Saturday, January 4, 2014

Book Review - Carolina Gold

ABOUT THE BOOK:


The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.

Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father's once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick's quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery---and threatens all that she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love's winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman's struggle to restore her ruined world.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee.

After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.

When she isn't busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

To keep up with Dorothy Love, visit www.dorothylovebooks.com, become a fan on Facebook (Dorothy Love Books) or follow her on Twitter (@writerDorothy).

MY REVIEW:
This book is set after the Civil War and takes place in the South Carolina. I enjoyed so much the history that the author brought to the book and the care that she took to really bring the characters and area to life. 

Charlotte has lost her father and now she wants to return to her Plantation, Fairhaven, to pursue her dream of bringing her home back to life and planting the rice her father was so proud of, Carolina Gold. There is one problem - she hasn't been able to find the paper she needs to prove that her family owns Fairhaven. She returns home to find her home is still standing, but there's not much else there.
Soon, she meets her new neighbor, a widower, Nicholas, who is trying to rebuild his own plantation. He has two daughters that he is having tutored at home, but after awhile, his tutor has to leave because of illness in her family. He implores Charlotte to tutor his children and she reluctantly agrees because the money will help her in keeping Fairhaven. 

Charlotte fights weather, the lack of good help on her farm, and other hardships in her desire to bring in a crop of her rice. In the midst of all this, Nicholas goes missing and she is left to try and take care of his children and reassure them that he is okay.
There is a wonderful thread of suspense in this book as you wonder if Charlotte will find the paper she needs, if Nicholas will be found, and if she can ever save her land and home. I also really enjoyed the fact that she writes articles for a Northern newspaper, which she shares in the book. The fact that this was based on a real person made it even more enjoyable and intriguing!
This book was a great read! I enjoyed the setting, the characters and the fact that it kept me involved. It's a wonderful book to read for the new year and I highly recommend it!

*This book was provided to me for my honest review by LitFuse Publicity Group

Blessings - Julie

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