Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Review of the Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

What it's about: Lady Elisabeth Lawson has it all for someone living in the Virginia Colony in 1775. Everything at her beck and call. Money. A rich lifestyle. No need for anything. Except love. Her betrothed is a match her father set up for her to bring even more money in to the family. Her heart accepts this as her lot in life. But when things turn for the worse and she finds herself on her own, an unexpected revolutionary, enters her life and her heart is not sure what to do. Follow Elisabeth as she journeys on her own road discovering who she truly is.

What I thought: A bit of a slower story, but told with rich vocabulary which tells of the time period this story was written in. Frantz describes the characters and the plot with elegance that you can feel yourself watching from the fringes at the ball or feel the wind from the river while walking through the garden. She weaves a tale that leaves you curious as to what is coming next. The characters are well developed and throughout the book you learn a bit more about the history and tales of the revolutionary time period.

Would you like it? This is a great book for any fictional historian!

Revell Book sent me this copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Missing Isaac by Valerie Fraser Luesse

What it's about: Even though Isaac is one of Pete McLean's father's hired hands, he is Pete's best friend. And in the 1960's, having a friend who is of a different race is frowned upon. And a friend is who Pete needs, especially after his father unexpectedly dies in an farming equipment accident. But then Isaac suddenly disappears which leaves Pete emotionally wandering and wondering what happened. But because Isaac is African American, to those in authority, he didn't really matter. Pete's grandfather is on a mission to find answers for Pete. And Pete is on a mission to find Isaac. And through his mission, Pete meets a new friend, Dovey, who changes his views on friendship. Struggle along with Pete as he grows up and faces different challenges in his upbringing years and see if he ends up finding answers as to what happened to Isaac.

What I thought: This was a very interesting book. Seeing how the culture viewed people of color, people of different status' and people of different economic means was written well. I liked the slow, easy pace of the story line and the turns it takes, kind of like a meandering river with subtle bends along the way. This was the first time I have read a book by Luesse and enjoyed it. She weaves a story well and tells a tale with ease.

Would you like it: This was a book more about the heart rather than a suspense mystery. A journey over time rather than over a few days (like most suspense mysteries).

Revell Books sent me a complimentary copy to review. Opinions expressed are my own.