This romance features life in the American south
in the 19th century on the eve of the Civil War, though the
beginning and the end take place in England (in Kent). Henley did justice to a
difficult theme and portrays the mixed feelings of some Southerners and the
real, economic conflict over the issue of slavery. The story is entertaining
and the love between the hero and heroine very believable.
Nicholas Peacock always thought he’d inherit
Peacock Hall in Kent from his British lord father. But just as he is ready to
take over their lands, he learns he is a bastard, and will not be the son to
inherit. When his father dies suddenly, Nicholas faces a vindictive stepmother,
so he sails to South Carolina, determined to become the owner of a successful
plantation.
He buys land and plants cotton and works very
hard, right alongside his slaves. Eventually he builds a magnificent house
known as Paradise Plantation. Though he does not like the concept of owning
another person, he accepts slavery as a part of the Southern way of life. He
falls in love with Mandy Jackson, the young daughter of his neighbor, but her
youth forces him to agree to a marriage in name only, a marriage he promises
her father he won’t consummate until she is 18.
One of the things I loved about Nick as a hero
was his unwavering love for Mandy. And, Mandy, even as an immature teenager,
had great courage and common sense with an adventuresome spirit. Nick could
spot a diamond in the rough and he chose Mandy the first time he saw her. Those
guys are few, so I enjoyed him very much!
As with all Virginia Henley’s romances, I
recommend them as worthy tales.
Buy on Amazon.
No comments:
Post a Comment