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Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Guest Marian Baay Reviews Roseanna White's Whispers from the Shadows


Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna M. White

WHISPERS FROM THE SHADOWS
Culper Ring Series #2
By Roseanna White
Harvest House, August 1, 2013

Reviewed by Marian Baay
~5 stars~*****

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!
Do I have your attention now? Yes? Good!

Roseanna White takes the reader back to 1814, to the war of 1812, where we meet again with the main characters from the first book in this series Ring of Secrets—Winter and Bennet Lane. Their son Thaddeus Lane is our hero and he also is Mr. Culper now.

Our heroine is the daughter of the British General Fairchild—we met him in the first book as Colonel Fairchild. Gwyneth Fairchild is being sent away by her father to America. He believes their lives are in danger and he wants Gwyn to leave immediately. He sends her to his American friends—the Lanes. Just before she enters the carriage to leave, her British suitor – Sir Arthur Hart – asks for her hand in marriage. Excitedly Gwyn runs back to the house to talk to her father. But instead of talking to him she is a witness to his murder. Panicked, she runs back to the waiting carriage and leaves England and Sir Arthur behind.

After a long and horrendous sea journey, Gwyn finally arrives in America. She has been sick and has had terrible nightmares. She did not tell anyone that she saw her father being murdered. Fear that the killer might follow her to America has kept her awake and made her sick. Her servants thought she was seasick, but she cannot tell anyone what is really plaguing her.

When she finally meets Thad – the  only person she knows she can trust because her father trusted him – she falls asleep in his arms.

Captain Thaddeus Lane – or Thad – has received a letter from General Fairchild, but the content doesn’t make any sense. He assumes there must be a hidden message in it, but he can’t figure it out. Not even his parents can break the code—if there is one.
When Gwyn arrives at his doorstep, he doesn’t know what to do with her. Can he trust her? She is British after all…and America is at war with England.

Back in England Sir Arthur and Gwyn’s uncle are looking for Gwyn, but they don’t know where she went. When Arthur finds a letter from the Lanes in General Fairchild’s study, her uncle believes that is where the general has sent her. Together they follow Gwyn to America—Arthur in hopes to claim her as his bride and Uncle with another purpose.

Gwyn’s trust for Thad – because her father trusted him – runs deep. She will have to learn to put her trust in Someone else to find peace and healing from the monsters in her nightmares.

Thad is a widower, but doesn’t talk much about his deceased wife. For some reason it is a sensitive subject. While he starts to care more and more for Gwyn – and his feelings are returned – he neglects to tell her why it is such a sensitive topic. When his best friend, Alain, spills it all out during a fight, Gwyn is shocked to learn what happened and runs away to hide in her bedroom. Before he has a chance to talk to Gwyn, Thad is called away on a dangerous sea journey to spy on the British fleet approaching America.

Can an American Captain and the daughter of a British General find love?
Will Gwyn understand that he had to leave before they could talk it all out? Will she forgive him?
And what about Sir Arthur? Will he find Gwyn to claim her for his own?
Will her father’s killer find Gwyn?
And General Fairchild’s letter…will they ever break the code and learn what secret message is hidden inside it?

There’s a lot of suspense and intrigue in this fabulous book. Murder, spies, secrets, war, love, grief, forgiveness, faith... There’s so much to enjoy in this story. The characters and plot were very well developed and the writing is clear and exciting. I’m already looking forward to the next book in this series. Fantastic job, Roseanna!

*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley.*

Roseanna's books can be found at AmazonCBDBarnes & Noble, and other book stores.
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GIVEAWAY: A copy of Roseanna's new book, choice of format.  (Outside of USA ebook only.)  "Like" Roseanna's Author Facebook Page and leave a comment to enter.  

Watch the book trailer!


47 comments:

  1. WHISPERS FROM THE SHADOWS sounds absolutely wonderful. Something to look forward to.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Mary! It's been great getting to know you a bit at my big giveaway this month. =)

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  2. White is an incredible author and I am not surprised to see that she has come out with another deep, complex, original book. Se has such a unique and refreshing voice and style. I love reading her work.

    Thank you for the review and giveaway!

    ks4readin(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. And I love you reading it--looking forward for hearing your thoughts on Thad and Gwyn after you have!

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  3. *happy dance* I'm so excited to read this book! Love the trailer, and that cover? Gorgeous :)

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    1. I'm *happy dancing* with you. ;-) Aren't those visuals awesome?? Harvest House really wowed me with these!

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  4. Can't wait to read this book! It sounds so very very good and after loving Ring of Secrets I'm sure I'll love this one too!
    (I can't like Roseanna's facebook page cause I don't have facebook-I would if I could though!)
    gatorade635(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. No worries on the FB thing, Abbi. =) And I hope you get the chance to read it and love it too!

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  5. I just "liked" your FB page and would love to enter to win your book. Sounds exciting and the period of the war of 1812 is such an interesting one.

