What do you think?
Rate this book
The Midwives #1
Lady in the Mist
By virtue of her profession as a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is the keeper of many secrets: the names of fathers of illegitimate children, the level of love and harmony within many a marriage, and now the identity of a man who may have caused his wife's death. Dominick Cherrett is a man with his own secret to keep: namely, what he, a British nobleman, is doing on American soil working as a bondsman in the home of Mayor Kendall, a Southern gentleman with his eye on a higher office.
By chance one morning before the dawn has broken, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths on a misty beachhead, leading them on a twisted path through kidnappings, death threats, public disgrace, and . . . love? Can Tabitha trust Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of them find true love in a world that seems set against them?
With stirring writing that puts readers directly into the story, Lady in the Mist expertly explores themes of identity, misperception, and love's discovery.
By chance one morning before the dawn has broken, Tabitha and Dominick cross paths on a misty beachhead, leading them on a twisted path through kidnappings, death threats, public disgrace, and . . . love? Can Tabitha trust Dominick? What might he be hiding? And can either of them find true love in a world that seems set against them?
With stirring writing that puts readers directly into the story, Lady in the Mist expertly explores themes of identity, misperception, and love's discovery.
410 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
268 people are currently reading
3712 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Alice Eakes
56 books362 followersLaurie Alice Eakes used to lie in bed as a child telling herself stories so she didn’t wake anyone else up. Sometimes she shared her stories withothers; thus, when she decided to be a writer, she surprised no one. Family Guardian, her first book, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007. In the past three years, she has sold six books to Baker/Revell, five of which are set during the Regency time period, four books to Barbour Publishing, as well as two novellas to Barbour Publishing and one to Baker/Revell. Seven of her books have been picked up by Thorndike Press for large print publication, and Lady in the Mist, her first book with Revell, was chosen for hardcover publication with Crossings Bookclub. She also teaches on-line writing courses and enjoys a speaking ministry that has taken her from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.
Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.
You can learn more about her and her work at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com
Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.
You can learn more about her and her work at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews
February 13, 2011
Laurie Alice Eakes weaves a dramatic tale of intrigue and secrets set along the coast of Virginia at the turn of the 19th century. Ms. Eakes enriches her story with lush historical detail and a plot that keeps the reader guessing with many twists and turns. Tabitha Eckles, midwife and healer, has been hurt too many times to trust a man with her heart, especially an Englishman who might have something to do with the men who are taken from her village and forced to serve in the British Navy. Dominick Cherrett charms the midwife in order to gain access to information that could help him redeem himself from his indentured status, but the more time he spends with Tabitha, the harder it is to keep his heart unaffected.
This was a lovely read, and one I am happy to recommend. There were a few actions scenes that were cut off rather abruptly that I would have enjoyed seeing played out "on stage" instead of recapped later in narrative or dialogue, but that is my only complaint. The spiritual thread of trusting God and seeking forgiveness not through self-imposed penance but through a humble heart played out well in the lives of the characters and felt natural to the plot. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of espionage and a generous helping of secrets, will find Lady in the Mist a delight.
This was a lovely read, and one I am happy to recommend. There were a few actions scenes that were cut off rather abruptly that I would have enjoyed seeing played out "on stage" instead of recapped later in narrative or dialogue, but that is my only complaint. The spiritual thread of trusting God and seeking forgiveness not through self-imposed penance but through a humble heart played out well in the lives of the characters and felt natural to the plot. Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a touch of espionage and a generous helping of secrets, will find Lady in the Mist a delight.
January 23, 2016
I was a bit perplexed by LADY IN THE MIST. As much as I wanted to like the story and its characters, it had a hard time holding my attention. I was intrigued by the unique plot, but even so, I found the book traveled at such a slow pace I found it easy to put aside.
I don’t understand what it was about the book that fell short. It had all the facets I look for in fiction–romance, intrigue, love lost, love found, a dashing hero, and a strong heroine, but I never felt a connection. There were long descriptive periods that seem more like an interruption than fact filled. I will admit that I am not a fan of the Regency Era, but the synopsis sounded interesting regardless of the time period. The last quarter of the book picked-up, but if it wasn’t for the fact that I needed to post a review, I probably wouldn’t have invested the time. But if you’re a fan of the Regency Era, I am sure you will appreciate what it is that I wasn’t able to connect to.
Book provided for review purposes.
Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
I don’t understand what it was about the book that fell short. It had all the facets I look for in fiction–romance, intrigue, love lost, love found, a dashing hero, and a strong heroine, but I never felt a connection. There were long descriptive periods that seem more like an interruption than fact filled. I will admit that I am not a fan of the Regency Era, but the synopsis sounded interesting regardless of the time period. The last quarter of the book picked-up, but if it wasn’t for the fact that I needed to post a review, I probably wouldn’t have invested the time. But if you’re a fan of the Regency Era, I am sure you will appreciate what it is that I wasn’t able to connect to.
Book provided for review purposes.
Available February 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
September 29, 2021
This won't be a very detailed review, but I enjoyed reading this! Some things I wanted to say are below:
Positive: I loved how Tabitha Eckles (the main character) is a determined and strong young midwife who deep down just wants to be loved and belong. Dominick is a charming British redemptioner looked down on by many of the Americans. At first I struggled to find why I should like him beyond his looks and Britishness (lol), but deeper into the book it revealed more about his past and his emotions and he became more than just a character, so I loved him after all. I wasn't the biggest fan of Raleigh , but I think he was well written! The climax was also suspenseful and exciting and the character arcs were also engaging and satisfying. The struggles characters had with their faith in God were realistic and Tabitha's especially ended strongly (from what I remember). I enjoyed the writing style, mystery, and action too.
Random: I loved the recurring mention of candied rose petals. That sounds heavenly. And the overall mentions of flowers throughout the book. I just liked it. I also loved the theme (or is it motif?) of mist throughout the book.
