I was fortunate enough to receive an advance reader copy of this book shortly before my family and I left for vacation at colonial Williamsburg (Yay!), so I brought the book and its characters along with us. There was something irresistibly cool about visiting and learning the history surrounding many of the places mentioned in this book in the same week that I was reading the story.

Having these characters in mind that I felt a connection with, made me appreciate the history I was learning all the more. And learning the history of the time and place from tour guides and reenactors confirmed a number of details from the story and brought home just how much research must have gone into the writing of this book.

I’ll admit, the pictures would’ve been a bit cooler if I’d had a paperback copy to hold up instead of the digital copy on my phone, but I couldn’t resist taking a picture with the book in Williamsburg anyway. You’ll just have to take my word for it that the book is displaying on the screen, even if you can’t really see it.

Both Liberty and Noble are loveable and inspiring characters. Liberty is a strong and independent woman who, nevertheless can accept help when needed. And Noble is a selfless and generous gentleman, devoted to his cause and to helping those in need, regardless of political affiliation. Their romance is sweet, and the accompanying political and spy stories are exciting, and a certain self-sacrificial gesture at a pivotal moment is heartbreakingly beautiful.

Overall, a must read for anyone interested in this time and place in history who enjoys a good romance. And if you have the opportunity to visit Colonial Williamsburg in person, I would highly recommend that too. :)

Thank you to Revell for providing a complimentary electronic advance reader copy of the book through NetGalley for review purposes.

Transport yourself back to colonial times in this exquisitely written novel. Ms. Frantz had me from the start to the very end. Her descriptions, dialogue, and charming characters (well and some not so charming) easily bring me back in time and allow me to escape the pressures of today and instead immerse myself in the problems that Liberty went through. Family troubles, political troubles, and even man troubles!

At first you think the story is going to be about Liberty and her tragically arranged marriage. You see a lot of that in historical novels, because after all it did happen in high society. But then the plot takes a fun twist, and you are soon to dive into one of the best romances ever. Noble. I mean doesn’t the name say it all? Let’s just say that Ms. Frantz has a way of naming her heroes! Noble he is and so much more. I’m sure he’ll be talked about for a long time coming by book reviewers everywhere.

Historic readers are sure to fall in love with this book instantly, and will find themselves flying through the book to get to the ending they’ve been hoping for! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Elisabeth (Liberty) Lawson is the daughter of the lieutenant governor of Virginia Colony. Her father is a dedicated supporter of the British crown while her mother is an outspoken patriot. Elisabeth has not seen her mother in a long time. Her father has banished her mother for her political views. Elisabeth's fiancé is her father's choice, and as with everything else in her life, Elisabeth has bowed to her father's wishes.

When rebels invade her home in the night, Elisabeth suddenly finds herself completely alone. Her father has vanished, the servants are gone, and no one comes to her rescue. Her fiancé appears briefly in the morning and then abandons her. No one is left to help her, except for one man- her fiancé's cousin, who is a patriot as well. Now Elisabeth has a choice to make- will she continue to support the English as her father has done, or will she follow in her mother's footsteps?

The Lacemaker is a love story with history tightly woven through it. The author's faith shines through, glinting here and there throughout the story. Libby is a likeable main character, and is develops convincingly as the story progresses. Her friendship with the man who later becomes her husband is a friendship between equals- what she lacks in possessions, she more than makes up for in independence and spunk. I did find that his character underwent little change throughout the book. Despite this, it was an enjoyable read.

The Lacemaker kept my attention from beginning to end. I would rate it a four out of five stars. I received a complimentary copy from Revell publishers in order to write an unbiased review.

I just love historical fiction. This one is set during one of my favorite time periods- the revolutionary war. We lived in Virginia for a couple years so my connection to this time and place is even greater.

While the story had a very slow start for me, it kept growing in intensity and momentum until I got to the last third of the book where I could not put it down! I think the thing that appealed to me the most were the characters. I absolutely loved Liberty and Noble.

Liberty has such growth during this book. She goes from an unsure girl, feeling confined and controlled to a woman of strength and character, choosing her own path. I loved the feeling of empowerment that came with her growth.

Noble was so fantastic. He was everything you could want in a male hero. I loved his loyalty, his bravery and his compassion. He fought for the cause of freedom and that is always equals a hero in my eyes. I also loved how both Liberty and Noble were kind and thought of others even in the most difficult situations.

This was a good story! The words felt gentle and painted some vivid pictures in my head. I'll be looking forward to the next book from Laura Frantz.

Content: mild violence, peril, kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher at my request. All opinions expressed are my own.

