4.5 stars
Oh, I really enjoyed this story, set in the Florida Keys and Louisiana in 1856. A young Englishwoman has to travel to her mother's family in Louisiana after her cousin sells her home out from under her at her father's death. The journey is interrupted by a storm which lands her in Key West, where she meets Elizabeth and Prosperity from the previous books and gets to know Tom better.

The writing style is really smooth and easy to read, and I liked that both characters have a strong faith. The bad guy is really bad, so there are some dark themes related to that, but a self-sacrificing character is an excellent contrast.

Content: talk of violence and rape toward slave women; a beating (somewhat shown); an attempted rape (not graphic)

Thanks to NetGalley for a free review copy. A favorable opinion was not required.

Freedom’s Price by Christine Johnson

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Christine Johnson’s latest historical novel brings the 1850s Florida/Lousiana area to life with dashing sea captains, stolen inheritance, and an unsolved suicide.

This book was interesting for me to read as I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. It would go along with good pacing and witty dialogue then there would be passages that didn’t seem help the story along. The best parts of the book were towards the end when all the intrigue was sorted out but I also liked the beginning as it gave good insight into the main characters of Catherine and Tom. Catherine Haynes is attempting to travel to her deceased mother’s relatives in Louisiana after the death of her father. Her uncle has told her that the land her father owned is being possessed by the bank to pay massive loans taken out by her father right before he died. Homeless and knowing her mother was well loved by her family in the States, Catherine sets out to claim her portion of the inheritance her grandfather willed to her mother. Her journey couldn’t be any more difficult than any she could have imagined and she will have to decide if she will trust salvage captain Tom Worthington to help her complete her journey and make her rightful claim. Catherine has spent much of her life being rather timid and unassuming but if she intends to take possession of what is rightfully hers she must be prepared to fight. Tom Worthington has spent years hunting the man who destroyed his father’s name and company, driving his father to suicide. Working as a salvage boat Captain off the coast of Key West, Tom is searching the gulf areas for the man knows as Mornez who robbed him of his family. Upon discovering that Catherine will be booking passage alone from Key West to Luisiana, Tom offers to go with her to ensure her safety. As they travel, they will each meet with much frustration in their quests. Catherine arrives at the Louisiana Plantation to find that her cousin is an absentee landowner who has left the Plantation in the hands of a frightening overseer called DeMorney. DeMorney is a sinister man who has many secrets and is not afraid to use violence to keep all on the Plantation under his thumb. Catherine will have to use every ounce of courage she possesses to discover all the secrets before its too late for everyone. Tom is positive that DeMorney is really Mornez, but he has no way to prove it. He will have find others who can vouch for his story or catch DeMorney in his illegal activities if he wants to save Catherine and find justice for his family. The question is whether he will embrace justice or vengence? I really enjoyed the mystery that Ms. Johnson added to her story – it really gave the story a good platform and allowed for a deeper relationship between Catherine and Tom to develop. Having so many threads begun throughout the beginning of the story was a little confusing but Ms. Johnson was careful to bring everything to a close and tie the ends up nicely. I could tell that this book was supposed to be part of a series but it wasn’t so much tied to the previous books as to make it hard to read or understand the characters. I was pleased to see the way in which Ms. Johnson wove the characters faith journeys in with the plot, making it very natural and necessary to the strength that each one was able to hold to during a difficult situation. Her descriptive but not overly detailed passages of the scenery and locations throughout the book were very good as well. As I have been to several of the places she described it was interesting to hear what they were like 160 years ago. As I said before, I did find that some passages of the book seemed a bit unnecessary to the plot but I believe they were included to tie up other loose ends that were not completed in the previous stories. Overall I would say that this was a really good story to read and I will be passing it on to others to enjoy. I will certainly be looking for more of Ms. Johnson’s work in the future.

I received this E-book free of charge from Revell Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation from either company for this review.

I always enjoy getting to read new authors and was excited to see what kind of author Christine Johnson was. Of course, coming in late in a series can sometimes be a little confusing. You don't know who the characters are, or their back stories. But when reading this book I did not find that to be an issue at all. I understood exactly what was going on and who everyone was. In that aspect I think this book would do fine as a stand alone book.

As for Christine's writing ability, she did a wonderful job in presenting a story in this time period. There was not a moment when I felt like the language was off, or even how the people were acting and reacting. She stayed true to the 1850's which I am sure is something very difficult for an author to do. I liked the storyline because it was different then others I have read in this time period. As a reader, I am always looking for something different - I don't want to read the same stories all the time! I think this was my favorite aspect of this book.

