Review of, Within The Dark Hills, by Sian Ann Bessey

Product Details

• Title: Within The Dark Hills
• Author: Sian Ann Bessey
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Covenant Communications Inc.; 1st edition (April 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160861106X
• ISBN-13: 978-1608611065
• FTC:FYI: I was given a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2012

 

Desperate to escape the unwanted advances of a cruel master, chambermaid Annie Morgan runs miles through stormy weather to find sanctuary at the home of Reverend and Mrs. Davies. Without family and tainted by scandal, she's in dire need of a new identity and an occupation to match. Equally bleak is the future of Evan Powell, a miner who harbors dreams of escaping the black mines that are slowly killing him and finding refuge under the promised blue skies of America. But recently, the wife who Evan adored died, leaving the devoted father struggling to care for his young daughter, Jane. To benefit both Annie and Evan, the kindly reverend arranges a marriage of convenience, one that is quietly contracted in a hasty ceremony. An event that sparks pointed gossip among those in the small Welsh town and outright rejection from Evan's family. Annie must tread carefully lest she let slip anything about her past, particularly when she learns that her former master has been afoot, inquiring about a missing maid. More importantly, she feels she must avoid any emotional entanglements with Evan, who remains devoted to his beloved deceased wife. But as Evan works with Annie to care for Jane, Evan knows their relationship is growing into something more and must face the torments of a divided heart. And in the midst of Mormon missionaries preaching a strange new religion, disaster strikes the town and Annie's troubled history can no longer be hidden.

My Review:

I had a hard time getting into the book at first.The first almost 50 pages were dedicated to an accident in the mines. The author goes into a lot of detail about the mines, which had some interesting details. I was just thrown for a loop when the cover showed this beautiful, prim and proper lady, and the story I was reading didn't go along with my expectations for the novel. Once I got over that, and got into the story more, I enjoyed the characters. Annie and Evan are both good people who had been dealt with many harsh cruelties in life. Even though the romance between them was predictable, it was sweet and worth reading about.

There is also action and a lot of drama in this novel. Life for nineteenth century underground coal miners was harsh for the workers and their families. The author did a great job of portraying what happened to these miners, and what daily work was like for them underground. 

There is LDS religion brought into the story, as the missionaries come into the small mining village. This causes quite a stir within the village. But this didn't turn into a huge conversion story, but does affect the main characters. 

This story will truly be enjoyed by women and older teen girls who love historical fiction, some action, drama, along with a nice romance.

Within the Dark Hills has been nominated for a 2012 Whitney Award in the Historical Fiction category. It can be purchased HERE.

 About the Author:

Sian Ann Bessey was born in Cambridge, England, and grew up on the island of Anglesey off the north coast of Wales. She left Wales to attend Brigham Young University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications.

Traveling has given Sian a deep appreciation for a world full of diverse cultures. Through her writing, she introduces her readers to some of the places she has come to love, especially her Welsh homeland.

Sian is the author of several LDS novels and children's books. She has also written articles for the New Era, Ensign, and Liahona magazines.