Book Report: Heart's Safe Passage, by Laurie Alice Eakes

Okey dokey folks! One of my favorite authors is up today for review! Her new book, "Hearts Safe Passage" is .... TO DIE FOR! Well, not literally. I don't think Laurie would approve of me if I really enforced that concept. In fact, I'd probably not get asked to review a book again. But, for all sakes and purposes, she has written another masterful novel in my favorite, all-time, unpromoted, genre of Historical Romantic SUSPENSE. There is nothing better than a suspense novel filled with corsets, swashbuckling sailors, midwives, villains, and fights. Oh, and ships - or friggates - or whatever the proper terminology is.

Laurie has developed characters that are rich with background, character, humor, and spunk. Their interaction is fluid and entertaining, while you still become in ensnared by their emotional struggles. A rich depth of story adds more than just plot and suspense, but you truly care about each character.

Even the sub characters draw you in with their oddities. No two characters are cloned and it's great to see the diversity with which Laurie can create unique personalities. 

As in Book 1 of the series, "Lady in the Mist", Laurie continues the ongoing thread of midwifery. A fascinating topic that intrigues any history buff without going into so much detail that bores the mere story-reader. I loved the unvisited career of the Early American woman and it's so curious to me the nuances they had to address and deal with while giving birthing care.

All in all, "Hearts Safe Passage" is well worth the time and investment to have it on your book shelf for many re-reads to come. It is a standalone, so it's not necessary to read Book 1 to enjoy this - however, if you can have TWO Laurie Alice Eakes novels at your fingertips ... why wouldn't you? :)