Libby doesn’t really get along with her parents and turns to Oliver for comfort. She ends up pregnant and kicked out of her home. Oliver ends up dead after drowning in the river.
I don’t really enjoy a story going back and forth with the past and present. I didn’t enjoy this, just not my type of story.
**I received an ARC of this story for an honest review
Everyone should check out this amazing film: The Underground Railroad: The William Still Story. You can watch in online.
Here is the blurb:
The compelling story of one of the most important heroes of the Underground Railroad comes to life in Underground Railroad: The William Still Story. The first generation of his family born free, abolitionist and historian William Still was determined to get as many runaways as he could across the U.S. border to Canada.
The Underground Railroad remains the most immense humanitarian enterprise of the 19th century--perhaps ever. Underground Railroad: The William Still Story blends stories, characters and context with evocative reenactments, new historical perspectives and sometimes shocking, often touching, accounts from the day. The predominant "voices" in the documentary are those of William Still and a selection of freedom seekers whose stories help define the era. Their actual words are often used, taken from letters and memoirs.
Here are some wonderful Historical Romance Novels that explore the same movement for freedom.
My lists are never in particular order. Enjoy!
1. Honor by Lyn Cote
When unexpected circumstances leave Honor Penworthy destitute after the death of her grandfather, she is forced to leave her Maryland plantation—and the slaves she hoped to free—and seek refuge with a distant relative. With no marketable skills, her survival hinges on a marriage arranged through the Quaker community to local glass artisan Samuel Cathwell. Samuel is drawn to Honor, but he has been unwilling to open his heart to anyone since scarlet fever took his hearing as a child.
A move west brings the promise of a fresh start, but nothing in Honor’s genteel upbringing has prepared her for the rigors of frontier life with Samuel. Nevertheless, her tenacity and passion sweep her into important winds of change, and she becomes increasingly—though secretly—involved in the Underground Railroad. Samuel suspects Honor is hiding something, but will uncovering the truth confirm his worst fears or truly bring them together as man and wife?
2. Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
As a child Hester Wyatt escaped slavery, but now the dark skinned beauty is a dedicated member of Michigan's Underground railroad, offering other runaways a chance at the freedom she has learned to love. When one of her fellow conductors brings her an injured man to hide, Hester doesn't hesitate…even after she is told about the price on his head.
The man in question is the great conductor known as the "Black Daniel" a vital member of the North's Underground railroad network. But Hester finds him so rude and arrogant, she begins to question her vow to hide him.
When the injured and beaten Galen Vachon, aka, the Black Daniel awakens in Hester's cellar, he is unprepared for the feisty young conductor providing his care. As a member of one of the wealthiest free Black families in New Orleans, Galen has turned his back on the lavish living he is accustomed to in order to provide freedom to those enslaved in the South.
However, as he heals he cannot turn his back on Hester Wyatt. Her innocence fills him like a breath of fresh air and he is determined to make this gorgeous and intelligent woman his own…
Yet…there are traitors to be discovered, slave catchers to be evaded and Hester's heart to be won before she and Galen can find the freedom that only true love can bring.
3. Sweeter than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott
In Westerville, Ohio, 1855, Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance—and use it to mask her flight.
Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.
A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.
4. The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini
Set in Creek's Crossing, Pennsylvania, in the years leading up to the Civil War, the story begins with friends and neighbors taking sides in the abolitionist debate, and as events unfold, an ex-traordinary young heroine passes from innocence to wisdom against the harrowing backdrop of the American struggle over slavery.
A dutiful daughter and niece, Dorothea Granger finds her dreams of furthering her education thwarted by the needs of home. A gifted quilter, she tragically loses her hope chest in a flood. A superior student, she is promoted from pupil to teacher -- only to lose her position to the privileged son of a town benefactor. But the ultimate test of her courage and convictions comes with the death of her stern uncle Jacob, who inexplicably had asked Dorothea to stitch him a quilt with four unusual patterns of his own design.
After he meets with a violent end, Dorothea discovers that the quilt contains hidden clues to guide runaway slaves along the Underground Railroad. Emboldened by the revelations about her uncle's bravery, Dorothea resolves to continue his dangerous work. Armed with the Sugar Camp Quilt and its mysterious symbols, she must evade slavecatchers and outwit unscrupulous neighbors, embarking upon a heroic journey that allows her to discover her own courage and resourcefulness -- unsuspected qualities that may win her the heart of the best man she has ever known.
Told with Jennifer Chiaverini's trademark historical suspense, The Sugar Camp Quilt blends danger, moral courage, romance, and hope into a novel of antebellum America whose lessons resonate with timeless honesty.
5. Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson
In a divided town durng a dangerous era, who can be trusted? Anna Brent risks everything for the runaway slaves hidden in her home, but is she willin gto risk her heart to the newcomer who is fighting for their freedom?
