Daughter of Liberty

I'm incredibly impressed with the quality of this book and this author. Picture something between John Jakes and Diana Gabaldon, and you have Daughter of Liberty - a sweeping story of the beginning of the American Revolution AND the satisfying growth of a relationship that is fraught with impossibilities...and danger.

For someone like me who is not a fan of historic fiction and who honestly believed I had already read more than enough accounts of our country's revolutionary period, I was pleasantly surprised to discover The American Patriot Series by J. M. Hochstetler. The first book in this excellent series, Daughter of Liberty, was also the first book I had read by this particular author, but I knew right away it would not be the last. Within moments of turning to the opening page, I was captivated by this story of the brave and daring Oriole, a spy for the American Revolutionaries with a secret that could change the course of a nation, and Patriot, another spy with a most amazing secret of his own. Hochstetler not only weaves a suspenseful tale of courage, intrigue, and romance, but also decorates the pages of this exquisite novel with some of the best writing I've come across in years. This book was well worth the read, and served to push me on to the second book in the series.

J. M. Hochstetler's historical novel based on the American Revolution, Daughter of Liberty, thoroughly captures the tension which hung over New England in the days immediately preceding the outbreak of hostilities. Plagued by constant information leaks and unable to apprehend the slippery American courier known only as Oriole, the British prepare to march on Concord. Elizabeth Howard, young patriot daughter to one of Boston's most respected Tory families, is caught in a deadly game of wits when she meets a dashing captain of the Seventeenth Light Dragoons, Jonathan Carleton. Although it is obvious the captain is attracted to her, and she to him, Elizabeth is painfully aware of her secret, that she is the hated Oriole. From the "shot heard round the world," to the Battle of Bunker Hill, J. M. Hochstetler weaves a story accurate in historical detail, while simultaneously drawing the reader into the tumultuous lives of her characters. Filled with quick action, the battle scenes are so absorbing you can feel the smooth, rounded wood of a Brown Bess musket nestled against your cheek. CraigHart.net highly recommends Daughter of Liberty for fans of American History, or simply those who enjoy stories in which the stakes are life and death. Craig Hart - CraigHart.net/ChristianLit Magazine

J. M. Hochstetler's Daughter of Liberty ushers us back to 1775 and surrounds us with the unsettled essence of that troubled time in American history. As Elizabeth Howard continues her dangerous mission as the elusive courier "Oriole," she's torn between her family's ties to England and her own hidden devotion to the Regulars. Rubbing elbows with key players on both sides of the war, Elizabeth encounters risk at every turn, but never more so than when she meets Jonathan Carleton, a charming captain in the Seventeenth Light Dragoons. Fighting her attraction to the British officer, Elizabeth must keep her composure and remain focused on her secretive work. But love and war are fickle companions, often blurring the lines drawn in the sand. Hochstetler's research is impeccable, woven through a compelling love story that keeps us guessing to the final page. Her extreme talents as a gifted story teller shine on every page, drawing us in deeper and deeper until we can almost smell the smoke of gunpowder and hear the echo of battle cries. A great read, leaving us wanting MORE. Looking forward to the sequel in this American Patriot Series!

The Spring of 1775 brings political turbulence and the specter of war to the residents of Boston and the surrounding areas. As British rule over the colonies becomes more oppressive, colonists grow more insistent with demands to govern themselves. Families and friendships are divided as people pledge their allegiance to either the British Regulars or the Sons of Liberty.Elizabeth Howard, daughter of prominent parents with strong ties to the British, is torn between family loyalty and her personal convictions, which lead her to support the opposition. Serving as a spy, she spouts British rhetoric and socializes with the British soldiers and military leaders by day, then dons a disguise at night, relaying crucial information to the other side of the battle lines. Working under the code name Oriole, her bravery as a spy and courier gives the colonists the advantage they need to thwart British attacks and counter enemy strategies.But when Jonathan Carleton, captain in the British army arrives, Elizabeth faces a new danger. Fighting a powerful attraction for the handsome, blond soldier, she must extract information from him while keeping both her heart and her secrets from falling under his control. Assigned to ferret out the infamous Oriole, Jonathan becomes her fiercest enemy, and her dearest love. Will their love for each other or their loyalty to their causes win out in the end?The suspense in the opening scene of Daughter of Liberty had me holding my breath and kept me enthralled right up to the last page. The book packs mystery, action, romance, and intrigue into one powerful story that is sure to please. Add this one to your summer reading list!