The Lacemaker

Best of 2018: Historical Books

Jazz. Grace. Friendship

Suffrage. Romance. Purpose.

Brotherhood. Atmospheric. Poignant.

Liberty. Honor. Love.

Arrangements. Mystery. Forgiveness

Worth. Growth. Kindness.

Family. Tenderness. Hope.

Your turn! What were your favorite historical reads of 2018? Have you read any of these?

My copy of The Lacemaker

Reading a Laura Frantz novel is like stepping back in time. I always learn something new about history or culture with each of her stories. Her 2018 novel, The Lacemaker, is set at the cusp of the American Revolution (one of my fav eras) in and around Williamsburg Virginia. I FINALLY read it – and I’m so glad I did, because it’s one of the very best of 2018, and one of my top 3 favorites of her novels.

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz When colonial Williamsburg explodes like a powder keg on the eve of the American Revolution, Lady Elisabeth “Liberty” Lawson is abandoned by her fiance and suspected of being a spy for the hated British. No one comes to her aid save the Patriot Noble Rynallt, a man with formidable enemies of his own. Liberty is left with a terrible choice. Will the Virginia belle turned lacemaker side with the radical revolutionaries, or stay true to her English roots? And at what cost?

Historical romance favorite Laura Frantz is back with a suspenseful story of love, betrayal, and new beginnings. With her meticulous eye for detail and her knack for creating living, breathing characters, Frantz continues to enchant historical fiction readers who long to feel they are a part of the story.

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The Lacemaker is an absolutely gorgeous story — rich in history and detail, Laura Frantz continues to prove herself a master storyteller. The patriotic spirit of the American Revolution is captured in this story of love and belonging. The romance between Noble and Lady Elisabeth (Liberty) is everything sacred and precious, its nature reflecting the selfless love of a Savior. This is a book I will love even more upon rereads in the future!

The Lacemaker Elisabeth The beauty of The Lacemaker can be likened to an intricate design of lace itself, where the artistry is in the tiny workings and subtleties that make a grand design. The themes of truth, defending beliefs and loyalty, love, protection, finding a true home with the ones you love, even the joy that can be found during the most tumultuous times all work to make this a historical romance I will long remember and eagerly revisit.

And oh, the history! Noble and company rub elbows with big names leading up to the war, and it fits so naturally into the story and brings a sense of realism to both the story and the larger-than-life historical characters.

Lady Elisabeth, AKA Liberty, was a character I instantly liked and was invested in. Devoting her loyalty to one cause or the other (Tory or Patriot) was a decision that would determine her future. Though I wanted to encourage her to make a decision quickly, this was a journey in which she took her own time – making her own way, learning her own heart, and realizing the opportunity of love right in front of her very nose.

Noble lives up to his name, the effort of which is never a secret and the most endearing part of his character. The other endearing thing is when he speaks Welsh! 🙂 Noble makes the list of favorite heroes as an ideal. Noble is everything. Not because he is perfect, but because he strives to be the person his Savior, Liberty, and his country require. Basically I want to learn to speak Welsh now and eat Bara Brith all day.