Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Gulf Coast Chronicles #3

The Magnolia Duchess (Gulf Coast Chronicles Book #3): A Novel 
Published April 12th 2016
 by Revell  

The Magnolia Duchess 

As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart--one that threatens to tear her family apart.
Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy. It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.
As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide. But when political allegiances collide, they'll each have to decide where their true loyalty lies.

My Thoughts:

This is the third book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles series. Since I have not read either of the first two books, I would say this is a stand alone novel.  
As I opened the book I was immediately swept back to the end of summer 1814 to Mobile Point.  The author's use of imagery easily pulled me into the story immediately.  I will be honest in that I didn't immediately like Fiona.  For me she was headstrong and somewhat spoiled, but as I got to know the character better I found a certain amount of respect for her convictions and faith.  Charlie, I immediately fell in love with.  He was very charismatic.  The story itself was well written and it's very obvious that the author put in a lot of research.  
As the story opens Fiona has found a British soldier on the beach and even though he's the enemy she shows compassion by attempting to help him.  She immediately recognizes him as someone she met years before at his grandfather's estate when she traveled to Europe.  She also remembered the fun times they had had on that visit.  Unfortunately he doesn't have any memory of her or the past few years. She feels with their family connection that she needs to offer aid even though he's the enemy.  When his identity becomes known to her family a plan is hatched to exchange him for her brother is being held prisoner by the British.  The exchange is completed and each go on their separate ways, but will meet again in the heat of battle where the political allegiances collide.  Can their feelings survive their dedication to country and family?
The plot is steady and intriguing.  The characters are complex and well developed.  There are unexpected twists and turns.  There's elements of suspense, love and faith. 
*I received this book from the publisher as part of their book bloggers program for a honest opinion without bias or outside influence.  All opinions or thoughts are my own.  

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Meet the Author:

Beth White 

Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride and The Creole Princess. Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.

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