6. The Impetuous Bride by Kelly McClymer
Rosaline Fenster has always been the black sheep of her proper Victorian family. Ros prefers to chart her own path, even if she must dress as a man on occasion to do what must be done. Escaping her life as an English lady by emigrating to America, Ros has found adventure helping runaway slaves find freedom. But now her path west has set her on a collision course with Wagonmaster Rob Lewis. Rob doesn't want anything to disrupt his wagon train's journey west. Not escaped slaves. Not his own daughter. And especially not his late wife's cousin -- a woman who dares to do what she thinks right, and damn the consequences.
7. Secrets and Sacrifices by Diane Wylie
The slowly starving South, lack of medical supplies, and desperate runaway slaves motivate Charlie and Daniel to take risks beyond their wildest imaginations. How could they possibly know that their paths would cross during the worst time in their lives and where that path would lead?
8. The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis
Emily Harrison’s life has been turned upside down. At the beginning of the Civil War, she bravely attempted to continue her parents’ work as conductors in the Underground Railroad until their Ohio farm was sold in foreclosure. Now alone, she accepts a position as a governess with a doctor’s family in slave-holding Virginia. Perhaps she can continue her rescue efforts from there. Alexander Hunt is the doctor’s handsome nephew. While he does not deny a growing attraction to his uncle’s newest employee, he cannot take time to pursue Emily. Alex is not at all what he seems—rich, spoiled, and indolent. He is the elusive Gray Wraith, a Quaker leader of Rebel partisans. A man of the shadows, he carries no firearm and wholeheartedly believes in Emily’s antislavery convictions. The path before Alex and Emily is complicated and sometimes life threatening. The war brings betrayal, entrapment, and danger to both of them. Amid their growing feelings for each other, can they find faith in God amid the challenges they face and trust in the possibility for a bright future together?
9. Path of Freedom by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
When Quakers Flora Saferight and Bruce Millikan embark on the Underground Railroad, they agree to put their differences aside to save the lives of a pregnant slave couple. With only her mother's quilt as a secret guide, the foursome follows the stitches through unknown treachery.
10. Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz
n the spring of 1822, Ellie Ballantyne leaves finishing school and returns to the family home in Pittsburgh only to find that her parents are away on a long journey and her siblings don't seem to want her to stay. Determined to stand her ground and find her place in the world, Ellie fills her time by opening a day school for young ladies.
But when one of her students turns out to be an incorrigible young member of the Turlock family, Ellie knows she must walk a fine line. Slaveholders and whiskey magnates, the Turlocks are envious of the powerful Ballantynes and suspicious of their abolitionist leanings. As Ellie becomes increasingly entangled with the rival clan--particularly the handsome Jack Turlock--she finds herself falling in love with an impossible future. Will she betray her family and side with the enemy?
Did I miss your favorite? Let me know!
Vote on my Goodreads list: Conductor: The Underground Railroad in Romance.
From France during WWII and back to the United States...the Duchant family will steal your heart.
CHATEAU OF SECRETS blends the charm of the old world and the fast-paced world of current day. The reader will move from the Duchant family's Chateau d'Epines in France to the Duchant family’s descendants in Virginia. The author's marvelous way with words and the research Ms. Dobson did is incredible. Her descriptions of feelings and landscapes is amazing.
The family's chateau, the secrets the characters held for decades, the era in history, and the characters themselves will pull you right into the story. You will follow the main character, Gisele, during the German occupation of Saint-Lo, France, and see through her eyes the horrors people had to endure as well as see the people who helped each other make it through WWII.
You will also be with Chloe as she visits the present-day Chateau in order to find her roots and to find out what the real story was that her grandmother and a friend were reluctant to reveal.
CHATEAU OF SECRETS had me reading non-stop for the entire day. This time in history is my favorite, and the storyline was marvelous. CHATEAU OF SECRETS is going to be one of my favorite reads of 2014.
If you enjoy books set during WWII and flipping back and forth from the present to the past, you won't want to miss this marvelous book.
CHATEAU OF SECRETS will have you turning the pages and staying up late into the night. Ms. Dobson’s writing style and the book’s storyline are wonderful. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was really good, one of the best in the Love Finds You series. The author obviously did her research and paid attention to detail to make the time period come to life. It is hard to imagine living in the time of slavery, but this book shows how dedicated people, including the Quakers, worked to help people to safety on the Underground Railroad.
Besides the Underground Railroad aspect, this book also gave me more insight into the lifestyle of the Quakers.
It was very engaging and tense, it was almost impossible to put down! I even lent the book out to some friends who don't normally read this genre and it was enjoyed by all.
Being originally from Indiana and actually visiting the underground railroad house this story was about made this story even more fascinating because I could actually picture what i remembered about visiting there. At one point in the story they described the passageway from the house to the barn.....I have been through that same passageway. :-)
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