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Free Men and Dreamers #3
Dawn's Early Light
In the spring of 1814, a temporary calm settles along the Patuxent. While the British Navy skulks in the Chesapeake Bay, the Willows families and their neighbors enjoy a brief season of peace. That is until Napoleon is subdued. Britain now prepares to loose her navy on America, even as peace negotiations commence in Belfium. Weeks of relentless British attacks along the waterfront soften the will of the American militia, leaving the British military confident that victory is within their grasp. And their primary target? Washington. Experience the pain and passion of five families--American, slave and British--as they endure three of the darkest days in American history--the week Washington burned.
338 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2009
About the author
Laurie L.C. Lewis
21 books494 followersLaurie (L.C.) Lewis will always be a Marylander at heart—a weather-whining lover of crabs, American history, and the sea. She admits to being craft-challenged, and particularly lethal with a glue gun, which is why she set her creative juices on writing which was less likely to burn her fingers. She's also a devotee of sappy movies, fried chicken, and twinkle lights.
She writes women’s fiction/romance novels as Laurie Lewis. They include The Better Man (2024) Revenge Never Rests (2022) Cross-Country Christmas (2021), Secrets Never Die, (2019) Love on the Line (2019), Awakening Avery (2018), Love on a Limb (2017), Sweet Water (2017), The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), and Unspoken (2004). Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote her national and international award-winning WWII drama based on the life of a survivor of the occupation of France, The Letter Carrier (2022), and the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical romance series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).
Laurie Lewis is a two-time 2023 Whitney Award winner for Novel of the Year and Best Historical Fiction (The Letter Carrier). That same year, she was also awarded The Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction, also for The Letter Carrier. In 2016-17 she was awarded a RONE Award, a New Apple Literary Award, and Readers Favorite award, and a Whitney finalist award (The Dragons of Alsace Farm). In 2018, she won New Apple Literary’s Best New Fiction Award (Love on a Limb.) She is also a BRAGG Medallion honoree, and a USA Best Books Awards finalist.
Laurie is currently working on additional books in the Silver Buckle Brides Series.
Laurie loves to hear from readers, and she invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club or contact her at any of these locations.
VIP Readers’ Club https://www.laurielclewis.com/newsletter
Website www.laurielclewis.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/laurielclewis
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LaurieLCLewis/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurielclewis/
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lauri...
She writes women’s fiction/romance novels as Laurie Lewis. They include The Better Man (2024) Revenge Never Rests (2022) Cross-Country Christmas (2021), Secrets Never Die, (2019) Love on the Line (2019), Awakening Avery (2018), Love on a Limb (2017), Sweet Water (2017), The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), and Unspoken (2004). Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote her national and international award-winning WWII drama based on the life of a survivor of the occupation of France, The Letter Carrier (2022), and the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical romance series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).
Laurie Lewis is a two-time 2023 Whitney Award winner for Novel of the Year and Best Historical Fiction (The Letter Carrier). That same year, she was also awarded The Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction, also for The Letter Carrier. In 2016-17 she was awarded a RONE Award, a New Apple Literary Award, and Readers Favorite award, and a Whitney finalist award (The Dragons of Alsace Farm). In 2018, she won New Apple Literary’s Best New Fiction Award (Love on a Limb.) She is also a BRAGG Medallion honoree, and a USA Best Books Awards finalist.
Laurie is currently working on additional books in the Silver Buckle Brides Series.
Laurie loves to hear from readers, and she invites you to join her VIP Readers’ Club or contact her at any of these locations.
VIP Readers’ Club https://www.laurielclewis.com/newsletter
Website www.laurielclewis.com
Twitter https://twitter.com/laurielclewis
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LaurieLCLewis/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/laurielclewis/
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/profile/lauri...
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 14, 2019
Amazing book. L. C. Lewis did an amazing job. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in series. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to buy the whole series in paperback.
I do recommend you read this book but start at book 1. I started at Vol. 3 because I don't have the others yet.
Please buy this book and read. It's really good.
I do recommend you read this book but start at book 1. I started at Vol. 3 because I don't have the others yet.
Please buy this book and read. It's really good.
September 19, 2017
This third installment of the Free Men and Dreamers series was quite a bit harder to read, as it covered a vast amount of the gruesomeness of war. Because it was well-written, I felt connected to the characters and their plight as they fought for their country's freedom.
April 17, 2026
Loving these so much. On to the next!
February 13, 2010
(Originally posted in November) Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving, a holiday that commemorates the people who came to this country to seek freedom from their oppressive ruler and to gain the ability to worship as they chose. As I think on all the many reasons I have to be thankful, the fact that I was born in a time and place of such freedom is high on my list. Thus, it's very appropriate to take a little time today to think about the ways in which that freedom came to be - through the courage of brave men and women who stood up for their beliefs and weren't afraid to face their challenges, and overcame them, often at the cost of their own lives.
L.C. Lewis has written an incredible series to honor some of those very first men and women, the first generation raised on American soil after the Founding Fathers established the government that would set us apart from every other nation on earth. The newest installment in this series, "Dawn's Early Light," has just been released, and I'm honored to receive a copy to review.
Being a historical fiction author myself, I was immediately struck by the richness of Lewis's language and how I felt sucked into the era, and with the nearly seamless way history is blended with fiction. Writing historical fiction is hard. Finding a balance between facts and fantasy, seeking ways to deliver the information without sounding stiff - it's always a challenge. I believe Lewis has risen to that challenge.
I felt myself filled with compassion as young farmer-turned-soldier, Jed Pearson, returns home after a long absence to discover fugitive slaves hiding on his land. Rather than turning them over to the law, he immediately leaves his home again to guide them to safety, even though he's only been home a few minutes. He put the safety of those children of God ahead of his own wants and comforts because he knew what would happen to those slaves, should they be returned, and his sense of justice and mercy would not allow it. I loved seeing the story go forth on both sides of the Atlantic, and how it all came to a conclusion.
As the years roll by and we find ourselves more separated from these events that gave us our freedom, it becomes easy to forget. Fully two hundred years passed from the founding of the nation until my birth - I was born in 1976 - and it would be natural for me to let those important historical landmarks fade in my mind. After all, aren't they just stories, passed down from generation to generation? No, they are not, and we would be a very ungrateful nation if we didn't learn everything we could about our history and share that knowledge with our children. I confess, I haven't read the first two novels in L. C. Lewis's series, but having read the third, I'm going to get the first two, read them, and give them to my children to read as part of their education in what makes us free.
L.C. Lewis has written an incredible series to honor some of those very first men and women, the first generation raised on American soil after the Founding Fathers established the government that would set us apart from every other nation on earth. The newest installment in this series, "Dawn's Early Light," has just been released, and I'm honored to receive a copy to review.
Being a historical fiction author myself, I was immediately struck by the richness of Lewis's language and how I felt sucked into the era, and with the nearly seamless way history is blended with fiction. Writing historical fiction is hard. Finding a balance between facts and fantasy, seeking ways to deliver the information without sounding stiff - it's always a challenge. I believe Lewis has risen to that challenge.
I felt myself filled with compassion as young farmer-turned-soldier, Jed Pearson, returns home after a long absence to discover fugitive slaves hiding on his land. Rather than turning them over to the law, he immediately leaves his home again to guide them to safety, even though he's only been home a few minutes. He put the safety of those children of God ahead of his own wants and comforts because he knew what would happen to those slaves, should they be returned, and his sense of justice and mercy would not allow it. I loved seeing the story go forth on both sides of the Atlantic, and how it all came to a conclusion.