Negative: It may just be me, but I didn't like how the kisses began so early in the book, even if they were what pushed the suspense and mystery forward. It made them seem less impactful the more they happened. (I just don't like when there are kisses without declarations of love or proposals beforehand or at least near.) So I'd rate the romance as a 3 out of 5 out of personal preferences, though it was still clean. I just like when romance unfolds slowly to give more impact. (Just me, anyone?) I said I liked how the characters' struggles with faith in God were done, but Dominick's slightly confused me... it wasn't completely clear where he stood in the end. I finished this about a week ago so it ISN'T too fresh in my mind, but that's the impression I remembered getting from it.
I said this wouldn't be detailed but this is already much longer than I intended, haha! Anyway, that's all I have for this review. I liked the book but probably won't read it again. :)) If I could, I would rate it as 3.5 than 4, but 4's closer to how I feel than 3. (*feels strangely guilty for expressing any negative thoughts because it might hurt someone's feelings*)
Positive: I loved how Tabitha Eckles (the main character) is a determined and strong young midwife who deep down just wants to be loved and belong. Dominick is a charming British redemptioner looked down on by many of the Americans. At first I struggled to find why I should like him beyond his looks and Britishness (lol), but deeper into the book it revealed more about his past and his emotions and he became more than just a character, so I loved him after all. I wasn't the biggest fan of Raleigh , but I think he was well written! The climax was also suspenseful and exciting and the character arcs were also engaging and satisfying. The struggles characters had with their faith in God were realistic and Tabitha's especially ended strongly (from what I remember). I enjoyed the writing style, mystery, and action too.
Random: I loved the recurring mention of candied rose petals. That sounds heavenly. And the overall mentions of flowers throughout the book. I just liked it. I also loved the theme (or is it motif?) of mist throughout the book.
Negative: It may just be me, but I didn't like how the kisses began so early in the book, even if they were what pushed the suspense and mystery forward. It made them seem less impactful the more they happened. (I just don't like when there are kisses without declarations of love or proposals beforehand or at least near.) So I'd rate the romance as a 3 out of 5 out of personal preferences, though it was still clean. I just like when romance unfolds slowly to give more impact. (Just me, anyone?) I said I liked how the characters' struggles with faith in God were done, but Dominick's slightly confused me... it wasn't completely clear where he stood in the end. I finished this about a week ago so it ISN'T too fresh in my mind, but that's the impression I remembered getting from it.
I said this wouldn't be detailed but this is already much longer than I intended, haha! Anyway, that's all I have for this review. I liked the book but probably won't read it again. :)) If I could, I would rate it as 3.5 than 4, but 4's closer to how I feel than 3. (*feels strangely guilty for expressing any negative thoughts because it might hurt someone's feelings*)
did-not-finish
April 11, 2024I quickly realized this book just wasn't for me. I wasn't enjoying the flirtatious way Dominick went about things, the cheesy romance descriptions, and the overdramatic girl-against-town feel.
Some people might like this story, it just wasn't for me.
Some people might like this story, it just wasn't for me.
February 18, 2011
There was a lot to enjoy about this book, but a few things that slowed the pace down. I liked the historical aspects of the novel. The author clearly knows American history and it really shines in this book. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and also enjoyed the mystery portion of the story. I think less would have more in this book and made it a tighter story, but the writing itself was very good.
The romantic tension was nice, though the back and forth between the two men seemed to go on a bit too long in my opinion. It seemed like the story was more about the potential for war between England and America than about midwifery itself. But the setting was well done so I felt fully planted in that time period. I did marvel at how often Dominick was just roaming around considering he was a servant.
The tension regarding the hero being British and the townspeople's angst about England was pretty engaging, too. A few times I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The spiritual thread was strong in this story. Some good points were made in regards to faith. Overall Lady in the Mist was an enjoyable read.
The romantic tension was nice, though the back and forth between the two men seemed to go on a bit too long in my opinion. It seemed like the story was more about the potential for war between England and America than about midwifery itself. But the setting was well done so I felt fully planted in that time period. I did marvel at how often Dominick was just roaming around considering he was a servant.
The tension regarding the hero being British and the townspeople's angst about England was pretty engaging, too. A few times I wasn't sure what was going to happen. The spiritual thread was strong in this story. Some good points were made in regards to faith. Overall Lady in the Mist was an enjoyable read.
March 11, 2011
Check your schedule and pen in a long afternoon, perhaps snuggled in your favorite chair, for this wonderful book! Because once you start it, you won't want to let go. Not of the enchanting characters, or the eerie ambiance of a misty seacoast town, or of the romance, adventure and mystery that permeates each page. I delighted in Ms. Eakes' fresh writing style and unique story-telling ability. I loved the adventure! The heroine is flawed, wounded and yet kind-hearted. Someone we can all relate to. The hero, well, what can I say. Perhaps you should be sipping iced-tea when he comes on the page, rather than hot cocoa! This book is a rare find in the sea of predictable Christian fiction, and I'm desperately awaiting the next one in the series!
August 23, 2020
Oh the dilemma of rating!.... 3.5 ⭐️ This one is smack dab between 3 and 4 stars. It has a lot of great elements, a decent plot, but the writing could use some tightening up. The inner dialogue and frequent self recriminations get a little repetitive. I would veer more towards 3 ⭐️ but then I don’t usually look forward to other books of the same author if I’m giving them 3 ⭐️. Yet 4 seems a teeny bit generous. But alas, it kept me entertained enough even if I did have to skim some cheesy spots and roll my eyes at the over used descriptions of eyes. I still wonder how heroines can see their beloveds eyes deepen or tighten just a bit- enough to know they are nervous or stressed...🤔 I really need to learn this skill they all seem to have!
June 6, 2023
I’m just going to do a short review here for this, since it took me so long to read it😅 for awhile now, this has been my Scribd, read at work book. However, shortly after I started it, I was off for a week and didn’t read it at home. Then when I got back, work was so busy I didn’t have a spare moment to read. So now I don’t remember many of the thought I had for the first quarter of the book😅🫣
Overall, I really enjoyed it from page one. I really liked both our main characters and their development throughout the story. I liked the plot line a lot as well; it was different from what I usually read and I found it very interesting. There was also a mystery that kept me guessing! I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
Overall, I really enjoyed it from page one. I really liked both our main characters and their development throughout the story. I liked the plot line a lot as well; it was different from what I usually read and I found it very interesting. There was also a mystery that kept me guessing! I’m excited to read the rest of the series!
