"The Courier of Caswell Hall" Blog Tour

 An unlikely spy discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

 

As the British and Continental armies wage war in 1781, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia plantation owner feels conflict raging in her own heart. Lydia Caswell comes from a family of staunch Loyalists, but she cares only about peace. Her friend Sarah Hammond, however, longs to join the fight. Both women's families have already been divided by a costly war that sets father against son and neighbor against neighbor; a war that makes it impossible to guess who can be trusted.

 

One snowy night Lydia discovers a wounded man on the riverbank near Caswell Hall, and her decision to save him will change her life. Nathan introduces her to a secret network of spies, couriers, disguises, and coded messages---a network that may be the Patriots' only hope for winning the war. When British officers take over Caswell Hall and wreak havoc on neighboring plantations, Lydia will have to choose between loyalty and freedom; between her family's protection and her own heart's desires.

 

As both armies gather near Williamsburg for a pivotal battle, both Lydia and Sarah must decide how high a price they are willing to pay to help the men they love.

 

 

Part of the American Tapestries™ series: Each standalone novel in this line sets a heart-stirring love story against the backdrop of an epic moment in American history. This is the fifth book in the series.

 

Purchase a copy here: http://amzn.to/1aLxC9s

 

 

 

 

About the author: Melanie Dobson is the author of twelve novels, and her writing has received numerous accolades including two Carol Awards. Melanie worked in public relations for fifteen years before she began writing fiction full-time. Born and raised in the Midwest, she now resides with her husband and two daughters in Oregon.

 

Connect with Melanie at: http://melaniedobson.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Take:

 

I tend to not read too many historical novels that take place during a war. While they are usually well written, the war usually overshadows any other story that is taking place, and maybe rightly so.

 

However, the courier aspect of this novel intrigued me, and I decided to leap into a story of the American Revolution.

 

Overall this novel was very well done. It did tend to get a bit long and repetitive at times, but for the most part my attention was held. I usually get bogged down in the descriptions of battles and everything when I read stories that take place during a war, but since most of the story in this novel took place away from the fighting, I was able to enjoy it more.

 

I liked the characters in this novel, and I really felt as if I got to know them well. The affection that Nathan and Lydia felt for each other was understandable considering their circumstances, but they really didn't know each other well before they were confessing their love. (This seems to be happening quite a bit lately in the romance novels that I read...)

 

I actually liked the romance between Sarah (Lydia's friend) and Grayson (Lydia's brother) more so than the one between Nathan and Lydia. It was born of a very long friendship, and it was so valiant how one dared to save the other. I just wish that - SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT - that it had not ended so tragically.

 

The best part of the book was how intriguing it was to read about how spies and couriers helped the Patriots win the war for freedom from the British. I knew that this took place, but it was really neat to see how it all could have played out.

 

I will give The Courier of Caswell Hall ... 4 BookWorms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Melanie Dobson's latest release, The Courier of Caswell Hall, is a riveting story you won't want to miss. The newest offering in the American Tapestries™ series, it follows an unlikely spy who discovers freedom and love in the midst of the American Revolution.

Enter to win 1 of 5 copies of the book!

  Five winners will receive:

• The Courier of Caswell Hall by Melanie Dobson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 5th. All winners will be announced October 7th at the Litfuse blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit the Litfuse blog on the 7th to see if you won one of the books!

 

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Summerside Press through Litfuse Publicity. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this is accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."