As the years roll by and we find ourselves more separated from these events that gave us our freedom, it becomes easy to forget. Fully two hundred years passed from the founding of the nation until my birth - I was born in 1976 - and it would be natural for me to let those important historical landmarks fade in my mind. After all, aren't they just stories, passed down from generation to generation? No, they are not, and we would be a very ungrateful nation if we didn't learn everything we could about our history and share that knowledge with our children. I confess, I haven't read the first two novels in L. C. Lewis's series, but having read the third, I'm going to get the first two, read them, and give them to my children to read as part of their education in what makes us free.
December 11, 2009
I enjoyed reading Laurie (L.C.) Lewis’s latest book (Dawn's Early Light) so much that I’ve nominated it for a Whitney Award.
Dawn's Early Light is book three of Laurie (L.C.) Lewis’s Free Men and Dreamer series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812. It illustrates the first American-born generation—the children of the Founding Fathers, which was also the generation that received the Restoration.
When Covenant decided to drop the series, readers wrote asking Laurie to finish the story. She decided to self-publish the manuscript for book three to honor their investment in the series. Amazon’s affiliate, Booksurge, was the publisher Laurie chose, but she contracted the same editor who worked on Dark Sky at Dawn and Twilight’s Last Gleaming to ensure the quality of this volume would match that of preceding books
It is always a bonus for me when a good read not only brings pleasure, but is also a learning experience. I feel like I’ve been there in 1812 and can now compare events back then to those of our day.
Dawn's Early Light was written as a stand-alone read as well as a seamless continuation of the Free Men and Dreamers epic. And it does just that. I read the book while moving house. Looking forward to a new chapter each night was about the only thing that got me through the removal ordeal. That, and listening to Debbie West Coon’s CD, You Are Loved.
Having read volumes One and Two, I was anxious to continue this fascinating family saga. What an exciting, eye-opening, and altogether superb story. I’ve read other historical novels in the past and sometimes found them dry—especially when famous people have speeches put in their mouths in a way that makes the words feel disconnected from reality. This doesn’t happen at all in Laurie’s books. Everything flows in one grand action-packed tale of drama and strong emotion.
I’m excited for Volume Four in this series. I don’t want to give anything away about the ending of Dawn's Early Light, so will only say that I HAVE to see what happens next to all these characters. Their fictional lives are as important to me as the historically accurate period in which they are found.
This author’s work have improved and strengthened with each new publication. She is a writer to watch. I, for one, am an enthusiastic follower. I hope she has many more stories of this caliber to share.
Dawn's Early Light is book three of Laurie (L.C.) Lewis’s Free Men and Dreamer series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812. It illustrates the first American-born generation—the children of the Founding Fathers, which was also the generation that received the Restoration.
When Covenant decided to drop the series, readers wrote asking Laurie to finish the story. She decided to self-publish the manuscript for book three to honor their investment in the series. Amazon’s affiliate, Booksurge, was the publisher Laurie chose, but she contracted the same editor who worked on Dark Sky at Dawn and Twilight’s Last Gleaming to ensure the quality of this volume would match that of preceding books
It is always a bonus for me when a good read not only brings pleasure, but is also a learning experience. I feel like I’ve been there in 1812 and can now compare events back then to those of our day.
Dawn's Early Light was written as a stand-alone read as well as a seamless continuation of the Free Men and Dreamers epic. And it does just that. I read the book while moving house. Looking forward to a new chapter each night was about the only thing that got me through the removal ordeal. That, and listening to Debbie West Coon’s CD, You Are Loved.
Having read volumes One and Two, I was anxious to continue this fascinating family saga. What an exciting, eye-opening, and altogether superb story. I’ve read other historical novels in the past and sometimes found them dry—especially when famous people have speeches put in their mouths in a way that makes the words feel disconnected from reality. This doesn’t happen at all in Laurie’s books. Everything flows in one grand action-packed tale of drama and strong emotion.
I’m excited for Volume Four in this series. I don’t want to give anything away about the ending of Dawn's Early Light, so will only say that I HAVE to see what happens next to all these characters. Their fictional lives are as important to me as the historically accurate period in which they are found.
