The Steeplechase: A Christian Historical Romance (Love's Sporting Chance)

By Carrie Fancett Pagels

Description:

Martha Osborne fears for her six-year-old brother, who was shuffled off to boarding school when his British mother departed to England. Set in Hampton Roads, Virginia, in the build-up to the War of 1812, expert rider Martha plans to substitute for her older brother in a “race to the steeple” to win the prize—and a bet with Phillip Paulson, equestrian trainer at Yorkview Academy, to help have her little brother returned home. When Phillip stumbles upon the real reasons behind the secret race he finds he may not be able to keep his end of the bargain. Can he save Martha and her brother? And will his heart be lost in the process?

Book Takeaway:

Family is worth fighting for. Family is more about love than about blood. God puts you where He needs you.

Why the author wrote this book:

While researching several novels set in Tidewater Virginia, where I live, I was inspired by the hunt clubs to look at early horse racing events. Then while in Philadelphia, researching "Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter" I learned of early races taking place right in town. The first steeplechases as an official sporting event took place decades after this story, but I thought -- why not earlier? There had to have been unofficial races to the steeple.