Death of a Lady

In the final years of the Revolutionary War, this story follows families and soldiers on both sides. Royal Navy Captain Darren Smythe fights a losing battle escorting convoys of supplies and hunting the rebel Navy frigate Scorpion. His heart is with a woman in Charleston, Melody Winters, a rebel supporter and teacher who can’t wait to get back to her job as a College Professor. They have agreed to marry when the war is over, so even though his loyalties are with England he can’t wait until the war ends. Scorpion Captain Jaco Jacinto, pilots the fastest ship in the Continental Navy. Raiding British ports, and hunting prizes in the Caribbean, he continues to cause trouble for the Royal Navy. Reyna Laredo, a young woman in Charleston, whose dream is to be certified as a medical doctor. She treats the wars wounded from both sides and takes the hippocratic oath seriously. She is also the fiance of Captain Jaco Jacinto. Reyna’s brother Amos is a Major in the Continental Army, organizing ambushes to prevent supplies from reaching the British controlled areas. On the other side we meet Major Rafer Muir, a Scottish Highlander in the Royal Army, He reports directly to Lord Islay and tries to thwart the attacks by the Rebel Army. As the war rages on, it tests the loyalty, morality and endurance of everyone as they all pray for an end.

Action abounds in this Historical Fiction novel, but there is also the human element that is often missing from the history books we read in school. Some of the military strategy was a bit over my head, so if you are like me don’t worry, keep reading and you won’t be lost. I loved the characters in this book, especially the women, they are strong, endearing and authentic. There was the perfect amount of romance to keep you invested but definitely not enough to be confused with a romance novel. I loved the mutual respect many of the characters had for each other, even when they are on opposite sides of the conflict. There also was a lot of inferences to what the future may hold for the characters. I really felt for these characters, the longing they had to get back to their lives that had been put on hold for so long. I felt the end was a bit abrupt, but since it is the first in a series it definitely makes me look forward to reading the next one. Overall I really enjoyed this and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.