This author’s work have improved and strengthened with each new publication. She is a writer to watch. I, for one, am an enthusiastic follower. I hope she has many more stories of this caliber to share.
February 26, 2010
In the spring of 1814, a temporary calm settles along the Patuxent. While the British Navy skulks in the Chesapeake Bay, the Willows' families and their neighbors enjoy a brief season of peace.
That is until Napoleon is subdued.
Britain's navy re-enters the Patuxent, prepared to loose her triumphant European conquerors on America, even as peace negotiations commence in Belgium.
(Click the cover to read the first three chapters.)
But weeks of relentless British attacks along the waterfront soften the will of the American militia and citizenry, leaving the voracious British military confident that victory is within their grasp. And their primary target? Washington D.C.!
While attentions turn to the defense of the Capital, Sebastian Dupree and his band of mercenaries strike the Willows. Not everyone survives, despite former enemies becoming allies, with the Willows' freed slaves to defend their homes and families.
Mere miles away, the Capital lies in peril, its defense now resting primarily upon citizen soldiers like Jed Pearson, and a most unlikely Naval force--Commodore Joshua Barney's rag-tag fleet of barges called the Chesapeake Flotilla--and the courage of Markus O'Malley and the men who built it.
But Britain's house is also divided over the war, and as the cost mounts in blood and money, rifts widen in her families and government, wearying the mind of the Earl Of Whittingham, and threatening to destroy Arthur Ramsey.
Experience the pain and passion of five families--American, slave and British--as they endure three of the darkest days in American history--the week Washington burned!
That is until Napoleon is subdued.
Britain's navy re-enters the Patuxent, prepared to loose her triumphant European conquerors on America, even as peace negotiations commence in Belgium.
(Click the cover to read the first three chapters.)
But weeks of relentless British attacks along the waterfront soften the will of the American militia and citizenry, leaving the voracious British military confident that victory is within their grasp. And their primary target? Washington D.C.!
While attentions turn to the defense of the Capital, Sebastian Dupree and his band of mercenaries strike the Willows. Not everyone survives, despite former enemies becoming allies, with the Willows' freed slaves to defend their homes and families.
Mere miles away, the Capital lies in peril, its defense now resting primarily upon citizen soldiers like Jed Pearson, and a most unlikely Naval force--Commodore Joshua Barney's rag-tag fleet of barges called the Chesapeake Flotilla--and the courage of Markus O'Malley and the men who built it.
But Britain's house is also divided over the war, and as the cost mounts in blood and money, rifts widen in her families and government, wearying the mind of the Earl Of Whittingham, and threatening to destroy Arthur Ramsey.
Experience the pain and passion of five families--American, slave and British--as they endure three of the darkest days in American history--the week Washington burned!
August 18, 2010
I am so happy to finally have all three volumes of L.C. Lewis's Free Men and Dreamers series together in one place. For a couple of years, volume one was in one place, and what I thought was volume two was in another. To my horror, upon finding and looking at volume two, it was not the book I expected, but one from some other author's series altogether. While that's not entirely horrible, it was a let-down. Then I was able to purchase volume two, and the other day, volume three, Dawn's Early Light arrived in the mail. Yippee!
The reason I'm so excited is that I read Dawn's Early Light as an advance reader copy, and once I located/purchased the first two volumes, I knew I could start the whole series and learn all about the main protagonists, Jed and Hannah, from the beginning.
L.C. Lewis is a masterful writer, drawing the reader into her book with rich characterization and a keen eye for detail. The subject matter is not bad, either. This series, after all, is set against the panorama of America's early history as a nation.
Many years ago, a great writer told me that each historical novelist has his or her own favorite war. Mine is the Civil War. Laurie Lewis focuses on The War of 1812, when our resolve to be a nation was tested by Great Britain. She includes much about the state of the western world, weaving her characters into the broad tapestry of world events. She does an excellent job. I'm looking forward to volume four.
Since this book can stand alone, if you're a lover of historical fiction, you'd do well to order it from Amazon, Deseret Book, Seagull Book & Tape, or your favorite bookstore.
