3.5 stars

The Tory Widow, the first novel in author Christine Blevins American Revolution series, is set in New York City in the early days of the Revolutionary War. At the start of the conflict, Anne Merrick is a young widow struggling to keep her late husband's printing business alive by publishing British propaganda, even though she doesn't necessarily believe in the propaganda herself. When her print shop is attacked by the Sons of Liberty, lead by the dashing Jack Hampton, Anne begins to question her actions. In so doing, she becomes increasingly drawn to both Jack and her country's struggle for independence from British rule. When the Patriot army is defeated in New York, and the city falls under British occupation, Anne decides to remain in her home and convert her print shop into a coffee house that caters to British officers. While outwardly playing the part of dedicated loyalist, Anne does whatever it takes to glean important information from the British and pass it on the Patriots. In so doing, Anne puts her very life on the line in the cause of liberty.


Overall, The Tory Widow is an enjoyable read. Blevins paints a vivid portrait of life in New York City at the start of the Revolutionary War, both before and during the British occupation. One of the greatest strengths of this novel is Blevins' ability to convey the British as the enemy without painting them as a one-dimensional evil force. Even though they sit on opposite sides of the conflict, Anne comes to respect some of the British officers with whom she crosses paths and recognizes that if not for the war she would have little quarrel with them. One of the principal weaknesses of this novel, however, rests with the development of Anne as a character. At the opening of the novel, Anne is portrayed as dismissive and disapproving of the Sons of Liberty and their cause. Many years later, at the start of the war, while no longer disapproving, Anne still seems reluctant to support the Patriots. The arrival of Jack Hampton into her life changes this, and Anne seemingly goes from a reluctant bystander to an ardent patriot almost overnight. It would have been beneficial to the story for Blevins to have included a little more insight into the rationale behind Anne's abrupt embracing of the patriot cause, as it seems to come out of nowhere. Furthermore, some of Anne's actions don't seem consistent with her established character, nor with how a respectable woman of the age would have behaved -- war or not (e.g. mooning the British with a bunch of prostitutes from the roof of a brothel). Nevertheless, these weaknesses didn't detract significantly from my enjoyment of the story. While Anne herself could have been a bit better developed, the novel's secondary and tertiary characters, whether they be patriot or British, hero or villain, shine and I look forward to finding out what's next for them in the novel's follow-up, The Turning of Anne Merrick.

Recommended for fans of the historical fiction genre interested in the Revolutionary War period. ( )

In 1766 Anne Peabody's father marry's her to a much older and unattractive man named Peter Merrick. Printer's apprentice Jack Hampton, who is so carried away by the repeal of the Stamp Act, graces Anne with a big kiss during her wedding. Years later, a widowed Anne finds herself involved with Jack and The Sons of Liberty who are fighting for freedom from British rule.

Okay, but I just couldn't really engage with the characters. ( )

The Tory Widow
Christine Blevins
BerkleyTrade
$15.00/C$18.50
0425226018
400p.2009

Fireworks occur when the irresistible characters in Christine Blevins’ new novel, The Tory Widow come together in New York City in 1775.

After Anne and Peter Merrick are married a kiss takes place just minutes after this arranged marriage-but not between husband and wife. An overzealous handsome stranger leaps out of nowhere to seize and kiss Anne. Sadly she is disenchanted with her husband, a man old enough to be her father, whose breath reeks of onion. The young man is the brazen Jack Hampton, a member of the Sons of Liberty who is a bit drunk from celebrating the repeal of the Stamp Act and his kiss will linger like a stubborn stain in Anne’s mind.

Years later in 1775, Merrick dies leaving Anne a widow with no means of support. She decides to continue printing the Tory propaganda that her husband favored even though she did not. As the Patriots create havoc in the city no Loyalist is safe. Businesses can be ruined, people are tarred and feathered and run out of town.

One day Anne is visited by the Sons of Liberty whose leader is none other than Jack Hampton. She recognizes him as the Patriot bandit who stole a kiss years ago. He is nothing like his former self. Completely changed he is a wild rogue, an evil enemy, and a heartless rebel. He leaves her in desperate straits as they demolish the presses leaving the place in shambles.

Anne refuses to give up. She is a tenacious woman with strength and creativity who opens up again as a tea shop, with a new Patriot sign.

Unable to avoid the allure of Jack Hampton and that first kiss, when they meet again she joins his cause and is prepared this time to commit to being a Patriot. The relationship is not a smooth ride as complications interfere. Anne becomes involved with a Loyalist officer who is quartered in her home. His name is Edward Blankenship,a handsome, polite, gentlemen who adores Anne. Jack and Edward enemies in war and enemies in romance fighting on two fronts, makes this story a captive tale. .

A thought provoking ending sets up the possibility of a sequel. Let’s hope. Escape to another era in this mesmerizing historical fiction romance of the American Revolution. Blevins has created plausible compelling characters who live outside the pages, romantic tension and sizzling hot dialogue you won’t believe.

Wisteria Leigh ( )

This was an enjoyable book about the American Revolutionary War. Anne, a widow is doing the unthinkable, managing a printing shop by herself. She is strong, talent, and rather satisfied with life. Then Jack blows in with his talk of rebelling against England and America's freedom. She is more then willing to avoid him at all costs but he will have nothing of that.

I believe the romance was a bit forced in this book but the story was enjoyable. It had a great ending leaving it wide open for a sequel that I will be sure to pick up. ( )

As a child, I read a fair amount of Revolution-themed historical fiction. It’s been a long time since I’ve read historical fiction centered specifically on the American Revolution, and reading The Tory Widow reminded me of all the things I love about historical fiction set in this era. Anne, Jack, and their friends were readable, likable characters, and the romance between Anne and Jack felt organic and real.

I was concerned that the inclusion of real historical figures would seem forced and contrived, but thankfully Blevins chose to focus more on her characters, and the historical figures are peripheral. However, there was just enough historical fact to make me want to spend some time reading non-fiction and history about the period, which for me is always a huge selling point for historical fiction.

Overall, I thought this was much better than Blevins’ debut novel, Midwife of the Blue Ridge, which I read last year and liked but didn’t love. I’m very glad I gave her a second chance, and I’d definitely recommend this book to fans of historical romance set during the Revolution. ( )