Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Book Review: Dawn of Liberty

Book Review: Dawn of Liberty

History, Mystery and Faith is pleased to be part of the blog tour for Amber Schamel's new book Dawn of Liberty. Pour yourself a "cuppa" and enjoy my review of this wonderful set of short stories.

Samuel Adams is often depicted as a heavy-handed rogue who used propaganda and violence to convince his fellow colonists to go to war with England. However, most scholars agree about the inaccuracy of that portrayal. Adams was raised in a highly religious, Puritan family that was active in the Massachusetts political scene. One of only three children to live to adulthood, Adams considered entering the ministry, but settled on going into business. Unfortunately, by all accounts he was unsuccessful in a number of enterprises, and finally settled on politics.

Dawn of Liberty features three short stories: “Dawn of Liberty,” “A Shot at Freedom,” and “Travail of a Nation.” In the first, the Pennsylvanian delegate is divided over the vote for independence. Two hours remain on the clock for Samuel to convince the men to put aside their differences to help birth a nation. In the second, Samuel and his friend, John Hancock, are on the run for their lives. Lexington is filled with British soldiers eager to take them into custody for their part in the colonies’ disobedience to the Crown. Samuel and John must decide whether to stay and fight, or escape to safety. In the third story, more British troops are on their way, and Samuel is must once again use his skills as an orator to convince his fellow delegates of the importance of unification among the colonies.

Through vivid description and effective dialogue, Samuel Adams becomes a living, vibrant character with dreams and goals of his own. He is no longer a two-dimensional man in the dry pages of a textbook. Readers are drawn into the era and the issues that everyday people dealt with as they struggled to raise their families, earn a living, and exercise their faith. Historical information is skillfully threaded throughout the story, giving readers an understanding of the controversies affecting the colonists.
 
By offering “slices” or vignettes of Adams’s life, the author helps us see Adams as a real person, not just a name on the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. Ms. Schamel has created a fast paced, intriguing collection of stories. Highly recommended.

About the Author: Author of over half a dozen books, Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call “historical fiction at its finest”. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com.







Giveaway: To celebrate her tour Amber is giving away a signed copy of The Healer's Touch and a $15 Amazon gift card. Click to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/9ccf

 

4 comments:

  1. I love historical fiction, and this book and author really interest me. I enjoy these blogs & interviews! Thank you!

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    1. I'm glad to hear you love historical fiction. Personally, I can't get enough of it! :-)

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  2. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on DAWN OF LIBERTY, Linda! I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed meeting Sam. :D

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    1. You're welcome Amber! Living in NH, a stone's throw from Boston, it was intriguing to read about him.

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