of the Savannah belle down there with the snakes and gators.
When I learned that Fort Barrington on the Altamaha River changed hands several times during the American Revolution, becoming Fort Howe while under Patriot control, I had to write book five, A Calculated Betrothal. Fast forward ten years, and Tabitha is newly a widow. The intervening years have not been kind, as her husband marginalized her when it became clear she would not provide him with the heir he desired. Their finances have dwindled as he continually sent money to his wastrel brother-in-law in England. Upon his death, she discovers the fine rice plantation has been sold to their greedy neighbors, Loyalist father and son Hugh and Julian Jackson. Julian has an alternate plan in mind, but Tabitha has no intention of yoking herself to another man she doesn’t love—particularly a cruel slave owner and womanizer. She takes her maid-slash-best-friend Dulcie and flees to the cabin Dulcie’s husband occupies on the south side of the river. This land, at least, is still hers…even though it offers only undeveloped timberland and swampland, free range for the Spanish cattle Dulcie’s husband herds.
But there’s an enemy more dangerous than the snakes and gators, and maybe even than the Jacksons…the British-allied East Florida Rangers that raid into South Georgia—burning, stealing, and rustling cattle. A confrontation with their vengeful colonel puts Tabitha at the top of their list. With enemies all around, how will Tabitha establish her independence? Enter Fort Howe’s Sergeant Edmond Lassiter, a man determined to settle his own score with the Jacksons. He offers the help Tabitha needs, but with their hidden wounds and differing backgrounds, can they learn to trust each other enough to defeat their common enemies?
Blog Stops
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 15
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 16
Pause for Tales, November 16
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 17
lakesidelivingsite, November 18
Allyson Jamison, November 18
Books You Can Feel Good About, November 19
Texas Book-aholic, November 20
Connie’s History Classroom, November 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 22
Simple Harvest Reads, November 23 (Guest Review from Donna)
Cover Lover Book Review, November 24
Book Looks by Lisa, November 25
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 26
For Him and My Family, November 27
Holly’s Book Corner, November 28
Blossoms and Blessings, November 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Denise is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf5498
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Victoria McCombs
Will the sun set on their chance at happiness before they can seize it?
Mary Connealy 
