Tuesday, June 19, 2012

The Night Lamp Review


Reviewer:  Deniz


“Military confidant Cole McKnight will do anything to reclaim his home, even run bounties for an unprincipled bondsman. When Isa Foster becomes his latest assignment, Cole jeopardizes more than his property to bring her in.
Isa Foster has a bounty on her head and a dead friend at her feet. Accused of the murder, she must rely on her espionage training and wits to clear her name. Cole McKnight is one distraction she can’t afford.
With George Washington's impending inauguration and the birth of a nation hanging in the balance, Isa and Cole must work together to uncover the truth behind the murder. While Cole fights for his family home, and Isa for her very survival, their biggest battle may be fighting their attraction for each other.”

If you don’t count Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, I’ve read very few stories set in the time of the Revolutionary War. I think this was my first Revolutionary War romance! I can think of no better introduction to the era than Cole and Isa’s adventures. Though the politics were slightly confusing, speaking as a Canadian who’s studied European history more than American, the hero and heroine spring to life from the first page.

I loved the ongoing sparring between Cole and Isa – from the verbal battles (“should I anticipate sore ribs every time I meet up with you?”) to their foot fights under the dinner table. Spradling does very well when writing those scenes where the couple almost kiss, almost admit their feelings for each other, but then are interrupted or stop short of revealing the depths of their emotions. If it wasn’t a romance, I’d hope to see more of Cole and Isa!

A titbit! This book has a connection to another wonderful romance author – Kristen Callihan, whose debut, Firelight, was published in February. Callihan and Spradling are both members of the Compuserve Books and Writers Community, and the town of Callihan in The Night Lamp is named after Kristen!




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