Irish Splendour: Tide and Tempest (Edge of Freedom: Book Three) ~ Elizabeth Ludwig

Two years ago, her fiancé perished

during her voyage to America.

Now she discovers it may have been murder....

Dreaming of a better life, Tillie McGrath leaves Ireland behind and, with her beloved fiancé by her side, sets sail for America. But when illness robs her of the man she holds dear, she's left alone with only a handful of tattered memories. While forging on proves difficult, Tillie soon finds some new friends at her New York boardinghouse, and begins pursuing a new dream--to open a home for orphaned children.

Despite two years passing, Captain Keondric Morgan has never forgotten the lass who left his ship so heartbroken. When a crewman's deathbed confession reveals her fiancé's demise was the result of murder, the captain knows he must try to contact her. But his attention draws the notice of others as well--dangerous men who believe Tillie has in her possession something that could expose their crimes. And to their way of thinking, the best way to prevent such an outcome is to seize the evidence and then hand Tillie the same fate as her naïve fiancé.

"You kinna surrender
something that was never yours."

The much anticipated continuation to Elizabeth Ludwig's Edge of Freedom series provokes an unexpected ambivalence. The author does keep the familiar rhythm going in her storytelling from unmistakable Irish traits, escalating suspense from the introduction to its finale, turn-of-the-century New York City, and reoccurring characters. On the other hand, the predictability is a result. It is not a disappointment for returning fans of this particular series, but rather a delight reliving general narratives. There is, nevertheless, something that seems to be lacking that I cannot quite put my finger on except the predictability factor.

The Edge of Freedom series shines in the areas of romance and suspense. The first two installments excelled in both, seasoned with extra treasures such as the superb manifestation of the Irish culture, immigration and the late 1800's setting. Tide and Tempest, though very present with suspense, tends to be favored in the romantic range. Tension mounts as two of the lead characters appear to deepen their attachment to each other despite the growing jealousy from the intended suitor, Captain Morgan. This is what colorizes the novel the most. However, it still seems it could be more enhanced with situational circumstances around Tillie and Keondric as much as it is with Cass. All in all, the love triangle does not disappoint.

The emergence of new figures are quite enjoyable, especially the lovable Cass. If there is anyone in the Edge of Freedom series that deserves their time in the spotlight for a sequel, it is Cass Morgan. The famous Irish humor does show its charming self, but unfortunately not as frequently as before in the two predecessors. It is also pleasing to have the boardinghouse residents privy to the reality of what is actually going on and being truthfully updated in the process along with their subsequent involvement. They are a giant family with the sudden addition of the Morgans and Kilarny's troop, not to mention the reappearance of the Turners and Eoghan.

It is curious whether this is completed as a trilogy or if the series will be extended. The finale of the third installment seems somewhat brief and uneventful with loose ends to be sorted. For example, the readers do not see the return of Cara or Ana, though they are acknowledged about still hiding out with the former ready to give birth in the absence of her husband Rourke and guardian Eoghan. And the long awaited romantic union between the two leads finally culminates on the last page only for the story to end. We do not know exactly what happens to the vast majority of these characters at its closing, primarily integral ones such as the Fenians and the Celt. We can assume, but it tends to be too insubstantially concluded after being built up this far, so I am anxious to discover if it will indeed continue.

It is necessary to ask how the Fenians trespass into the boardinghouse if not only the Morgans and Turners have people keeping guard around the clock, but also a band of men from Kilarny's side as well. Moreover, it cannot be overlooked that Amelia warrants a bit of disrespect concerning her revelation in Tide and Tempest in regards to the prior incidents that have unfolded twice before. And it is after some considerable amount of passing time that you are wondering why none of this has rung a bell to Ms. McGrath or her boardinghouse mates from the harrowing adventures Ana and Cara just endured from the very recent past. Eventually almost half way through the book Tillie vaguely realizes that "everything...fit with what (she) had learned last summer."

As a funeral director/embalmer it is one of the greatest annoyances to see misconceptions of the funeral industry perpetuated, for instance in the stereotypical descriptions of the "undertaker" and his "morgue." This could remain laughable, but is shamefully irritating.

With the understanding of true love and God's forgiveness, chiefly in reference to previous immorality that weighs on Tillie's conscience (of her [failed] pregnancy out of wedlock), and the importance of forgiving herself, it is lovingly similar to the legendary novel Redeeming Love. This basically sums up Tide and Tempest in a nutshell and is something so profound that all of us need to wake up and heed special attention to.

In comparison to No Safe Harbor and, especially Dark Road Home, Tide and Tempest falls short. An entertaining, quick read, it does sport the best cover of the three, and once again provides potential for continuation in the Edge of Freedom series.

Elizabeth Ludwig is an award-winning author whose work has been featured on Novel Journey, the Christian Authors Network, and The Christian Pulse. Her first novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Janelle Mowery, earned her the 2008 IWA Writer of the Year honors. This book was followed in 2009 by "I'll Be Home for Christmas," part of a Christmas anthology collection called Christmas Homecoming, also from Barbour Publishing.

In 2010, her first full-length historical novel Love Finds You in Calico, California earned Four Stars from the Romantic Times. Books two and three of Elizabeth's mystery series, Died in the Wool (Barbour Publishing) and Inn Plain Sight (Spyglass Lane), respectively, released in 2011.

Coming in 2012 is Elizabeth's newest historical series from Bethany House Publishers. No Safe Harbor, the first book in the Edge of Freedom Series, will release in October, with two more books following in 2013 and 2014.

Elizabeth is an accomplished speaker and teacher, and often attends conferences and seminars, where she lectures on editing for fiction writers, crafting effective novel proposals, and conducting successful editor/agent interviews. Her popular literary blog, The Borrowed Book, enjoyed a wide readership in its first full year, with more than 17,000 visitors in 2011. Along with her husband and two children, Elizabeth makes her home in the great state of Texas.