Synopsis:
It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.
Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.
When it becomes apparent there is an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?
Book 2 in The Midwives series, Heart's Safe Passage is a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas. Readers will feel the salt spray and the rolling waves as they journey with Laurie Alice Eakes's vivid characters on the treacherous path toward redemption.
My personal thoughts:
Heart's Safe Passage is book # 2 in The Midwives series and whilst I have yet to read book # 1 it is my hope the author will indulge us with more stories in this captivating chapter. The combination of the midwifery subject and the High seas set right after the conflict of 1812 was an appealing point for a history buff like me and the author did not disappoint!
Obviously Laurie Alice Eakes has done well her research and I spent a relaxing evening reading this latest tale! Such are the rules of war that both nations would have not hesitate to try either protagonist as a traitor. Therefore to imagine a plot involving a midwife stranded against her will on an enemy ship was nothing but genial!
Historically the war of 1812 and the resulting strenuous diplomatic relations betwixt Colonials and Britishers was well documented. In turn the author's description of her characters allegiances reminds us that one could be deemed a traitor for just being at the wrong place at the wrong time.
The spirited dialogues betwixt the Scottish privateer and the Colonial midwife have just the right enticement for readers to wonder who will win in the end and the supporting characters are endearing in their own ways.
Life at sea was far from being as romantic as Hollywood would have us believed but in Heart's Safe Passage there is just enough drama to keep it interesting and enough sparks for the romantic soul!
Most of all the storyteller reminds us that God is the only one to steer our ship...
I was also fascinated by the historical notes recording midwives written by a seventeenth century physician! Whilst some of it could be deemed humorous, it would appear being a midwife was hard and often a thankless task!
Finally Laurie Alice Eakes' description of Captain Docherty was much more interesting than Errol Flynn in all his glory!
For a most enjoyable evening, I find myself giving this historical romance 4 stars!
“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”
About the Author:
Award winning author Laurie Alice Eakes also teaches on-line writing courses and enjoys a speaking ministry that has taken her from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.
She lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.
Visit her website (here)
I received this book free from BAKER/REVELL as part of their Blogger Review program. I was not asked to write a positive review and the opinions expressed are entirely my own.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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