Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
- Read an installment of a series.
- Share your review/recommendation below.
- Include the title, author and series name.
My Series Sunday pick is Rebel, the first book in the new Women Who Dare series by Beverly Jenkins. We are introduced to a new historical character: 28-year-old Valinda Lacy, set in New Orleans, 1867. It is the aftermath of the Civil War. The backdrop is a busy city of newly freedmen, ambitious women of color, wealth and societal class.
Val is temporarily in town for one sole mission: to educate newly emancipated adults and young children. Her intended husband is away securing a newspaper deal so she has limited time to teach the community before heading back north. Then danger strikes. After discovering her school is destroyed, Val is cornered by sinister men who intend her harm. A brave man named Captain Drake LeVeq comes to her rescue.
"The thought came to her that no man had the right to be so handsome, observant, or have the ability to charm her so effortlessly." ~ 45%
The handsome Drake recognizes Val's determination to succeed and help the community. His own mission as an architect is to rebuild New Orleans. He absolutely admires Val but knows she is intended for another. But maybe he can convince her to believe in a love match rather than marry another man out of obligation.
Rebel is so well written. It is informational, captivating, romantic and funny at times. It also addresses racially charged situations and the power of passion. In such a cynical time when marriages were arranged, it gives light to relationships made out of genuine love. Most importantly, this new novel features a strong black woman determined to better her surroundings and not afraid to rebel when necessary. She is certainly a woman who dares!
Once again, I look forward to the history lessons behind every new historical fiction book written by Ms. Bev. Rebel is no exception. The years 1863-1877 are known as the Reconstruction Era in America. Such promise for our nation! Yet here we are today in 2019...
Val is temporarily in town for one sole mission: to educate newly emancipated adults and young children. Her intended husband is away securing a newspaper deal so she has limited time to teach the community before heading back north. Then danger strikes. After discovering her school is destroyed, Val is cornered by sinister men who intend her harm. A brave man named Captain Drake LeVeq comes to her rescue.
"The thought came to her that no man had the right to be so handsome, observant, or have the ability to charm her so effortlessly." ~ 45%
The handsome Drake recognizes Val's determination to succeed and help the community. His own mission as an architect is to rebuild New Orleans. He absolutely admires Val but knows she is intended for another. But maybe he can convince her to believe in a love match rather than marry another man out of obligation.
Rebel is so well written. It is informational, captivating, romantic and funny at times. It also addresses racially charged situations and the power of passion. In such a cynical time when marriages were arranged, it gives light to relationships made out of genuine love. Most importantly, this new novel features a strong black woman determined to better her surroundings and not afraid to rebel when necessary. She is certainly a woman who dares!
Once again, I look forward to the history lessons behind every new historical fiction book written by Ms. Bev. Rebel is no exception. The years 1863-1877 are known as the Reconstruction Era in America. Such promise for our nation! Yet here we are today in 2019...
Happy Early Pub Day, Ms. Bev! Rebel will be available Tuesday, May 28.
Disclaimer: This book was received directly from the publisher for review purposes only. In no way does it influence my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.
Title: Rebel
Author: Beverly Jenkins
Published: May 2019
Pages: 384
Edition: Galley
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
No comments:
Post a Comment