Romance, clean, Christian faith elements
This was a lovely, lush read. Elizabeth/Libby/Liberty and Noble's story was beautifully told. So many small details that added up to a great read for me.
Libby's story, her family, their fall in the Revolution, her struggle to make peace with her past, and forge a future for herself after her engagement party was cleverly told. Her gradual fall and interest in Noble, the man who always seemed to be there when she needed it, who was a faithful, kind, generous man, who cared for others in need, but was a Patriot, provided a nice foil for her decisions about her political leanings and cares.
The politics, the terrors, the natural disasters, the machinations of the Tories and Patriots alike made for a charged setting that made the romance between two faithful, hopeful, caring hearts an engaging and intense read. Perfect read and escape for me!
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own, and in no way influenced by this gift.

Oh. My. Goodness. Laura Frantz never disappoints. The book is written so beautifully that I have no words to describe it. I could not put this book down. I fell in love with Noble from the beginning and Libby is the perfect heroine. I was transported back in time to the Revolutionary War period and it was described so well, I felt like I was right there. This book will sit with me for a long time. If you have not read one of Laura Frantz's book, this is a great one to start with, although all of them are fantastic!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

From the moment I opened the book I was transported back to Colonial America. The sights, the sounds, the dialogue between the characters, they all work together drawing you back in time to the Revolutionary period in America.

At first I thought the story was going to be about Lady Elisabeth and her awful arranged marriage, with that short lived and a plot twist, Lady Elisabeth changes her name to Liberty, and Ms. Frantz then brings on the scene Noble, who is the best hero I've had the pleasure to get to know. Not only are the names Liberty and Noble romantic, their story is too. Let me just say that Ms. Frantz not only knows how to name her characters she also knows how to weave a beautiful romance around them too.

Besides being totally captivated by the romance, I felt as though I was rubbing shoulders with George Washington, Patrick Henry, and other patriots who are responsible for the creation and defending of America.

Bottom Line:

This book is about nobility, love, and sacrifice, with the backdrop of the Revolutionary conflict. The book moves along nicely, it is not rushed, nor is it slow. Noble is now my favorite hero. His love and care of Liberty are what romance is all about. As a lover of history this book nailed it on the head. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of it.

I have had the pleasure of reading all of Laura Frantz's novels....and have loved them all. She is a gifted author and story teller...her attention to detail is flawless. And her writing is poetic. Another masterpiece. Five Stars!!!!!

My Thoughts: You know when you pick up a Frantz novel that you’re about to be treated to something saturated in historical detail and a plot that twists and turns around every bend. The Lacemaker was certainly one of those novels. Although I struggled in the very beginning while being introduced to a great number of names and characters, I did fall into a groove and the story really took off for me. As a history lover, I really enjoyed getting a look at what was going in the months leading up to the Revolutionary War.

Rating and Recommendation: I’m giving The Lacemaker 4.5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy Historical Christian Fiction or Revolutionary War Fiction.

~ I received a copy from Revell through Net Galley. I was not compensated for my review. All thoughts are my own.

I had to read this book to know if it was as good as everyone is saying it is. I can honestly say, they were all telling the truth! I was riveted from the very first page and didn’t want to stop reading. The attention to detail transported me back in time and I couldn’t get enough. Frantz made me love the characters and hold my breath in anticipation a time or two. It was amazing being able to visit a time when our country was being formed, and imagine a little what life would have been like. Family turning against each other would be such a difficult thing to bear, yet that’s often how war can be. I can’t wait to see what Frantz writes next, somehow I know I need to read it as well. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I don't believe it's possible for Laura Frantz to write a story that is anything less than exquisite! Her writing style is so flowing and beautiful. It's always a pure pleasure to read her work.

Fantastic book about American history and great spiritual content. The characters dealing with the times of what political side you were for - Tories or Patriots? When really and truly it was revealed which side you should be on - Christians or Non-Christians?

When I heard about this book, it drew my attention. It was about a lacemaker and I haven't heard of many of them. The book drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. The book had quite a few foreign words (French and Welsh) but most were understandable either by it giving a direct translation for it, or through context. It also used old versions of words such as salat (salad), lanthorn (lantern), Kentucke (Kentucky). It made it more "in period" but I was glad I was reading the book on my Kindle as then I could highlight words I didn't understand and see what they meant. A couple of things sort of rubbed me the wrong way a little. They kept saying "Providence" did this or that instead of "God". Maybe that is how they would have referred to it, but it kind of bugged me. Also, at first they kept referring to Thomas Jefferson as "Jeff" and George Washington as "Wash". Did they really call them that? The book was well written and really brought to light the difficulties and dangers that the Patriots faced during the American Revolution.


