Set in 1820 in America, this
is the story of Anne Davis, a daughter of a wealthy plantation owner, who has
managed to end up pregnant but with no husband. Then an incident on the docks
and a rescue by a daring Irishman leads to a marriage of convenience with
Michael O’Ryan. Michael has escaped a hanging in England for his role in the
war in Ireland only to find himself impoverished in America so Anne’s bargain
to pay him to wed her comes at a good time.
French does a great job of
portraying the plight of the Irish in America in the early 1900s and slavery in
Maryland. Many Irish had skills but could not find work and could barely feed
their children. And slaves, even those who were valued, longed for the self
respect freedom would bring. Michael, raised as a nobleman’s son, having
experienced prison and poverty, now seeks to help both the slaves and his
fellow Irish. Anne doubts Michael’s honesty and his motives but grudgingly
comes to trust him and to see he has a good heart. And though Michael plans to
leave her according to their bargain, he finds he wants to stay.
It’s a story of struggle and
learning to trust and along the way there is much excitement with pirates and
treachery and envy. Some great characters and a worth hero make for a great
story. A very well written tale!
Buy on Amazon.
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