The Angel of Second Street, Enduring Hope Bk. 1 by Barbara Tifft Blakey ~ a book review

 

In California in 1884 prejudice and the class system are very evident. Ida, the “orphaned” niece of a wealthy family, finds this to be the opposite of what her Christian faith teaches her and determines to fix it. With the help of her best friend, she concocts a plan to visit the Chinese section of town and the ladies of the night on Second Street, in order to spread the Gospel and teach them about Jesus.

When Blaine first meets Ida he knows that she is the woman he has been praying for, but as the son of a wealthy shipowner, his father has different expectations for him. His father, without his knowledge, arranges for him to be sent away to work for a man with a daughter that he is expected to marry. Both Blaine and the daughter are not in agreement with their fathers because they both love someone else.

Blaine defies his father and returns home to court Ida.

Both Blaine and Ida are very strong in their Christian faith and while Blaine supports Ida’s efforts he is concerned for her safety. The community is very against both the Second Street residents and the Chinese community. They have forced the Chinese out of the main part of town and into Chinatown where feuding gangs rule. With the help of the local pastor, Ida makes a plan to minister to them.

Will her plan work?

Why are her Aunt and Uncle so opposed to her mission?

Why are Blaine’s parents so against his relationship with Ida?

Why is one particular Second Street lady so adamant about her staying away?

This is from the publisher’s website:

“How Can Compassion be Considered Wrong?

When life is weighed down by challenges, pillars of enduring hope and love are always waiting to be discovered.

Ida Dempsey has grown up in a privileged life of luxury thanks to her aunt and uncle. Although Second Street—where women of ill repute ply their wares—is off limits to respectable citizens, her heart of compassion compels her to frequent the area, hoping to make a difference in their lives. Ida has also befriended Qui Shau, a Chinese woman who keeps house for her family, but friendships between the whites and Chinese are taboo in Eureka. Ida tries to keep secret her forbidden compassion, but someone is watching and will use it against her.

When Blaine Prescott meets Ida at a church picnic, his parents warn him away from any relationship with the young lady who has been seen on Second Street in the company of a Chinese woman. But how could such a kindhearted, lovely young woman be anything but good? But when riots break out in Chinatown and Ida disappears, Blaine will do anything to find out where and why she has gone."

This is a wonderful faith based story of love, grace and forgiveness spun with mystery, secrets, overcoming prejudice and forbidden love.

There are historical notes in the back that are very interesting.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”