VOICES BECKON

A romance series starter set during the earliest days of the United States.

Graham’s novel opens in 1783 with teenagers David Graham and Elisabeth Hale boarding a ship called the Industry, bound from Bristol, England, to Philadelphia. He’s Scottish, traveling to America with an aim to take up an apprenticeship at a print shop; she’s an upper-crust Brit, headed to the States with her father to forge a new life. The teens’ relationship, and their friendship with Liam Brock, another young Scot, blossoms onboard the ship, but the seemingly star-crossed lovers face major challenges once they make it across the ocean; the complications of David’s indentured status and Elisabeth’s difficult relationship with her father threaten to drive the young couple apart. Along the way, David forges a new printing career while Elisabeth becomes a teacher; however, their future together remains elusive, and readers will feel themselves invested in the two finding their ways to each other. Although the outcome is in little doubt, Graham has the story play out against a historical backdrop that’s interesting enough to hold one’s attention. However, it’s the compelling characters that Graham creates that give this novel momentum. Elisabeth, David, and Liam are all charming, but it’s other, secondary players—particularly Elisabeth’s maid and confidante, Polly—who give the work a feeling of depth that separates it from other works in the genre. As the novel ends, readers are sure to want more of David and Elisabeth’s story, and Graham tidily sets things up for future installments.

A historical love story that’s strengthened by engaging character development.