By 
Andrea Catalano, the Author of “The Lacemaker’s Fortune” has written a powerful, passionate, seductive, and captivating Historical Fiction Novel. The Genres for this novel are 19th Century Historical Fiction, American Historical Fiction, Romance, and Fiction. In this well written novel, the author vividly describes the landscape, scenery, plot, and dark and dramatic characters. (including a comforting cat) The timeline for this novel is set in the 1870’s and takes place in New York City and Colorado. This novel is filled with twists and turns, dark secrets, exotic secrets, betrayals, lies, manipulation and psychological gaslighting. There is also some wit, I love how the author describes the characters, and labels their goals, problems and solutions.
The author contrast the disparity between classes, and rich and poor people. Some immigrant had a harder time finding employment, and had to do what it takes to survive. Two sisters, Eileen and Mary are in New York and trying to work. Eileen is an artistic lacemaker, and works in a factory, and outspoken Mary finds herself working as a Prostitute. They have dreams of moving to California and opening a shop. Their new charismatic, and enchanting neighbor, Stanley Jones, enters their lives and everything will be different. Stanley helps people in trouble, with his second job. Stanley has helped a very wealthy man, Lawrence Barnard, after he gets sick, and sets the stage for Lawrence and Eileen to meet. Stanley Jones hopes to bring his church followers to Colorado for a better life. This intrigues Lawrence, who is bored with conventional society expectations. This also motivates Eileen and Mary to go on this journey.
Somehow this move seems more sinister, and there are promises not kept, passions that will cause problems, and imminent danger. I appreciate that the author discusses the importance of self-worth, and every person has to make a moral choice. It takes courage, strength, emotional support, and work. I was dumbfounded and surprised by the ending. Actual several parts of the ending were surprising! Don’t do it!!!!!!— turn to the end pages!!! I highly recommend this book, and start from the beginning!
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