The Red Fury - Bk 2 Empire In Pine

[Tracy Krauss]

The Red Fury, Book Two in Naomi Musch’s Empire in Pine Series, is bursting with rich imagery. Every sight, sound and smell is vividly described as this historical story of romance and bravery unfolds. Lainey Kade has been irreparably hurt and seeks a new life away from her family. Labeled ‘un-marriable’ by some unfeeling community members, she leaves her home in the woods of Wisconsin to carve out a new life for herself as a single woman. She meets up with the Beaumont brothers, ‘drifters’ who are emotionally scarred after the civil war. They become fast friends and cohorts as they seek adventure, all the while trying to make sense of their shattered lives. The story unfolds at a gentle yet steady pace as both Beaumont brothers discover they have feelings for Lainey. The sensitive character development, largely facilitated by the three way point of view, forces the reader to feel invested in each person. This is a superb continuation of the saga started in Book One - The Green Veil. Some of the scenes were so real and when I read the credits at the end, I discovered that such events as the burning of a logging town, plus other details from the period, were meticulously researched and included. No wonder the book rings with authenticity! I probably enjoyed book two even more than book one, if that is possible, and I highly recommend the entire series.