Long and Short Reviews

Cost of Freedom by Carol A. Spradling
The Wild Rose Press, American Rose
Historical Romance
Full length, Spicy
Review by Verbena

Abigail Matthews’ fate is decided the moment she pulls the trigger of the gun pointed at a British soldier. She is no longer seen as a devoted Loyalist to the Crown, but is marked as a traitor and faces a hangman’s noose. Already treading on dangerous ground with military smugglers, lifetime friend and Patriot William Jackson helps her flee the patrol. She reluctantly joins him on his Sons of Liberty assignment to Berkshire. They are soon embroiled in conspiracies involving hostile Loyalists and unstable Indian alliances. Abigail is forced to choose between her allegiance to Britain and her love for William. Her decision involves tremendous risks with an uncertain outcome, and she wonders if William’s dreams of a free nation are worth the cost. Cost of Freedom immerses the reader in the romance and intrigue of the rebel cause where capture means certain death . . . even for a woman.

♥ ♥ ♥

This author has woven a brightly colored tapestry composed of real events with fictional characters. The thing that I liked the most was the feeling she created of the “tenor of the times.” Yes all Americans are aware of the events that took place between the Tories and the Patriots just prior to the Revolutionary War. But in this story you feel the pain of the Patriots, you are there during the Boston Massacre. You see to what lengths the Patriots went to strive for their freedom. You can feel the pull between choosing sides. You will also witness many of them giving all they had to give for their new country, sadly it was their lives.

The gentle love story between Abigail Matthews and William Jackson began in England where they grew up together. William is able to go to America and over the next six years Abigail loses track of him. When her mother sends her to the colonies she isn’t aware that she will be forced into taking her mother’s place in a marriage agreement. Abigail is portrayed as a young woman not aware of the dangers of the world. You’ll like her as I did because she tries to do what is expected of her in this new world but when cornered will fight for what she thinks is right. To describe her to you I would have to say she was beautiful but an innocent of the world, which is how the author portrays her.

When William and Abigail meet again in Boston, the attraction between them continues. William appears reticent, not sure of how he should involve Abigail if at all. The love story is sweet to witness between them. You are aware that the older brother Harrison is also in love with her but that is never pursued. “Nabby” is carefully protected from events happening around her by all that she meets. The many characters in the story have personal stories within the story. These are the stories that make that short passage in your history books come alive.

The book is a careful read. I found it made me very thoughtful about that part of history. The author makes the facts live for you. I highly recommend it to all.

Comments:

Sat, Sep 20, 2008 at 12:12 PM
Your Name: Jennifer
Your Comment: I love this time period. Sounds like a great read.

Sun, Sep 21, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Your Name: Martha E
Your Comment: I like Revolution and Civil War stories... and of course a nice romance! This sounds wonderful. I plan to note this on my TBB and TBR list! Congrats on the good review!