Product Details:
- Title: In God Is Our Trust: (Book 5) Free Men And Dreamers Series
- Author: L.C. Lewis
- Paperback: 452 pages
- Publisher: Brigham Distributing/Walnut Springs Press (October 26, 2011)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1599928027
- ISBN-13: 978-1599928029
Book Description:
And this be our motto In God is our trust. America exits
the War of 1812 battered but determined under the leadership of the last
men tutored by the Founding Fathers. As she is welcomed onto the world
stage, new leaders prepare to thrust an aggressive platform on the
nation, threatening America's unity and her brief period of prosperity
and peace. The country's trials have prepared a choice generation, but
as adversity afflicts the Pearson home, Hannah enters a crisis of faith,
questioning man's interpretation of God's word. The struggles plaguing
the Pearsons affect Frannie and the six families with whom the Pearsons
have become entangled during the war. As a new religious reformation
dawns in America, the Pearsons and Snowdens become involved with a young
man from Hannah's past Joseph Smith whose accounts of visions and
dealings with angels strain tender relationships and test the
Constitution's guarantees of religious liberty.
My Review:
As with all of the books in this series, I enjoyed the story and the characters so much! I have grown to love the characters and feel like I know them so well. This is why I love reading a series, because of the great connection you feel for the story's characters. Once again, Laurie draws you in from the first chapter. I felt like I had never even left this time period. We were there by Hannah's side as she is loving and supporting her brave and devoted husband Jed. Then we are in England as Daniel tries to reunite with his estranged father, Earl Spencer. Frannie, spunky as ever, is forging ahead with her life, despite still missing her one true love Arthur. *sigh* I could go on and on.
I love historical fiction novels. Laurie has done unbelievable research on this time period of the War of 1812. I learned so much, and grew to appreciate this great nation even more. With Laurie writing such dynamic and lovable characters, you never feel like what you are reading is "dry" history. The storyline is so richly woven into the true history, that all you have left is this incredible story. I would advise you though, read the books in order or you will be terribly lost. Some series can be read in any order, but not this one.
If you are looking for a great series to read, based on true USA historical events, lots of action and believable characters, give the Free Men and Dreamers a try. You will not only learn a lot about American History, but you will be thoroughly entertained.
***Interview with Author L.C. Lewis: I had the privilege of interviewing Laurie (L.C.) Lewis about her experience of writing the Free Men and Dreamers series. This is probably one of my favorite interviews. I loved her answers!
1.Sheila:How do you feel now that the "Free Men and Dreamers series is finished?
Laurie: It's a mixed bag of emotions. I'm a little sad to not have Jed, Hannah, Frannie, and Bitty in my head every day, but I'm also relieved. I had so many goals to meet before concluding the series. I wanted to walk away feeling I had tied up the story's loose ends, shown how critical this period of American history was to the development of our national identity, and I wanted to give a little insight into how American history impacted the Smith family and eventually, the Restoration. I feel we accomplished that, and that is very satisfying. No matter what other books I write, I think I will be most proud of Free Men and Dreamers.
The FM&D project has taken so many years, and like anything that requires that much time, one's entire family makes sacrifices to see the project to its end, and it was time to turn that energy back to other needs. I think things worked out as they needed to.
2.Sheila:Did you ever think that this series would be as BIG as is it? I know that you have a lot of fans that love your books?
Laurie:You are really kind. Thanks so much. I've been blessed with some extraordinarily loyal readers who deserve a lot of credit for seeing this project through to its completion. When the research became tedious, and when we struggled to get the word out about the series, it was their letters and encouragement that kept me going. Some of those letters are among my most prized treasures.
Now if you know any movie producers who would like to make FM&D:THE MOVIE--send them my way!
3.Sheila:Who ended up being your favorite characters in the book? I know that this is like asking who your favorite child is, but who did you think made the most growth or change for the better?
Laurie:Wow, yeah. . . that is hard. Most of my characters reflect some part of me. Like the opening where a hand fits into a puppet, it's how I really get inside a character and bring them alive with consistency. Having said that, I think Hannah is the character most like me, but I aspire to have the vinegar and sass of Frannie. I love how the challenges of life made her heart more permeable until she was able to take risks for love while defending her family like a lioness.
I loved Arthur for finally finding the courage to leave his excuses behind and take chances. I loved Abel and Jerome's moral compasses. I loved Bitty's willingness to sacrifice herself for everyone she loved. In the end though, Jed is and has always been my favorite. He reflects the struggles we all face as we balance duty to God, to family, and to country. He was flawed, but humble enough to admit his errors, and his intentions were always noble. I'd love a world filled with Jeds.
