Book Review by Guest Andrea Stephens
Freedom's Ring
by Heidi Chiavaroli
(Tyndale House, August 2017)
About the book:
by Heidi Chiavaroli
(Tyndale House, August 2017)
About the book:
Boston, 2015
Two years after nearly losing her life in the Boston Marathon bombing, Annie David is still far from “Boston strong.” Instead she remains isolated and defeated―plagued by guilt over her niece, crippled in the blast, and by an antique ring alongside a hazy hero’s face. But when she learns the identity of her rescuer, will he be the hero she’s imagined? And can the long-past history of the woman behind the ring set her free from the guilt and fears of the present?
Boston, 1770
As a woman alone in a rebellious town, Liberty Caldwell finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When a British lieutenant, Alexander Smythe, comes to her rescue and offers her employment, Liberty accepts. As months go by, Alexander not only begins to share his love of poetry with her, but protects Liberty from the advances of a lecherous captain living in the officers’ house where she works.
Mounting tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, and Liberty’s world is shattered as her brother, with whom she has just reunited, is killed in the fray. Desperate and alone, she returns home, only to be assaulted by the captain. Afraid and furious toward redcoats, Liberty leaves the officers’ home, taking with her a ring that belonged to Alexander.
Two women, separated by centuries, must learn to face their fears. And when they feel they must be strong, they learn that sometimes true strength is found in surrender.
Two years after nearly losing her life in the Boston Marathon bombing, Annie David is still far from “Boston strong.” Instead she remains isolated and defeated―plagued by guilt over her niece, crippled in the blast, and by an antique ring alongside a hazy hero’s face. But when she learns the identity of her rescuer, will he be the hero she’s imagined? And can the long-past history of the woman behind the ring set her free from the guilt and fears of the present?
Boston, 1770
As a woman alone in a rebellious town, Liberty Caldwell finds herself in a dangerous predicament. When a British lieutenant, Alexander Smythe, comes to her rescue and offers her employment, Liberty accepts. As months go by, Alexander not only begins to share his love of poetry with her, but protects Liberty from the advances of a lecherous captain living in the officers’ house where she works.
Mounting tensions explode in the Boston Massacre, and Liberty’s world is shattered as her brother, with whom she has just reunited, is killed in the fray. Desperate and alone, she returns home, only to be assaulted by the captain. Afraid and furious toward redcoats, Liberty leaves the officers’ home, taking with her a ring that belonged to Alexander.
Two women, separated by centuries, must learn to face their fears. And when they feel they must be strong, they learn that sometimes true strength is found in surrender.
Freedom's Ring has a
bit of something for everyone. Very real, very believable characters.
The Boston Marathon
bombing is treated with respect and not exploitative in any way. It is a
fictional tale of a fictional person living with the aftermath of that horrific
event.
I highly recommend this book to everyone!
The ring is
inscribed with “Qui fortis salitem tribute” which translates to “Victory
belongs to the one who is strong.”
Important words to remember as you read through this wonderful book.
The contemporary
story is a woman, Anaya or Annie as she is known throughout the book, that lets
the “if only's” overtake her personal life and estrange her from her sister and
niece. It has a bit of mystery surrounding the ring, and the search for its
history.
The historical story
has the beginnings of the Revolutionary War, an orphaned teenager, Liberty,
doing what she must, without resorting to being a “camp girl” to survive.
I, as a reader, was
able to fully immerse myself in both worlds. The stories are so expertly
entwined by the author. Chapter headings of “Anaya” and “Liberty” made it very
easy to know whose story I was in as I was reading.
The search for the
history of the ring and how it came to be passed down to Annie's rescuer Brad
and the little romance that develops was quite intriguing. I could not wait for
them to find each tidbit of information that drew them closer to the truth. I
also loved how the author used the search to help Annie heal from her guilt and
reunite with her family. It also showed Annie that there was a strength there
waiting to help her, she just needed to reach out to Him. She had much to
overcome. The journey to restoring the broken relationship with her family and
with God. The struggle was gritty and very real, not easy. I felt privileged to
be a witness to it.
I was particularly
drawn to the historical story of Liberty Caldwell. My heart went out to this
poor girl and the situation she found herself in. She chastised herself for
allowing herself to fall for a man that wore a crimson coat, a kind man who
saved her and protected her when he could. Yet, a life between them was never
going to be possible. She was a Patriot, he was a man in the King's regiment,
though, she never stopped loving him.
After the atrocities
that Liberty went through, amazingly, she was able to move on with her life.
She learns midwifery skills, medicinal herbs and how to use them. Eventually,
even finding love with a gentle, understanding, but strong Hugh Gregory. They
have plenty of ups and downs and many, many things to overcome.
In the middle of
each of these stories, there is much to tell, I don't give spoilers so you, my
fellow readers, must take this journey for yourself. It is one well worth
taking.
I will give you a couple of teasers. There are
appearances of well known real life people. There is a time capsule found in
the modern day and a letter and a deathbed promise on the historical side. Each
of these are an integral part of the story and help bind them together. I will also share the last line of the
Epilogue, spoken by Annie but in my opinion, could have been said by either
heroine.
“My past had been
wiped clean by grace. And because of that, I could finally claim strength.”
Book Links:
