Heart's Safe Passage

Phoebe Lee has known tragedy and heartache in her young life and now she wants the opportunity to help others. She has trained to be a midwife and is trying to begin her practice, but the response from her community has been less than enthusiastic. However, a light appears on the horizon when her friend Belinda Chapman asks her to be her midwife...but at sea? When Phoebe expresses concern for Belinda's and her baby's health if forced to deliver at sea, Phoebe finds herself kidnapped and forced upon Captain Rafe Docherty's ship. As anger rolls through her, fear strikes an even bigger blow as Phoebe must fight for her very life as well as Belinda's and her unborn child amid turbulent storms, dangerous enemies, and war...all to get to show more England and free Belinda's husband from an English prison. How will she ever escape?

This was book 2 in the The Midwives series and I really liked this one. While linked to the first, it really could be a standalone story. show less

Phoebe Lee hasn't always had a good life, but lately things are better. She finds purpose and contentment as a midwife. However, when she refuses to accompany her pregnant sister-in-law to England, Phoebe is kidnapped by Captain Rafe Docherty's crew. As they set sail on the Atlantic, Phoebe struggles to escape, but eventually finds herself drawn to Rafe inspite of his illegal actions, painful past and thirst for revenge. As danger escalates, Phoebe and Rafe must first find peace with themselves and God before they can open their hearts to love.

Heart's Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes is the second installment of the Midwives series. Having read the first book, Lady in the Mist, I can say that Heart's Safe Passage works fine as a show more stand-alone novel, but the experience with the characters is deeper if you have read the first.

Overall, I really enjoyed Heart's Safe Passage and I'm looking forward to Laurie Alice Eakes' next book. I thought the author did an excellent job of dealing with Phoebe's dilemma of following her heart or following logic. By allowing Phoebe and Rafe to have painful pasts, the author added depth that enhanced the story. I appreciated this aspect as I feel that sometimes in Christian fiction authors use only ideal characters that are surrounded by perfect families and societies. I recommend to anyone who is looking for a historical Christian romance.

Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising." show less

Heart’s Safe Passage started well and was an interesting angle on the nautical or privateer setting chosen by other Christian authors. As the story developed, there seemed to be an over-reliance on dramatic events to keep the reader’s interest. This was also the case with the sequel, and whilst a certain amount of drama makes for a good story, so many dramatic and tragic events in such a short time and small ship stretches credibility a little, which seemed to be the case here.

As with the other two books in the trilogy, the Christian theme of forgiveness and having genuine righteousness, rather than preaching at others whilst nursing hatred in one’s own heart was woven well into the story, and honestly portrayed. That said, the show more characterisation suffered for the cliché used so many Christian fiction novels- the handsome protagonist who has lost his faith because something terrible happened to him, and love of the godly woman that helps bring him back. A little too much on-deck public kissing and touching for a supposedly respectable and well-born lady with a man she was not married to for my liking too.

Also, whilst the details of the setting seemed well researched (most of the terms for the parts of a ship were lost on me) other parts were not so accurate or well researched. There did seem to be some stereotyping of the main Scots characters, for instance, complete with red hair and the obligatory dialectal phrases like ‘bairn’, though I don’t know of many Scots who say ‘ken’ instead of ‘know’- at least not those from Edinburgh. Also, whilst it could be understandable for American characters to confuse England and Britain, or not distinguish between the two, even Rafe and his Scottish crew used the two terms synonymously, when they ought to have known better.