As for the characters, Catherine is a strong heroine that was a delight to read about. She is one of those women who do not need a man in their life in order to live. She is content in doing things her way. I think she'd make it in our world today as a very successful business woman! She's certainly someone you might want to take a few notes on. Tom, however, I could not love. Sure, I enjoyed his character, but I don't feel that his character went anywheres. In other words, there was no true development on his part, or at least not so much that I could see a big change in him. I like the big characters to grow and learn, and I feel that Tom fell flat in this area.

Bottom line - it was a good read. Historical fiction readers will enjoy it and appreciate the author's ability to stay in the time period. I am looking forward to reading other books by this author in the near future. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have thoroughly enjoyed Christine Johnson’s Keys of Promise series. The unique setting and characters have been something different to read. It’s a series I can certainly recommend.

The third novel of the series, brings a woman from England to the Keys and Louisiana. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this novel at first as the story quickly turned quite dark and a bit mysterious. The story doesn’t shy away from some of the atrocities of slavery, but rather shines a light of hope in some of the darkest moments of the book.

These characters were certainly standouts for me. Tom who has to learn the truth about vengeance and Catherine who has to learn that reality and expectations are not always the same thing. Together these two characters have to find their own paths amidst an enemy.

I thought Freedom’s Price was a wonderful book and is one that I can point to as a book worth picking up.


**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.**

To escape an arranged marriage, Catherine flees England for Louisiana, the home of of her mother's estranged family. When her ship is severely damaged off the coast of Key West, Catherine becomes desperate to find another way to Louisiana before her meager funds run out. Meanwhile, she becomes friends with a handsome sea captian who is searching for the thief of his father's ship and who suspects Catherine may be the key to finding him.

Freedom's Price is a lovely Christian historical romance set several years before the American Civil War. As you may be able to tell from the title, slavery and freedom is a major theme. Catherine's home in Britain had banned slavery years before the book began, while slavery was still going strong in Key West and Louisiana. Many of the injustices and tragedies that plagued the slaves were portrayed and condemned in Freedom's Price. The lack lack of equality for women that restrained their freedom was also touched on while Catherine struggled with the control her male relatives and future husband had over her. Freedom definitely comes as a high price.

The setting was fascinating. I find myself wanting to research wrecking vessels, the painting of ships, and the illegal slave trade pre-Civil War. Fascinating stuff.

I had a few problems with the main characters, unfortunately. Catherine was so naive and stubborn. She wouldn't listen when people warned her (though they could have told her WHY) and assumed what she should not have. Meanwhile, Tom was so set on revenge he was careless of anything else. He told Catherine he was traveling with her for her sake, and he was, in part. But his bigger motives revolved around what her contacts cold help him discover about the missing ship. Then he left her in harm's way while he could pursue his goals. It was selfish. He used her. And she was perfectly fine with it. Then they were all "happy couple," and I'm just here wondering why neither of them saw it. They did change during the story, but those character flaws were with them through most of the book. It was a bit frustrating.

Still I enjoyed the story as a whole. I would recommend it to fans of clean historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Revell Reads. All my opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the Keys of Promise series and it was fantastic like the other two. Catherine seemed to be very grave to leave a country to travel to another one where you know no one. Tom is a great guy. He seems like the type of guy that most people could easily fall in love with. I did not want to put this book down. I received this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Christine Johnson's latest installment in her Keys of Promise Series, Freedom's Price, was an enjoyable read. I was especially delighted to find my favorite characters from her previous books taking a supportive role in this book as well. Set in both historical Keys West and New Orleans, Johnson did an wonderful job of transporting me to a time and place quite different from my own.
Studded with strength of character, rich descriptions, and an intriguing plot, Johnson delivers an excellent story. Her characters do not grow or change overly much in the book, but the plot is varied and keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next. I loved the ending, however I won't give that away!
What I love most about Johnson's writing is her rich description. I felt as if I had entered her story and had a front row seat to her lively characters and their lives. My time spent reading her books was not wasted! I recommend this book to all lovers of historical fiction.

Freedom's Price is a delight to read, full of fire (Catherine and her red hair), and action packed (Tom and his adventurousness) GOD is prevalent in this book, as well HE should be - Amen?, but as you know the moment GOD becomes prevalent, evil worms his way into the story and wreaks some havoc and wreaks he does. As we know though with CHRIST we have already won. Will Catherine and Tom learn that lesson or will they let evil win out? Will Catherine and Tom turn to HIM for help? Will they turn to each other? This book is amazing and wonderful to read and you really get into it.