December 30, 2020
I must agree with a fellow reviewer (Amy ;)... this one was difficult to slap a 4 star on, but also wasn't 3 star material either. The self recriminations and redemption theme was definitely over done... but then that's the way it is in alot of Christian novels, so I'm going to over look that I guess. The book drew me in right away in the first chapter... even though the hero's character of a huge flirt didn't really match his virtue in the realm of his respect for women(at first the reader is thinking, stay away from this guy! He's way too experienced with women, but then he doesn't end up like that, so it was a bit deceptive of who he was at first). I think switching the chapters between the characters' thoughts is nice... however, I think she should have kept it to the 2 main characters and not added in the old love. In any case, any book that keeps me up past midnight cannot receive only 3 stars! So, alas...4 stars it is. And yes, Katie, you would enjoy this book!! ; )
October 28, 2011
The beginning of this book really grabbed my attention. Mid-wife Tabitha is walking home along the beach after a birthing gone wrong, and runs into an Englishman. Is he behind the loss of American men to the British Navy? The mystery and the blooming relationship between Tabitha and said Englishman kept me enmeshed in the story.
I really liked the "hero" of this story, Dominick. He wasn't the typical cheesy, muscled, buff, etc. hero. It was a nice change, and although in Britain he was in the aristocracy, in America he was a servant.
The middle of the book dragged a bit for me. It seemed a bit longer than necessary. The tension that I had felt earlier in the novel started to flag, but it eventually picked up again. I just wish that could have been held throughout the entire novel. I also felt that some of the action scenes were a bit unclear. There were a couple of times that I was confused about what exactly was happening.
I also felt that some of the ideas of faith were a little on the nose. It felt like all of the characters came to the exact same conclusion in the exact same way. I was told how they were feeling more than shown. I was glad to see the characters grow in that way, but for me it just didn't feel as genuine as it could have.
I thought Eakes did an excellent job with the setting--I really loved the misty seaside and was surprised at the amount of action in the story--it was a lot of fun.
Despite the areas of the plot that flagged for me, Eakes combined romance and adventure in a great historical setting. I'll definitely check out the next book in what I'm supposing will be a series (since this is book #1).
I really liked the "hero" of this story, Dominick. He wasn't the typical cheesy, muscled, buff, etc. hero. It was a nice change, and although in Britain he was in the aristocracy, in America he was a servant.
The middle of the book dragged a bit for me. It seemed a bit longer than necessary. The tension that I had felt earlier in the novel started to flag, but it eventually picked up again. I just wish that could have been held throughout the entire novel. I also felt that some of the action scenes were a bit unclear. There were a couple of times that I was confused about what exactly was happening.
I also felt that some of the ideas of faith were a little on the nose. It felt like all of the characters came to the exact same conclusion in the exact same way. I was told how they were feeling more than shown. I was glad to see the characters grow in that way, but for me it just didn't feel as genuine as it could have.
I thought Eakes did an excellent job with the setting--I really loved the misty seaside and was surprised at the amount of action in the story--it was a lot of fun.
Despite the areas of the plot that flagged for me, Eakes combined romance and adventure in a great historical setting. I'll definitely check out the next book in what I'm supposing will be a series (since this is book #1).
January 30, 2013
Tabitha Eckles is a midwife in colonial America. Her fiancé had been pressed into the British navy a couple years before the story starts, leaving Tabitha as an oddity: an unmarried midwife who has never given birth. Her parents had died not long before, so she's reeling from everyone she's loved having "deserted" her.
Early one misty morning Tabbie is walking along the beach after the death of an expectant mother. She meets a tall Englishman, Dominick Cherrett, who is the mayor's indentured servant. Considering the fact that young American men are disappearing from the coastline, kidnapped by the British to join the navy, she jumps to the obvious conclusion that Dominick is an accomplice. If only Dominick, the younger son of a British aristocrat, could explain the real reason he's here.
Lady in the Mist is a historical romance novel with themes of desertion and the discovery of God's presence, no matter what. I enjoyed the novel and found the story pulled me along. Ms. Eakes managed to leave many chapters with gripping endings that made me turn the page (on my Kindle) even when I should have been in bed.
Early one misty morning Tabbie is walking along the beach after the death of an expectant mother. She meets a tall Englishman, Dominick Cherrett, who is the mayor's indentured servant. Considering the fact that young American men are disappearing from the coastline, kidnapped by the British to join the navy, she jumps to the obvious conclusion that Dominick is an accomplice. If only Dominick, the younger son of a British aristocrat, could explain the real reason he's here.
Lady in the Mist is a historical romance novel with themes of desertion and the discovery of God's presence, no matter what. I enjoyed the novel and found the story pulled me along. Ms. Eakes managed to leave many chapters with gripping endings that made me turn the page (on my Kindle) even when I should have been in bed.
November 8, 2011
Proselytizing garbage for the most part. The character development was non-existent, the plot was shoddy and the details lazy. That's very easily explained - this isn't a novel, this is a religious tract meant to convert the unwary. Nowhere in the abstract does it mention that this book is about God first and foremost, and Christian principles secondmost. I counted up 16 various mentions of God in two paragraphs. At certain points I was purely disgusted - take responsibility for your own actions people! I forced my way through it because I just can't give up on a book, but I really should have. I have no problem reading books on religion, I have a problem being misled into reading them. I wish I could demand my money back from the Kindle service.
And for being a story on midwives, especially in light of all of the acknowledgements the author makes regarding her midwife research - there was little-to-no midwifery.
And for being a story on midwives, especially in light of all of the acknowledgements the author makes regarding her midwife research - there was little-to-no midwifery.
