A Word from the Author:I never planned to be a writer.
In fact, it took me a while to finish college. But I did, and here I am. And I now I can’t imagine not being a writer.
By day, I am an English Instructor for a local college, mother to four amazing children, and wife to an eternally patient and supportive husband.
In the evening, when I can squirrel away some quiet time, I read and write historical fiction.
I have a B.A. in English Lit. from UW Whitewater and an M.F.A in Creative Writing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, NJ.
If you have a question for me, or if you are local and would like me to stop by your book club or writer’s group, please drop me a line via the “Ask the Author” tab. I always love the opportunity to meet with others who share my love of books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
She’ll fight for her future…but can she escape her past?
Chicago, Winter, 1891
Rachel is in danger. She s seen too much.
She creeps along the cement walls through the dank underbelly of the asylum. She d never planned to leave her quiet farm life, never thought she d find a place in the city, never imagined she d be in the kind of danger that would have her cowering in Dunning s cold, labyrinthine basement.
Jenny has finally found her place. After a childhood of abuse, she has friends, a real job, and her only wish is to give her adopted son the kind of life she never had.
A life of stability, without the risk and uncertainty of a father.
But when Jeremy, Rachel s brother, stumbles into their warehouse, asking for help to find his missing sister, Jenny s carefully constructed life begins to crumble.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Soul’s Prisoner, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
I find it hard to believe it has been nearly two years since I had the privilege to review Cara Luecht’s novel “Soul Painter”. You can read my review HERE. As a long-time lover of Gothic romance, I was quite impressed with that novel and am happy to say that Soul’s Prisoner just reinforced my esteem for this author.
The dark and brooding atmosphere is the perfect setting for the evil that permeates the asylum and the suspense continues to build as the reader wonder whether Rachel will be rescued from her cruel fate. Many of the characters from “Soul Painter” make their appearance withing the pages of Soul’s Prisoner and new members are added to Miriam’s growing “family”. Once again Miriam is painting – portraits of a woman unknown to her – a woman she knows is in immense danger. The game has changed but Miriam cannot resist her calling and is somewhat surprised at her new husband’s staunch support.
What can I say without spoilers? The plot grabbed me from the beginning and drug me along to the end without letting go. Despite overwhelming evil, there was still a strong feeling of hope and faith. I liked the eclectic mix of characters. Some were malevolent, some were shining lights, and at least one saw the error of his ways and changed his course. There were a few surprises along the way and at least one budding romance. Naturally the bad guys got what was coming to them by the end but what fun reading to see how everything played out.
Soul’s Prisoner is the perfect book for anyone who enjoys historical suspense/mysteries. I have thoroughly enjoyed both books in the Portraits of Grace series and sincerely hope that many more sequels will be written. I also hope I won’t have to wait two years for the next one. I can be quite impatient when I love a series!
