C.R. Violet Explores Faith, Love, and Courage in The Saddlebag Preacher of Pike County

December 12, 2025 at 01:47 AM EST

C.R. Violet’s The Saddlebag Preacher of Pike County invites readers into a thoughtful historical story of faith, love, and resilience. Set in 1850s southern Ohio, the novel follows Rev. Jacob Chandler, a young preacher newly assigned to a circuit near his childhood home, as he navigates challenges far beyond what his sheltered upbringing prepared him for.

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 12th Dec 2025 – Jacob’s journey exposes him to the lives of those working along the Ohio Canal, the hidden paths of the Underground Railroad, and the fragile balance of duty and personal desire. When he becomes involved in helping travelers seeking freedom, he must weigh the risks to his position in the Church against his moral convictions. The stakes grow even more personal when the woman he loves is separated from him by family disapproval, forcing Jacob to confront difficult choices about following his heart and living out his calling.

Violet’s novel is notable for its grounded storytelling. Her background in marketing, public relations, and non-profit work informs a careful, character-driven approach, while her Midwest roots provide an intimate understanding of the region she depicts. Through family stories, historical documents, and research on circuit-riding preachers and the Ohio Canal, she reconstructs a world shaped by faith, movement, and the quiet tensions of a country approaching civil war.

At its core, The Saddlebag Preacher of Pike County is a story about courage in the face of uncertainty. Readers are invited to witness Jacob’s growth as he learns that faith is not only a matter of belief but also of action, and that love often requires patience, risk, and perseverance. The novel balances the historical with the personal, making it accessible to anyone interested in stories of moral exploration, heartfelt romance, and historical context.

C.R. Violet’s work is both a reflection of history and a deeply human narrative. She draws inspiration from family memories and archival research, creating a setting and characters that feel authentic and lived-in. Her storytelling provides readers with a lens into a time and place rarely explored in contemporary fiction, offering both insight and engagement.

The Saddlebag Preacher of Pike County is available through Amazon and other major booksellers worldwide.

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