Heart's Safe Passage: A Novel

This book starts out in Williamsburg Virginia in October 1813. T

This book starts out in Williamsburg Virginia in October 1813. The only thing Phoebe Lee really wants to do is practice midwifery, so when her sister-in-law asks her to go to sea with her so that they can rescue her husband who is being held prisoner in England she refuses, after all the country is at war. She soon learns though that she has no choice when she finds herself aboard a ship, and not just any ship, but a British privateer.The captain of the ship Rafe Docherty wants one thing revenge and he thinks that Phoebe just might be able to help him. When he starts having feelings for Phoebe will his priorities change?

I thought the author did an amazing job of making this story seem realistic to the time period. While most of the story takes place aboard ship there was still a richness of detail that I enjoyed, it was so hard for me to imagine a female let alone a pregnant female aboard a privateer ship but with amazing clarity the author pulls it off. While some of the language was a bit hard to follow although it did give the book a more authentic feel.I really enjoyed the relationship between the lead characters. Phoebe and Rafe both have issues from their past that they are dealing with, that added an extra layer to their building relationship.
"Hearts Safe Passage" is the second book in The Midwives Series and while I actually read the first book I feel like this one could be read as a stand alone work. This book worked for me on so many levels, it's a historical romance fiction with strong characters, along with action, suspense, and mystery woven in. What made it a stand out story for me was learning about midwifery during the time period. Overall "Heart's Safe Passage" is another great book from Laurie Alice Eakes.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It seems like every time I’ve turned around over the past

It seems like every time I’ve turned around over the past year, I’ve been hearing bits and pieces about this book. Before reading it, I knew several things: the hero was a bad boy on a dangerous mission, the heroine was a headstrong midwife, and they went to sea.

Well, the story proved to be much more than a bad boy meets a good girl and they live happily ever after. “Sweeping” is the best word I can think of to describe it. It starts off in Virginia, where the heroine heads to sea against her will and due to the scheming of a cruel sister-in-law. From Virginia, Phoebe’s whisked away to Bermuda, then England, and even France. Despite the wide scope of geography covered in the novel, Eakes does a masterful job creating mood and setting. I felt like I was personally visiting every country she described and living through the War of 1812. Eakes understanding of the American, British, and Scottish mindsets is nothing short of amazing.

Furthermore, the characters of Rafe and Phoebe are richly drawn. Neither is perfect, both make mistakes, and both struggle along the path to forgiveness and redemption. They have so much to overcome both physically and emotionally, that at times I wondered if they would ever make it. But they DID make it, and it’s a wonderful story readers won’t soon forget.

This is the third book I have read from Laurie Alice and I find

This is the third book I have read from Laurie Alice and I find myself loving each book even more than the one before and wondering how that is even possible. One of the biggest draws for me is the characters. Her characters are so alive and real. They grab my heart and I struggle right along with them throughout the story. The other thing that really grabs me is her settings and the history surrounding the characters. I have become so wrapped up in history of late that when I read these books I love finding historical events that I can say "I remember learning about that!"

Phoebe is such a beloved character. She is strong and caring yet quiet because she has learned to be for her profession of midwifery. Yet she hides a part of herself away, buried under a mountain of pain and fears. The tenderness she shows others is something we should all strive for. I love how she is able to draw Rafe out of his hard shell with her gentleness. Ugly rumors follow her but behind the rumors there are truths that no one knows.

Rafe is a mystery but we see glimpses of his real self from time to time. While he is lead by revenge he still cares so much for his friends and others in his charge. He struggles to not fall in love with Phoebe but longs to have a normal life with her and a family. A thought he quickly puts from his mind over and over again. He is a gentle man but one that can command a crew with authority and strength of character. He not only struggles with the love growing inside his heart for Phoebe, he struggles with a lost faith in God. Phoebe makes it her "mission" to bring him back to the Lord.

This is a wonderful book and I recommend it highly. And don't forget to get book one in this series, Lady in the Mist. I can't wait for book three to come out, plus her other books.

Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes

Laurie Alice Eakes brings readers a book that is a feast for the senses. The second book in Eakes' Midwives series, Heart's Safe Passage, is part romance and part adventure on the high seas. America and England are at war and so are the main characters of this book, fighting not only each other, but their own pasts. Eakes has the ability to draw the reader into her story in every way, with characters that resonate with the reader, descriptions that will have the reader feeling the salty sea air and smelling the dank insides of a privateer's ship. This is a book that will have readers feeling the full gamete of emotions. Great sophomore book in a great historical series! Laurie Alice Eakes has a gift that not many authors can boast. Her writing style is so descriptive that the reader will use just about every sense from taste to smell, while reading this book. I thought it was amazing how well Eakes was able to put the reader not only in the center of the action but into the very essence of the scene. I like it when an author understands what makes a scene grip a reader. It's often being able to see that scene pan out like a clip from a movie in the reader's minds eye and that's done with very descriptive wording. How many authors have you read, who describe the smells the characters are sensing? Very realistic and very well done. Another big selling point in this one is the depth of the characters. They are so multi-faceted. Nothing is cut and dried with this one. Some of the characters that readers learn to love and respect can still show their faults and vulnerabilities and some characters readers find distasteful and hard to like, show surprising moments of compassion and likability. It's the yin and the yang, a little good in every bad thing and a little bad in every good thing. But it makes for some really interesting reading. It's unpredictable and thought provoking. Phoebe is a woman who just wants to be able to practice her gift for midwifery. She isn't asking a whole lot it seems, but it has been a difficult road for her. Her past is never really far from the surface. Rafe has one thing on his mind, revenge or justice, ever how you want to paint that picture. He's determined and intent on his purpose. When these two characters collide, it's pretty magical. Most Christian romances don't go much beyond the surface with the feelings and emotions that the characters are feeling, but I'll have to say Eakes makes this love story engrossing and at times very satisfying for readers who love romantic fiction. The chemistry between these two characters is as amazing as their journey toward resolving their own issues, with faith and the reality of life.

