Ever My Love
by Gretchen Craig
Do
hearts lie?
Set in Louisiana six months before the
election of Abraham Lincoln with the underground railroad as a
backdrop, Gretchen Craig paints a brutal picture of the dehumanizing
effects and violence perpetrated against slaves. Set against this
society, Marianne Johnston lives within it but not of it. Her heart,
intelligence and soul ennoble her life, those around her and her
choices for romance. Secondary romances and plot lines detailing the
lives of slaves and also the different branches of the Chamard family
may distract the reader at first but their addition makes this romance
a more daring and interesting read than portrayed on the book's cover
or description.
This novel vividly sets the historical scene. The violence is not
gratuitous because it sets a realistic image of the times from which
the courage of Marianne, the hero and the slaves moves the reader's
heart. Gretchen Craig does not shy away from the complexities of the
setting. The reader sees the Creole influence on Louisiana and also the
reality of the in-between world of freemen, slaves, mixed races and
those caught in the middle. Nothing is black or white, literally or
figuratively---not the people and not the friendships. As a Southern
(albeit relocated) reader, I appreciated the less stereotypical view of
the location and of the friendships formed across society's barriers.
The heroine is about as far from a shrinking violet as a reader will
get in a historical romance set in this period without huge time
placement problems. Marianne is tender and loving but she will stop at
nothing when circumstances force her to choose. The daring hero is the
perfect match for this fine heroine. The reader will take delight in
seeing the unfolding of this romance of heart, mind and soul.
The romance between the memorable secondary characters Pearl and Luke,
two of the slaves owned by Marianne's father, intrigues the reader. In
one incredible scene Pearl daringly and boldly reaches for the dream of
her heart. This one scene stuns the reader with its emotional beauty.
All the main free and slave characters are forced to choose sides. Do
they follow their hearts or society's rules? This is the heart of the
romance for all of them!
If you are searching for a nice tender, pretty Southern romance, do not
buy this book. If you are searching for a memorable read and a
historical romance with a bit more cutting edge, Ever My Love is definitely is one
to consider. Within this romance, historical circumstances and hearts
coincide to present the reader with much more than a pretty picture.
The characters are truly heroes and heroines.
Publisher: Kensington Zebra (May 2007)
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
