Veil of Pearls

July 4, 2013

Title: Veil of Pearls
Author: MaryLu Tyndall
Publisher: Barbour
Pages: 314
ISBN: 978-1-61626-577-9

Synopsis:
It is 1811, and the prosperous port city of Charleston is bustling with plantation owners, slaves and immigrants. Immigrants such as the raven-haired Adalia Winston. But Adalia has a secret: her light skin belies that she is part black and a runaway slave from Barbados. Skilled in herbal remedies, Adalia finds employment with a local doctor and settles into her quiet life, thankful for her freedom but still fearful that her owner will find her.

Born into one of Charleston's prominent families, Morgan Rutledge is handsome, bored—and enamored of the beautiful Adalia, who spurns his advances. Morgan's persistence, however, finally wins, and Adalia is swept into the glamorous world of Charleston high society.

But Adalia's new life comes at a high price—that of denying her heritage and her zeal for God. How far is she willing to go to win the heart of the man she loves? And when her secret is revealed, will that love be enough, or will the truth ruin Morgan and send Adalia back into slavery?


Review:
There were so many things about this book I liked. I will start off first with the time period. Most historical fiction that I have read have been set in the 1860's-1890's, it was nice to read a book that was before the Civil War and after the Revolutionary War and right at the cusp the war of 1812. I haven't found a lot of books during this time and it was great to "see" another time. However, it is a rough time in history with slavery in full force in America, Jamaica..the whole of the Caribbean and the ideas of the uppercurst of this time is a hard one to stomach. 

Slavery plays a big part in the story. Our heroine, Adalia, is a run away slave. She was forced into slavery at a young age after her parents were killed in storm, all because she is 1/4 black on her mother's side, her looks do not show her heritage. However, even though she lost her freedom, she hasn't lost hope. One night, Adalia finds the opportunity she's been looking for, with her meager belongings, she flees and is able to make to a ship headed for America. She relies on her faith and the kindness of others and she soon finds work with a doctor who takes her under his wing and she slowly is able to form a new life in her new home. Morgan Rutledge is an interesting character to me. He isn't your typical leading man. He doesn't know what he wants out of life. He knows what he likes, but he feels an obligation to his father, despite the verbal abuse he has been assaulted with his whole life.Trying to figure out what he wants is a challenge. He has grown up with a life of privilege, but it has bored him. Nothing of high society draws him. The life out on the sea draws him, but fears leads him. It was interesting to see how these two lead characters grow in the story.

I also enjoyed the back drop of the story, the time out at sea. From reading this, I can tell that MaryLu Tyndall has a passion for the ocean and the adventure it can bring. It shows in her writing, it made me want to read more!

Too Read!
5 out of 5


6 comments

  1. Hi Kate, I just noticed this review and wondered if you would like to link it in to the current monthly collection of books that people loved on Carole's Chatter. This is the link There are already over 25 great books linked in that you might be interested in. It would be super if you came on over. Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, I appreciate the link. I'll check it out. :-)

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    2. Kate, glad you linked in. I have signed up to follow you. Hope to see you again soon. Cheers

      Delete
    3. Thanks. I followed back on Bloglovin'.

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  2. I love books set in Charleston. THANKS for sharing.

    New e-mail subscriber/follower.


    Stopping by from Carole's Books You Loved July Edition. I am in the list as #75.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews
    My Book Entry

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm happy to share. :-)

      Thanks for stopping by!

      Delete

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