When a Boston cabinetmaker arrives in the village of Mountain Laurel, North Carolina, in 1793 to claim land left him by his uncle, he has no idea what is in store for him. His uneasiness with the fact that his kinfolks own enslaved people grows as he discovers the artistic talent that Seona, owned by one of his relatives, has previously been able to hide. This is a Christian romance that features a fairly untypical pair of lovers. “Lori Benton’s Mountain Laurel is a compelling masterpiece, a stunning dance of romance, sacrifice, yearning, betrayal, and redemption. Benton weaves an exquisite tale that delves into the world of slavery while unearthing the treasure of what it truly means to be free. Seona and Ian’s story continues to captivate me long after the pages have closed.” -- Tara Johnson. Lori Benton is the author of at least half a dozen Christian historical romances, all set around the time of the turning of the 19th century. She won the Christy Award for first novel in 2014 and subsequently the Insy Award and was a finalist for the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Book of the Year.
Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House: 2020. 464 pages with discussion questions. Trade paperback.