With You Always ~ Review

With You Always
Orphan Train #1
By Jody Hedlund

1857 is a difficult year for those looking for work in New York - Elise Neumann and her siblings know this only too well. But when Miss Pendleton offers them a place to call home off the streets and the promise of work Elise accepts. But the economy is anything but stable as soon rumors spread of other seamstresses being let go. But surely the Seventh Street Mission which is their new home will be safe with Miss Pendleton's support.

Meanwhile, in the elite circles of New York society, Thornton Quincy is going through his own crisis. His father is dying and he has issued a challenge to his two sons - compete for the family's railroad empire. Thornton has always been second to his twin Bradford and he is sure he will again, after all, how can anyone develop a sustainable town plus fall in love and marry within six months.  But their father is not to be dissuaded in his challenge.

When gang fighting brings Elise and Thornton together in a race for their lives neither had any idea that they would ever see one another again. But Elise needs a job and Thornton's new town of Quincy, Illinois needs workers to bring it into being. But getting work through the New York Children's Aid Society means leaving those nearest and dearest to her behind if she hopes to provide for them. But for her family, Elise is willing to make the sacrifice and take whatever work they have for her.

With You Always is a journey that is not only of distance but of heart as both Thornton and Elise learn who they truly are and grow as individuals.  Both need to see past social dictates that label without knowing the person. Can they both learn to see a person for who they truly are at their heart or will they let preconceived perceptions blind them to the truth? Only time will tell and it is running down.

This is yet another step into the past from Jody Hedlund and this time she shares a piece of history I had certainly never before heard of. Who knew that the orphan trains also helped placed women in need of work! For fans of historical fiction with a touch of romance, you'll enjoy this first book in a new series.

I was provided a review copy this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review all opinions expressed are my own.

Check-out An Awakened Heart the e-novella that pre-dates this book  and it is free on Amazon.

About the Book:

Could following the opportunity of a lifetime

cost them the love of their lives? 

One of the many immigrants struggling to survive in 1850s New York, Elise Neumann knows she must take action to care for her younger sisters. She finds a glimmer of hope when the New York Children's Aid Society starts sending skilled workers to burgeoning towns out west. But the promise of the society's orphan trains is not all that it seems

Born into elite New York society, Thornton Quincy possesses everything except the ability to step out from his brother's shadow. When their ailing father puts forth a unique challenge to determine who will inherit his railroad-building empire, Thornton finally sees his chance. The conditions to win? Be the first to build a sustainable community along the Illinois Central Railroad and find a suitable wife.

Thrown together against all odds, Elise and Thornton couldn't be from more different worlds. The spark that ignites between them is undeniable, but how can they let it grow when that means forfeiting everything they've been working toward?