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    1. Thanks, Vera! And it definitely is interesting! Our Second War for Independence has been overlooked by many, but there's so many fascinating tidbits about it. =)

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  6. It sounds fantabulous!! Wonderful review. :) Can't wait to read it.
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com
    fb follower

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    1. It is a wonderful review, isn't it? So glad Marian enjoyed it, and I hope you do too!

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    2. Glad I could make the book sound fantabulous. Thanks for stopping by, Susan P.

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  7. I loved Ring of Secrets and I'm dying to read Whispers from the Shadows! :) (I'm already a fan on Facebook :))

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    1. I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read, Amy!!

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    2. I'm sure I will! Whenever that may be....

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  8. Fairchild gets murdered!? But--but-- I really liked, him, though - he was a true gentleman, a most honorable man. How else could he have become friends with his rival? And he was no coward about fighting for Julienne. [sigh]

    Well, I guess now I MUST read the book to find out if/how he is avenged and the murderer brought to justice. My heart may be broken, but I do look forward to reading the novel!

    rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu.

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    1. Rachael, that's actually what inspired Fairchild's Lady, LOL. My critique partners and editor were all horrified that I planned to kill him off in the first chapter, and my claim of, "But he was happy in between! I promise!" didn't satisfy them a bit. ;-) My editor also tried to get me to make him not REALLY dead, but alas. The villain never would have fallen for that.

      But I know. Really. I love him too.

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    2. I don't know if I should have mentioned that fact in the review. I don't like to add spoilers, but I didn't know how else to write a review without mentioning it. :)

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    3. Anything that happens in chapter 1 is fair game in a review. =) Especially when chapter 1 is included in the back of the previous book, LOL. Thanks again, Marian!!

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    4. Phew...I didn't know chapter 1 was included in the previous book. I also got Ring of Secrets from NetGalley and the first chapter of Whispers was not included then. :)

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  9. Sounds great! I recently won a copy of the first book on Roseanna's blog in her month long giveaway, so after reading it I will be ready for this one.

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I have liked Roseanna's FB page

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  10. I'm looking forward to this book! The first and the freebie Fairchild's Lady were great!

    thissimplemom at gmail dot com

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  11. Talking about suspenseful and intriguing!!! It's exciting!! Great review!! Looking forward to reading "Whispers from the Shadows". Thank you for sharing and please enter me in the giveaway.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. I've like Roseanna's facebook page and watched the trailer. Enjoyed the trailer.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. Have the first book, looking forward to reading the second as well! :D

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  14. Sounds like a wonderful read--it's on my list and I'd love to win a free copy! Please enter me and thanks for the giveaway.
    danandlyndaedwards(at)msn(dot)com.

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  15. Whispers from the Shadows sounds like another great read. Congratulations, Roseanna.

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  16. This book looks like a fun read! Thanks for the chance to win.

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  18. Please don't enter me! I just wanted to tell MARIAN I enjoyed her wonderful review and to let her know she is welcome to use my goose down cushioned rocker while she's here! The Quillers have a rocker reserved for me when I guest over here. :)

    ROSEANNA is quite the storyteller of intriguing, romantic books and this one sounds like it's no exception!

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    1. Thanks for offering your rocker, Diana. Is there a foot-stool too?

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    2. Of course! Only the best here at CQs!

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  19. Oh.. what a GREAT review and book trailer!!! I've only had the privilege of reading one of Roseanna's books, and I've been dying to read this one. Congrats Roseanna on what looks to be a real WINNER. I can't wait to dive into it!!!

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    1. Thanks, MaryLu. I hope you get the chance to read this book SOON!!

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  20. would love to win. angela from KY angelachesnut246@gmail.com

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  21. Okay, confession time. I've yet to read the first book. I've been trying to win it over on Roseanna's 30 Days of Giveaways, but to no avail! Would love to win this book as well, so sign me up for the drawing! God bless!

    debsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com

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  22. Whispers from the Shadows sounds exciting, a must read.
    Thank you for a chance to win a copy.
    Blessings, Tina
    tfrice@comcast.net

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  23. Thanks to all who stopped by. Lots of luck in the contest!

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  24. I've like Roseanna's facebook page and watched the trailer. Enjoyed the trailer. and would very much like to win the book, it sure does sound good
    Shirley B jcisforme@aol.com

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  25. I'm getting farther behind. Congratulations on an awesome series Roseanna!
    Thank you Marian. Just lovely!

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  26. I really enjoyed the first one in the series and can't wait to read this one. I already liked your fb page. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  27. I really enjoyed this. Sounds like quite a mystery to the story. Causes all kinds of questions. I have already liked Roseanne's page, and would love to win this book. Been trying to win the first one on her 30 days give-away, but no luck. Please enter me for a chance.
    MAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  28. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the opportunity.

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