Title: Mariah’s Quest
Author: Sally Laity
and Dianna Crawford
Pages: 317
Year: 2012
Publisher: Barbour
Note: I received a
complimentary copy for an honest review of this book. The opinions shared in this review are solely
my responsibility. Other reviews can be
read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/. Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988
Mariah finds
herself on the auction block in America after a six week journey across the
ocean from England. She, along with her
two sisters, is being auctioned as indentured servants. How did things come to this? Mariah’s older sister, Rose, sold their
possessions and her labor to try to pay off their father’s debt. The other two sisters didn’t want Rose in
America alone so they also volunteered their labor. Mariah, however, has plans well beyond that
of an indentured servant. She is coming
to America to find a rich, handsome husband.
Colin
is a young man in town on business for his father. He rides past the auction block and sees a
beautiful, young woman dressed in a fine dress being auctioned as a
servant. He is drawn to her at once and
enters the bidding. He successfully
purchases Mariah’s indentured papers for a time of service of four years. Colin also has plans for Mariah beyond
serving as a companion to his mother or perhaps a tutor for his younger
sisters. Will Mariah be amenable to his
attentions?
Colin
brings Mariah home to his family’s plantation in Virginia. His mother is none too pleased to have her
there. Her son will marry someone from
his own class with a dowry and should not be deterred from this goal. She agrees to give Mariah a trial period as
tutor for her young girls. Mariah does
well in this endeavor, but expects quite a lot as a supposed servant. She continues to plot how she can spend more
time with Colin to get him to like her while Colin does the same. Colin appears vain and arrogant. Mariah appears manipulative, shallow, and
selfish. While Colin is away, she contemplates
other men who she might pursue in order to get a marriage proposal.
Once
Colin returns, he no longer wants Mariah around. He realizes he doesn’t really know her that
well and she is only after his money and position, so he thinks. He also understands how the Lord uses each
situation for good. Mariah finally
realizes all her schemes and manipulations won’t get her what she really
wants. She surrenders herself fully to
the will of God and gains immediate peace and relief of pain. She can genuinely enjoy others’ happiness and
not be envious. Can Colin and Mariah
resolve their differences? Even if they
do, will his mother ever agree to a marriage between the two of them?
My rating is 3 stars.
