Tweezle Reads

Many times when I'm in the mood for a good Christian romance novel, I find that after I'm finished reading the book I've chosen, I feel good, but also feel like I've missed something. Too many times the storyline is good, but the characters are not in-depth enough or the whole story is just too predictable.

I will be honest and expected the same from "Spoils of Eden". Instead, I found a book that took place in Honolulu in 1891 and was rich in the history of Hawaii, well before Hawaii was part of the United States. With the Islands being reigned by Princess Liliuokalani, the want of Hawaii to become part of the US, and all the rich descriptions of the island, I knew this book was going to be something much better than the typical romance! I found that once I started this novel, I couldn't put it down and was saddened to finish it. I so wanted it to continue!!

The main character, Eden and her "finance" Rafe, are both wonderful characters that try to live the Christian life. That doesn't mean their lives are perfect nor does it mean that they come from wonderful Christian families. Instead, they are very realistic, and come from families that struggle with some very dark backgrounds.

The romance part in this novel is interesting, as it comes from the side of the male. Rafe loves Eden and wants to be married, but Eden has made a promise to her father she intends to keep - even if it means alienating Rafe. It made the storyline more fascinating to me. The other family members and their side-stories were also interesting, because power and money dictated what would happen in their lives and happiness wasn't normally a consideration.

"The Spoils of Eden" is a fantastic beginning to a very promising series. I cannot wait for the next book in "The Dawn of Hawaii" series to be released! Linda Lee Chaikin is a "new to me" author, and after reading this novel, I have a strong feeling she will be making my favorite authors list. I'm putting all of her other books on my must-read list!