“Historical fiction at its very best!”― Kathleen E. Belongia, lanehillhouse.blogspot.com “Intriguing storyline, suspense at every turn, wonderfully and complexly developed characters, and a heart-rending, beautiful romance. I loved every word and am counting the days for the next book in the series. Can't go wrong with Roseanna White.” ―Joanne Sher, ACFW Midwest Zone Director “Author Roseanna White has done it again―she has produced a masterful historical fiction work that keeps the reader riveted. As a lover of historical fiction, this novel delighted me. One very important piece of the story―that Ms. White presents with a ring of authenticity―is the element of faith. In many novels, the element of faith seems rather arbitrary and feels forced. Ring of Secrets presents a faith that not only naturally fits into the story line, but may well inspire readers in their trust in the Lord.”― Julie Coleman, author of Unexpected Love: God's Heart Revealed in Jesus' Conversations with Women “ Ring of Secrets held me enthralled the whole way through.” ― Anne Baxter Campbell, pewperspective.blogspot.com " Ring of Secrets is a wonderfully satisfying story in every way. The characters are original and real-to-life, and they actually have lives beyond the romance plotline. I appreciated the fact that every chapter didn’t end with a dramatic cliffhanger like some authors are in the habit of doing, because I didn’t feel emotionally manipulated into reading on―I genuinely wanted to keep reading simply because I cared about the relatable characters and their lives. I was also very excited to read a novel centered around an historical organization that I’ve never before encountered in fiction. This book isn’t just another romance novel – it is honest literature. I eagerly await the next book in the Culper Ring Series."― Sapphire Feltner “ Ring of Secrets was a pleasant read, and I’ll definitely be reading the other books in the series.” ― Hayden Wand, atreeabookandabreeze.blogspot.com “Historical fiction at its very best!”― Kathleen E. Belongia, lanehillhouse.blogspot.com “Intriguing storyline, suspense at every turn, wonderfully and complexly developed characters, and a heart-rending, beautiful romance. I loved every word and am counting the days for the next book in the series. Can't go wrong with Roseanna White.” ―Joanne Sher, ACFW Midwest Zone Director “Author Roseanna White has done it again―she has produced a masterful historical fiction work that keeps the reader riveted. As a lover of historical fiction, this novel delighted me. One very important piece of the story―that Ms. White presents with a ring of authenticity―is the element of faith. In many novels, the element of faith seems rather arbitrary and feels forced. Ring of Secrets presents a faith that not only naturally fits into the story line, but may well inspire readers in their trust in the Lord.”― Julie Coleman, author of Unexpected Love: God's Heart Revealed in Jesus' Conversations with Women “ Ring of Secrets was a pleasant read, and I’ll definitely be reading the other books in the series.” ― Hayden Wand, atreeabookandabreeze.blogspot.com “ Ring of Secrets held me enthralled the whole way through.” ― Anne Baxter Campbell, pewperspective.blogspot.com " Ring of Secrets is a wonderfully satisfying story in every way. The characters are original and real-to-life, and they actually have lives beyond the romance plotline. I appreciated the fact that every chapter didn’t end with a dramatic cliffhanger like some authors are in the habit of doing, because I didn’t feel emotionally manipulated into reading on―I genuinely wanted to keep reading simply because I cared about the relatable characters and their lives. I was also very excited to read a novel centered around an historical organization that I’ve never before encountered in fiction. This book isn’t just another romance novel – it is honest literature. I eagerly await the next book in the Culper Ring Series."― Sapphire Feltner Roseanna M. White pens her novels under the Betsy Ross flag hanging above her desk, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When she isn’t writing fiction, she’s editing it for WhiteFire Publishing or reviewing it for the Christian Review of Books, both of which she cofounded with her husband. www.roseannawhite.com Read more
Features & Highlights
This exciting romantic spy novel from Roseanna M. White combines fascinating cloak-and-dagger secrets with a tale of love and intrigue during the Revolutionary War.
Winter Reeves is an aristocratic Patriot forced to hide her heart amid the Loyalists of the City of New York. She has learned to keep her ears open so she can pass information on British movements to Robbie Townsend, her childhood friend, and his spy ring. If she's caught, if she's hung for espionage…well, she won't be. Robbie has taught her the tools of the trade: the wonders of invisible ink, drop locations and, most importantly, a good cover.
Bennet Lane returns to New York from his Yale professorship with one goal: to find General Washington’s spy hidden among the ranks of the elite. Searching for a wife was supposed to be nothing more than a convenient cover story for his mission, but when he meets Winter, with her too-intelligent eyes in her too-blank face, he finds a mystery that can’t be ignored.
Both believers…and both committed to a separate cause. Will their faith in God lead them to a shared destiny or lives lived apart?
Customer Reviews
Rating Breakdown
★★★★★
60%
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★★★★
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Most Helpful Reviews
★★★★★
4.0
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An excellent revolutionary romance!
An excellent revolutionary romance!
