Courage: Tales of History, Mystery, and Hope
Courage: Tales of History, Mystery, and Hope brings together 15 stories penned by a range of talented authors. Spanning eras from ancient history to modern times, each tale centers on a defining moment that alters a character’s future grounded in vivid historical settings and context. A few standouts for me: Set in England in 1141, “Daisy Chain” by Annie Whitehead is an emotionally wrought tale of a grieving mother named Catelin who sets out on a journey to take a king to task about the cost of his war. Her trek across land and through memory is a heartfelt discovery about finding a place in a broken world and worthiness in one’s self. “Kate’s Letter” by Patricia Furstenberg is a tour-de-force of lyrical, gothic storytelling set in Transylvania in 1478. To recover a final token from her lost love—a letter tucked inside a worn coat—Kate must confront her devastating past. Woven with magic and folklore, this beguiling tale unfolds with haunting grace. “The Gate” by Elizabeth St. John is set in London, 1900, and introduces readers to Margaret. She’s left with one last hope of survival for her children, but she must let go of everything she loves in order to ensure their future. Margaret’s strength during the most difficult walk of her life is a poignant reflection of sacrifice and love.
The collection features men, women, and children from many facets of society and offers its readers well-developed plots, emotional depth, strong characterization, and satisfying conclusions. With varied and engaging representations of different periods and places, this is an enjoyable anthology which will appeal to a broad scope of historical book lovers.
