I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads and was under no obligation to post a review. No compensation was received for sharing this review and all opinions are my own.
Published by Baker Books on January 2nd 2018
Source: Revell Reads
Genres: Christian, Fiction, General, Historical, Romance
Pages: 416
When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson is abandoned by her fiancé and suspected of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man with formidable enemies of his own. Liberty is left with a terrible choice. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost?
Historical romance favorite Laura Frantz is back with a suspenseful story of love, betrayal, and new beginnings. With her meticulous eye for detail and her knack for creating living, breathing characters, Frantz continues to enchant historical fiction readers who long to feel they are a part of the story.
Note: Kristin reads and reviews both Christian and secular fiction on A Simply Enchanted Life. Out of respect for my readers, I am including a content review. This content review will help you decide whether this book is suitable for you.
Content Review:
Christian or Secular: Christian
Profanity: None
Sex: There is a scene but it is not remotely risque. There are mentions of desire but again—tame and completely appropriate for Christian readers>
Violence: Mild
Trigger Warnings: None
Disclosure: None
I’m struggling putting into words what I thought of this book. I loved the cover and the synopsis grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, this book had a few quirks that worked on my nerves. I don’t even think that it’ll both most people but it bothered me. So, let’s talk about that, shall we?
Elizabeth Anne Lawson is a young woman who is sympathetic to the Sons of Liberty. However, her father is a Torie and young women didn’t go against their fathers in those days. Long story short, something happens that forces Elizabeth Anne Lawson to choose sides. She finds herself falling back on her skill taught to her by her mother to support herself. It is because of this that the book is titled The Lacemaker.
Don’t ask me why I thought that this would be a story of secret messages woven in lace—I don’t think that actually happened until one of the world wars. But, ya know…it was stuck in my head that this would be one of those stories. And in fact, there is an espionage element so I wasn’t completely wrong.
Anyway, Elizabeth Anne Lawson’s story was predictable and I knew very early on how things were going to work out. Still, I hoped for more suspense and danger. It seemed as if Elizabeth was being protected in a little bubble. Like the author was afraid of her suffering too much.
Still, the time period interests me. So, I continued to read. Even when Elizabeth Anne Lawson’s story took a turn in the exact direction that I knew it would. At this point, I was somewhat invested in her happiness so I continued to read.
Then, something happened in the book that just ruined it for me. Now, I’m not asking for a risqué sex scene in a Christian book but it can at least be written without a juvenile undertone. Let me tell you what happened…Elizabeth Anne Lawson and her husband consummate their marriage by candlelight. For lack of better words, the scene faded and the deed is now done. Elizabeth Anne Lawson and her husband lay together on a rug in front of the fire when she feels a quickening. She just knows she’s pregnant. I’ve been pregnant eight times and I’ve never felt a quickening at the moment of conception. I found this incredibly juvenile and unrealistic. This would have been perfectly appropriate for a Sims pregnancy but not so much for real people.
And have you noticed how many times I’ve said Elizabeth Anne Lawson? Because throughout the book she’s referred to by first, middle and last name even by those close to her. I don’t know why that bothers me but it does.
Anyway, I have a feeling that others will read this book and not be bothered by these things. It is nitpicky and I know it but I can’t help it. I tried really hard to overlook it but I couldn’t. Having said that, I truly think that fans of Historical Christian Fiction may like this book.
About Laura Frantz
Award-winning, bestselling author Laura Frantz is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century, and writes her manuscripts in longhand first. Her stories often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Frantz lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.
According to Publishers Weekly, “Frantz has done her historical homework.” With her signature attention to historical detail and emotional depth, she is represented by Janet Kobobel Grant, Literary Agent & Founder, Books & Such Literary Agency of Santa Rosa, California.
Readers can find Laura Frantz at www.laurafrantz.net
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