The Liberty Bride | Book Review
Updated: Feb 23, 2019
Book Description
Lieutenant Owen Masters and Emeline Baratt meet on a British warship as sworn enemies. Where will Emeline place her loyalties when forced to spy against her country? A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.
War Forces a Choice Between Love and Country
A trip home from England to Maryland in 1812 finds Emeline Baratt a captive on a British warship and forced to declare her allegiance between the British and Americans. Remaining somewhat politically neutral on a ship where her nursing skills are desperately needed is fairly easy—until she starts to have feelings for the first lieutenant who becomes her protector. However, when the captain sends her and Lieutenant Owen Masters on land to spy, she must choose between her love for him or her love for her country.
Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall.
My Thoughts
I have mixed feelings about this book, although it was a fun read, overall.
Liberty Bride is the 6th book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series, but it stood alone just fine. I never felt like I was missing something, even though I haven't read the previous books.
The book is set during the war of 1812, beginning and ending on an American ship. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book; the events leading up to the British firing on Fort McHenry. Books set on the high seas are a favorite of mine.
Emeline struggles to be a proper lady, based on her father's influence of what a woman should and shouldn't do. Her struggle with a works-based mentality toward God, if a little cliche, was at least heartfelt. Her relationship with her maid, Hannah, was one of the strong threads of the story - Hannah's motherly advice was a great balance to the story.
Owen was a fun, albeit less nuanced character. He dealt with a similar thought process as Emeline, also influenced by a stern father with a wrong, works-based view of God. He was the [stereo-] (...ahem! I didn't say that!) -typical dashing romantic hero.
The book could have done with a little less telling and a little more showing, in my opinion (I tend to be picky about these things). But the tension between the two characters, with their secrets and growing attraction, was interesting and well done. It kept me turning pages to find out how things were going to shake out. In my personal opinion, their dwelling on the physical aspect of attraction was a bit out of balance when compared to other things, but overall their love story was sweet and believable.
My only real issue with the book was a rather unique spiritual storyline - shining, sparkly lights rising from a deceased body, divine doves flying over a funeral, and a second shining, sparkly light accenting a cross and convincing someone of God's presence. It left me with one eyebrow raised, and I got the impression that it was more about the mystical experience than anything else.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick, light, historical read with a happily ever after, maybe this one is for you.
I give it 3.5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.*