Altogether, this was a good book to read once, but not a favourite I would keep to read over and over again. 3.5 stars. Nothing against the author personally, but I think I am going off some of these ‘fluffy’ romance novels, which all seem to have good looking characters, predictable endings and similar plot lines, and this one didn't have a lot to make it stand out from the crowd.
I received a copy of this book free from the publisher for a review. All opinions expressed are my own. show less

HEART'S SAFE PASSAGE by Laurie Alice Eakes is an exciting historical romance set in 1813. This is the second book in "The Midwives" series,but can be read as a stand alone. See, "Lady in the Mist". "Heart's Safe Passage" is a fast paced,action packed, adventure filled story from the first page to the last. It is the story of Phoebe Lee,a Midwife and Captain Rafe Docherty. One after justice,and revenge while the other just wants to be a good Midwive,even on open seas. Phoebe is kidnapped and trapped on a British privateer ship by her sister-in-law,who is tryting to free her husband from a British prison with the help of Captain Rafe. Captain Rafe needs Phoebe's sister-in-law to find his worst enemy. Together,Phoebe and Captain Rafe will show more face a treacherous journey of faith,trust,forgiveness,redemption,adventure,second chances,the loss of a dear friend,danger, friendship and love. "Heart's Safe Passage" is a must read and a keeper. With twist,and drama,characters that will stay with you long after the last page of this exciting,sea faring,land loving story that travels from the lands of Loudon County,Virginia to the seas and shores of England,with a stop in Bermunda along the way. I love this wonderful series with women, who are not only stong,determined but brave. And the men who are drawn to these women for their faith,love,bravery and determation. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical romance,Americana,Inspiration,and danger on the open seas.Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Revell,a division of Baker Publishing Group,the author's website and My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews.

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews show less

Very sweet & tender moments between hero & heroine. Also loved the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. Beautiful messages of redemption and healing that can be found in God's grace.

The following is the review by Amazon and they said it so well, I just copied it here:

"It's 1813 and all Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. When Belinda, her pregnant sister-in-law, presses Phoebe to accompany her onto a British privateer in order to cross the Atlantic and save her husband from an English prison, Phoebe tries to refuse, then finds herself kidnapped.

Captain Rafe Docherty is a man in search of revenge. His ship is no place for women, but he needs Belinda in order to obtain information about the man who destroyed his family and his life. Between Belinda's whining and Phoebe's hostility, Rafe can't help but wonder if he made the right choice.
When it becomes apparent there is show more an enemy among them on the ship, the stakes are raised. Will they reach the English shore in time? Can love and forgiveness overcome vengeance?

Book 2 in The Midwives series, Heart's Safe Passage is a stirring tale of love, intrigue, and adventure on the high seas. Readers will feel the salt spray and the rolling waves as they journey with Laurie Alice Eakes's vivid characters on the treacherous path toward redemption."

Though this is in a series, you can easily read it as a stand alone story. I liked this story better than book one. Love stories about high seas adventures and this story had it all. show less

HEART'S SAFE PASSAGE by Laurie Alice Eakes is an exciting historical romance set in 1813. This is the second book in "The Midwives" series,but can be read as a stand alone. See, "Lady in the Mist". "Heart's Safe Passage" is a fast paced,action packed, adventure filled story from the first page to the last. It is the story of Phoebe Lee,a Midwife and Captain Rafe Docherty. One after justice,and revenge while the other just wants to be a good Midwive,even on open seas. Phoebe is kidnapped and trapped on a British privateer ship by her sister-in-law,who is tryting to free her husband from a British prison with the help of Captain Rafe. Captain Rafe needs Phoebe's sister-in-law to find his worst enemy. Together,Phoebe and Captain Rafe will show more face a treacherous journey of faith,trust,forgiveness,redemption,adventure,second chances,the loss of a dear friend,danger, friendship and love. "Heart's Safe Passage" is a must read and a keeper. With twist,and drama,characters that will stay with you long after the last page of this exciting,sea faring,land loving story that travels from the lands of Loudon County,Virginia to the seas and shores of England,with a stop in Bermunda along the way. I love this wonderful series with women, who are not only stong,determined but brave. And the men who are drawn to these women for their faith,love,bravery and determation. A must read for anyone who enjoys historical romance,Americana,Inspiration,and danger on the open seas.Received for an honest review from the publisher. Details can be found at Revell,a division of Baker Publishing Group,the author's website and My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews.

“Available February 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

RATING: 4.5

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR,My Book Addiction and More/My Book Addiction Reviews show less