Review in Akron Beacon Journal

‘Sailing Into a Storm’ makes waves in Historical Fiction

Barbara McIntyre – Special to USA Today Network – Ohio

            The heroine of Laura Freeman’s historical romance “Sailing Into a Storm” is a “little hellion.”

            “She lies, she spies, and she has no shame.” That’s according to the hero.

            Lady Meg Culbertson is not opposed to marriage, but she’d prefer to meet the man first. That’s not necessary, according to her father, Lord John, whose years of drinking and inattention to his English estates have left him heavily in debt in the late 18th century.   

            His solution is to marry Meg off to Eliot Richmond, a baron’s son who lives in Connecticut, importing and exporting goods and making a fine profit. People in the American colonies are still buzzing about that Boston Tea Party thing.

            When Meg declines the offer, her father persuades her by use of a whip; he orders 20 lashes but Meg is able to withstand only seven before she gives in. She’s happy that she will be accompanied by her half-sister Lilibet, a “natural child,” another word for illegitimate. Meg is not happy at all her half-brother Owen will come along; he’s also a natural child so will inherit nothing and is bitter about it. The best he can do is serve as his father’s steward and toady.

            Owen’s role is to see that Lady Meg carries through with her promise to marry Eliot, taking home the marriage certificate to prove it.

            When Meg meets Banner Youngblood, Eliot’s best friend and captain of the ship that will take the party to America, she sees an opportunity to learn about Eliot. She uses a mixture of straightforward questions, flirting and eavesdropping. Banner assures Meg that Eliot is a man of good character, but she senses a secret.

            Meg and Banner’s mutual attraction deepens on the voyage, with both bound by duty not to act. A raging storm threatens to capsize the ship, and the passengers and crew are fortunate to make land. Owen continues his sneaky ways and Meg discovers another adversary and two new allies.

            The boondoggles that Meg pulls off in America are delightful, and Owen’s duplicity is appropriately villainous. The romance is moderate and tasteful.

            “Sailing Into a Storm” (326 pages, softcover) costs $20.99 and is published by The Wild Rose Press. Freeman, a former Ohio journalist, also is the author of the 2014 Civil War-era romance “Impending Love and War,” set in a town that resembles Hudson, and its five sequels as well as two mystery novels and a holiday novella.