Freedoms Price, book three of the Keys of Promise series, is a fabulous read by Christine Johnson. I highly recommend it. 5+ stars.

"Freedom's Price" is a romance set in 1856 in Key West and New Orleans. I was profoundly unhappy with the ending of this book. Catherine seemed sorry that her pride, selfishness, and greed got her into trouble rather than sorry for her behavior. Even at the very end, Catherine wasn't satisfied with using only what actually belonged to her and Tom to free the slaves. She didn't hesitate to cheat someone (who never did her any harm) out of what was rightfully his because she didn't like that he had slaves.

Tom was interesting and had his own arc about learning not to take vengeance into his own hands. Catherine seemed decent at first since she cares about slaves and tenants, but it's always on her own terms (which sometimes left them worse off). People kept telling her that her intended actions would put her (and others) in danger, but she always felt that she knew better.

Catherine selfishly thinks she should have everything she wants, so she acted like she had the right to run her cousin's plantation even though she had no idea if she had a right to any part of it. Even though she didn't do a good job running her father's estates and knows nothing about sugar plantations, she's sure she can do better than anyone else. I didn't like Catherine.

This is the third book in a series. Characters from the previous books appear in this story, but you can understand this story without having read the previous books. There was no sex scenes or bad language.

Can Pirates of the Caribbean characters come to life in an alternate book?

Catherine Haynes is facing a difficult situation. With both of her parents now deceased, her cousin has taking control of their estate, but must pay a stipend to Catherine until she is wed. Now he is in a hurry to get her married and sell the estate. Rather than succumb to his wishes, Catherine decides to take a severance from him and sail to her mother’s homeland of Louisiana to meet the family that doesn’t know she exists. Along the way, she is shipwrecked on the island of Key West, where she meets dashing Captain Tom Worthington, who may be the only man she has met that can match her wit, which infuriates her more. Even so, Catherine and Tom find themselves drawn to one another even though each has their own plans. Would it be better to stay with Tom in Key West or venture to an uncertain future in New Orleans?

This was a fun historical fiction read that had me picturing Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann from Pirates of the Caribbean. Not because of their situation, but because of their personalities. There was lots of fun, wit, and action throughout the book. But there were also valuable lessons learned about trust and love. Johnson did a great job of setting the scene in pre-Civil War New Orleans. I hadn’t realized that England had already abolished slavery by that time period, so I was happy to get to do some research based on the book. I also love the Key West area, so anytime I get to go there in my mind is well worth it.

Even though this was the third in the series, it is easily a standalone. I recommend reading it even without a copy of the first two.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Christine's writing always captivates my attention...and this novel was a pleasure to read...and share w/ all of my reading friends. Love the cover art, too.

I carried my Kindle around with me, room to room, in the car, almost everywhere I went, reading every spare minute, compelled to find out what was going to happen to Catherine Haynes as she traveled from England to Louisiana to meet the family who had disowned her mother following her marriage to an Englishman. An adult, but orphaned nonetheless, Miss Haynes seeks to reconnect with her mother’s family, only to find that her mother’s beloved plantation, Chêne Noir, has been left in the hands of an unscrupulous property manager. Will she have the strength of mind and body to reclaim her place within the family and her rights to her share of the plantation, or will she fall prey to the villainous DeMornay? The answer seems to lie within her budding relationship with a Key West sailor, Tom Worthington, but things are not always what they seem.
The title of this book holds the key to its theme. I read this book following Memorial Day when our nation focuses on the price of freedom, and the heroes who pay that price. John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends,” tells us the price of freedom. Readers of Freedom’s Price will witness someone willing to pay that price. Who will it be?
I recommend Freedom’s Price; it is even better than the previous books in this series, and I had given them quite positive reviews. I thank Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing a copy of Freedom’s Price in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no monetary compensation for writing this review.

In order to avoid an unwanted marriage after the death of both her parents, Catherine Hays leaves her home in England and crosses the Atlantic in an attempt to find her mother's estranged family in Louisiana. On her journey west, she catches the eye of wrecker Tom Worthington in Key West. Enchanted by Catherine, Tom leaves his own home to accompany Catherine on the remaining leg of her journey. When they arrive at the plantation outside of New Orleans, though, it no longer resembles the paradise Catherine's mother had always described. And as they learn more about the man now controlling the plantation, it becomes clear that Catherine and Tom's lives are more intertwined than either could have imagined. Will they each stubbornly hold to the dreams of their youth, or will they be able to make a new life together?