4.Sheila:Do you want to write another series? What would it be based on?
Laurie:I have no current plans for another series, but if I ever did another one, I'd write books that could each stand totally alone, or I'd have the first few written before launching the series so loyal readers wouldn't have to wait a year between volumes. There's so much pressure to meet deadlines when you're trying to write well and quickly while assuring that the historical elements are accurate. I felt so bad for my readers who were hungering for the next volume.
Having said that, I have two partial manuscripts featuring Jed and Hannah's children, and I may complete those carrying Abigail and James up to the Civil War.
5.Sheila:What is something important that you learned from writing The Free Men and Dreamers series?
Laurie:I've learned so much from this experience--about the sacrifices of people whose stories are being lost and forgotten, about how close we've come to losing our liberty in the past, and how many parallels there our between our day and mistakes, and those of this War of 1812 generation. They saw themselves as a privileged generation, the first American-born generation, and they were not vigilant. The last of the Revolutionary heroes tried to warn them not to be haughty, and to guard their freedom fiercely, but it wasn't until the eleventh hour that they finally understood what freedom would require of them in blood and courage.
I see the World War II generation as those Revolutionary heroes. They understand the cost of freedom, and the greater cost of losing it. They're almost gone now, and I hope we are learning what they tried to teach us.
6.Sheila: What are your currently working on now? What is your favorite time to write?
Laurie:I took a break from writing to attend to ongoing family needs, but I'm back at the computer as often as I can. I've got two current projects going. One is a political suspense novel set in West Virginia near an underground military installation my husband came across in his work. It's been a nice transition from FM&D because it contains a mix of history, political intrigue, and rich characters. I've also got a Women's Fiction novel going about a two people who become estranged from their families for various reasons, and who meet and try to connect despite their various trust issues. The female protagonist has one remaining family member, a grandmother with early onset dementia. The challenges she faces as she tried to bond with this equally broken woman cause her to seek security in a man she feels is more "steady," and that leads to some painful choices and revelations from all the characters. My mother has early onset dementia, and though it is a fictional novel, this book, like "Awakening Avery," will draw from my own experiences. It's a tough one to write right now.
My favorite time to write is when I jump straight from my bed, while still in my pj's, head to the computer and hammer away. I generally take a plot or character question to bed with me, and when I wake up I generally have clear insight into where I need to go next. It's pretty awesome.
I have to say that working late at night was my second favorite time to write, but late writing led to late-night snacking, and in the past seven years I published five books and packed on fifty pounds. I just got those off, so I'm taking a break from late night writing!
Thanks so much for the interview, Sheila. And thanks for supporting the series. Your kind notes and reviews have meant so very much to me over the long haul.
My Review:
As with all of the books in this series, I enjoyed the story and the characters so much! I have grown to love the characters and feel like I know them so well. This is why I love reading a series, because of the great connection you feel for the story's characters. Once again, Laurie draws you in from the first chapter. I felt like I had never even left this time period. We were there by Hannah's side as she is loving and supporting her brave and devoted husband Jed. Then we are in England as Daniel tries to reunite with his estranged father, Earl Spencer. Frannie, spunky as ever, is forging ahead with her life, despite still missing her one true love Arthur. *sigh* I could go on and on.
I love historical fiction novels. Laurie has done unbelievable research on this time period of the War of 1812. I learned so much, and grew to appreciate this great nation even more. With Laurie writing such dynamic and lovable characters, you never feel like what you are reading is "dry" history. The storyline is so richly woven into the true history, that all you have left is this incredible story. I would advise you though, read the books in order or you will be terribly lost. Some series can be read in any order, but not this one.
If you are looking for a great series to read, based on true USA historical events, lots of action and believable characters, give the Free Men and Dreamers a try. You will not only learn a lot about American History, but you will be thoroughly entertained.
***Interview with Author L.C. Lewis: I had the privilege of interviewing Laurie (L.C.) Lewis about her experience of writing the Free Men and Dreamers series. This is probably one of my favorite interviews. I loved her answers!
1.Sheila:How do you feel now that the "Free Men and Dreamers series is finished?
Laurie: It's a mixed bag of emotions. I'm a little sad to not have Jed, Hannah, Frannie, and Bitty in my head every day, but I'm also relieved. I had so many goals to meet before concluding the series. I wanted to walk away feeling I had tied up the story's loose ends, shown how critical this period of American history was to the development of our national identity, and I wanted to give a little insight into how American history impacted the Smith family and eventually, the Restoration. I feel we accomplished that, and that is very satisfying. No matter what other books I write, I think I will be most proud of Free Men and Dreamers.
