She's come to the New World to escape a perilous past. But has it followed her to these far shores?
It is 1704 when Frenchwoman Geneviève Gaillain and her sister board the frigate Pélican bound for the distant Louisiana colony. Both have promised to marry one of the rough men toiling in this strange new world in order to escape suffering in the old. Geneviève knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of persecution for her outlawed religious beliefs.
When she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer-turned-farmer whose checkered past is shrouded in mystery, Geneviève realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. Trouble is brewing outside the fort between the French colonists and the native people surrounding them. And an even more sinister enemy may lurk within. Could the secret Geneviève harbors mean the undoing of the colony itself?
Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry South in this luscious, layered tale.
MY REVIEW-The minute I read the blurb on the back of this book, I knew it sounded like it was right up my alley. Sure, I love a good suspense novel, but I also like historical novels as well. So long as they aren't dry and you feel like you are reading a textbook:) I had no need to worry with this one! Excellent book about a group of people I didn't even know existed.
The book opens with two women disembarking off a ship. These are the Pelican Brides. There is a whole boatload of them and they have come overseas as brides for the men in the Louisiana colony. I have to admit, I had never heard of these women before. By the time I was done, I knew a lot about them. My favorite was Genevieve, the oldest Gaillian sister. I felt a connection with her and the troubles she had watching over her younger sister Aimee. In fact, a couple times I wanted to shake Aimee as she is somewhat shallow and oblivious to what is going on around her. I think she came through in the end though.
I immediately fell in love with Tristan. He is the oldest Lanier brother, very mature and kind. A man with mixed emotions and many battles to wage. His younger brother very much reminded me of Aimee but we see as they both mature and grow.
The historical detail is shown to a great extent and I really liked that. The turmoil and political factions were quite intriguing. Overall an excellent book that I will be picking up again. Way to go Beth!
**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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