Rosanne Bittner, Where Heaven Begins

Where Heaven Begins

Rosanne Bittner

Steeple Hill, Feb 2004, $12.95, 336 pp.

ISBN: 0373785135

In 1898 San Francisco, Elizabeth Breckenridge is irate with the pious judges of her congregation that condemn her based on the word of the two faced Reverend Selby. The self-righteous men believe she is just a weak female while Selby is a man of God, who took her in as a daughter when her mother followed her father to heaven. Liz, Selby, and God know the truth, but since she is condemned by the leaders, she informs them that she will join her brother Peter in Dawson, Yukon Territory and pray that God forgives them.

Almost immediately, Liz finds out how dangerous the trek is as thugs try to steal her purse. Bounty hunter Clint Brady rescues her. To her shock, she finds the caustic cynic appealing even though he scoffs at her when she says God will protect her. As the trek north continues, Liz wonders if in some mysterious way God has sent her Clint as her beloved "guardian" angel. The doubting Clint falls in love with Liz, but believes he is not good enough for such a pious believer while vengeance holds his heart in chains.

The perils of Pauline add excitement to a vivid late nineteenth century romance that fans will comprehend who is rescuing who in this warm inspirational tale. Liz is a terrific protagonist struggling with the betrayal of weak minded men only to find a courageous angry with God male owns her heart. Clint is a lot more complex than the caring Liz as he has four years of disbelief suddenly thrown at him when he falls in love with a Godly woman. Fans will appreciate this inspirational North to Alaska romance.

Harriet Klausner