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J.M. brings American History to live once more when she reminds us that the Revolutionary War was not a North/South/East war but the West was involved, too.
Again we find the war tossed couple Brigadier General Jonathon Carleton and spy Elizabeth Howard separated by choice for the good of the new country. And our heart breaks at the sacrifices these two make for the ultimate good of many.
While Jonathon is sent to Indian territory, Elizabeth ends up in Boston. With wars of all levels: Spiritual emotional and physical pressing on them, we feel the anguish they must have endured. Rumors circulate and each must pretend they care nothing for the other.
Set in 1775 the reader is immediately folded into the setting and the story and rides along enjoying every single bump and bruise. Even when Carleton is captured, we hope hope hope all will be well, although chances are pretty much against that.
We meet General George Washington as he takes over a raggedy bunch of gung ho men eager to win liberty for the new country.
The battles, events, real people actually feel alive as we read.
The author is also a historian. This could be a bad thing. When I hear that I think boring…dates…battles…stats…blah blah blah…but this historian is also a talented story teller and weaves the romance and emotion and a faith thread so it all breaths as one unit and keeps us up until the completely satisfying end.
Reviewed by Linda Mae Baldwin
for The Road to Romance
July 17, 2005
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