"Fascinating Reconstruction Story"
As he lies dying Louis Montague wants to make things
right for Leah Barnett, daughter of the woman he always
loved. He persuades Leah into marrying him so she can
inherit his vast estate. Reluctantly she agrees to wed a
man she considers her father while knowing she will be a
widow in days and that their marriage will never
consummate. Louis also makes a deathbed confession. He
admits that he has sired two thirty plus year old boys that
live in Colorado and that he has not seen them in decades.
He wants a shocked Leah to tell them he is sorry. Leah takes the train west where she meets the younger
Montague Ryder who feels this Jezebel took advantage of a
sick old man to steal the estate. However, the vast estate
has large debts, which Monty offers to pay in return for a
few favors. Soon, Monty and Leah fall in love, but can he
overcome his distrust and hatred especially when someone
else wants them dead. Readers will find this an exciting Reconstruction Era
romance, but what make a Beverly Jenkins tale a delight are
the tidbits on African-American history that blends
smoothly into the plot. For instance, readers learn the
color of Leah's skin via the conductor telling her that
people like her do not belong in that part of the train.
As usual the graceful Ms. Jenkins entertains and educates
her audience with a stirring ethnic romantic tale of 1870s
America. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted September 21, 2001
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