The Lacemaker Review

It is the eve of a new age of freedom in the colonies. 
But can a proper English lady dare hope for her own independence?

Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson has nearly everything a lady of her position could want. Daughter of the British lieutenant governor of the Virginia Colony and a darling of fine society in a rugged land, she is anticipating an advantageous marriage. That her betrothed is a rake and love is lacking is of little consequence--or so she tells herself.

Though her own life seems in order, colonial Williamsburg is a powder keg on the verge of exploding, and her fiancé's cousin Noble Rynallt carries the flame of revolution in his heart. Those with connections to the British nobility are suspected as spies, and Liberty soon finds herself left with a terrible choice. Will she stay true to her English roots? Or side with Noble and the radical revolutionaries?

The Lacemaker is a great work of historical fiction by Laura Frantz. I have to say that it took me a little bit longer than normal to become really hooked on this story but once I was I finished it in one sitting. I struggled a bit on the first 1/4 of the story but after that I was fully caught up in Liberty and Noble's story. As always Laura did a great job writing with historical accuracy and transporting the reader back in time. 

4 out of 5.  

I received a copy of this book from Revell for my honest review.

Oath of Honor Review

A murdered partner. A missing brother. Will Isabelle's silence protect those she loves . . . or delay justice?

Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. She knows they'll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Izzy is determined to discover exactly what happened, and her investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll--including someone from her own family. With her dead partner's brother Ryan, a handsome homicide detective, shadowing her every move, Izzy's head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she's had a secret crush on for years won't leave her side?

Oath of Honor is the first book in the brand new series by the amazing Lynette Eason. In Oath of Honor we're introduced to another wonderful cast of characters that will be the focus of Lynette's Blue Justice series. Izzy and Ryan are a great couple to start on and the action/suspense in this book will keep you turning the pages deep into the night. Make sure that this book is on the top of you To-Be-Read pile this year, you don't want to miss the St. John's family and the rest of their stories that are sure to be just as enjoyable as Oath of Honor. 

5 out of 5.  

I received a copy of this book from Revell for my honest review.

Missing Isaac Review

There was another South in the 1960s, one far removed from the marches and bombings and turmoil in the streets that were broadcast on the evening news. It was a place of inner turmoil, where ordinary people struggled to right themselves on a social landscape that was dramatically shifting beneath their feet. This is the world of Valerie Fraser Luesse's stunning debut, Missing Isaac.

It is 1965 when black field hand Isaac Reynolds goes missing from the tiny, unassuming town of Glory, Alabama. The townspeople's reactions range from concern to indifference, but one boy will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his unlikely friend. White, wealthy, and fatherless, young Pete McLean has nothing to gain and everything to lose in his relentless search for Isaac. In the process, he will discover much more than he bargained for. Before it's all over, Pete--and the people he loves most--will have to blur the hard lines of race, class, and religion. And what they discover about themselves may change some of them forever.

Missing Isaac was a beautiful debut novel for Valerie Fraser Luesse. I have to admit that coming-of-age stories are hit and miss for me most of the time, I either fall head over heals or I end up setting it down and not picking it up again. I'm happy to say that Missing Isaac fell into the first category. Not only was it wonderfully written, but the characters seemed to come to life and I felt instantly transported back to the time. I feel like this book offers a little something for everyone. 

5 out of 5.  

I received a copy of this book from Revell for my honest review.