This story begins with a stage coach robbery. A number of years later, we find Dessa, a former maid, in 1887 Denver. She wishes to get a loan to start Pierson House. This will be a home for women who want to get off the streets. It is to be named after Dessa’s late friend who got her started in street ministry.
Dessa has an uphill climb to get a loan. After all the other banks in Denver have turned her down, she walks into the bank owned by Henry Hawkins. Henry is the stiffest, most unfriendly, man in town.
Amazingly, Dessa gets the loan. This is nothing short of a miracle since Henry was antagonistic towards the Pierson House project specifically, and against giving a loan to any woman in general. However, his uncle Tobias took matters into his own hands, and granted Dessa the money.
Dessa depends on pledges from the community to start and run Pierson House. Because of that, she naively accepts the help of Turk Foster to hold a fund raiser. Unbeknownst to Dessa, Turk has a notorious reputation. If he is tied to Pierson House in anyway, her current supporters will pullback their contributions, and she won’t get any new patrons either.
Besides Turk, Dessa has many trials with Pierson House. Instead of women flooding to her for refuge, she has hardly a trickle. The home is located in the very worst part of Denver, the Fourth Ward, and no one in that area wants to be seen getting help there. Henry Hawkins seems to criticize her every move, and makes it clear he thinks she will default on the loan, and he will be able to take possession of the house.
The Fourth Ward also has a Chinese population. Recently there had been a riot between the people of the Fourth Ward and the Chinese people. As a result, there is hostility between the races. Dessa is warned not to have anything to do with the Chinese people because it could start another riot–even if she is only trying to help them.
As the story goes on, we find Henry has kept a secret that could destroy his life, Turk has political ambitions that make him willing to do anything to get himself elected, and although Dessa has pledged herself to a life of celibacy, she would like to change her mind. However she has a secret of her own that she believes might force her to stay in that lifestyle. Will any of these people get to have the life they want, or will one or more of them never achieve it? Dessa would also like to help a pair of Chinese sisters. She thinks she might have a plan so no one will be aware of her help–but will her good intentions start another riot?
The lives of Dessa, Henry and Turk along with the fate of Pierson House, all become interwoven to give us a tale of drama, action and romance–with twists, turns and surprises along the way. The characters are very interesting and believable. The picture the author paints of Denver at that time rings true. Christianity is a natural part of Dessa’s life, as well as some of the other characters in the book. I enjoyed this story and recommend this–I give it 5 stars.
The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Tyndale Blog Network (Tyndale House Publishers) for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.
Author’s website: http://maureenlang.com/
Faceboook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maureen-Lang/77586161029
