I just finished reading this book. It was about a place I knew little about, but the author's descriptive language actually allowed me to feel, taste, and see Sri Lanka. The story was extremely moving; heartbreaking in parts and heartwarming in others. I look forward to reading other books by this author. I am extremely glad I got to read this, her first novel.

I have just completed, "The Drowning Guard", and could not wait to write this review. I have always appreciated Historical Novels, but this is a real gem! It is beautifully written with language that truly evokes the emotions of the characters as well as the feeling of the settings. I felt as if I was living in the palaces of the sultan and the sultaness. I could smell the cinnamon and jasmine of the hallways and rooms. I was able to picture the beautiful silks worn by the characters. Linda Lafferty breathed life into people who lived nearly two hundred years ago and I thank her for the opportunity to have been able to spend even this brief time in the world of her characters. I loved, loved, loved this book! I would definitely recommend it to my book club.

I really liked this book a lot. The writing was excellent and the story extremely compelling. As a former teacher, I especially appreciated the way the children who were bullies were dealt with.

This is truly an excellent story with so many interesting elements. However, I found it difficult to read and at times almost put it aside intent on never picking it up again. I am glad though that I stuck with it. The ending was really a good payoff for me. It made me feel really good that there are second chances in life and there are strangers out there who could become really good friends; even family.

Observant Jews use the word, "ba'shert", to refer to both wonderful and awful events that come into their lives. It means fate, kismet, how the Supreme Being wanted things to turn out.

The wonderfully ordered world of the Samuels family turns upside down when Adam, an honest and very successful accountant, husband, father and grandfather is suddenly arrested by the FBI. He is accused of funneling millions of dollars to a terrorist organization that will use the money to kill American soldiers. Now he must prove his innocence while all his friends and colleagues treat him like a pariah.

How fate has intervened to change the lives of his youngest daughter, his wife, and himself is the subject of this extremely well written novel by Naomi Regan. Set in Boston and Israel this is a timely story that will leave you turning page after page; unable to put this book down. I highly recommend it.