I have not read many novels set in this era, but I am happy to say that I enjoyed this one in particular. This being the first novel by Roseanna that I've read, I'm exceptionally pleased! It was really easy to lose myself into the world of Winter and Bennet and turn page after page.
Winter is a young woman, who on purpose hides her true wit from the world. She pretends to be someone completely different in society, and it's wearing on her. She is only her true self when with Freeman, a fatherly figure, and Robbie, a childhood friend. Watching her slowly tear down her internal walls and open up to Bennet evoked pride in me and helped me adore her character all the more.
Right off the bat, it isn't clear which man we should root for in winning Winter's affections, at least, it wasn't to me at first. I won't spoil whom won out, but I must say my own heart was torn for half the book. Miss White's great use of setting terminology, character development, mystery, and twists make this book a great read. :-)
I was given a complimentary review copy in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done. Thanks!!
7 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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Terrific New Series!
After having just finished a rather mediocre book this was just the story I needed. Ring of Secrets is an incredibly entertaining and romantic story set during the Revolution that I could not put down and it wasn't just because I was under a review deadline! Ring of Secrets has just to right mix of romance, history, and mystery to keep a reader hooked!
Winter Reeves is a clever and beautiful Patriot involved in a spy ring that could lead to freedom for her country but certain death for her and those closest to her if she is found out. Robbie Townsend, Colonel Fairchild, and Bennet Lane are three men who are vying for her heart. One knows the real Winter, one could lead to her capture, and one is the "right" choice according to her family but only one captures her heart completely.
I connected with Winter and surprisingly with each of the gentlemen. I don't know if I have EVER been as torn as I was between each of her potential love interests. Roseanna definitely has a knack for writing an easy to fall in love with character, I'll tell you that! I'm so glad that the story doesn't end with this book and that the Culper Ring continues on with a new generation in Whispers from the Shadows. I'm sure there will be even more wonderful characters to fall in love with and root for.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
6 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Such a wonderful book!
Ring of Secrets was so good! It had pretty much everything I look for in a historical novel - great characters, interesting story, history, good message, and a little suspense! An added bonus was the whole spy aspect - coded messages with invisible ink, secret ring of spies, etc. - loved that!
Ring of Secrets did start a tad bit slow (at least in my opinion), but it wasn't long before my attention was captured and I had a hard time putting the book down.
I loved the history in Ring of Secrets. It was so interesting to learn about the Culper Ring and I loved how there were historical figures in the novel in addition to the fictional ones.
I also loved the twists in Ring of Secrets and the romance was sweet. I was a little surprised by the time jump in the epilogue, but it definitely makes me want to read the free novella as well as book two, Whispers From The Shadows, as soon as possible.
If you enjoy historical romance novels with some intrigue, I definitely recommend Ring of Secrets! It was such a wonderful book! :)
*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*
5 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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ring of secrets
It's 1779 and the Revolutionary war is in full swing as well as all of the spy rings for both the British and the Patriots. Winter Reeves is living in New York City with her grandparents. The Hampton's are not happy to have Winter with them. They never approved of her mother's marriage to her father and have resented it ever since. They are determined to get Winter married advantageously and getting her off their hands.
Winter has many secrets she is keeping. As part of the Culper ring of spies her life hangs in the balance. Not only is she in danger from her grandfather who threatens to dump her in Holy Ground(the part of town where prostitutes live), but she is also in danger of her cover as a spy becoming known.
Winter's grandmother wishes her to marry Bennet Lane, a wealthy Englishman who is set to inherit his uncle's estate in England. In order to gain his attention Winter's grandmother insists that Winter play the part of a flighty simpering young woman without an intelligent thought in her head. This works to Winter's advantage in that who would think of her as an actual spy?
Bennet has secrets of his own about why he is in New York when he longs to be in Connecticut teaching at Yale. Bennet sees through Winter's charade but is still confused. Is she really as clueless as she appears or underneath is there lurking an intelligent young woman? The more Bennet is around her the more he is convinced that there is more to Winter than meets the eye.
As Bennet and Winter slowly fall in love Winter is faced with revealing her deepest secret to Bennet and risk everything that he feels for her.
Having just finished another book on the Revolutionary war with a woman character passing secret letters I found it interesting that Ring of Secrets was next on my reading list. I really enjoyed it as the story line was much different. Ring of Secrets brought out a lot of emotions as I was reading. I found myself angry at Winter's grandparents for the way they treated her. I found myself laughing at some of Winter's antics as she played her part of the bored and clueless socialite. I found myself championing her bravery as she dedicated herself to passing along information to the Patriots. And I found myself sighing happily as Bennet and Winter's love grew for each other. A great historical read!
3 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Awsome reas
Awsome set. I was so thrilled I purchased all this set. Buy them all and you will not regret it
1 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow!
I LOVED this book. I kid you not, this is one of the best books I've read this year (and believe me, I read A LOT)! First, I loved the overall tension of the story. Winter is a spy in British occupied New York City, and I found myself holding my breath on every page, hoping, hoping, hoping she wouldn't be discovered. And goodness, but poor Winter has some very close calls!