Pretty good book...

It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.
Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.


This is book two in the Midwives Series by Laurie Alice Eakes. As seen from above, this book is set in the 1800 mainly aboard a ship crossing from America to England during the war. Phoebe and Rafe, the two main characters are also at war with each other. One trying to escape and the other trying to hold onto his prisoner to use in his ultimate revenge on someone from his past.

I thought the book started out a bit slow and then picked up about half way through. I also thought some parts were a bit over the edge with romance, but other readers may enjoy that type of writing style. I thought the plot as a whole was good as was the way it flowed. If your slant is more toward the romantic side of books, this is the book for you.


Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to review for them. Opinions are my own. Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Spellbinding

Here's what I loved about this book:
•The setting. Almost all of it takes place on a ship (a brig, Captain Docherty would correct me). But far from being boring, I found it fascinating to learn about life at sea.
•The characters. Once again, these are no cardboard cut-outs. There are qualities to admire in them, but there are also flaws. The people you want to cheer for might disappoint you at times, and the ones you want to dislike might surprise you with shining moments.
•The word painting. Laurie Alice Eakes is the best comtemporary author I've read for using the sense of smell in her descriptions. This is difficult to do, and not every author bothers with it, but if you can conjure up the smell of the scene, you're drawn in even deeper into the fictional world. It's a powerful sense. Reading Heart's Safe Passage, it isn't hard to imagine yourself really there.
•The plotting. There are dramatic moments in the character's hearts, and moments full of physical danger. Plenty of life-and-death scenes are sprinkled throughout the book, whether it's a physical, emotional, or spiritual crisis.

I highly recommend this book, with no reservation.

4.5!LOVED IT! FROM LANDS OF VIRGINIA TO THE HIGH SEAS TO ENGLAND!!MUST READ!!

HEART'S SAFE PASSAGE by Laurie Alice Eakes is an exciting historical romance set in 1813. This is the second book in "The Midwives" series,but can be read as a stand alone. See, "Lady in the Mist". "Heart's Safe Passage" is a fast paced,action packed, adventure filled story from the first page to the last. It is the story of Phoebe Lee,a Midwife and Captain Rafe Docherty. One after justice,and revenge while the other just wants to be a good Midwive,even on open seas. Phoebe is kidnapped and trapped on a British privateer ship by her sister-in-law,who is tryting to free her husband from a British prison with the help of Captain Rafe. Captain Rafe needs Phoebe's sister-in-law to find his worst enemy. Together,Phoebe and Captain Rafe will face a treacherous journey of faith,trust,forgiveness,redemption,adventure,second chances,the loss of a dear friend,danger, friendship and love. "Heart's Safe Passage" is a must read and a keeper. With twist,and drama,characters that will stay with you long after the last page of this exciting,sea faring,land loving story that travels from the lands of Loudon County,Virginia to the seas and shores of England,with a stop in Bermunda along the way. I love this wonderful series with women, who are not only stong,determined but brave. And the men who are drawn to these women for their faith,love,bravery and determation. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical romance,Americana,Inspiration,and danger on the open seas.Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Revell,a division of Baker Publishing Group,the author's website and My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews.



“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”


RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews

A great high seas read

Excellent character development and fast moving story. Occasionally a scene would be more super human than believable; but didn't harm my enjoying the story. Very good plot twists and unexpected characters or events. If you enjoyed "Lady of the Mist", as much as I did, this book does not dissappoint. This story also includes some great updates on the characters from "Lady of the Mist". If you are a land lover like me I would still recommend this book. Biblical truths are beautifully woven through this story.

AWESOME!

Wow! I just finished this book and LOVED IT! Laurie Alice Eakes is one of my favorite authors. In this book she delves into some tough issues instead of skirting around them. She had me dying to finish it and trying to sneak time away to read. The emotion in this book is amazing. The hero and heroine are so real you feel like you are right there with them, feeling their joy and their pain. The story kept me on the edge of my seat! I never knew what was next and I am good at guessing story lines. But it was so nice to read a story that was new and fresh. The story was fast moving, the characters well developed, the setting very real. I think this is my favorite yet. I really hated to see it end. I felt like I was having to close the book on friends. One of the best books I've read. It is a MUST READ!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.