February 13, 2012
I couldn’t put this book down. I carried it with me everywhere so I could sneak in a few more pages whenever possible. What’s so great about it? To name a few things:
■It’s set in 1809. This is a time period I know very little about, but it’s full of intrigue and drama. I loved learning about this slice of American history.
■The descriptions were excellent, really drawing you in and painting the scenes and characters with masterful strokes. You’ll be able to picture the scenes and action as if you were watching it on a screen.
■The mystery kept me guessing much further into the book than I had predicted. Normally I can figure these things out pretty quickly, but not so with this one. I didn’t even know if one of the main characters was a “good guy” or a “bad guy” until almost the end!
■The heroine is someone I’d like to be friends with. You’ll love her too. Her faith is a little weak when we meet her, but that’s because of the loss she’s experienced.
■It’s set in 1809. This is a time period I know very little about, but it’s full of intrigue and drama. I loved learning about this slice of American history.
■The descriptions were excellent, really drawing you in and painting the scenes and characters with masterful strokes. You’ll be able to picture the scenes and action as if you were watching it on a screen.
■The mystery kept me guessing much further into the book than I had predicted. Normally I can figure these things out pretty quickly, but not so with this one. I didn’t even know if one of the main characters was a “good guy” or a “bad guy” until almost the end!
■The heroine is someone I’d like to be friends with. You’ll love her too. Her faith is a little weak when we meet her, but that’s because of the loss she’s experienced.
April 9, 2014
I enjoyed this story set in the early 1800s when England and American tensions were high and war was threatened. Some interesting historical perspectives on the relationship between the two countries. Also great insights into the life of a young unmarried midwife, Tabitha, whose story this really is. It has something of 'Call the Midwife' about it, and this aspect is well written, with Tabitha being a great character. The romance is a love triangle, which is quite satisfying but which dragged and circled a bit. I thought the novel would have been better a little shorter as the conclusion was a bit long in coming. Overall, an enjoyable read.
May 17, 2012
I thought this book was pretty great. :)
My first book to read by Laurie Alice Eakes. I'll be looking for some more by her...
My first book to read by Laurie Alice Eakes. I'll be looking for some more by her...
January 31, 2016
This book was very...satisfying. I loved learning about the midwives' lives and customs, and the spy aspect added some really great spice to it. I gleefully ordered the other books in the series when I was about halfway through and look forward to reading them also!
January 19, 2017
An exciting historical romance.
January 24, 2023
Recommend: yes!
Rating: 5 stars
Age: 16+
Genre: historic fiction, inspirational romance
Content: blood, injuries, death, violence, descriptive material on childbirth etc
Language: clean
Review: I was not expecting such a good book! The plot was so complex and complete, and it had me guessing until the very end. It had so many crazy plot twists that I could hardly keep up- and every time I thought I knew whether a character was good or bad, something would happen that changed my mind completely! The romantic subplot was good, very wholesome, but better than that was the Christian theme. There was some violence and such, but it definitely wasn't graphic; everything served a purpose to the plot, rather than being unnecessarily gory. The story also included a couple scenes of childbirth, which doesn't bother me at all but might bother some. However it still wasn't horribly graphic. Anyway, I definitely recommend this book if you have the attention span for it- I definitely had to pay close attention in order to not miss anything important!
Rating: 5 stars
Age: 16+
Genre: historic fiction, inspirational romance
Content: blood, injuries, death, violence, descriptive material on childbirth etc
Language: clean
Review: I was not expecting such a good book! The plot was so complex and complete, and it had me guessing until the very end. It had so many crazy plot twists that I could hardly keep up- and every time I thought I knew whether a character was good or bad, something would happen that changed my mind completely! The romantic subplot was good, very wholesome, but better than that was the Christian theme. There was some violence and such, but it definitely wasn't graphic; everything served a purpose to the plot, rather than being unnecessarily gory. The story also included a couple scenes of childbirth, which doesn't bother me at all but might bother some. However it still wasn't horribly graphic. Anyway, I definitely recommend this book if you have the attention span for it- I definitely had to pay close attention in order to not miss anything important!
August 1, 2017
Historical Christian Romantic Suspense is usually NOT my genre, but I really enjoyed this. I learned about the laws that midwives in the US had to follow in the early 19th century. I also learned a bit about the impressment of American citizens prior to the War of 1812. It was fairly well researched and I honestly enjoyed the story.
My only complaint is that the villain was a little too obvious. And I caught one odd turn of phrase that was not used as early as 1809, but I realize I'm being nitpicky. I'm not going to let those count against the my ranking.
My only complaint is that the villain was a little too obvious. And I caught one odd turn of phrase that was not used as early as 1809, but I realize I'm being nitpicky. I'm not going to let those count against the my ranking.
November 15, 2019
This book has moldered in my Kindle for years - literally - and I finally opened it. So glad I did! I enjoy stories about midwives, and this one didn't disappoint. Set shortly after the Revolutionary War, it's full of angst and distrust between the Americans and the British with the British Navy stealing American men and pressing them into service to the Crown. Good story!
October 26, 2023
Really enjoyed this story. At first I wasn't sure about the characters. They were written kinda "cheeky" ? But I decided the slightly over the top things they said and the way they acted were humorous, and ended up enjoying it.
April 30, 2011
Having seen one too many young men disappear into the mist on British ships, Tabitha Eckles has resigned herself to a solitary life. As a respected midwife, she’s the one woman in her town who can walk unaccompanied in the middle of the night without having rumours whispered about her. Unfortunately, her comfortable and quiet life is interrupted during one of these long, midnight walks. Returning from a birthing that went terribly wrong, Tabitha finds herself alone on the beach in the company of a mysterious English man, whom Tabitha suspects may be involved in the press-gangings that have been becoming ever more present in their peaceful costal town. But it’s not long before Tabitha discovers the identity of this mysterious yet charming young man – he’s Domonick Cherrett, an English gentleman who has fallen from grace and is now indentured servant and butler to Tabitha’s mayor. Knowing that an indentured servant would never be allowed to wander the beach at night, Tabitha remains suspicious a she pursues a friendship with Dominick, who has reasons of his own for wanting to become involved with the town midwife. Soon these two unlikely friends become embroiled in more mysteries than they expected – and an unexpected romance begins to bud between the spinster midwife and indentured English nobleman. Matters are complicated further when Tabitha’s long-lost fiancé returns from the sea and Dominick finds himself struggling over whether he could go home to his family with Tabitha or if he should leave her to her simple life in America – or whether he actually wishes to return to England at all. Can Tabitha and Dominick put aside their preconceived ideas about love and rank and – more importantly – learn to trust each other?
