COST OF FREEDOM - Carol A. Spradling
The Wild Rose Press
ISBN: 1-60154-241-0
June 2008
Historical Romance, American Revolution

Port Chester, England, 1764; Boston, Massachusetts and other Locations, 1770

Abigail Matthews lives with her mother, Rachel. William Jackson is her best friend. But when he tells her that his older brother, Harrison, has asked him to come to the Colonies, she is very sad. Six years afterward, Rachel makes arrangements for her and Abigail to also go to the Colonies. However, circumstances force Abigail to make the voyage alone. She is met at the docks by Phillip Worthington and his sister, Candace. Phillip, a barrister, paid the passage for Rachel and now it seems that Abigail must fulfill the terms of the contract and marry Phillip as her mother had planned.

Abigail is shattered by that news, especially since she has seen William and realized that her feelings for him are still there. In a turn of events, ostensibly to let Abigail become accustomed to life in the Colonies, she goes to live in Harrison’s household. Soon, Abigail is caught up in the intrigues of the early stirrings of the American Revolution. When she kills a British soldier in self-defense, she goes on the run. Only William, who is a Son of Liberty, can help her now.

Grace and Henry Miller, Max Hartmann, Mabel Vichonsen, Joseph Donovan, Katherine and Stavros Scorpio and their daughter, Leah, Thomas Preston and others are friends and patriots or foes and traitors -- depending on your viewpoint.

In the perilous beginnings of the American Revolution, Carol A. Spradling weaves historical figures like Samuel and John Adams effortlessly into her story of William and Abigail. COST OF FREEDOM brings home the pain of revolution and breaking away from Mother England. Since it is difficult to know whom one can trust, danger lurks around every corner and imprisonment -- or worse -- can end a life with little or no warning. As a history buff, I am most impressed with COST OF FREEDOM. Even for those not wrapped up in history, it is a well-crafted, totally satisfying romance. This is one not to be missed.

Vi Janaway