The Tea Chest
-
-
4.9 • 8 Ratings
-
-
- $11.99
-
- $11.99
Publisher Description
Boston, 1773
Emma Malcolm’s father is staunchly loyal to the crown, but Emma’s heart belongs to Noah Winslow, a lowly printer’s assistant and Patriot. But her father has promised her hand to Samuel Clarke, a rapacious and sadistic man. As his fiancée, she would have to give up Noah and the friends who have become like family to her—as well as the beliefs she has come to embrace.
After Emma is drawn into the treasonous Boston Tea Party, Samuel blackmails her with evidence that condemns each participant, including Noah. Emma realizes she must do whatever it takes to protect those she loves, even if it means giving up the life she desires and becoming Samuel’s wife.
Present Day
Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. But before her dream can be realized, she must return to Boston in order to put the abuse and neglect of her childhood behind her. When an unexpected encounter with the man she once loved leads to the discovery of a tea chest and the document hidden within, she wonders if perhaps true strength and freedom are buried deeper than she first realized.
Two women, separated by centuries, must find the strength to fight for love and freedom. . . and discover a heritage of courage and faith.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Chiavaroli (The Hidden Side) delivers an endearing tale of two women separated by centuries who are searching for guidance and strength. In the present day, Hayley Ashworth is determined to make history by becoming the first woman to complete Navy SEAL training, and also to move past her troubled childhood with a drug-addicted mother. Weeks before her training, Haley leaves California and returns to her hometown of Boston to reconcile with her mother. While home, she runs into her old boyfriend, Ethan, whom she hasn't seen since breaking his heart years ago, and together they find an old tea chest at a shop that appears to be from the Boston Tea Party. A document inside from 1773 reveals the chest's owner to be Emma Winslow, a woman caught up in the political scandal surrounding the Boston Tea Party. In a parallel narrative, Emma, from a Loyalist family, longs to have a say in her future and join the side of liberty. Fearing the unknown, she battles the thought of betraying her father to fight for a new country. As Hayley learns more about Emma and her brave struggle, Hayley realizes that anything is possible, even letting go of her ambitions. Organic faith elements and Chiavaroli's skillful switching between time lines separate this from similar historical inspirational romances. Fans of Francine Rivers will enjoy this.
Customer Reviews
Fantastic time slip novel
This was an amazing story. I almost don’t know where to begin. This author has such a gift for bridging the gab between the past and the present time. The flow of the story is fantastic. The very first page of this book pulls you into the story as if you were living it yourself. The historical portion of the story takes place in Boston. The I really liked Noah and Emma, they were very likable and relatable characters.
I loved the storyline of the tea chest. The mystery of it was so intriguing and so captivating. I loved story of Hayley and her loyalty to the Navy. I loved the teachable moments that flowed across the generations, and how the author demonstrates the struggles of the past are sometimes the same struggles in the present day. I thoroughly enjoyed this time slip novel, and I’m sure you will too. It’s definitely a must read.
Time slip novel in present day and revolutionary war!
Another great timeslip novel from Heidi. This one takes place in present day with Haley and a former boyfriend and first love named Ethan. And it also takes place during the revolutionary war and Boston tea party time frame with Emma and Noah.
I like how the present day character discovers a tea chest, researches the history behind it, and makes the connection to Emma and Noah in the historical timeframe.
I felt the author did a great job with her historical research and bringing that time, the war, the conflicts and the characters to life.
I really felt for the losses that Emma sustained. It really helped me to picture what a hard life it was during that time in our United States history.
I also really felt for Haley and her internal struggles with her family of origin, unforgiveness, hardships in her life and where she was looking for value and worth.
I like how the author not only wove these two stories together but also connected faith in a very real way for each of these women and their stories in their times with their struggles.
I like that the end of the story wrapped up many loose ends but it wasn’t fairytale neat and tidy.
I would say this wasn’t a predictable novel, and it did keep me on the edge of my seat wondering what exactly would happen next and how this would turn out in the end.
A really good book that I would definitely recommend to those who enjoy a bit of romance, historical novel, present day novel, strong female characters, and a clean story with a deep storyline.
LOYALTY OR LIBERTY?
I’m a new reader of Heidi Chiavaroli’s novels. After reading THE TEA CHEST, I have become a fan! THE TEA CHEST is a time slip novel, detailing the lives of Emma Malcom in 1773 and her role in the Boston Tea Party and the present day life of Lieutenant Hayley Ashworth who is determined to be the first woman inducted into the elite Navy SEALs. Both of these women are strong, but due to circumstances that face, they become stronger than they ever thought possible. Chiavaroli created characters that are believable and the time slip story she weaves is one that will stay with you long after you’ve read the last word of this novel. Her writing is engaging and you will quickly find yourself deep into this novel with a “Do Not Disturb” flag posted around you! This novel will make you think about what choices you might have made if you found yourself in either one of these women’s situations as they fought for love and freedom. Also, I hope readers won’t miss the characters discovering a heritage of courage and faith. I highly recommend this book! It has become on of my Bright Stars of 2020!