It’s always wonderful when you start reading a novel with the hope of being entertained and distracted from your busy life, only to be blown away by the discovery of a new favourite author. Laurie Alice Eakes’s novel had that exact affect on me, and I can’t verbalise how pleasing it is to uncover a gem of a story like this one. I came to this book with no idea what to expect, knowing very little about midwifes or the post-revolutionary war years in the United States. It was fascinating to learn about this period in American history, and although I never felt overwhelmed by the neatly intertwined historical detail, I do feel as if I’ve been enlightened somehow and will definitely be looking out for more books set in this time period.
It was particularly amusing to read a novel in which the Brits are the “bad guys”, being British myself. Yet despite the reservations that Tabitha and her friends had about the British, she had excellent chemistry with Dominick Cherrett, the typically ridiculously handsome and wittily charming British hero, whom even I fell in love with despite my reservations on minor royals thanks to studying at the University of St. Andrews. Their relationship is initially based on mutual distrust and suspicion, as the two of them try to deny their feelings for each other due to their very different backgrounds. The indentured noble who falls for the spinster midwife was a refreshing and original twist on the traditional plot of the prince falling for the servant girl.
The spiritual lives of the characters play a fairly large part in the book, as Dominick comes to terms with the corruption he found in the traditional English Church, and Tabitha learns to trust God despite the many grievances she and her family have suffered over the years. While I was particularly interested in Dominick’s struggles – which instead of being with God, were with the Church – I will admit that I felt that the focus on their spiritual struggles sometimes took away from the main plot. I occasionally found myself skim-reading the sections where Tabitha and Dominick talked about their thoughts on God, particularly towards the end of the story when it could have come close to detracting from the climax of the action. This may be a matter of personal preference, but I felt that the spiritual aspect needed to be more integrated so that it didn’t feel as if it was interrupting the plot. However, this is a minor issue that didn’t impinge on my enjoyment of the novel.
Laurie Alice Eakes is definitely an author to keep your eye on in the genre of historical fiction, and I’m looking forward to reading more from the Midwives series. She truly knows how to set the atmosphere of the period and create an excellent chemistry between her characters. Dominick and Tabitha are by far one of the most unique couples I’ve encountered in my reading of historical romances, and they were surrounded by a wonderful cast of minor characters, particularly the servants with whom Dominick worked. I hope that Laurie chooses to revisit these characters at some point, but if not, I’m sure that her next group of characters will be just as engaging. 9/10
Review title sent courtesy of Revell.
It’s always wonderful when you start reading a novel with the hope of being entertained and distracted from your busy life, only to be blown away by the discovery of a new favourite author. Laurie Alice Eakes’s novel had that exact affect on me, and I can’t verbalise how pleasing it is to uncover a gem of a story like this one. I came to this book with no idea what to expect, knowing very little about midwifes or the post-revolutionary war years in the United States. It was fascinating to learn about this period in American history, and although I never felt overwhelmed by the neatly intertwined historical detail, I do feel as if I’ve been enlightened somehow and will definitely be looking out for more books set in this time period.
It was particularly amusing to read a novel in which the Brits are the “bad guys”, being British myself. Yet despite the reservations that Tabitha and her friends had about the British, she had excellent chemistry with Dominick Cherrett, the typically ridiculously handsome and wittily charming British hero, whom even I fell in love with despite my reservations on minor royals thanks to studying at the University of St. Andrews. Their relationship is initially based on mutual distrust and suspicion, as the two of them try to deny their feelings for each other due to their very different backgrounds. The indentured noble who falls for the spinster midwife was a refreshing and original twist on the traditional plot of the prince falling for the servant girl.
The spiritual lives of the characters play a fairly large part in the book, as Dominick comes to terms with the corruption he found in the traditional English Church, and Tabitha learns to trust God despite the many grievances she and her family have suffered over the years. While I was particularly interested in Dominick’s struggles – which instead of being with God, were with the Church – I will admit that I felt that the focus on their spiritual struggles sometimes took away from the main plot. I occasionally found myself skim-reading the sections where Tabitha and Dominick talked about their thoughts on God, particularly towards the end of the story when it could have come close to detracting from the climax of the action. This may be a matter of personal preference, but I felt that the spiritual aspect needed to be more integrated so that it didn’t feel as if it was interrupting the plot. However, this is a minor issue that didn’t impinge on my enjoyment of the novel.
Laurie Alice Eakes is definitely an author to keep your eye on in the genre of historical fiction, and I’m looking forward to reading more from the Midwives series. She truly knows how to set the atmosphere of the period and create an excellent chemistry between her characters. Dominick and Tabitha are by far one of the most unique couples I’ve encountered in my reading of historical romances, and they were surrounded by a wonderful cast of minor characters, particularly the servants with whom Dominick worked. I hope that Laurie chooses to revisit these characters at some point, but if not, I’m sure that her next group of characters will be just as engaging. 9/10
Review title sent courtesy of Revell.
May 21, 2012
I downloaded a free copy of this book for my Sony e-reader.
Tabitha lives in the small town of Seabourne, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Lately, American men have started going missing, taken to serve on British man-of-war ships. It's easy to suspect the mayor's newly arrived British servant, Dominick, yet something draws Tabitha ever closer to him, even after her former fiance reappears on American shores.
At first, this book was really likable. Tabitha and Dominick met and hit it off, though for some reason Dominick feels the need to call her a mermaid, since he runs across her on the beach, entangled in her skirts. The mermaid talk goes on and on and just comes across as stupid after a while.
