cover image Broken Covenant

Broken Covenant

Teresa Williams Irvin. HeartChild Inc. (www.teresairvin.com), $16.95 paper (304p) ISBN 978-0-9799395-5-6

Irvin (Seeds of Rebellion) spins out the story of a couple who must overcome emotional wounds and learn to love one another, set against the backdrop of the French and Indian War in 1755. Still grieving the death of her husband, 17-year-old Rebecca chafes at living at home and once again being treated like a child. When the handsome Blanton Moseley offers to marry her to take her away from it all, she accepts, willing to try life on the frontier despite the hardships. Their relationship is tested by a lack of communication, Indian attacks, and Blanton's decision to join General Braddock and Colonel Washington on their campaign; the separation allows them to come into their own and realize what's important. While Irvin thrives in the historical details and accuracy of the setting, the plot lacks energy and her leads have little chemistry, making for a passionless and chaste romance that barely resolves itself by the end. As an adventure set in tumultuous times, it's capable, but as a character piece or drama, it's fairly mundane. Ages 12%E2%80%93up.