I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received.

An absorbing and atmospheric story, set in colonial Williamsburg at the outset of the Revolution. The Tories are threatened by the Patriots, and emotions are running high. All Elisabeth Anne Lawson is supposed to be concentrating on is her imminently-approaching marriage to Miles, a local landowner, a trusted Tory.

But Elisabeth's heart is drawn to her homeland and the Patriots longing for freedom. The closer it gets to her wedding-day, the higher the emotions rise in the town, and the less she likes to think of her upcoming marriage. The political and social world is crumbling, as is Miles, her intended, who cannot keep away from the gaming-table.

I loved how so many of the events unfolded and was particularly drawn by Noble, the hero of the piece. He is a good strong man and one of faith and principle. I liked how he didn't use slaves to run his estate, and the Welsh angle was truly a lot of fun.

There were two major things that I didn't like.
#1. Profanity. Other than some instances of "blast" things were going pretty well until page 371, when a bad guy bursts out with "For G sake!" That late in the book? And is that somehow supposed to indicate he's not a good guy? Well, we already figured that out. Any profanity is always an offense to me in a Christian book. I am getting so tired of big publishers who seem to think it's okay to profane the Name of a holy God in their printed books.

#2. Patrick Henry. While doing her homework on all sorts of other delightful details, Frantz neglected to do her homework on this recurring true character. I'm not quite sure what sources she used for his character development, but the historical record is pretty clear. In this book, he is portrayed as a brash, plainspoken man who says what he thinks in plain and modern language, often punctuates it with "blast," is not very charitable in thought toward others, and always has a mug of ale in hand. The historical record differs massively. He was the premier orator of his day and a very successful lawyer, passionate about music and a dedicated Anglican. I found it odd that Noble should speak of playing his violin with Jefferson and Clark, but never with Henry, supposedly his nearest friend--and in real life a well-recognized violinist in his own right.

These two things prevented me from giving the book a full five-star rating.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free review copy. A favorable review is not required.

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Laura Frantz brings to her readers a historical, complex story of faith, love and sacrifice that they will want to re-read very soon.

Stories that are placed in the Revolutionary War are some of my favorites as I am fascinated with how this country’s freedom was unexpectedly won. With a Militia that consisted mainly of farmers and shopkeepers and leaders that were firebrands and lawyers, they would not have won without their hard-held belief that everyone should be free to live as they liked. Leaders such as George Washington were who would give the people the training they would need to face the mighty British military while lawyers like Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry would give them their battle cries. Laura Frantz begins her story on the eve of this great freedom fight with characters that inspire readers to give as freely, love as deeply and sacrifice all for the sake of those we hold most dear. Lady Elisabeth Anne Liberty Lawson has everything she could ever want – a beautiful home, a wealthy fiance, and the admiration of all she knows. Her father is also a well-known Loyalist who is much liked by the current colonial leadership. But Elisabeth is not as happy as others would think; for one thing, she hasn’t seen her fiance in six months, and for another she is not positive she will ever come to love him given his devotion to gaming rather than her. Enter Noble Rynallt, Patriot, Freedom article writer, cousin to Elisabeth’s fiance and the handsomest man Elisabeth has ever seen. Alarmed by her instant attraction to this enemy of her father’s, Elisabeth sets out to make the best of the time she must spend in his company until her fiance arrives at their betrothal ball. Little does she know that she will soon come to depend on Noble far more than she ever expected. Noble Rynallt is a true Patriot, seeking freedom from a king who wishes complete control over the colonist’s lives. Working alongside Patrick Henry, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, Noble is determined to help his fellow countrymen extract freedom even if it costs his life. But meeting Elisabeth will give him pause as he has never truly considered having a wife and family given his dangerous work. When Elisabeth’s world comes down around her ears, it will be Noble who comes to her rescue, providing shelter and safety when all others are questioning her allegiances. Elisabeth soon becomes determined to make her own way in life, using the lacemaking skills her mother taught her from a child. Finding compassion and a new home with unexpected friends in town, Elisabeth mends clothing of the Patriot soldiers and makes lace for their wives’ needs. But when danger comes to her doorstep with rumors that she is a Loyalist spy, Elisabeth will be rescued by Noble once again. This time she refuses to stand idly by and works on a plan to become the spy she is accused of being – but for the Patriots – ensuring that her father and his evil cronies will not succeed in their plans to destroy all Patriot soldiers. Afraid Elisabeth will be unable to defend herself from her many enemies, Noble offers marriage, praying they will move beyond convenience to real love given time together. His prayers will be answered in spite of the many responsibilities that come to pull them apart because there will be far more that will bring them together as a true family at last. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Frantz wove true history into her fictional story. Giving Patrick Henry a voice in this story made him more real and relayed a vein of truth to the main story. I was pleased to see that she also showed how those who stood behind the soldiers on the front lines of battle felt and thought. How much faith it would have required to let your father, brother, sweetheart or husband go off to fight in battles they were ill-equipped to win. And the joyous celebrations that took place when they came home safe each time were exactly as those that happen today. I was also glad to see that Ms. Frantz gave her characters a faith journey throughout the book, one that would teach them deep trust and faith not only in each other but in God to supply all they needed. My only problem with the book was that it rushed the timing a bit towards the end. Given that Ms Frantz ended her book right after the start of the war it made sense to not draw out both Noble and Elisabeth’s prison time but seemed that the last few chapters were hurriedly finished and not complete in their descriptions. Otherwise it was a very good book with plenty of danger, suspense, romance and challenges for faith. I have not had the opportunity to read anything from Ms. Frantz before but I’ve got several of her other books on hold at the library. I can hardly wait to read more of her excellent stories. I will most certainly recommend this story to others and I look forward to re-reading it myself.