This book calls itself a book about midwives, but even though Tabitha is the village's only midwife, very little of the book has to deal with her profession as she gets more caught up in the mystery surrounding the mens' disappearances. I think I've read a few too many historical romances, because I quickly grew fed up with the villagers' feelings about Tabitha being an unfit midwife, not because she hasn't had children (although that plays a small factor), but simply because she's not married, and she's already *gasp* twenty-four.
On the flip-side we have Dominick, who has been forced into servitude for the next four years of his life unless he can figure out who's kidnapping American men, thus allowing someone to buy out his indenture. This leaves him with a quandary. He wants more than anything to be free to return to England since he feels like such an outcast in America, but he doesn't want to leave Tabitha, who would never be accepted by his family. This theme takes up the latter half of the book, making me gag towards the end because I just grew so sick of it. Either you love her or you don't--make up your mind already.
I've never been a big fan of Christian fiction, and this book is a good example of why. Once Tabitha's ex-fiance shows up, you're beaten over the head with his faith and her loss of faith. There are far too many conversations about God in this book for my taste. In fact, I think the book would have been greatly improved without the Christian fiction aspect--something I find is often the case. Just because an author wants to write Christian fiction doesn't mean they should wedge it into a story that really doesn't need it. There was enough going on in the main plot (and trust me, I got lost just trying to follow that), that I don't think we needed a crisis of faith piled on top of that.
Tabitha lives in the small town of Seabourne, on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Lately, American men have started going missing, taken to serve on British man-of-war ships. It's easy to suspect the mayor's newly arrived British servant, Dominick, yet something draws Tabitha ever closer to him, even after her former fiance reappears on American shores.
At first, this book was really likable. Tabitha and Dominick met and hit it off, though for some reason Dominick feels the need to call her a mermaid, since he runs across her on the beach, entangled in her skirts. The mermaid talk goes on and on and just comes across as stupid after a while.
This book calls itself a book about midwives, but even though Tabitha is the village's only midwife, very little of the book has to deal with her profession as she gets more caught up in the mystery surrounding the mens' disappearances. I think I've read a few too many historical romances, because I quickly grew fed up with the villagers' feelings about Tabitha being an unfit midwife, not because she hasn't had children (although that plays a small factor), but simply because she's not married, and she's already *gasp* twenty-four.
On the flip-side we have Dominick, who has been forced into servitude for the next four years of his life unless he can figure out who's kidnapping American men, thus allowing someone to buy out his indenture. This leaves him with a quandary. He wants more than anything to be free to return to England since he feels like such an outcast in America, but he doesn't want to leave Tabitha, who would never be accepted by his family. This theme takes up the latter half of the book, making me gag towards the end because I just grew so sick of it. Either you love her or you don't--make up your mind already.
I've never been a big fan of Christian fiction, and this book is a good example of why. Once Tabitha's ex-fiance shows up, you're beaten over the head with his faith and her loss of faith. There are far too many conversations about God in this book for my taste. In fact, I think the book would have been greatly improved without the Christian fiction aspect--something I find is often the case. Just because an author wants to write Christian fiction doesn't mean they should wedge it into a story that really doesn't need it. There was enough going on in the main plot (and trust me, I got lost just trying to follow that), that I don't think we needed a crisis of faith piled on top of that.
February 15, 2011
As a midwife, Tabitha Eckles is privy to a lot of the town's secrets. But never before has anyone threatened her life--until one misty morning, right after her patient died from a fall that brought the labor pains on her early. Right after she met a mysterious Englishman on the beach. And Englishman . . . in a town where the young sailors have been disappearing, no doubt pressed into the British navy? How can she help but be suspicious of the charming man?
Dominick Cherrett is everything that a British gentleman should be--quick of tongue, well educated, with just a touch of the rebel. But when his shame and circumstances bring him to America as an indentured servant, he finds he was not prepared to be the one who serves, rather than who is served. The mayor may like having an English butler, but Dominick can't adjust to the rules forced upon him . . . and can't get that unmarried midwife out of his mind. She may be the perfect person to help him with his mission. If only he can charm her into cooperating.
Lady in the Mist is one of those fabulous reads that combines two totally different worlds into one explosive setting. What could possibly be better than a Regency hero out of his element in a place and time where the English are hated? Or a heroine whose life's work and passion thrusts her into a dangerous situation? Which each scene, the mystery and suspense mount as Tabitha tried to figure out who is stealing her neighbor's sons . . . and whether Dominick is at the heart of it.
Laurie Alice Eakes has a beautiful style that will draw the reader in and keep the pages turning. Her knowledge of both Dominick's world and Tabitha's highlights every clash and chafe between the two, and never for a moment can you doubt the reality of this amazing story.
Lovers of American history, of Regencies, of midwifery, or just of some fabulous historical suspense will all adore Lady in the Mist. It's the best of adventure and romance, of mystery and faith. This is one of those books that sticks with you.
Dominick Cherrett is everything that a British gentleman should be--quick of tongue, well educated, with just a touch of the rebel. But when his shame and circumstances bring him to America as an indentured servant, he finds he was not prepared to be the one who serves, rather than who is served. The mayor may like having an English butler, but Dominick can't adjust to the rules forced upon him . . . and can't get that unmarried midwife out of his mind. She may be the perfect person to help him with his mission. If only he can charm her into cooperating.
Lady in the Mist is one of those fabulous reads that combines two totally different worlds into one explosive setting. What could possibly be better than a Regency hero out of his element in a place and time where the English are hated? Or a heroine whose life's work and passion thrusts her into a dangerous situation? Which each scene, the mystery and suspense mount as Tabitha tried to figure out who is stealing her neighbor's sons . . . and whether Dominick is at the heart of it.
Laurie Alice Eakes has a beautiful style that will draw the reader in and keep the pages turning. Her knowledge of both Dominick's world and Tabitha's highlights every clash and chafe between the two, and never for a moment can you doubt the reality of this amazing story.
