USA TODAY bestselling author Colleen Coble explores the mystery and the romance of the Revolutionary War. A young lighthouse keeper must navigate the dangerous waters of revolution and one man’s obsession with her to find safe harbor with the sea captain she loves. Hannah Thomas believes she’s escaped Galen Wright’s evil intentions by marrying an older lighthouse keeper. Seemingly safe in faraway … lighthouse keeper. Seemingly safe in faraway Massachusetts, her world is upended when John is killed in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Hannah is allowed to continue the difficult task of tending the twin lighthouses in John’s place, though she faces daily disapproval from John’s family. She thinks her loneliness will subside when her younger sister arrives, but she finds Lydia’s obsession with Galen only escalates the dangerous tides swirling around her.
A stormy night brings a shipwrecked sea captain to Hannah’s door, and though he is a Tory, her heart is as traitorous as the dark-eyed captain. Even though she discovers Birch Meredith isn’t the enemy he seemed at first, Hannah isn’t sure their love will ever see the light of freedom.
more
Freedom’s Light a novel which takes place during the Revolutionary War is a moving novel. When Hannah Thomas’ husband goes off to war, she is tasked with taking over the duties of the lighthouse in Gurnet, Massachusetts. It is hard work and requires the caretaker to rise sometimes several times during the night to go to the towers and make sure the lights are still lit. Hannah knows the work is hard but decides to honor her husband’s request because of her love for this kind man who helped her years ago escape from Galen Wright a potential suitor. The war soon finds Hannah when she does not light the lights after hearing about the British plan to destroy the lighthouse. A ship crashes into the unlit lighthouse shore with Hannah finding one survivor. Disapproval from her husband John’s family, the introduction of the ship wrecked captain, Hannah’s sister and Galen make for a good storyline. An interesting tale complete with cloak and dagger spying, feelings of both the Americans and the British during this time, and puritan life.
The era is the Revolutionary War. Hannah maintains the lighthouse after her husband goes to war and is killed. Her sister, Lydia, comes to live with her. Lydia is very strong willed and won’t listen to Hannah’s advice about Galen, who was Hannah’s fiancé until Hannah ran away from him and married John. Birch enters the story when he is shipwrecked because the lights are off. Even though this is a Christian author, Colleen Coble writes about real life and real consequences when wrong choices are made. I thought I had the ending all figured out, but there was a twist i did not see coming.
This novel a great historical fiction read about a female lighthouse keeper and her sister that takes place during the civil war.
Always look forward to Coleen Coble’s next book. Freedom’s Light is another hit, keeping me up way into the night. Fabulous.
I love all her books
Anything that Colleen writes is a great read.
Loved it!!!
Young Hannah marries an older man, John. While there is no heart stopping feelings of love, she does have respect and admiration for him. He tends the lighthouse, but feels it his duty to go fight in the Revolutionary War. Hannah is so lonely, as John’s mother has never approved of her, so she is alone tending the lighthouse. She sent for her sister, Lydia, for company and Lydia wished to get far from her alcoholic father. Unfortunately, the sisters are on opposites sides of the war, as Lydia is in favor of the British. While Hannah is responsible, Lydia is not and yearns for a life full of riches no matter the means she must go to acquire it.
Upon discovery of a shipwreck, Hannah pulled a man from the wreckage. Birch Meredith, a Tory. But, she feels a responsibility to take care of him while his broken leg heals. They begin to develop feelings for one another, but how can it be when he is a British and he has no love for God?
Lydia is determined to marry Galen who wishes to wed Hannah. Hannah fears and despises Galen. Galen is an evil, wicked man who stops at nothing to get what, and whom he wants. Lydia is so silly she is blind to who he really is and believes she can make him forget all about Hannah and want her. Lydia gets herself into trouble and has to leave Hannah. Once again, Hannah is all alone tending the twin lighthouses.
You must read this book to discover how God provides for Hannah’s every need.
I normally do not care for historical fiction, but I am a big fan of Colleen Coble, and knew this just had to be a great story and I was not disappointed.
I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this book are my own.
I highly recommend this book for historical fiction and Christian readers because the author skillfully weaves a compelling story surrounding 18 year old Hannah, the lighthouse keeper of Gurnet Point, Massachusetts during the war for independence. Hannah is a sympathetic character who has great faith, fortitude and determination to do her part for the Continental army while facing constant criticism from her sister, her husband’s mother, the townsfolk and the Christian elders in her church, especially when she rescues and nurses to health a British sailor who will become both her greatest strength and her greatest weakness. Hannah and Birch Meredith are fascinating characters living in an uncertain and dangerous time and their story is filled with passion and conviction that makes for a highly entertaining and unforgettable read. I read an early copy of this book provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley and all opinions expressed in my voluntary review are completely my own.
I really enjoyed this story! Although it started a bit slowly for me, the pace picked up after a few chapters and I became very interested in these characters.
I really liked Hannah and felt sorry for her in all that she was dealing with in this novel. She had some very difficult situations to go through. She suffered a lot in many ways. I liked Birch, yet found myself frustrated with him at times as he let his need for revenge lead him away from God and from Hannah.
Hannah’s sister, Lydia, was so aggravating and brought so much trouble onto not only herself, but Hannah as well. This was a character who was definitely led astray by bad decisions and was more concerned with her own desires than what God would want her to do. It was painful to read about her naive trust in a wicked man. The actions of Lydia and Galen represent situations in the book that I would not recommend for younger readers, however, the book is clean, with no graphic descriptions of events.
This story had me anxiously turning pages toward the end of the book and I loved the sweet epilogue.
(4.5 stars)
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
FREEDOM’ S LIGHT by Colleeen Coble
Sept 11. Thomas Nelson
Keeping the lights in the lighthouse for the sailors, and stay at home is what her husband wanted. He was older, and she was use to speaking her mind, and wanted to follow him. A year here, she hated the sound of crashing waves, was endless., the lonely coastline. Galen wants what John has, Hannah, John reply’s “God will protect her”and Galen stated that John was a spy.
To her sister, Galen plied with love, still wanting Hannah. Would the British man they rescue from the shore, would he be allowed to live. Or in hate, and a vow to have Hannah, not. A plot that showed the mercy of woman when the men were off, fighting. Strong, deep emotions, of what women had to do. The duties of home, and families, unable to go to war, was up to women to tend to. Given ARC by Net Galley and Thomas Nelson for my voluntary review and my honest opinion. EllenOceanside