Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Valinda Lacy's mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life-and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq.
Since residing in the south, I learned that kitchens were not part of the main residence of a home, but a separate building perhaps connected by a breezeway. This was an unknown fact for me.
A ragtag supremacist group called Protectors of the South made up of illiterate poor White men, determined to turn back time, and terrorizes Drake Le Veq. I was so moved by the forty plus men, mounted and on foot, who put themselves in danger to protect and aid the Le Veq’s in the stance against Supremacists.
The novel touches on several subjects, such as miscegenation (the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types), Freedmen’s Bureau, Black Civil War veterans, familiar issues, and passing.
The Le Veq Family is introduced in previous novels by Jenkins in Through the Storm (the first book in the Le Veq Family series), Winds of the Storm (the second boon in the series), and Captured (the third book in the series). Again, Beverly Jenkins keeps me captivated, entertained and learning. The next read in the Women Who Dare series is Wild Rain.
Since residing in the south, I learned that kitchens were not part of the main residence of a home, but a separate building perhaps connected by a breezeway. This was an unknown fact for me.
A ragtag supremacist group called Protectors of the South made up of illiterate poor White men, determined to turn back time, and terrorizes Drake Le Veq. I was so moved by the forty plus men, mounted and on foot, who put themselves in danger to protect and aid the Le Veq’s in the stance against Supremacists.
The novel touches on several subjects, such as miscegenation (the interbreeding of people considered to be of different racial types), Freedmen’s Bureau, Black Civil War veterans, familiar issues, and passing.
The Le Veq Family is introduced in previous novels by Jenkins in Through the Storm (the first book in the Le Veq Family series), Winds of the Storm (the second boon in the series), and Captured (the third book in the series). Again, Beverly Jenkins keeps me captivated, entertained and learning. The next read in the Women Who Dare series is Wild Rain.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
just picked the wrong time for this book ): but definitely wanna go back to this author. really wanna check out more of her books ♡
This is one of the few truly bodice-ripper-esque books that I've read. It was recommended as a "if you're a fan of bridgerton" and appealed because it advertised post Civil War New Orleans Pirates. It was cute. The romance and attractive made sense. It was not as pirate-y as advertised beyond regularly talking about "pirate blood." Still, my enjoyment of a romance novel typically relies on 1) yearning and 2) realistic attraction and this had both.
slow-paced
Loved the setting of New Orleans during the Reconstruction era. The author does a great job of explaining all the different factions and issues without it ever feeling like a history book. Great characters although the romance lacked a bit in drama/tension. However, at the same time, I appreciate characters who can act like adults and have a conversation instead of letting misunderstandings fester.
Finally got round to trying a book from the queen, Beverly Jenkins, and she didn't disappoint!
I loved the setting and atmosphere of this novel; I could practically feel the steamy humidity in New Orleans while listening to this audiobook! I also appreciated getting to learn more about life during this time period. Beverly Jenkins is consistently praised for how much education and history she throws into her romance, and I really loved that element. It's also really fucking frustrating seeing how little has changed, and how systems and bureaucracy continue to oppress people of colour in America.
I adoooooored Valinda as the protagonist. She goes through some rough shit and doesn't have the resources to pull herself out of it, but she is so resilient and always thinking of how she can help her newly freed community members with their literacy. Drake was a liiiiiiittle boring to me as the hero but I loved how sweet and protective he was, while also not being afraid to punch racists and misogynists in the face. He's an imposing figure with swagger and wealth, but he never verges on toxic masculinity. He takes rejection well and has bundles of emotional intelligence. We. love. to. see. it!
This book dragged a little for me in the middle, hence the 3.5-star rating. There's a pretty consistent stream of conflict on account of the white supremacists, but I think I needed a more sweeping romance or an internalised conflict to really pull at my heart-strings. The plot felt like less of a climax and more a repetitive small assault with a BB-gun. I need a few more peaks and troughs to my romance, y'know?
Still really enjoyed it though, and keen to check out more from Beverly Jenkins!
I loved the setting and atmosphere of this novel; I could practically feel the steamy humidity in New Orleans while listening to this audiobook! I also appreciated getting to learn more about life during this time period. Beverly Jenkins is consistently praised for how much education and history she throws into her romance, and I really loved that element. It's also really fucking frustrating seeing how little has changed, and how systems and bureaucracy continue to oppress people of colour in America.
I adoooooored Valinda as the protagonist. She goes through some rough shit and doesn't have the resources to pull herself out of it, but she is so resilient and always thinking of how she can help her newly freed community members with their literacy. Drake was a liiiiiiittle boring to me as the hero but I loved how sweet and protective he was, while also not being afraid to punch racists and misogynists in the face. He's an imposing figure with swagger and wealth, but he never verges on toxic masculinity. He takes rejection well and has bundles of emotional intelligence. We. love. to. see. it!
This book dragged a little for me in the middle, hence the 3.5-star rating. There's a pretty consistent stream of conflict on account of the white supremacists, but I think I needed a more sweeping romance or an internalised conflict to really pull at my heart-strings. The plot felt like less of a climax and more a repetitive small assault with a BB-gun. I need a few more peaks and troughs to my romance, y'know?
Still really enjoyed it though, and keen to check out more from Beverly Jenkins!
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Classism
Minor: Sexual harassment, War
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Weh-heh-heh-heh-hel! Ms. Bev, I do believe I love this book. Besides it being one of the most entertaining and interesting history lessons, it’s chock full of intriguing characters, and a swoon worthy romance.
This is my third Beverly Jenkins novel and so far my favorite. I don’t know if I can articulate what draws me to this story more than the others. All three of the FMCs are strong, which is typical of Ms. Bev’s novels. While her leading men are always worthy counterparts, Drake is something special. He’s multitalented, able to garden, work construction, smith work; he’s smart and brave; he’s got integrity and is honest. And on top of it all, he’s a hunky specimen of a man. He brings with him a family that is as wonderful as he is, headed by his independent mother filled out by a band of brothers and a sister-in-law that are just as faithful.
The drama just kept coming and built until the very end. It wouldn’t have mattered if it had been the middle of the night, there was no stopping me from finishing this book! there were so many highlights, but I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it. Just know that this book is full of surprising details sprinkled throughout a tightly woven plot. Loved!
This is my third Beverly Jenkins novel and so far my favorite. I don’t know if I can articulate what draws me to this story more than the others. All three of the FMCs are strong, which is typical of Ms. Bev’s novels. While her leading men are always worthy counterparts, Drake is something special. He’s multitalented, able to garden, work construction, smith work; he’s smart and brave; he’s got integrity and is honest. And on top of it all, he’s a hunky specimen of a man. He brings with him a family that is as wonderful as he is, headed by his independent mother filled out by a band of brothers and a sister-in-law that are just as faithful.
The drama just kept coming and built until the very end. It wouldn’t have mattered if it had been the middle of the night, there was no stopping me from finishing this book! there were so many highlights, but I don’t want to spoil it for those who haven’t read it. Just know that this book is full of surprising details sprinkled throughout a tightly woven plot. Loved!