A Lady of Hidden Intent

This is another great book in The Ladies of Liberty series by author Tracie Peterson. It kept my attention throughout and it resonates with the power of God. It helps us remember that His ways are not always our ways and we may not always understand why things happen in our lives, but can be assured that God has His reasons. The heroine in this book (Catherine) had lost a lot, yet she perseveres and has a strong faith in God that sees her through. It was very enjoyable reading.

Catherine Newbury and her father are introduced to a charming young American, Carter Danby, at a ball they host at their home in England. Later that night, after all the guests have left and the house has gone to bed, Catherine over hears her father in conversation with his partner. Their shipping buisness has been discovered to have been shipping slaves and the (crooked) partner is in the process of fleeing the country. After he leaves, Catherine confronts her father and they decide for her to leave England as well. Five years later, in Philadelphia, Carter Danby accompanies his mother and sister to the dressmakers. The fashion designer, Catherine Shay, strikes a familiar chord with him, but he can not place when and where he has seen her. Curious about her past, and wanting to know her better, Carter asks his friend to investigate her. Catherine recognizes Carter immediately, but says nothing. Instead she turns her attetion to drawing out Carter's sister, Winnifred. Winnifred is a shy, retiring girl with few friends and an overbearing mother. Catherine listens to Winnifred's desires for her dress,and also becomes her friend. This is an enjoyable read because of the interactions of the characters. I also enjoy that Catherine is such a compassionate, strong character. The relationship that develops between Catherine and Carter draws you in and keeps you turning the pages as you wonder what will happen next.

The other readers have given an adequate description so I'll just share my opinions. This was a GREAT story but I found it much different from her other books. I found A Lady of High Regard different, also, but it still had the suspense that I have grown accustom to from Peterson. This was sans all of that. I mean, there was a little blackmail but really nothing to write home about. However, I still found this book riveting. I was glued to the pages and couldn't put it down. Peterson writes her characters with such depth and feeling that you really feel like you know them and understand them. THe love portion of this book might have been a little rushed but not so much that it ruined the book or made it utterly unbelievable. Especially since Carter and Catherine had met early in the book and seemed to have made a connection there. Carter was a true white knight and Catherine stronger than a typical damsel. You will not regret reading this book... you will not regret re-reading this book!

In 1850 in Bath England, Catherine Newbury has lived a luxurious lifestyle without a care in the world. Her idyllic life ends when she learns the police are coming to arrest her father Nelson for co-owning a slave ship. Knowing he is innocent, Nelson refuses to run. However, he wants his beloved daughter safe while he corrects the mess. Five years later in Philadelphia, Catherine is a popular dress designer who desperately needs to find a way to prove her father is innocent and get him released from prison; only her belief in God keeps her going. American architect Carter Danby, whom her dad introduced to her on her last party night in England, sees her when he escorts his mother and sister for a fitting, but does not recognize her. Still he desires her and wants to help her as he believes by her demeanor that she is carrying a dark mystery, but though she finds him attractive, she refuses to reveal her secret as she trusts no one except God since her father was incarcerated falsely. A LADY OF HIDDEN INTENT is an entertaining inspirational Victorian romance. Catherine holds the story line together as she changes from pampered debutante to self sufficient designer while never losing sight of her objective or her faith in God not man. Sub-genre readers will appreciate this fine heartening historical. Harriet Klausner

Catherine Newbury is forced to leave England in wake of a scandal of which her father is caught in the middle. She flees to America where she creates a new name for herself as a fashion designer. Everyone in Philadelphia wants to be wearing her designs including the family of Carter Danby. The two met years ago in England but a chance reunion brings them together again in America. Catherine tries to hide her identity while Carter can't figure out why this young designer keeps triggering his memory. This was another enjoyable entry in this series. The writing in this story is top notch and keeps you wanting more. Peterson keeps her trademark writing with an enjoyable heroine and a storyline that you can't put down. I enjoyed reading about the fashion of the time period. It was very interesting to read about the lives of the fashion industry of that time period. I liked learning about what had to go on to design and create the outfits. The sewing house seemed very different from a factory because people enjoyed working there and got good wages. I also thought it was VERY poignant to bring up the issue of mistresses and how this corrupted the family in this time period. Carter's father and brother were horrible in how their view of women and the way his father treated his wife was disgusting. When Carter realizes how many abortions have cost the lives of his half-siblings, it makes the reader really think about how sacred life is. I was pleasantly surprised to read about how Felicia fails to usurp Catherine at the sewing house. Honestly I get tired of reading about jealous rivals who ruin everything for the unsuspecting innocent heroine. This might sound sadistic but it was a total joy to read about how everything backfired on her. Just a refreshing change from other Christian fiction that always involves the bad winning out over the good. Even though the stories are not connected I have been enjoying the books in the Ladies of Liberty series. It's awesome to read about strong females who like both fashion and leadership in the regency era. This is, in my opinion, one of Peterson's best novels. HIGHLY recommended.