Cynthia Thomason Gabriel's Angel

Gabriel's Angel

Cynthia Thomason

Medallion, May 2006, $6.99

ISBN: 1932815562

In 1859, thirty-five years old Victoria Alcott is dying, but her biggest fear is for the safety of her daughter, ten years old Olivia. Since her spouse James died, she has felt like an intruder with his family and does not trust her brother-in-law Julian or her mother-in-law to do right by Olivia. Though estranged from her father for fourteen years and recognizing she was at fault, she sends her child to live with her grandfather Holliwell "Holly" Drummond knowing he will keep her beloved Olivia safe.

Twelve years later, former Union Officer Lieutenant Gabriel Hampton, badly beaten, escapes from a prison ship managing to reach St. Brigid's Island. Livvy and Holly nurture him back to help as both can see he is an honorable person. As Gabe and Livvy fall in love, their pasts will arrive threatening their lives.

Cynthia Thomason provides an intriguing Reconstruction Era romance with a touch of early and late suspense. Livvy is a marvelous protagonist (her naive innocence will remind readers of Demi Moore's character in The Butcher's Wife without the paranormal skills). Gabe is a solid counterpart as he believes she deserves someone with a future, which rules him out. Americana romance fans will enjoy this love at the lighthouse tale.

Harriet Klausner