The reason I'm so excited is that I read Dawn's Early Light as an advance reader copy, and once I located/purchased the first two volumes, I knew I could start the whole series and learn all about the main protagonists, Jed and Hannah, from the beginning.
L.C. Lewis is a masterful writer, drawing the reader into her book with rich characterization and a keen eye for detail. The subject matter is not bad, either. This series, after all, is set against the panorama of America's early history as a nation.
Many years ago, a great writer told me that each historical novelist has his or her own favorite war. Mine is the Civil War. Laurie Lewis focuses on The War of 1812, when our resolve to be a nation was tested by Great Britain. She includes much about the state of the western world, weaving her characters into the broad tapestry of world events. She does an excellent job. I'm looking forward to volume four.
Since this book can stand alone, if you're a lover of historical fiction, you'd do well to order it from Amazon, Deseret Book, Seagull Book & Tape, or your favorite bookstore.
January 5, 2011
Loved this series! I never even knew about the war of 1812! The British came and tried to take over the country again and nearly succeeded. Very interesting story, you really get into the Character's lives. Could hardly put them down. Just now starting the last one. Got it for Christmas! I am so excited to read it! I am thinking I may read the third again first though just to make it all last longer!
December 10, 2009
I really enjoy reading historical fiction... especially if it's about my beloved country the United States of America. I just finished Dawn's Early Light and can hardly wait for the next one. I need to see what happens with Jed, Hannah, Frannie, and Markus. I hope the next one comes out next year!
April 26, 2010
There was a lot more of the "war" in this one, whish sometimes got a little monotonous, but the story of The Willows and Jed, Hannah and Frannie are still there and just as interesting. I can't believe that I have to wait for book four to see what happens. I hope Arthur makes it and that Jed comes home.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2010
This whole series is my favorite. Never have I experienced our Country's growth and struggle as I have here. Laurie Lewis is one of my favorite Authors. For me I'm not just reading words on paper. I'm experiencing everything with the characters in these books. Just beautiful. The best History lesson I've ever experienced.
January 13, 2012
A little bit of a slow start, but once again Laurie L.C. Lewis does not disappoint! Great historical tidbits mixed in with a great storyline with such well developed characters, many of whom are great examples of how to endure and remain honorable. Love this series and can't wait to read the next one.
December 5, 2009
I thought this was the last one in the series but there must be another one after the ending of this one!! (UGH) Still good but a little slow moving for me. I will still keep reading the series though because I must have a resolution for Hannah and Jed as well as Frannie and Arthur.
January 12, 2010
I've read all three books in this series and can't wait for the next book. I generally read health and biology books (yes I'm a health book junkie), but I absolutely love historical novels. L.C. Lewis is one of my favorite authors. You've got to read these books.
Want to Read
October 25, 2010I heard the 4th book, Oh Say Can You See, is coming out next week! It tells the dramatic events surrounding the Battle of Baltimore and the Star Spangled Banner. This is a period that fascinates me, and I am really looking forward to reading this whole series!
August 10, 2012
what happened to vol. 2? it was a little more text book style to get all the history in. book 3 is about the burning of Washington DC and some terrible things the British did when they conquered a city. good read.
September 19, 2013
This is a great book, especially if you are into historical fiction that follows a fictitious family thru actual historical events. This book leaves some loose ends, so I am anxious to get the next one.
March 12, 2010
A book for history buffs. Not for those like myself that wish history never happened.
March 18, 2010
SKimmed this, and didn't enjoy as much...perhaps i need to try again later.
February 10, 2013
This is the third book of this series and from book one I cannot put the book down. Now I am anxiously looking forward to reading the next book.
May 6, 2017
An interesting read by a fantastic author who knows how to keep your attention
December 14, 2010
This whole series is very well researched. I enjoyed it very throughly.
December 7, 2012
I really enjoy this series! Great info about the time of the War of 1812.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews