NO SAFE HARBOR by Elizabeth Ludwig and KINDLE FIRE GIVEAWAY

ABOUT THE BOOK

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend-Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother-but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love? 

BUY THE BOOK HERE!

ABOUT ELIZABETH 

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year honors. This book was followed in 2009 by “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing. 

In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned Four Stars from the Romantic Times. Books two and three of Elizabeth’s mystery series, Died in the Wool (Barbour Publishing) and Inn Plain Sight (Spyglass Lane), respectively, released in 2011.

Coming in 2012 is Elizabeth’s newest historical series from Bethany House Publishers. No Safe Harbor, the first book in the Edge of Freedom Series, will release in October, with two more books following in 2013 and 2014.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars, where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoyed a wide readership in its first full year, with more than 17,000 visitors in 2011. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas.

VISIT HER WEBSITE! 

MY REVIEW 

I was trying to remember if I had read any of Elizabeth's books, but I don't think I have. However, that is going to change.

Elizabeth is a wonderful writer. I truly enjoyed her characters in this book, No Safe Harbor. They are dynamic and personable. They hum with the life Elizabeth has given them.

Cara is an amazing young woman in search for her brother. Crossing the Atlantic ocean in those times was a difficult journey at best if not harrowing for a young woman alone. It showed her moxie and determination to locate her brother in a foreign land.

The story, set in a time of chaos and subterfuge for many in Ireland, revealed how that unrest came to the shores of America. Between the potato famine, the battling between Catholics and Protestants and the hapless caught in between, those seeking refuge in the arms of Lady Liberty came accompanied with those seeking Cara's brother and his death.

Cara finds her faith tested on many levels and her heart opens to a man that she isn't sure she can trust. In spite of her naivety, she searches for answers in order to find her brother. She is such an awesome young woman.

Rourke is one of those looking for her brother, as well. Only he doesn't intend to hug him. Strong, handsome, and secretive, he finds himself caught in the web that was suppose to trap Cara's brother. His desire for truth has him rethinking some things.

This is a wonderful story worth reading again and again, at least until the next one of the series is available. I for one am looking forward to reading the next book from The Edge of Freedom series.

READ MORE REVIEWS HERE

I received this review copy from Litfuse Publicity Group for the purpose of writing this review.

 

Elizabeth Ludwig is celebrating her new book with a Kindle Fire Giveaway and connecting with readers at a Facebook Author Chat party on 12/6.

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on December 5th. Winner will be announced at the "No Safe Harbor" Author Chat Facebook Party on 12/6. Connect with Elizabeth, get a sneak peek of the next book in the Edge of Freedom series, try your hand at the trivia contest, and win some great prizes—gift certificates, books and a Book Club Prize Pack (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of No Safe Harbor and join Elizabeth on the evening of the December 6th for a chance to connect with her and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 6th!

 

 

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen and Kindle Fire Giveaway

A Little About The Book, THE MAID OF FAIRBOURNE HALL:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Here is some information about the author, Julie Klassen:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com

Want to buy the book? Click here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764207091/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=sprightly-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=0764207091&adid=1TCYV1DRSTV23NKEQ170


My Review:

This is the first time I have ever read one of Julie Klassen's books, so I was pleased with The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. 

Julie's characters are strong without being overwhelming. Her plot was solid and I was easily caught up in the story. Using just the right amount of details and historical background, I could "see" Margaret and her fellow servants in Fairbourne Hall. 

I enjoyed how at the beginning of each chapter and throughout the book, Julie used various quotes from Jane Austin (one of my favorite authors) and various sources that were apropos to the time of the story. One of my favorite quotes she used was:

"A good character is valuable to everyone, but especially to servants. For it is their bread and butter and without it they cannot be admitted into a creditable family, and happy it is that the best of characters is in everyone's power to deserve."    [pg 86]

In following the story, I watched a spoiled girl in a bad situation change into someone who was deserving of a good character. I found myself cheering Margaret on when she was faced with difficult situations in her new position as a maid. 

Filled with danger and romance, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, opened to doors to the belowstairs world of a 19th century English manor. Julie wrote a wonderful book that kept me intrigued and hopeful and rooting for Margaret. 

Julie Klassen is a fine writer and I will be looking forward to more of her work. If you are looking for a book similar to Jane Austin's style, then you definitely won't be disappointed in Julie Klassen and her work.

This book was provided free to me for the purpose of review through Litfuse Publicity and Bethany House.  

CONTEST INFORMATION!

Don't miss the perfect blend of Regency-era romance and mystery in The Maid of Fairbourne Hall! Grab a copy and then be sure to enter Julie's Kindle Fire Giveaway and RSVP for her Author Chat party on Facebook! Swoon.

One fortunate winner will receive:

*A brand new Kindle Fire

*A Julie Klassen Library (The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 3/14. Winner will be announced at Julie's "Fairbourne Hall" Facebook Party on 3/15 . Julie will be hosting an evening of chat, trivia and a sneak peek at her next book - bring your friends! She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and a Downton Abbey Prize Pack!

So grab your copy of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and join Julie and friends on the evening of March 15th for an evening of fun.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 15th!

Blog Tour Schedule:  http://litfusegroup.com/blogtours/text/13456522/julieklassen