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.

Laura Frantz is a one of the best historical romance writers I have had the privilege of reading. You can tell of her love for 18th century Colonial Williamsburg, in the way she writes with such interest and painstaking detail. Once while visiting Williamsburg I saw a display for homemade lace. I remember being awed by all of the bobbins and threads it took to make a few inches of lace. Reading those segments of Laura's novel took me right back there. Her book has suspense, love and in parts I found it quit sad. Yes I cried. I could not read it fast enough. I wanted to find out what was happening next. I did not want to risk missing one single word, so I didn't speed read. You are instantly drawn into the story, location and the characters with Laura. Noble, what an appropriate named character. He was so real, I think I am in love. He has to be one of my favorite heroes. The way he loved Liberty and honored her made your heart putter-patter. I could go on and on about The Lacemaker, but I won't. I think you can see I really loved this Christian, Historical, Romance. This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. My thanks to them. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I found The Lacemaker to be an incredible story of love, growth, and devotion. Liberty's circumstances at the beginning of the story are ones of wealth and privilege. While she has a kind heart, she is naïve to the dangers growing around her. When her life is drastically changed practically overnight, she rises to the challenge in a most admirable way. I appreciate her ability to adapt and willingness to work hard, despite her pampered upbringing.

Noble is a Patriot and a true gentleman, coming to Liberty's aid when she has no one to whom she can turn. He doesn't judge or condemn her for her upbringing and instead follows the Bible's admonition to "looketh on the heart," and not on outward appearances. It such a sweet, gradual love story, and I loved watching them grow together in faith and love! I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Virginia's history and appreciates a sweet love story.

(I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.)

In high school, I was obsessed with the American Revolution. I lived, breathed, and dreamed every detail I could find about the American Revolution. Stories that (thankfully) will never see the light of day were written.
As terrible as those amateur stories were, I am happy to report that The Lacemaker is no amateur story. Laura Frantz crafted a wonderful story that draws you so completely into the complexities of those first days that it is a shock to your system when someone *ahem - children I'm referring to you* interrupt your reading for something as trivial as being fed.
Who can eat when the balance of a nation is hanging on a lacemaker's thread?

Genre: Historical Romance, American Revolution
Plot Overview: Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson is days away from her arranged marriage taking place when she is abandoned by her fiancé and family. As daughter of a prominent British leader, she is suspected to be a spy and struggles to survive in her hometown of Independence Men. No one is willing to come to her aid, save the Welsh Independence man, Noble Rynallt. An enemy to the crown, he has his own struggles to contend with, but the former-lady-turned-lacemaker cannot be ignored. As tensions grow, Liberty must make a choice - join the Independence Men or turn her back on her father and country? Whatever the choice, the cost could be her life.
What I loved: I will say my absolute favorite part of any story that takes place during the American Revolution or Civil War is the complexities of how families were affected. The relationship between Elisabeth "Liberty" and her family is so complex that I just relish every detail. Her father so wonderfully reflected the Independence Men's view of England while her mother was the independent spirit that refused to be broken. The broken family was such a wonderful symbol of Britain's relationship with it's colonies. I don't know if she meant that symbolism or not, but I absolutely loved it.
Favorite Character: It is such a hard toss up between Liberty and Noble. Liberty is such an amazing young woman who really grows from the submissive daughter to a woman who learns to fend for herself without compromising her morals. She is brave, kind-hearted, and the woman I hope I would be under such circumstances.
Noble is the swoon worthy hero every romance needs. He is a man who watches out for the needs of others, has a strong sense of obligation and duty to bring this nation to independence, and Welsh heritage makes you want to cuddle up next to him in real life. I won't give away the details, but he is a great leader and a man who will do anything for those he loves. Such a brave man.
Who would like this: Anyone who love historically accurate stories with love, romance, danger, and self-sacrifice (no one dies). Those who especially love the American Revolution and the complex relationships between the British and those seeking independence.
Rating and Why: I give this story 5 stars. I loved the complexities of the story, the romance that was exciting but clean, and all the historical characters. It was masterfully created and a pure joy to read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this story on #netgalley through the publisher for review purposes. The opinions above are completely my own and not influenced in any way.

