This is the third book in a series but it can be read as a standalone. The time period is well represented and I enjoyed all the focus on faith, hope and love.

I liked the premise of this piece, but I had great difficulty getting into the story.

The dialogue struck me as wooden and I felt the emotional elements superficial. The author also lays the religious elements of the story on thick which may appeal to non-secular readers, but I personally found the content heavy-handed and abrasive. I thoroughly respect this title as Christian fiction, but I am drawn to stories where those elements are thoroughly integrated with the plot and subject matter more than those where the themes feel clunky and tacked on.

Not for me and not something I could easily recommend.

Beyond the Valley did little to hold my interest. However, I really appreciate Gerlach's evident passion for the time period and her attempt to populate it with characters and stories that bring it to life. It is not pursued nearly enough in historical fiction (especially of the inspirational vein) and I appreciate her adding to the genre.