Review of "No Safe Harbor" by Elizabeth Ludwig

Rating: 4 Stars

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Summary: She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she’s found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend–Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother’s warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She’s then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother–but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.
With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke… a man she’s grown to love?

Link to buy the book: www.amazon.com  

Review: Elizabeth Ludwig begins the “Edge of Freedom Series” with a suspenseful adventure in the pages  of “No Safe Harbor.”  An intricate web of revenge and lies captures and holds the reader until the end. 

Ludwig introduces a wide range of characters, many with hidden agendas. In the beginning, part of the mystery is discovering which characters pose a threat to Cara and in whom she can place her trust. The story is told through the perspective of several different characters, so the reader gradually gains insight into the motives of the primary and secondary characters. Danger lurks through the pages as Cara ventures into New York City in search of her brother. Initially, I was concerned the political intrigue element of the novel would be too heavy, but the pace of “No Safe Harbor” steadily propels the reader through the pages. The political unrest is the underlying cause of the threatening environment that Cara finds herself forced into.  Ludwig delves into the political undercurrents without bogging down the plot. Action is interspersed throughout the novel, but really picks up near the end.

The love story between Cara and Rourke is somewhat unconventional. It is clear at the start of the novel that both main characters have divergent goals. Both Rourke and Cara withhold information from each other, but Rourke is motivated by revenge. As Ludwig reveals more of Rourke’s motives, he becomes a likable character.  I found myself hoping that Cara and Rourke could find a future together, but one question lingered through each scene: how can a relationship based upon Rourke’s false pretenses ever succeed?  Ludwig finds a satisfying resolution. The plot is complete enough to be read as a stand-alone novel, but hints at possibilities for future books in the series.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Read an Excerpt:
No Safe Harbor

Meet Elizabeth: Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author and an accomplished speaker and teacher. Her historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned four stars from Romantic Times. She is the owner and editor of the popular literary blog The Borrowed Book. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in Orange, Texas. Learn more at www.elizabethludwig.com.

Blog Tour Schedule: http://litfusegroup.com/author/ELudwig