The Beloved Invader (St. Simons Trilogy, v.3)

Rating:
Summary: pretty
Review: Eugenia Price's imagination of this novel began with her discovery of St. Simons Island and specifically, Christ Church, once the parish home of Anson Dodge. When Price discovered the story behind Dodge's life - that he had been married twice and that his first wife had originally been buried under the pulpit in Christ Church - The Beloved Invader was born. The novel is Anson's story and has much to do with his stumbling upon this island in Georgia and dedicating himself to the post war reconstruction of its beautiful chapel. It is a very tender story of a man who's pretty flawed for a Price book (making him more real) and the two extremely different women who became his wives. This book is especially recommended for young people - little love story packed in with historical detail. Most fun to read the book and then go to St Simons and see all that was described.

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy Eugenia Price...
Review: I have read all of Eugenia Price's books and regret that there are no more. If you enjoy the historical detail of this book and her others, and have not yet discovered Diana Gabaldon's books (Outlander, Voyager, et al), you might give them a try. Like Ms Price's books, they are long, detailed, well-researched and written. Be forewarned however, that, unlike Ms Price's books, Ms Gabaldon's books have more (sometimes a lot more) sensuality and (historically appropriate) violence. If you are comfortable with that, you will enjoy Ms Gabaldon's stories that put you into early Scotland and colonial America (North Carolina area). If you enjoy Ms Price's comfortable and solid faith references, you might like Jan Karon and Curtis Ann Matlock's books.

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy Eugenia Price...
Review: I have read all of Eugenia Price's books and regret that there are no more. If you enjoy the historical detail of this book and her others, and have not yet discovered Diana Gabaldon's books (Outlander, Voyager, et al), you might give them a try. Like Ms Price's books, they are long, detailed, well-researched and written. Be forewarned however, that, unlike Ms Price's books, Ms Gabaldon's books have more (sometimes a lot more) sensuality and (historically appropriate) violence. If you are comfortable with that, you will enjoy Ms Gabaldon's stories that put you into early Scotland and colonial America (North Carolina area). If you enjoy Ms Price's comfortable and solid faith references, you might like Jan Karon and Curtis Ann Matlock's books.

Rating:
Summary: Capture of the Heart and Soul
Review: This book was great. It is one you will not want to put down. I became so involved in the story that I read the book in two days. In all the books I have read by Ms. Price she has captured my heart and soul. You feel as if you are right there with the characters in the book. Each new adventure in the book seems to draw the reader in. Now that I have read all the St. Simon Trilogy my yearly visits there will never be the same. Thanks to Ms. Price I will look more carefully at her beloved island and enjoy it more.

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet
Review: You're probably wondering who the Beloved Invader is, right? The title really is the whole book, in general. Anson Dodge is a Northerner visiting the Civil-War torn South. God sort of leads him to St. Simons Island through different events. There, he falls in love with the people of this island and makes a home for himself. The people think of him as an invader, I suppose. He has to win their affection and acceptance, but he wins it completely in the end. He devotes his life to the people, his dreams, and to God. This is a poignant love story. It's a very sad story though--about cruelty, love, endurance, faith, and sacrifice. I usually go for the happy ending love stories, but this is one of the exceptions for me. It's a must-read book. Of course, if you read it, you should read the others in the series (New Moon Rising and Lighthouse). It's one of those books you don't often come back to--but if you don't read it you're really missing something. I believe, that as Price wrote this, it came straight from the heart. That's what makes it so special. It went straight to my heart. There are actually three love stories in this book. One between Anson and the people of the island (and his ministry), one between he and his first wife, and one with his second wife. I really can't tell you much else about the plot of the book. I don't want to spoil it for you. But buy this book and the other two as well. They are excellant reading!