Gabriel's Angel

by Cynthia Thomason

The year is 1871, and life at a remote lighthouse off the Georgia coast has become routine for Livvy Drummond. Then a wounded convict escapes from a passing prison ship and swims ashore. He threatens her and collapses at her feet. When Lieutenant Gabriel Hampton opens his eyes, he beholds an angel. An angel, moreover, who not only nurses him back to health, but senses the nobility beneath his rugged, feral appearance. Having escaped a life sentence, the result of an unjust court martial, he finds new life, and new love, in the hands of the lightkeeper’s beautiful granddaughter. Springtime on the remote island is nearly idyllic for Livvy and Gabe until circumstances tear them apart. Although Livvy is determined to help Gabe escape his hopeless future, secrets from her childhood threaten to destroy what she and Gabe have built —secrets that tragically link her to Gabe in a way neither would ever have dreamed. Will they be able to find their way back to each other? Or will the Civil War claim another two victims?

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Ebooks, Civil War

422 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

About the author

I'm Cynthia Thomason, and I'm a romantic. To me, romance means love between people as well as finding romance in places, such as waterfalls, lighthouses, beaches, or wherever else your soul connects with the wider universe.. I have written 39 romance novels for Harlequin and Kensington. But I am currently proud to announce, BACKDROP DEAD, my FIRST COZY HISTORICAL MYSTERY, set on a showboat in 1898. I guess I'll add showboats to my list of romantic places.
I was raised in Ohio. I taught high school English, ran my own auction house, and wrote books. I have experienced a great love, but lost my husband a few years ago to cancer. But he's still around. I can feel him.
I have won the HOLT Medallion Award, the Golden Quill and Readers' Choice Awards and I've been nominated several times for the prestigious Maggie Award. I'm proud of those awards, but as the saying goes, "That and five dollars will get you in the door of Starbucks." I love to write about America's small towns, similar to the one where I grew up in Summit County, Ohio. I have one son, also a writer. My favorite place to spend an afternoon is the mountains of North Carolina, but I haven't been to Ireland yet. My motto as I grow older and wiser is "never stop learning." After several lessons, I am now playing the guitar and I love it.

Reviews

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book almost made me give it a rating of 5. It was by far one of the best free Kindle downloads I've read thus far. When Olivia Alcott was 8 years old, her father, whom she loved dearly, was killed in a duel. Then only two years later, her mother died of an illness. At that point, Olivia, who had lived in Savannah, GA's high society, was taken to her maternal grandfather, Holliwell (AKA "Holly") Drummond. At that point, Olivia Alcott became Livvy Drummond, assistant lighthouse keeper. Twelve years later, Holly's arthritis was worse and Livvy was a fully grown woman and capable lighthouse keeper in her own right. While Holly had never been demonstrative with Livvy, he clearly cared for herand their relationship was strong. Their quiet lives changed forever when a wounded stranger washed up on shore. When a soldier came looking for an escaped prisoner Holly and Livvy learned that he was an escaped prisoner who had been convicted of treason. At its core, this is a story of love, integrity, determination, and hope set in the early post Civil War south. I strongly recommend this book.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Musings

This is an emotionally charged romance with engaging characters and a heartfelt plot. I also enjoyed the historical details of this book. It's hard to find many books written about this era.Happy ☺reading 📚!

[Catherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I found the book to be an easy-paced read. I adore the antebellum south, so the background, infused with huge chunks of history greatly appealed to me. The plot composition of deceit, romance, family entanglements or issues,as well as intrigue was wrapped in enoughmystery to keep me reading. The romance and love interest was handled well so that it refrained from becoming too overpowering, thereby interfering with my enjoyment of the book. I'm actually a lover of historical fiction, so I look for the history to be my main focus. This book, however,was actually a love story, something I don't often read. I would recommend this book to specific friends, the more romantically inclined readers.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livvy is working at a remote Georgia lighthouse in the Civil War era when a wounded man washes up on shore. As she nurses him back to health, she's horrified to learn he's an escaped convict. As she begins to have feelings for him, she's more scared he'll be captured again. Can she and Gabe forge a life together, or will he always be on the run?

[LadyCalico · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book but even though it was well-written with an unusual story, great characters and dialogue, and plenty of action, it still seemed to drag in spots--needs a bit of pruning. Give it the Reader's Digest condensed treatment and I would call this a five-star novel.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got it due to historical fiction labeling, but wouldn't really call it that. More of a love story, which just seemed to drag on. Not my style but was able to finish by skimming parts that just seemed to drag out. Can't give it a 2 and say I didn't like it, but was just on OK read.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. It was a 'good read'. But it's true, you have to be into historical romance. This was a free Kindle download.

[Wanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical romance novel. Not my thing.