The FM&D project has taken so many years, and like anything that requires that much time, one's entire family makes sacrifices to see the project to its end, and it was time to turn that energy back to other needs. I think things worked out as they needed to.
2.Sheila:Did you ever think that this series would be as BIG as is it? I know that you have a lot of fans that love your books?
Laurie:You are really kind. Thanks so much. I've been blessed with some extraordinarily loyal readers who deserve a lot of credit for seeing this project through to its completion. When the research became tedious, and when we struggled to get the word out about the series, it was their letters and encouragement that kept me going. Some of those letters are among my most prized treasures.
Now if you know any movie producers who would like to make FM&D:THE MOVIE--send them my way!
3.Sheila:Who ended up being your favorite characters in the book? I know that this is like asking who your favorite child is, but who did you think made the most growth or change for the better?
Laurie:Wow, yeah. . . that is hard. Most of my characters reflect some part of me. Like the opening where a hand fits into a puppet, it's how I really get inside a character and bring them alive with consistency. Having said that, I think Hannah is the character most like me, but I aspire to have the vinegar and sass of Frannie. I love how the challenges of life made her heart more permeable until she was able to take risks for love while defending her family like a lioness.
I loved Arthur for finally finding the courage to leave his excuses behind and take chances. I loved Abel and Jerome's moral compasses. I loved Bitty's willingness to sacrifice herself for everyone she loved. In the end though, Jed is and has always been my favorite. He reflects the struggles we all face as we balance duty to God, to family, and to country. He was flawed, but humble enough to admit his errors, and his intentions were always noble. I'd love a world filled with Jeds.
4.Sheila:Do you want to write another series? What would it be based on?
Laurie:I have no current plans for another series, but if I ever did another one, I'd write books that could each stand totally alone, or I'd have the first few written before launching the series so loyal readers wouldn't have to wait a year between volumes. There's so much pressure to meet deadlines when you're trying to write well and quickly while assuring that the historical elements are accurate. I felt so bad for my readers who were hungering for the next volume.
Having said that, I have two partial manuscripts featuring Jed and Hannah's children, and I may complete those carrying Abigail and James up to the Civil War.
5.Sheila:What is something important that you learned from writing The Free Men and Dreamers series?
Laurie:I've learned so much from this experience--about the sacrifices of people whose stories are being lost and forgotten, about how close we've come to losing our liberty in the past, and how many parallels there our between our day and mistakes, and those of this War of 1812 generation. They saw themselves as a privileged generation, the first American-born generation, and they were not vigilant. The last of the Revolutionary heroes tried to warn them not to be haughty, and to guard their freedom fiercely, but it wasn't until the eleventh hour that they finally understood what freedom would require of them in blood and courage.
I see the World War II generation as those Revolutionary heroes. They understand the cost of freedom, and the greater cost of losing it. They're almost gone now, and I hope we are learning what they tried to teach us.
6.Sheila: What are your currently working on now? What is your favorite time to write?
Laurie:I took a break from writing to attend to ongoing family needs, but I'm back at the computer as often as I can. I've got two current projects going. One is a political suspense novel set in West Virginia near an underground military installation my husband came across in his work. It's been a nice transition from FM&D because it contains a mix of history, political intrigue, and rich characters. I've also got a Women's Fiction novel going about a two people who become estranged from their families for various reasons, and who meet and try to connect despite their various trust issues. The female protagonist has one remaining family member, a grandmother with early onset dementia. The challenges she faces as she tried to bond with this equally broken woman cause her to seek security in a man she feels is more "steady," and that leads to some painful choices and revelations from all the characters. My mother has early onset dementia, and though it is a fictional novel, this book, like "Awakening Avery," will draw from my own experiences. It's a tough one to write right now.
My favorite time to write is when I jump straight from my bed, while still in my pj's, head to the computer and hammer away. I generally take a plot or character question to bed with me, and when I wake up I generally have clear insight into where I need to go next. It's pretty awesome.
I have to say that working late at night was my second favorite time to write, but late writing led to late-night snacking, and in the past seven years I published five books and packed on fifty pounds. I just got those off, so I'm taking a break from late night writing!
Thanks so much for the interview, Sheila. And thanks for supporting the series. Your kind notes and reviews have meant so very much to me over the long haul.
Thanks for sharing about this author and series. Since I am not LDS--- I'm Catholic--- I hadn't heard of it, but it sounds well worth reading. I like good historical fiction because it helps people connect with history, which they may have learned to dislike in school.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this beautiful spread, Sheila! And thanks for embracing my stories so warmly. It's always fun being interviewed by you, and btw, your new blog is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Laurie