Lovers of American history, of Regencies, of midwifery, or just of some fabulous historical suspense will all adore Lady in the Mist. It's the best of adventure and romance, of mystery and faith. This is one of those books that sticks with you.
January 7, 2012
Laurie Alice Eakes’ style of prose is captivating and fresh. She's able to paint the scene so vividly it's like you too are stepping into the mist.
Even so, it did take me a while to get through this book. During the first half, I couldn't stand Dominick Cherrett. I have very little tolerance for people who use others and for a long time it didn't seem like he would ever admit that his actions were still unforgivable where Tabitha was concerned. For a man who wanted to clear his name, Dominick was going about it the wrong way.
However, towards the middle, Dominick had this sudden change of heart. And while it did feel sudden, I was happy for it because I really started to enjoy the character and all of his English charms. I'm very happy I pressed onward. His character grew and I believe in the end he learned a valuable lesson.
The only other thing that truly irked me about this book was where the author chose to leave off on a chapter and where they picked up. Mostly, she skipped over the climaxes and moved to the resolutions. I felt a little cheated at times. I wanted to know what the characters’ reactions were in the heat of the moment.
Other than that, I was very happy with the last half of this book. The mystery picked up and it became a page turner I couldn't look away from. I needed to know how Dominick and Tabitha would solve the problem and how it would lead to Dominick's freedom. It was very captivating once I began to like the characters.
I must say, out of all the Christian fiction I have read, Laurie Eakes stands out among them as the few who can write a good, believable, faith crisis. Sometimes with books I just don't believe the characters came back to faith naturally, more like it was pushed because it is a faith book and that's just what the characters must do. But in the Lady in the Mist, I feel the development was handled well.
3.5 stars
Even so, it did take me a while to get through this book. During the first half, I couldn't stand Dominick Cherrett. I have very little tolerance for people who use others and for a long time it didn't seem like he would ever admit that his actions were still unforgivable where Tabitha was concerned. For a man who wanted to clear his name, Dominick was going about it the wrong way.
However, towards the middle, Dominick had this sudden change of heart. And while it did feel sudden, I was happy for it because I really started to enjoy the character and all of his English charms. I'm very happy I pressed onward. His character grew and I believe in the end he learned a valuable lesson.
The only other thing that truly irked me about this book was where the author chose to leave off on a chapter and where they picked up. Mostly, she skipped over the climaxes and moved to the resolutions. I felt a little cheated at times. I wanted to know what the characters’ reactions were in the heat of the moment.
Other than that, I was very happy with the last half of this book. The mystery picked up and it became a page turner I couldn't look away from. I needed to know how Dominick and Tabitha would solve the problem and how it would lead to Dominick's freedom. It was very captivating once I began to like the characters.
I must say, out of all the Christian fiction I have read, Laurie Eakes stands out among them as the few who can write a good, believable, faith crisis. Sometimes with books I just don't believe the characters came back to faith naturally, more like it was pushed because it is a faith book and that's just what the characters must do. But in the Lady in the Mist, I feel the development was handled well.
3.5 stars
February 25, 2013
The premis of the story is very intriguing: American men being kidnapped and gang pressed into the British war fleets during the early 19th century, a midwife who holds the key to the mystery and an English aristocrat posing as a bondsman to try and find out who is aiding in the deception to force Americans into British service. Along with several other facinating and quirky characters, the mystery of this story was very well formulated.
There is an exceptionally good "red herring" toward the end. It seems obvious who the traitor is likely to be and then- bam! an alternative is presented. An alternative that both makes sense and seems to come out of nowhere. Fortunately, the alternative really is a just a great diversion meant to make the reader question their own assumptions.
The downfall for this book is that it is incredibly repetetive which causes some boredom throughout and I found I would either skim through a page, lose my place or have to abandon the book for a short time so I didn't completely zone off. The most frustrating and tiresome subject during the reading hinged on Dominick and Tabitha's constant back and forth and their own self recriminations. It's okay to present indecision and self recrimination as aspects to give character depth, dimension and an understanding of where the character has been and why they think the way they do, but it is over done in this book.
I found I would lose interest when Dominick or Tabitha began inner monologues and struggled to define how they viewed their relationship both with one another and with the outside world. I didn't quite buy the love story attached between Dominick and Tabitha. They were a cute couple but I didn't really feel the connection that deeply.
By the end, it's the mystery that made the story likable and Letty...as a supporting character, I thought she did well in her role.
There is an exceptionally good "red herring" toward the end. It seems obvious who the traitor is likely to be and then- bam! an alternative is presented. An alternative that both makes sense and seems to come out of nowhere. Fortunately, the alternative really is a just a great diversion meant to make the reader question their own assumptions.
The downfall for this book is that it is incredibly repetetive which causes some boredom throughout and I found I would either skim through a page, lose my place or have to abandon the book for a short time so I didn't completely zone off. The most frustrating and tiresome subject during the reading hinged on Dominick and Tabitha's constant back and forth and their own self recriminations. It's okay to present indecision and self recrimination as aspects to give character depth, dimension and an understanding of where the character has been and why they think the way they do, but it is over done in this book.
I found I would lose interest when Dominick or Tabitha began inner monologues and struggled to define how they viewed their relationship both with one another and with the outside world. I didn't quite buy the love story attached between Dominick and Tabitha. They were a cute couple but I didn't really feel the connection that deeply.
By the end, it's the mystery that made the story likable and Letty...as a supporting character, I thought she did well in her role.
February 14, 2011
I’m afraid to say that I have mixed emotions about Lady in the Mist. I have noticed lately that my preference in books is leaning more toward books with substance – books like this one. This book certainly had substance, but I found at times, it moved a little slow. During those times, my mind would wander and I had a difficult time staying with the story. Then, suddenly the book would pick back up and I would be fully engaged again. That is not necessarily a bad thing and I have read books like that many times before and have not had a problem with it. I just found myself mildly (very mildly) disappointed with my experience with this book.
