• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Hold Me Close: A book review

by Chautona Havig · 5 Comments

Hold Me Close–what a fun title!

Why?  Well, unlike in most historical romance, Hold Me Close doesn’t have a romantic significance. Okay, maybe I am wrong.  You see, “hold me close” in this sense signifies one character’s desire for the Lord to “hold her close” and keep her from wandering from Him.  And if you add the Lord’s comparisons of the church as His bride and Song of Solomon, I suppose you could stretch it… but I’d rather not.

Hold Me Close

(Note: links in this post may be affiliate links and as such, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.)

Marguerite Gray set this book in Charleston, South Carolina in 1772–back when it was still called “Charles Town.”  The town teems with disgruntled colonists and angry Loyalists, and the combination becomes a powder keg ready to explode.  See what I did there?  I amuse myself.  And I digress.

One of the loveliest things about this book is that the author based the main characters on actual characters who lived during the time. Louis, a French Huguenot, and Elizabeth, a transplanted Bostonian who loves her new home, become friends after Louis arrives on a quest to find purpose and direction in his life.

As tensions increase, Louis must decide if he will follow self or the Lord, and Elizabeth must decide if she will share her disloyal political leanings or if she will keep them to herself.

I have to say, near the end, my sap-o-meter went into overdrive.  No joke. The protestations of love and devotion became much more than I prefer , but also much more in line with what most historical romance offers. They are NOT inappropriate or graphic.  It’s just that I’m just not a sappy kind of gal.

My Review:

Actually, I found this book difficult to review.  In fact, I won’t leave an Amazon review because I refuse to apply a star rating. You see, I truly enjoyed this story.  I found it engaging, and I haven’t read much historical  Southern history that wasn’t centered almost a hundred years later.  Most American historical Christian fiction concentrates on the 1800’s and 1900’s.  There are some Puritan books,  but I haven’t seen as many from this era and particularly from this far south. I also really enjoyed the characters and look forward to a second book. Yes, I will buy the second book and will read it.  I look forward to it.

But this book has some problems that make it impossible to leave a 4 or 5-star rating, and I don’t think it’s right to give it a 2 or 3 star based on how I’ve rated books in the past. Well, I just decided to leave stars out of it and share several of my problems and praises with the book. They likely won’t be problems for everyone. After all, this is fiction.

The problems I found with Hold Me Close?

  • The language is terribly modern to me.  While I don’t think that historical fiction has to be written in the style of the book’s time period, I found it disarming to hear a Frenchman in 1772 use diction that you hear on TV. And this had turns of phrases so decidedly modern, that I couldn’t ignore them.  They jolted me out of the book. There was the bit about a Huguenot mother telling her son that as long as he had a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ” she didn’t care what church he attended.  I checked with my historical fiction editor because that felt off, and she verified that this is decidedly post-1950’s terminology.  Additionally, the idea of whatever church you wanted–so very modern and unheard of at the time.  I think I understand what she attempted to do, but it really did take me out of the story. I doubt many will find dance cards and perambulators, in pre-19th century America to be anachronous, butI double checked them too. Neither was in England or America until the 1830’s at the earliest. But again–it’s not going to affect most people’s reading pleasure. Just something that I noted for those who find those little details annoying.
  • I can tell that she must have studied the craft of writing.  All the “rules” (show don’t tell, few dialogue tags, use action beats, don’t dump info) she is careful to follow, but it actually comes out in a difficult to read way sometimes. Her writing is not bad.  I’ve read enough of that to assure you that I don’t consider it bad. But because of how it works out, sometimes it becomes a bit cumbersome. In particular, the info dump spots (she masked most into dialogue) were a bit much.  Still, compared to MOST info-dump scenes I see, they weren’t too terribly rough and my original ones in my first book were.
  • I found what I consider character inconsistencies.  I think Ms. Gray used some of them to show that we don’t always know our own minds.  Louis thinks he knows what he wants and does the opposite.  Elizabeth insists someone in her life is just a friend of her father’s, and then becomes clear there’s more to it. (Can’t explain what or it is huge spoiler material). The first can be easily dismissed by that “not knowing himself” thing, but the second was harder to swallow.
  • My strongest objection is, I think, an accident. One line in the book says, “The hymns, inspired by God, sounded different.”  I suspect the author meant/implied, “Inspired by a love of God” or something to that effect, but the words as written seriously bothered me.  While, as I said, I do not think it was meant to imply that God directly inspired the words, it does read that way.

Hold Me Close coverSo do I recommend Hold Me Close?