This book had hints that reminded me of one of my all time favorite books, Celia Garth. Only hints, but it was very good. Ms. Frantz delves deeply into the history of the time period, along with how a woman of means would have been helpless and be used as a pawn, even with a strong character and resolve.  It was not just easy to go and make a life on your own, and forced marriages were commonplace, especially among the wealthy as well as the poor. 
I thought this book did a wonderful job of helping you live that. You felt her desperation, frustration and also resolve, as she set out to sacrifice what she could for those she loved. 
I am looking forward to reading Jocelyn Green's book as well, which was mentioned in the notes at the end of the book, that while not related, has some of the same notes of flavor. 
A deeper historical novel, much like her others, I wouldn't really classify this as a romance, although it has some romantic overtones and scenes, there is nothing that would not be appropriate for a high school student. 

I obtained this book from the publisher. The opinions contained herein are my own.

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz brings to mind words that I don’t use in ordinary conversation – decadent, sumptuous, exhilarating – decadent romance, sumptuous historical detail, and exhilarating events captured my imagination with ease. In previous books, Frantz has proven that she has a strong knowledge of frontier life, with all the dangers and beauty that come with it. In this story, she takes on the time leading up to the American Revolution, bringing readers to colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, an exciting and tumultuous place for would-be patriots. As the daughter of the ousted British Governor, Lady Elisabeth Lawson, abandoned by both family and fiancé, knows that her ties with the British make her suspect to anyone who support revolution - everyone, that is, except for Noble Rynallt. Using her skills as a lacemaker to survive, she comes to realize that not taking a side could pose the greatest risk of all.

Liberty, as Elisabeth comes to call herself, is an endearing character. She feels like a lady of her time, however, as it was such a time of upheaval, she also rises to the occasion. Her actions still felt realistic and in keeping with the time period and what would have been an acceptable trade for a woman at that time. I appreciate the fact that she doesn’t feel like a modern woman placed in a historical setting. She feels organic and is firmly placed in the setting of colonial Virginia, which she clearly feels is her home.

Then there’s Noble Rynallt. Normally, such a name might give me pause, but it truly does fit him. He is both a gentleman and a Patriot, and I love how his character demonstrated the great sacrifice that they made for the revolution. It’s hard to envision men with families and homes, often very near the epicenter of their activities, and how this must have been such conflicting priorities for them. The fact that Welsh endearments are part of the story might also have a little something to do with his appeal. The fact that he and “Libby,” as he calls Elisabeth, both play roles in their sphere of the revolution is one of the most exciting parts of the story. Again, Liberty’s part in it feels realistic; her weapons and be silk dresses and upswept curls, but the consequences of discovery are just as dangerous for her as they would be for any Independence Man.

I truly did feel immersed in the world of this story. The historical details and the time period come to life. The plot is steady, pinpointed by moments of surprises both dangerous and delightful – once I hit the halfway mark, I could hardly put it down. I love how Frantz writes from the perspectives of both Liberty and Noble. It gives the story an added layer of complexity and made their relationship progression that much sweeter. Quietly steadfast and straightforward with his intentions, Noble Rynallt is everything a gentleman could be. Not to be overlooked, the faith element is never preachy but deeply rooted within the words and actions of the characters. Liberty’s decision to trust God no matter how dark the times may seem touched this reader’s heart. As this new year begins, I hope to remember Libby’s words in the face of adversity: “God goes with me. There’s no better escort.”

The Lacemaker is filled to the brim with history and romance and faith-affirming characters. It has earned a place on my favorites list, and I highly recommend it to fans of historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This review is my honest opinion.