"Characters capture the heart of the audience"
In 1765 Boston, tavern manager Makepeace Burke despises the
English crown and aristocracy for what they are doing to
her and her fellow colonists. However, that does not stop
the twenty-four year old from rescuing Sir Philip Dapifer
from drowning in the Charles River. Her Good Samaritan
deed leads to her ostracism from her friends and other
patriots. Philip falls in love with his savior and returns the favor
by sneaking her on board a ship bound to England. They
marry on the vessel, but Makepeace finds life in England
worse than Boston because the locals treat her with scorn
for being a Yankee. As she adapts to her new life,
Makepeace stays true to her beliefs of equality across the
Anglo Atlantic, between classes, and between genders. Though in many ways Makepeace is an anachronism seemingly
more suited to live in today's society than the pre-
Revolutionary War era, readers will admire her spunk. The
story line enables the audience to taste life just before
the war in Boston and London with an emphasis on the
disparity of opinions. This fascinating dual look at the
dichotomy makes for a vividly fine historical tale that
shows Diana Norman can paint multiple perspectives without
dismissing either side inside an entertaining romance. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted June 23, 2003
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