Actually, I do, with the caveat that some will find these things hard to get past.  Clean and interesting, the book did hold my attention, and despite the aforementioned issues, there were times I couldn’t put it down. I wanted to know what would happen next–particularly in the second half. As I said, I’ll buy the second.  Look, it’s her first book.  It’s not a “great book” but it is a good story!  And really, I wouldn’t have wanted someone to read my first book, and “write me off” after that.  Authors grow, we mature, we improve. So go on over to Amazon. Read the first three chapters.  If it grabs you at all, know that the book really picks up in chapter 4.

Other blogger/reviewers have read and reviewed this book recently.  Check out their blogs to get a balanced view of the book and its contents.  This is just one opinion.  Others have rated it very high!

Share173
Pin
Tweet
Email
174Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
174Shares

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « Aggie’s Inspiration
Next Post: A Rebel in the Making: My Father’s Influence »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Emma Filbrun says

    July 1, 2016 at 4:20 pm

    A couple of my long-term favorites aren’t adult books, but I love them anyway–Hidden Riches by Romaine Stauffer and The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare. As far as adult fiction, the most memorable is The Second Thanksgiving by Douglas Lloyd McIntosh.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      July 1, 2016 at 8:13 pm

      OOOH! Checking those out. I love The Witch of Blackbird Pond, too.

      Reply
      • Emma Filbrun says

        July 1, 2016 at 8:23 pm

        You might have to buy Hidden Riches from the publisher, Christian Light Publications (clp.org). If you want super-clean books, that’s a place to get them. I recently read Returning Home and Crossing the Distance, from them–great books that I highly recommend.

        Reply
  2. Caryl Kane says

    July 1, 2016 at 3:03 pm

    Thank you for your honesty. I so appreciate reviewers who do so.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Stitcher
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
March 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 214: A Chat about After the Shadows with Amanda Cabot
March 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 213: A Chat about Daughter of Eden with Jill Eileen Smith
March 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 212: A Chat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem
February 28, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 211: A Chat with Lynn H. Blackburn about Under Fire
February 24, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 210: A Chat with Jennifer Deibel about The Maid of Ballymacool
February 21, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 209: A Chat with Tracie Peterson about Remember Me
February 17, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 208: A Chat with Author, Hallie Lee
February 14, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 207: A Chat with Daniella Rushton about Portal Fantasy
February 10, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 206: A Chat with Lisa Phillips about Her New Spin-off Series
February 7, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • Why I Can’t Wait to Read the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing Series!
  • What Kinds of Lessons Can We Learn from the First People?
  • Why Would Anyone Send Beautiful, Thorny Roses with Strange Messages?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Reposted from @sunrisemediagroup Incoming! Expired Reposted from @sunrisemediagroup Incoming! Expired Hope will be released next month—be sure to pre-order it at the discounted price of $3.99 before release day!⁠
⁠
@LisaPhillipsBks ⁠
@MeganBesing⁠
⁠
#LastChanceCountyCollection #LisaPhillips #suspense #romanticsuspense #christianfiction #christiansuspense #cfauthor
It's here!!! Eeeep! Have you read @author_jocelyn_ It's here!!! Eeeep!
Have you read @author_jocelyn_green 's newest release?
#AmReading 
#ChristFic 
#historicalChristianFiction
Found this book at our local bookstore, Red Rock Found this book at our local bookstore,  Red Rock Books. It changed one direction of my next Bookstrings novel. I think we need more emphasis on picture books. So... this will sit around to inspire. 
#Bookstrings 
#bookishbooks
Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here th Reposted from @lornaroseboutique Annnnnnnd here they are!!! I’ve been anxiously waiting to see how they turn out, and they’re AMAZING!!! Gahh I love these post cards! 
If you love them too, you can check out the link in my bio!!

#digitalart #redbubbleartist #iloveart
When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squ When @kathleendenly offers to send an ARC, you squeal and accept before she changes her mind d. Eeep! I love her Chaparral Hearts series!
#AmReading 
#historicalromance 
#ChristFic
My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However, I My first Goudge this month was a DNF. However,  I found this while sorting my books in our home library and decided to read it now. Delightful. 
#yearofgoudge
#ChristianFantasy
Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to t Reposted from @susankbeattyauthor Take a trip to the Suamalie Islands where palm trees sway, the sand and sea pulse with life, and the people will steal your heart with Book 2 in the series, Wheelers Design.

Clay is messy and so is Sabrina’s life sometimes, but will God mold it into a work of art?
	
Wheelers Design releases March 28, but you can pre-order now: 

Pre-order the ebook copy now to get a special pre-order price of $2.99 https://buff.ly/3TPO7NT

Preorder the paperback copy to get 30% off plus free shipping. Just fill out the form https://buff.ly/40aLI2s 

#preorder #newrelease #cleanreads #contemporaryfiction
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!