Libertas

I received an e-ARC version of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

“Libertas” by Denuta Pfeiffer is the first book in the Pocket Full of Seeds trilogy. This book tells the story of Fredericka, daughter of a white plantation owner and his black house slave, and Horace, a freeman who is the companion to the son of a New York hotel baron. We also get some background regarding the plantation owner (Frederick), his wife (Henrietta), a bounty hunter (Mr. Honey), the hotel baron’s son (Jonathan) and his fiancé (Emily). The entire book is constantly full of action, which reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock’s quote about movies being life with the boring parts cut out - this book moves from scene to scene with few breaks. Fredericka and Horace evade the plantation owner … they evade the bounty hunter … they survive a storm … they survive a tornado … they survive illness … they survive a lot of water incidents … in other words, a lot of constant action (and suspense). That being said, the plot does move quickly (though it took a while to get started in my opinion). Interestingly at times things seemed a bit too perfectly aligned for plot purposes for my taste, but that’s a minor stylistic quibble. I knew going in that this was part of a trilogy, but the situation for one character was rather dropped around the 80% mark (to be addressed in the next book?) after a moment I suspected was coming, and was rather pleased the author chose to go in that direction. The overall theme of this book seems to be finding freedom - freedom from slavery, freedom from religious persecution, freedom to be a new person, freedom to explore new lands - and thus the title of Libertas is very fitting. The writing was clear and easy to follow. I did like that the author did some obvious homework regarding the historical period, not shying away from writing about the horrors of crossing the country (or taking a water passage). I wish that San Francisco had been expanded on more, but I’ve the feeling that’ll happen in a subsequent book.

For once I got to the party on time as this is the first book in a trilogy. I've never read this author before but I thought the book blurb looked good.

It's an historical novel based during the slavery years. A young woman whose parents were the white plantation owner and his black house slave. She falls in love and they go on a journey to freedom. Freedom from slavery. Freedom from persecution. Freedom to be who you are.

It's full of action. They survive a lot. But for me there was something missing. May be book two will sort it out.

Although the author has a nice writing style I did find it hard to get into.

i really enjoyed reading this book, it was a great start to a series. The author doesn't shy away from the hardness of the time period. I really enjoyed all parts of this book.

Would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this absorbing book

Think roots think north and south and you will have an inkling to what this book is about

But that’s only the half of it, it’s loyalty, love and betrayals abounds but free will prevails

There were so many heart stopping moments in this book but one thing I know I can’t wait for the next book in this series

Libertas is Book 1 in the Pocket Full of Seeds trilogy and a stellar novel.
The journey the reader takes is one of hope, love, strength, perseverance and the fight for freedom. Fredericka is the daughter of a white plantation owner and his black slave and Horace is the slave companion to Jonathan, the son of a wealthy New York baron. In the time of runaway slaves thirsting for freedom, their journey will take them to the Underground Railroad, through catastrophic moments of hardship, the constant fear of being hunted and every trial is faced and fueled by the desire for gaining their freedom.
The multitude of emotions that Fredericka and Horace experience jumped off the page and enveloped this reader. Ms. Pfeiffer’s prose are so visual and beautifully described that I became whole heartedly emerged in this novel. I cried and was haunted by the magnificence of this story. The life and the character that she gave Fredericka and Horace will stay with me as I look forward to the next book in the trilogy.
Thank you NetGalley, Danita Pfeiffer and Luminare Press for the honor of reading an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

Libertas by Danuta Pfeifer is book on in "Pocket Full of Seeds" trilog. Full of love, adventure, miracles, and tragedies, this book will have you captivated from the very first page. Set back in the 1800's in the slave era United States Fredericka and Horace come from two different worlds, but are running towards freedom and the chains of slavery together. Horace was brought up in New York and was considered "free" , where he was able to learn to read and write. Fredericka was born in South Carolina and was the product of a slave master and her momma who was a slave. Together Horace and Fredericka set out on a wagon train together to get to California and the promise of land and freedom. Along the way they lose loved ones from many disasters, and find out that freedom might not be as easy to obtain as they thought.
Together with unconditional love they fight through all the hardships and overcome the adversity that they face.
This book was exceptional and leaves you with a big cliff hanger. I look forward to reading book two and I am so glad I didnt't miss out on this book. It is exceptionally edited, and the author does a great job describing the scenery and the characters' lives and situations.
I would recommend the book for young adults (16+) and adults that are fans of historical fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC which was provided in return for an honest review.

Having the opportunity to read a new book from a new author I've not read before is always a joy and this book, an historical novel about slavery, love, freedom and being who you are didn't disappoint.

This book really grips you, pulls your heartstrings as you follow the journey of two people in love and living in a time when class, colour, religion and more made a big difference in life. The characters are strong and emotional, the story is full of action and adventure in more ways than one.

A great book that brings history, slavery and love together to create an unputdownable book!

Quest for Freedom

Wow! What a story. This is a story filled with so much of the early history of our country. It follows the different events from a tidal wave in New York, to escaped slave from the south, boats sailing around the cape, wagons being constructed for the pioneers and the pioneers heading west.

The story follows Fredericka and Horace two escaped slaves running for freedom. First they are chased by the plantation owner, then by a relentless bounty Hunter. Betrayed by his best friend, Horace and Fredericka struggle to find a way to freedom. How they stayed at the hotel and eluded the hunters was pretty funny. What a great disguise.

The book is humorous at times, tragic at others and filled with love, fear and a quest for freedom. The story follows Fredericka and Horace through many different places and tight scrapes. I love how it describes the events and the places in such detail you feel as if you have visited in that time and place in history. I love the courage of these two young people and how they brave such diversity and never lose their faith, their love nor their goal.

I love how it portrays Fredericka as a strong woman so capable of taking whatever comes her way in stride and using her brains and her knowledge to get through great challenges. Catching that snake by the tail and flinging it away from the girl was so brave, I was holding my breath.
I didn't realize it was part one of a series, but I am hooked and now I can't wait for the next book so I can finish the series.

I enjoyed reading this book very much, and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Danuta Pfeiffer for writing a great book, to Books Go Social for publishing it and to NetGalley for making it available to me.

Thoroughly enjoyable first novel of a trilogy and historical fiction at it’s best. An emotional love story with the subject of slavery and the fight for freedom at it’s core. Can’t wait to read the full trilogy. Highly recommended.