Review: Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna M. White

August 6, 2013

Title: Whispers from the Shadows
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publishers: Harvest House
Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-0-7369-5101-2
Publication Date: August 1st, 2013

Synopsis:
This exciting and adventurous romantic spy novel is the second book in a new series from Roseanna M. White. Whispers from the Shadows combines fascinating cloak-and-dagger secrets with a tale of love and intrigue during the War of 1812.

Treachery causes Gwyneth Fairchild’s world to crumble. The daughter of a British general, she barely saves her life by fleeing London aboard a ship to America. Her goal is to find refuge with the Lane family in Maryland, having been told by her father she could implicitly trust Winter and Bennet Lane, even though their nations are once again at war. After meeting their son, Thad, she wonders how safe she truly is when she discovers that the Lanes trade in a dangerous commodity—espionage.

Not long after Gwyneth finds refuge in his city, Thad Lane experiences the tug of love, though he fears it may blur lines of loyalty. With family playing the part of enemies and enemies proving themselves friends, a future with Gwyn is uncertain. But at this moment, with the British advancing on Washington and Baltimore, they have only their shared faith in God as a shield about them.


Review:
Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna White was a book that started off little slow, but picked up to a good pace. The story was interesting and on a subject I didn't know anything about, The Culper Ring. The Culper Ring was the first spy organization in the US, that was around during the Revolutionary War. (I will be researching more about this now.)

This story follows Gwyneth Fairchild, the daughter of a distinguished British General. She has no idea why, but her father is sending her away. His rushing of it has her questioning a lot of things and she feels lost. Trying one last time to plead for more time, Gwyn watches as her uncle kills her father from the library door. Gwyn flees as fast as she can without a backwards glance with her two elderly servants, who had been holding the carriage for departure. In shock over what has happened, Gwyn retreats inside of herself and confides in no one. Fear and sadness lead her to insomnia through her several week trek across the ocean to America.There doesn't seem to be any more light in Gwyneth Fairchild's life, until an encounter on the sea leads her to Thaddeus Lane.

Thaddeus Lane is a guy who knows everyone. He makes it his job to know everyone in his city and at times it seems his country, which is important since he and his family are in The Culper Ring. He cares very much for his family and with war looming, to see that they are safe, he asks them to stay at his house in Baltimore, Maryland. It isn't long after his parents arrival, when a new house guest arrive, Gwyneth Fairchild. The Fairchild's and the Lane's have been family friends since the Revolutionary War. Unlike most people of the time, Gwyneth's father and Thad's parents had struck a friendship during the hostile times. And because of this, Gwyn's father believed her safest there. During their time together, Gwyn and Thad try to figure out the last bit of information Gwyn's father sent with her.

Whispers from the Shadows was an interesting story. The plot revolved more around Gwyn and her struggles to over come the fear she had growing in her, than The Culper Ring. I would have loved to see more into the secret society that was formed through close friends and family. The ways of communication during that time was fun to see. Technology has come a long way.

There was one small thing that I found didn't fit that well into the story. In a contemporary story, I could see it easy, but for a book set in 1814, it was a bit off for me. The speed at which Thad started calling Gwen "Sweet". This was a time of propitiatory and having a term of endearment like that when not courting or engaged seemed a little off. Other than that small bit, the story was good.

Too Read.
4 out of 5


You can purchase Whispers from the Shadows at Amazon, ChristianBookBarnes & Noble, and Mardel

About the Author:


Roseanna M. White is the author of several novels, as well as the senior reviewer at the Christian Review of Books, which she and her husband founded, and the senior editor at WhiteFire Publishing www.roseannawhite.com






Thank you to Harvest House Publishers, I received a copy of the book for free in exchange for an honest review.

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