Fighting for Bread and Roses: A Novel [Paperback]

Lynn A. Coleman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 2005

Romance, family, and politics converge explosively in a suspicious murder during the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912 and threaten to engulf a 21st-century woman researching the strike. When textile workers went on strike in 1912 for better wages and working conditions, they never imagined the violence that would overwhelm them. The first person to die was Anna Lopizzo . . . and then John Rami . . . and then many others. The strikers claimed the police had killed Anna, but the police said one of the strikers shot her. Who was right? Fast forward to present-day Lawrence, Massachusetts, and Lindsey Marc, a historic mystery writer, is tracking down what really happened to Anna and the other workers. Along the way, someone gets wind of what Lindsey is researching and is threatened by what she may discover. It begins with phone calls and quickly moves to ransacking her hotel room. Can Lindsey find out the truth before something terrible happens to her?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those who like contemporary and historical novels with a solid mystery at both ends, this is the book that nicely combines all the elements and makes them work." (Author's Choice Reviews 20061009)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lynn Coleman is a master-storyteller who grabs the reader's interest and heart right from the beginning of the book. Her convoluted mystery keeps the reader guessing and provides a story that keeps the pages turning. Her characters are fully three-dimensional with foibles that most readers can understand and feel kinship with. (Lena Nelson Dooley The Road to Romance )

Coleman skillfully alternates between scenes from 1912 and Lindsey's 21st-century sleuthing. A nail-chewing read for fans of historical and contemporary fiction. (Jill Elizabeth Nelson Romantictimes.com )

"As a mystery, this is done very well. Coleman leads you where she wants you to go and reveals nothing before it's time. She lets you think you have the answer early, but then you realize you went down the path she wanted you to go. The twist revealed sums things up nicely and leaves you with a good feeling." (Shane Werlinger Infuze Magazine )

From the Back Cover

For novelist Lindsey Taylor, the history she researches rarely stays in the past.

Ready to tackle a new novel, Lindsey follows her love for unsolved mysteries to Lawrence, Massachusetts. Anna Lopizzo’s death during the “Bread & Roses” strike of 1912 fascinates Lindsey. And there was Jenna Waverly, who supposedly had drowned in the frozen Merrimack River. Was her death really an accident or might it have been suicide? Or did someone kill Jenna?

As Lindsey tries to unravel the mysteries, someone discovers what Lindsey is researching and will do anything to prevent her from finding the truth.

“Lynn Coleman is a terrific storyteller whose heart for the Lord shines clearly in her writing. I look forward to reading any story that she pens.”

—Tracie Peterson
Best-selling author of the Heirs of Montana series

“An intriguing, suspenseful blend of history and fiction.”

—Brandilyn Collins
Best-selling author of Stain of Guilt, Brink of Death, and other novels

Lynn A. Coleman is the founder of American Christian Fiction Writers, Inc., and an award-winning, best-selling author. She currently lives in Keystone Heights, Florida.

(20060602)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825424097
• ISBN-13: 978-0825424090
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional!, September 16, 2005

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Fighting for Bread and Roses: A Novel (Paperback)

Lindsey Taylor is determined to live a normal life and that is not easy after the trauma she had just been through. Lindsey had witnessed a murder in New Orleans and had to testify against a dangerous crime family. Her life had been in an upheaval, but now it was time to move forward.
Lindsey is a writer and eager to complete her research on her next project; a writing about the "Bread & Roses" strike of 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. As she travels to Lawrence to research she assures her husband that she will be fine, but she is almost dead wrong.
Lindsey begins to dig into the death of one Millworker, Anna Lopizzo and in doing she uncovers the story of Jenna Waverly who is said to have drowned in the frozen Merrimack River. How could that have happened and were these two women connected in someway? As Lindsey's investigation becomes more intense she finds someone is determined to keep certain secrets hidden and will do anything in their power to stop her. What a great read!

I have to tell you this is an exceptional book; taking us from the present and the happenings to Lindsey, to 1912 and emerging us into the lives of those deeply touched by the "Bread & Roses" strike. I was glued to the pages as the author craft-fully created the world that both eras lived in, brought it to life like a full screen movie and charged your emotions to a full time high. Outstanding! This work has history, well defined characters, sprinkled with the strength of God, suspense, romance and mystery. I simply cannot recommend this read highly enough. Bravo Ms.Coleman, you have a real winner here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone with a love of history and mystery will enjoy this book, December 29, 2005

By 

Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Fighting for Bread and Roses: A Novel (Paperback)

Fighting for Bread and Roses by Lynn A. Coleman is a suspenseful novel about a quest to discover the truth surrounding a historical event. Main character and novelist, Lindsey Taylor, uncovers secrets from the past while researching deaths that occurred during the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912--the topic of her next book. There is someone, however, will stop at nothing to ensure that these secrets stay buried. This story is full of twists and turns that make the reader eager to join Lindsey in discovering the truth.

Danger plagues Lindsey as she begins to uncover more about the Strike of 1912. She receives calls "encouraging" her to research another book, her hotel room is ransacked, and she quickly realizes she is being stalked. Problems only escalate from there; the more she researches, the more difficulties she experiences. The reader has the same questions as Lindsey: Who is it that doesn't want her researching this topic, and why is this person threatening her? Her determination and love of mystery cause her to continue pursuing the truth about the past, despite the dangers she encounters.

As Lindsey uncovers more about the Bread and Roses Strike, the reader is taken back to that actual time period and sees the story unfold in the perspective of the very people Lindsey is researching. This permits the reader to examine the details of what truly happened to Jenna Waverly, the mill worker whose past Lindsey is most interested in. The continuous shifting of time allows the reader to become involved with two separate women, and mystery and intrigue are a large part of both of their lives.

Fighting for Bread and Roses is an excellent novel. The mystery and suspense make it a fast and enjoyable book. Although the double storyline and abundance of suspicion can cause some confusion, Lynn A. Coleman brilliantly takes two stories from different time periods and intertwines them into a single fantastic novel. Anyone with a love of history and mystery will enjoy this book, and I recommend purchasing it. -- Andrea Burns, Christian Book Previews.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Past Meets Present, October 11, 2005

By 

M. P. Merritt (Colorado) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fighting for Bread and Roses: A Novel (Paperback)

Novelist Lindsey Taylor has a knack for bringing unsolved mysteries of the past into her present.
As Lindsey researches the Bread & Roses strike of 1912 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, she uncovers facts that some in Lawrence would rather have remained in history.

When Lindsey is followed, her hotel room broken into, and her computer stolen she begins to realize that someone wants to prevent her from discovering the truths associated with the strike.

Mrs. Coleman has woven a well-crafted tale of suspense while mixing history and fiction. Highly recommend.