Sarah's War

by Eugenia Lovett West

Overview

1777 is a pivotal year in the United States. The Revolutionary War has long since begun, with no end in sight. George Washington and his untrained militia struggle to survive. The thirteen states are torn apart by politics. Amidst all this chaos, Sarah Champion—a beautiful young Patriot and parson’s daughter whose twin brother was killed in the Battle of Long Island—is sent from rural Connecticut to live with a rich Loyalist aunt in Philadelphia. There, she is plunged into a world of intrigue and treachery. She spies on British officers enjoying festivities in winter quarters. She goes to Valley Forge with information about a plot to kill Washington.

As the war drags on, Sarah digs deep for the strength, courage, and wits to overcome the numerous deadly threats she faces, driven on by her determination to realize one dream: being part of the efforts to form a new and independent country.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781943006939
Publisher:	SparkPress
Publication date:	04/16/2019
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Eugenia Lovett West was born in Boston, MA, attended Sarah Lawrence College, then worked for Harper’s Bazaar and the American Red Cross. In 1944 came marriage to a dashing Army Air Force fighter pilot. They had four children, traveled extensively, and were together for sixty years. After doing volunteer work, West started writing as a freelance journalist for local weeklies in New Jersey, then made the leap to novels. The first, The Ancestors Cry Out, was published by Doubleday and Ballantine. Without Warning and Overkill came from St. Martin’s Press; a third in the Emma Streat series is in the pipeline. West spends summers at Squam Lake in Holderness, New Hampshire, and winters in Essex, Connecticut. Her greatest joys are her children, grandchildren, and large, close, extended family. She values kindness and is doing her best to age with grace—and to keep writing.

Editorial Reviews

West provides excellent ingredients in this well-told historical novel, including scheming, flirting, romance, and villainy. There is also some fine period detail that helps to set the scene. . . . An entertaining blend of intrigue and romance . . .”
—Kirkus Reviews

“This outstanding historical novel is filled with exciting twists and surprises to the very end. . . . Enthusiastically recommended.”
—The Historical Novel Society

From the Publisher

2019-01-22

In this historical novel, set during the Revolutionary War, a young Philadelphia woman takes on the dangerous job of spying for the patriots.

Eighteen-year-old Sarah Champion is a dutiful parson's daughter, so when she's sent from her Connecticut home to help her aunt, Elizabeth Sage, in Philadelphia, she makes no protest. When Sarah arrives, in September 1777, Mrs. Sage informs her that she plans to give her fine clothing, teach her deportment, and bring her into society, which puts the young woman in a moral quandary. Her twin brother, James, was killed fighting for Gen. George Washington; now she's living among Loyalists and must often bite her tongue to stay polite. Meanwhile, Capt. Andrew Warren is trying to develop a spy network for Gen. Washington. He wants to find a woman who'd be welcomed at Gen. Sir William Howe's parties, where she can overhear useful information—someone like Sarah. She agrees and proves herself to be both brave and determined, but she finds herself in danger from Capt. Ian Jamieson, a blackguard British officer. Meanwhile, she becomes close to the kind, humorous Capt. Charles Colborne, Sir William's aide. As the British withdraw from Philadelphia in 1778, Sarah's life undergoes major changes—and she'll need every ounce of courage to survive a dramatic confrontation. West (Overkill, 2009, etc.) provides excellent ingredients in this well-told historical novel, including scheming, flirting, romance, and villainy. There is also some fine period detail that helps to set the scene, such as fashionable young ladies practicing papyrotamia (the art of paper cutting). However, the promising espionage theme isn't very well-developed. There are no ciphers, no coded letters or invisible ink; indeed, Sarah gets only one real chance to tackle a mission while in disguise. Although some intriguing historical issues, such as back-alley abortion, are discussed, the novel misses out on an opportunity to more thoughtfully look at what the idea of independence means in a slave-owning society.

An entertaining blend of intrigue and romance, but the spycraft disappoints.

Kirkus Reviews