Second, I loved the way the romance unfolded. Bennet is such a wonderful, attentive man, and Winter really wants to love him . . . but there's this whole deal about Winter being a secret spy, and she can hardly divide her loyalties and fall in love with some Royalist. Or can she?
And third, Revolutionary New York comes completely to life. After reading this story, I went on the internet and did some of my own digging, trying to learn more about the Culper Ring--which really existed! I've never before wondered what it would have been like for Patriots living in British occupied cities during the Revolutionary War. Well, now I know!
So if you put those three things together, you get a story rich with historical detail, rife with danger, and filled with romantic tension. Totally my kind of story! I can't wait for the next two books of the series to release, and I'd strongly recommend this book!
1 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Awesome Book -- Realistic and Delightful
What a wonderful opening to a new series by Roseanna M. White! I haven't read just a whole lot of books set in the Revolutionary War, so I was looking forward immensely to the this book and to the upcoming ones. While I did end up preferring Roseanna's Biblical fiction (the only one I've read is [[ASIN:0976544474 Jewel of Persia]], and I loved it!), this book was very enjoyable as well. It's a spy story through and through, with suspense and mystery blended seamlessly. The heroine, a girl named Winter, was someone easy to identify and empathize with, and the story felt very real and accurate. It was clear the Roseanna must have done some serious research for this book, and no doubt, series! However, just because a book is historically accurate doesn't mean it's boring, right? Avid readers know this. The historical accuracy and realistic characters didn't detract from the story in the least. There were even a few real historical characters too! Always a good thing. This is a delightful story that will make the Culper Ring (the spy ring the story centers on and is named after) ever memorable.
**I received this book from Harvest House Publishers in return for an honest review. I was not obligated to post a positive review, nor was I recompensed for this review in any way. All opinions and thoughts are my own.**
1 people found this helpful
★★★★★
5.0
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Great Historical Read
I'm not a fan of posting while sick so please forgive me for being late in telling you about Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White. This book really sucked me in! If all history books were this captivating I would have aced history instead of getting a big fat... Well, it wasn't my best subject.
It was amazing to read how normal people put themselves into the position to save many American lives. Their lives were on the line yet they kept passing on information.
While the characters in the book are fictional the Culper Ring was a real group of people who shared information with Washington. I found the book fascinating. And I must admit, I didn't expect the twist in the end. It's a great historical read. The best part about finishing this book is knowing it's the first in a series. Bring on book 2!
This book was giving to me for my honest opinion by Net Galley.
1 people found this helpful
★★★★★
4.0
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Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White
Ring of Secrets: #1 The Culper Ring Series by Roseanna M. White
1779 City of New York
This is a gripping story filled with cloak-and-dagger secrets, intrigue and spies during the Revolutionary War. Due to circumstances, Winter Reeves lives with her grandparents who are demanding, controlling and her grandfather is evil. I am not sure I would have stayed with them as long as she did even if I had the same reason as she does. She is a strong, brave, godly woman who must maintain an outward appearance that conflicts with her inner most being. She meets Bennet Lane and despite warning herself not to get attached, her heart has its own plans. Bennet and Winter are a great couple but they both have secrets that may separate them if learned, may even bring danger or death to one or both. A great beginning to the Culper Ring series.
★★★★★
5.0
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Winter's Challenge!
A Lady Spy! Set in the time period of the American Revolution, Ring of Secrets offers suspense as well as romance. Winter Reece is an interesting puzzle to Bennet Lane, a wealthy young Loyalist. She seems to be just another empty-headed female, but he reaction to her is different from other females. Perhaps it is because he senses something else behind that "mask" she wears.
Bennet, himself, is seeking something different here in New York. He has only come to discern the Patriot spy ring he has heard about. As a chemist, he really should have stayed at the college where he was most comfortable.
Then there is the British Colonel Fairchild, who is totally smitten with Winter, and one of her best sources for information!
Ring of Secrets contains so much as Winter's faith is constantly challenged by her grandparents who despise her because of her parents and the part she is called to play by them to win a wealthy husband; plus, her calling as a spy for the Patriots. It is a narrow path she must walk to both maintain her life and her heart.
You will love this book if you like challenges--both to figure out exactly what is going on at times with Winter's spying, her safety with her grandparents, and what will happen between Mr. Lane and Colonel Fairchild as they each pursue Winter.
You will love this book if your faith seems to be challenged beyond understanding by your circumstances because the author offers verses from the Bible at such times to soothe Winter's heart, but they also reach out to the reader. You will love this book if you are one who thinks God is far away having nothing to do with your everyday life; because Bennet is of the same thinking until a dying girl helps him, and perhaps you, to see differently.
Wow! Ring of Secrets is just the book to entertain and perhaps help and promote a faith growth for anyone who loves Historical romance with some suspense thrown in. Read and enjoy and be blest!
