Bountiful Creek

a legendary love story

Fiction - Historical - Event/Era
296 Pages
Reviewed on 08/23/2012
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Author Biography

Steven B. Weissman grew up in Long Island, New York. After college, he traded in musty books for a Harley Davidson, and well-trodden university halls for roads less traveled, to experience the kind of life that can't be taught. It made all the difference in providing the raw materials necessary to be a writer.
An avid NY Yankees fan and theater lover, he now resides in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Visit the author on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/StevenBWeissman

    Book Review

Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite

"Bountiful Creek" by Steven B. Weissman is a beautiful love story. Martha Somerville is the main character and I loved her from page one through the tear-jerking last page. It is the spring of 1861 in Bountiful Creek, Virginia, and we find Martha living with her father, brothers and cousin Elizabeth. Martha is a young girl in love with Wilby Winterbourne. She is a country girl with no idea of what the world offers. Wilby is a boy who has no responsibilities and dreams of all of the adventures awaiting him. Elizabeth is the cousin who came years ago to care for the Somerville family when the mother died giving birth to Martha. We share the life on the farm and meet some of the people of the community before Martha and Elizabeth set off over the river to Ohio. Elizabeth is ill and returning home to her rich family to receive medical treatment. Martha accompanies her on the journey.

The two women face many perils as they travel by a horse drawn carriage. Upon their arrival at Elizabeth’s home, we meet her mother who is less than happy to have her farm girl niece as a house guest. We cheer when Martha confronts her aunt and helps Agnes to soften her heart and change her ways. We worry for Wilby as Chester Danford, the well-to-do nephew, tries to win Martha’s affections. When the Civil War begins in earnest, Martha and Elizabeth decide it is time to return to Bountiful Creek immediately or the soldiers will not allow them to cross the river into the enemy territory of Virgina. It is a long and hard journey back with many obstacles and I found myself crying and hoping, worried and scared until once again Martha reaches her childhood home.

"Bountiful Creek" is a great book from the beginning to end. The characters are well-defined and I felt as though I knew each one of them personally. Martha began the story as a loving, caring girl and I watched as she turned into a resourceful, intelligent woman. Steven B. Weissman has written a book that can stand up among the best. It has a little of everything – love, adventure, war, everyday joys and hardships before and during the Civil War era. I will be anxiously looking for the next book by Steven Weissman. I highly recommend this as a must read.

Gail Mechlowitz

I found the characters and the descriptions of what life was like during this pre-civil war era to be interesting and thought-provoking. The writing style kept me attentive and intrigued with the language use of that period. This historical novel is both educational and heart-felt. I look forward to more novels by this talented author!