Christie Johnson tells an intriguing story of life along the Gulf Coast in the 1850s in Freedom's Price. While I enjoyed Tom as a character, I just couldn't bring myself to like or understand Catherine. Whereas Johnson, I assume, wanted readers to see a strong and independent heroine, I found myself annoyed with her. Time after time Catherine makes truly idiotic decisions for absolutely no good reason. From leaving England in the first place to adamantly staying in a dangerous situation, Catherine's choices make her seem spoiled, selfish, and plain stupid, and made me long for Tom to just leave her to her own devices and head back to Florida. She would have deserved it. It took me a while to get into the story, but once Tom and Catherine reach Louisiana (which should have happened several chapters before it did), the story picks up quite a bit. Other than Tom's poor choice in a love interest, the plot itself was interesting full of lovely surprises.

If you are looking for a book to just skim that you can't wait to get through then don't read this book! I was captivated right from the first chapter and that's really saying something since this is the first book I've read by this author. This book is full of intrigue and drama. Fantastic plot with surprises along the way leading up to a satisfying ending. I now have books 1 and 2 in this series and can't wait to read them!
Thank you to NetGalley and Revell for a review copy in exchange for a truthful review.
Pub Date 06 Jun 2017

This book really kept my attention as I wanted to keep reading to find out what Catherine would do. I found her very courageous to undertake the journey of traveling during this time and then having to make the decision of what to do when things do not turn out as expected. I liked how Catherine and Tom's relationship progressed and how they learned to trust each other. They both have big decisions to make and must really put their trust in God to make the right decision.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher, the review is my own.

Freedom’s Price by Christine Johnson is a wonderful Southern historical novel. Lately, my reading interests have moved away from historical fiction, but I am so glad that I took the time to read this novel. Catherine Haynes loses her parents and her home in England. Rather than get married, she chooses to cross the ocean and search for her mother’s family in Louisiana. When she arrives at the plantation, she discovers that someone is trying to steal her family’s money. She gets Tom Worthington, an American sailor, to help her. Catherine soon finds herself in a desperate situation and the story is engrossing until the very end. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries and stories set in the South. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Freedom's Price

A Novel
by Christine Johnson

Revell

Christian

Pub Date 06 Jun 2017

I am reviewing a copy of Freedom's Price through Revell and Netgalley:

Catherine Haynes is an Englishwoman who after loosing both of her parents, and the home she decides to cross the Atlantic to find her Mother's family in Louisiana in order to get away from her controlling cousin and to build a new life for herself.

When Catherine Haynes gets to the plantation, her relatives are not there, just the slaves, and she finds herself having to steal her inheritance back from a man named DeMornay.

Will Catherine be able to get back what is rightfully hers.

Find out in Freedom's Price.

Five out of five stars.

Happy Reading!

Staffordshire England

Catherine Haynes, age 13, is eavesdropping on a conversation between her father and a stranger who has come to visit him. Then, the dark-skinned man leaves the house with a strongbox.

1856

Catherine, age 23, is at her home, Deerford. Her parents have passed away, and her cousin, Roger, is trying to make her marry Mr. Kirby, a vicar. Catherine wants to stay in her home and run the estate but as it is in financial ruin, Roger intends to sell it to become a factory.

Catherine’s mother was an American from Louisiana so she plans to go to America and find her mother’s family and their plantation. As she refuses to marry the vicar, Roger is only giving her a small amount of money for her trip.

On the voyage to America, the ship encounters a storm just outside Key West. After the storm, Tom Worthington went out to meet the ship and seeing the damaged mast, brings the ship into port for repair avoiding the dangerous reefs.

Catherine is worried that her money will run out before the ship gets repaired and continues on so with the help of Tom, searches for another ship that get her to Louisiana sooner.

When she arrives at the plantation, she is surprised to find it somewhat rundown and nearly vacant. But when she looks inside, she is shocked to encounter the same man who had visited her father 10 years ago. Who is this man and what has happened to her family’s home?

The story was interesting and filled with detail. The characters are strong and difficulties of the time period are well-written. I’m sure there are a lot of readers out there who will enjoy it.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Freedom's Price is a fantastic Christian historical novel. I found the book to be very well written with a great plot and characters. The author is new to me and I thoroughly enjoyed her style of writing. I highly recommend this book.