Now, this is my first time reading a book by Laurie Alice Eakes and I can assure you that it is not my last. Lady in the Mist has a lot of very good qualities that helped me look beyond the things I didn’t care for. For instance, the setting was wonderful and since setting is a huge thing with me, this book earned points simply for that reason. I also really liked the historical details of this book. I actually learned a lot and I respect the author’s research and attention to detail. Laurie really did a fantastic job in that area. As I said before, Lady in the Mist has a lot of substance, which was another redeeming quality. The story was very appealing, just slightly lost on me. I’m thinking that was probably a fluke. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the right mood, so I want to recommend this book, especially to history lovers. I will absolutely read the next book in the Midwives series and I look forward to more books from Laurie.
Now, this is my first time reading a book by Laurie Alice Eakes and I can assure you that it is not my last. Lady in the Mist has a lot of very good qualities that helped me look beyond the things I didn’t care for. For instance, the setting was wonderful and since setting is a huge thing with me, this book earned points simply for that reason. I also really liked the historical details of this book. I actually learned a lot and I respect the author’s research and attention to detail. Laurie really did a fantastic job in that area. As I said before, Lady in the Mist has a lot of substance, which was another redeeming quality. The story was very appealing, just slightly lost on me. I’m thinking that was probably a fluke. Perhaps I just wasn’t in the right mood, so I want to recommend this book, especially to history lovers. I will absolutely read the next book in the Midwives series and I look forward to more books from Laurie.
April 10, 2011
Lady in the Mist is a rich, historical read that mixes the secrets of midwifery and espionage into a suspenseful tale of romance. A master at vivid description, the author uses all the senses to place you right there in the scene, whether it's sitting on a sunny beach, or a running through a dark ship’s passageway.
What a refreshing change for a hero. As a third son in Britain’s peerage, Dominick is your regular, run-of-the-beach indentured servant chasing after the woman of his dreams. But when her life and others are in jeopardy, he cloaks himself with the arrogance of his upbringing and commands the attention of his title.
Midwife Tabitha is past the average age of marriage, yet it’s no fault of her looks or attitude that she can’t seem to keep a man around long enough to marry. Following generations of family tradition, she delivers other women’s babies while yearning for a daughter of her own. This poignant trait tugged on my heart strings, as it will for any woman who wants a child.
And while the hero and heroine banter back and forth while trying to discover the identity of the traitor who walks so freely among them, their love story unfolds against a backdrop of political aspirations, missing sailors, and evil.
With just the right mix of laughter, love, history and suspenseful action, this book will stay as a keeper on my shelf for a long time to come.
What a refreshing change for a hero. As a third son in Britain’s peerage, Dominick is your regular, run-of-the-beach indentured servant chasing after the woman of his dreams. But when her life and others are in jeopardy, he cloaks himself with the arrogance of his upbringing and commands the attention of his title.
Midwife Tabitha is past the average age of marriage, yet it’s no fault of her looks or attitude that she can’t seem to keep a man around long enough to marry. Following generations of family tradition, she delivers other women’s babies while yearning for a daughter of her own. This poignant trait tugged on my heart strings, as it will for any woman who wants a child.
And while the hero and heroine banter back and forth while trying to discover the identity of the traitor who walks so freely among them, their love story unfolds against a backdrop of political aspirations, missing sailors, and evil.
With just the right mix of laughter, love, history and suspenseful action, this book will stay as a keeper on my shelf for a long time to come.
October 16, 2011
This book had been on my "to-read" list for quite a while. I'm really glad I finally was able to read it. The author obviously did quite a lot of research on the time period - I felt like I was living and breathing American history. Every little detail came alive - from the setting to how they dressed, ate and the problems they faced.
I'm a character person and I did pull for and believe in these people. I don't think the secondary characters had as much development - and some people seemed to be purposefully ... "vague" because of the mystery.
I liked the mystery aspects of the plot because it was unexpected and it kept the tension going throughout the book. I thought it was well done and fit the time period. The prejudice felt against the British helped that have the perfect backdrop.
I liked learning about midwifery. I didn't know how important reputation was and what else they did to earn a living. I thought it was realistic to have only a few deliveries because in a smaller community there wouldn't be lots of pregnancies all the time - especially if the men are away. I was interested to see how she would spend her time and earn her money.
I look forward to more books by this author.
I'm a character person and I did pull for and believe in these people. I don't think the secondary characters had as much development - and some people seemed to be purposefully ... "vague" because of the mystery.
I liked the mystery aspects of the plot because it was unexpected and it kept the tension going throughout the book. I thought it was well done and fit the time period. The prejudice felt against the British helped that have the perfect backdrop.
I liked learning about midwifery. I didn't know how important reputation was and what else they did to earn a living. I thought it was realistic to have only a few deliveries because in a smaller community there wouldn't be lots of pregnancies all the time - especially if the men are away. I was interested to see how she would spend her time and earn her money.
I look forward to more books by this author.
August 13, 2013
I was drawn to this book because I was interested in the concept of a story about a midwife, However, the story is only superficially related to the protagonist's profession as a midwife; rather, the story is one of intrigue and pre-war tensions in 1809 coastal Virginia. The story revolves around Tabitha and the two men vying for her affections: a newly-arrived British indentured servant, and Tabitha's recently returned fiancé. The three become entangled in the impressment of Americans into the British Navy as they each seek to understand the role God plays in their lives.
The story of this book is certainly interesting, but the writing seemed somewhat novice. The plot dragged at points and certain elements of the story were not clearly laid out at the beginning, leading to some confusion as the story developed. While there were no gaping holes in the story nor any unanswered questions at the end of the book, the whole thing could have used some tightening up and smoothing out. I look forward to reading the sequels to find out if the author's writing style developed with more experience and practice.
The story of this book is certainly interesting, but the writing seemed somewhat novice. The plot dragged at points and certain elements of the story were not clearly laid out at the beginning, leading to some confusion as the story developed. While there were no gaping holes in the story nor any unanswered questions at the end of the book, the whole thing could have used some tightening up and smoothing out. I look forward to reading the sequels to find out if the author's writing style developed with more experience and practice.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 300 reviews