A Life Once Dreamed by Rachel Fordham Book Review

ABOUT THE BOOK

Six years ago, a shocking secret sent Agnes Pratt running in search of a new start. She found it in Penance, a rugged town of miners and lumberjacks in the Dakota Territory, where she became Miss Aggie, a respected schoolteacher and confirmed old maid. But the past has a way of catching up with people. 

When childhood friend and former sweetheart James Harris accepts a position as the town doctor, Aggie's pleasantly predictable days suddenly become anything but. James wants to know why Agnes left behind the life they had dreamed of creating for themselves- but he is the one person who can never know. 

In the shadows of the Black Hills, can a healing light be shed on the past? Or will the secret Agnes can't seem to outrun destroy her chance at happiness? 

MY BOOK REVIEW

I was so excited to get a copy of "A Life Once Dreamed" as you know I love historical fiction series. This book takes us back to the 1880s frontier land  "A Life Once Dreamed" is a historical romance about Agnes who has a secret and is trying to run away from her past. She left Boston in hopes of making a new life for herself as a school teacher in the Dakota Territory.   Her life changes when James Harris, a doctor, shows up where she lives to help out with the scarlet fever epidemic outbreak in the town. He brings up all their past and Aggie's hurt. She refuses to share the secret of why she left him all those years ago. Agnes encounters life and death situations. Aggie and James need to decide if what they share is enough to overlook all the obstacles that stand between them. She turns to God to help her get through these things. She'd do what she could to help God's purposes.  Keep in mind, during the 1880s times were rough in the west. I was surprised when I found out what her secret was. 

Rachel Fordham is one of my favorite authors. Her books have an amazing flow to it. I always feel like her stories come from a real life.  Her stories are simple with real problems and real characters. Her writing allows you to escape your life for a little while and step into someone else's life journey.  She writes her characters with flaws and imperfection. This is why its so relatable because we all have flaws and issues. No one is perfect unless you are GOD. 

Agnes is selfless, inspiring, and passionate, but at times petty. .James is a little on the arrogant side. He has the most growth and learns a great deal throughout the book.  Sam on the other hand is selfless even despite the hurt he went through. He could have been bitter but he didn't. 

 I couldn't put down "A Life Once Dreamed".  I read it in one whole sitting it was so good. Didn't get much sleep but I loved being into the story and didn't want to leave it.  Fordham does an amazing job describing locations and the characters. 

This book has a beautiful message. It has a message of hope, belonging, acceptance, and finding your true family. God has a wonderful plan for our purpose all we have to do is trust in him and amazing things will happen. It isn't too preachy. I could really see this made into a beautiful film for Hallmark Channel and/or UP channel. I highly recommend this book! It is released on August 4th, 2020. 

*I would like to thank Revell for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Fordham is the author of "The Hope of Azure Springs". She started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She'd pull a book from the shelf, they'd insist she make one up. Finally, she paired her love of good stories with her love of writing and hasn't stopped since. She lives wiht her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. 

Check out her website at CLICK HERE

Facebook.com/rachelfordhamfans

Instagram: @rachel_fordham

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW

Both of your previous novels, The Hope of Azure Springs and Yours Truly, Thomas, take place in the fictional town of Azure Springs, Iowa. Why did you choose the Dakota territories as the setting for your latest book?

I’ll always be fond of Azure Springs, Iowa, and would love to set a million books there. For A Life Once Dreamed, I needed a setting that was a sharp contrast to Buffalo, New York, where the book begins. I wanted a place that would still be rugged and, in many ways, isolated for my heroine to start her new life in.

Penance became that town. It’s full of heart and endearing characters, but it’s also a land that challenges the main characters and causes them to learn a new way to live and to look at life. I hope everyone will love this rustic town like I do. 

What type of research was required for your book?

There were many small things that required research -- the climate, vegetation, and the industry of the Dakotas. She read up on the rules of etiquette in small rural towns and the life of a teacher. But the issue required the most digging was illegitimacy and adoption laws of that era. 

One of your main characters faces stigma for being an illegitimate child. In the story, you explore how illegitimate children were treated during this time period. Can you expand on this?

The idea for this novel came after watching the movie Blossoms in the Dust. It tells the story of Edna Gladney, who was a pioneer in the fight against the illegitimate stigma. I watched this and couldn’t stop thinking about how sad it was that people’s lives were torn apart by something they couldn’t change.

After doing research, I discovered that in the time period of my story it was still somewhat possible to keep illegitimacy a secret because birth certificates and official birth records were just starting. Often babies were quietly claimed by someone else, but if their status was known they were often mocked, labeled, and legally discriminated against. In my main character’s case, her status would have been revealed because of who she was marrying and who knew about her birth. Rather than face the community backlash and public shame, she flees, sparing herself and James.

In the years following when my story takes place, the government required the status of illegitimate children to be listed on birth records, and it wasn’t long before those children were harder to adopt out and labeled as inferior. It became much harder to hide, and the stigma grew even worse until people like Edna Gladney fought to spare these kids.

In today’s world, it seems foreign to most that illegitimacy was viewed with such scorn. Yet many of us, if we dig in our family tree, will find that we have been touched by this in some way. Bringing a light to this once popular form of discrimination was not only a thrilling writing experience but one I think is important.

Do you have a favorite character from this story?

I’m fond of this whole cast. If I had to pick a favorite, I think I’d say Tommy, one of Agnes’s school children, because he’s the perfect comic relief and you never know what will come out of his mouth.

A Life Once Dreamed offers readers a wonderful romantic tale that includes elements of hope and healing. What do you hope readers take away from this story?

Like always, I hope readers end the book with a happy sign and all the good feelings that rush over you when you’ve been swept away in an engaging tale. Then I hope they pause and think about what they read and realize they were more than merely entertained. I’d love to know that readers left this story more aware of those around them. Illegitimacy may have lost its stigma, but there are still so many times when we are quick to judge someone based on factors out of their control. In addition, I hope readers will think about how sometimes the roads we travel in this life take us far away from what we were seeking but somehow take us to exactly where we are meant to be.

Are you surprised by how your stories take shape, or is the finished product what you envisioned from the start?

I’m always surprised! I typically begin a rough draft knowing where I want to start and where I think I want to get to, but the way I get their always surprises me. The good thing about this is that I tend to write my rough drafts quickly because I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

What are you working on next?

My 2021 book already has me giddy with excitement. This new book takes readers on a journey with a main character who has a colorful past (years spent in a women’s reformatory), works in a brand-new career field (dental assistant), and can’t help but think if she can clear her name she might have a shot at a real future. 

“Fordham’s writing exemplifies emotional intimacy, renews fascinating historical settings, and exudes uplifting Christian wisdom.”

—Booklist on Yours Truly, Thomas