Blind Faith by S. Thomas Bailey is the latest installment in The Gauntlet Runner Series and it's a story I couldn't read fast enough because of the many twists and turns that kept me wondering what enemy Jacob and Maggie might face next, and kept me hoping that somehow - against all odds - these two might find their way back to each other! In Blind Faith, Jacob finds himself stuck in the middle of the wilderness for the winter, but that doesn't mean the enemy isn't lurking around, whether it be the French, Indians, or even someone who should be a comrade. Maggie, on the other hand, is determined to find her young son, no matter what the danger or where the journey may lead her. Will the Murray family ever be reunited? One thing's for certain, when Maggie finally reaches Quebec City, one can't help but wonder if she will find more than just the son she is looking for.

S. Thomas Bailey is a skillful storyteller who has a remarkable way of making me feel as if I have been pulled right back in time; it's as if I have actually stepped into the pages of the story, watching history come to life. The imagery of his written word allows me to feel like I am watching the scenes unfold, whether it's sneaking into an Indian camp with Jacob to rescue One Ear, or traveling through the wilderness with Maggie as she tries to outrun the enemy - it's so easy to imagine each setting. I think it's the way that Mr. Bailey captures each character's emotions though that really makes his storytelling remarkable. He makes his characters multi-dimensional, he breathes life into them by allowing me to experience the emotions that they feel. While there is certainly the fight for survival, there is also a softer side to the characters. Whether it's Jacob longing to reunite with his wife Maggie or wanting to protect his son James, there is a sense of realism that spans time, making Jacob and Maggie, along with the secondary characters, seem very real.

Mr. Bailey has certainly lent a richness to a time in history that I really knew little about. I love the way that he alternates the storytelling between Jacob and Maggie by effortlessly transitioning between the two characters. While I love seeing the story unfold through Jacob's eyes, it's Maggie's story that really captured my imagination within the pages. It's so easy to understand the determination that she must feel as she desperately seeks her son. I love that she is a strong, determined woman who really can take care of herself, but also shows compassion for others. I have read each book in The Gauntlet Runner Series and recommend reading each one in the order they were written so that you can fully understand the complexities of the characters. Anyone looking to learn more about the French and Indian wars will certainly enjoy this series. I love the cover of this book; it truly grabbed my attention. This book is a solid five-star read.

Blind Faith, book 6 in S. Thomas Bailey’s Gauntlet Runner series, shares another year in the lives of Jacob and Maggie Murray, separated in the midst of war. I was immediately drawn into this book and back into this series on the very first page as the reader is privy to Jacob’s thoughts and his internal dilemma of hating to return to Fort Edward, but knowing that he cannot desert or put the shame on deserting onto others. In the very next chapter, the reader is back with Maggie, who is traveling to Montreal and at the mercy of a man who really is a stranger to her as she does not know much about him, but she has hope and this is what she needs to do.

I have really enjoyed this series by S. Thomas Bailey and am eager to read book 7, the conclusion to Jacob and Maggie’s saga. I felt that in this book Jacob and Maggie’s characters both really came even more to life; their grit and determination, their loyalty, and doing what they believe is right and best. The tension between the British and the French was so real. I could easily picture the various camps and areas that the characters traveled through, and the hardships faced, as the author writes with such vivid details and descriptions. Being from upstate New York, I have traveled in the areas described. It was incredible for me to think about what things were like years ago, and what people had to endure in order for it to be the home and land that it is today. Blind Faith is truly a masterpiece, rich with historical detail and one that should not be missed.

Blind Faith: The Gauntlet Runner is the sixth installment in a historical fiction series written by award winning author S. Thomas Bailey. Blind Faith is the continuing saga of the Murray family as they endure years of separation during one of the most savage wars in human history. Torn apart by the French-British war in the 18th century, Jacob and Maggie Murray do not give up hope that their family will be reunited again. The prospects look very bleak, however, as Jacob is ordered to return to the camp at William Henry by his superiors in the British army. This means he will be going farther away from where he suspects Maggie and the rest of his family are located. Having endured slavery, Maggie unexpectedly finds herself in the company of a young French trapper she barely knows as they make the arduous trip to Montreal and Quebec, where she hopes to find her children, Israel and Anne.

As the tides of war favor the British during the North American conflict in the mid 1700s against the French, British soldier Jacob Murray has another important mission in mind and that is to find his wife Maggie and what is left of their family. Multi award winning author S. Thomas Bailey brings us back to this tumultuous time through the eyes and hearts of Jacob and Maggie, and the result is a compelling story of human endurance and blind faith. As Jacob deals with deserters in the British ranks, Maggie is confronted by a powerful church that holds the key to her children’s whereabouts. Highly informative and powerful, Blind Faith is a novel that exposes the bad and the good of human nature and, as usual, S. Thomas Bailey does not disappoint his readers.

Blind Faith: The Gauntlet Runner Book VI by S. Thomas Bailey is yet another tale of Jacob Murray that is filled with action, thrills, emotions, and a ton of great writing skills. Readers who have not read the previous novels in the series will have no problems with this continuation of the series. They will easily catch up to what is happening in the story and understand the predicament Jacob is in. I have finally read all the previous five novels in the series, so I was looking forward to this new installment.

Jacob and Maggie are still separated, but this time only a couple of thousand miles of forest is between them. Both have their own battles to fight and things are not easy for them. Although the British army is finally gaining some control over the French, things are still problematic. Jacob has to fight his enemies and people he used to call allies in order to keep his sanity and life. Maggie is looking for her family and she finds some refuge in the village, which is going to be besieged by the British army. Can these two reunite and keep their family intact? Or will this be the end of their tale?

This is exactly what you expect from S. Thomas Bailey who has shown once again that he is the master of connecting links and making sure things fit in with the puzzles he created. You will find no fault with this novel, grammatical, structural, or plot holes. Everything is perfect. His word choice is great and the way he portrays his ideas is just amazing.

"Blind Faith" is another extraordinary book in "The Gauntlet Runner" series that is packed with suspense, adventure, action, and melancholy. With the author's creative writing technique, one cannot resist making judgment calls based on the various predicaments faced by the characters in this novel and the five previous ones. After reading "Blind Faith," I could not help feeling sad knowing that the series will soon end. I have grown attached to the Murray family and will miss their adventures. Hopefully with a little coaxing we can get S. Thomas Bailey to write another series that involves the Murrays and the battle for American independence.