Helpful Score: 1
What a fantastic historical fiction novel! This is my favorite genre to begin with but this book was amazing!
Two young sisters, Genevieve and Aimee Gaillain, take a perilous journey to the Louisiana colony in 1704 as mail order brides. Their transport, the French ship the Pelican seems to be the answer to the problems they are facing in their homeland. Their father, a baker, became a martyr for their religious beliefs that went against the Catholic Church. Genevieve is also fleeing execution as a murderer for shooting a soldier to defend her family.
Scared but hopeful they embark on their journey in hopes of finding a good husband and religious freedom. They quickly find they Louisiana is not as promised. Instead they find themselves thrown into the midst of a disorganized settlement filled with filth and immorality. The men they have to choose from are dishonest and crude, even the officers. They must continue live in fear and secret concerning their religious beliefs. Genevieve has protected a portion of her fathers yeast from his bakery that she plans use to make a living as a baker in this new world. Her young sister Aimee is awed by the pomp and importance of the officers, failing to see their glaring lack of sincerity and character. Tristian Lanier, a widower who has nursed a broken heart for many years surprises everyone and asks Genevieves hand in marriage. Even more surprising he does so before leaving on a 2 month journey to encourage support and peace of local Indian tribes. His chances of coming back alive are slim.
In addition to the disgusting conditions of the settlement, lawlessness rules, especially in the corrupt leadership. Genevieve finds herself stretched thin trying to help the other suffering women, protect herself and Aimee, and living with the uncertainty and fear for their lives.
One thing that made this such a fantastic historical Christian novel is how the author included so very many detailed facts of politics at that time and the raw and difficult living conditions of the people. The story was fast paced and exciting. Do not read when going to bed at night! It certainly made me think about how blessed we are with our religious freedom today!
I received this book free from Revell publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Two young sisters, Genevieve and Aimee Gaillain, take a perilous journey to the Louisiana colony in 1704 as mail order brides. Their transport, the French ship the Pelican seems to be the answer to the problems they are facing in their homeland. Their father, a baker, became a martyr for their religious beliefs that went against the Catholic Church. Genevieve is also fleeing execution as a murderer for shooting a soldier to defend her family.
Scared but hopeful they embark on their journey in hopes of finding a good husband and religious freedom. They quickly find they Louisiana is not as promised. Instead they find themselves thrown into the midst of a disorganized settlement filled with filth and immorality. The men they have to choose from are dishonest and crude, even the officers. They must continue live in fear and secret concerning their religious beliefs. Genevieve has protected a portion of her fathers yeast from his bakery that she plans use to make a living as a baker in this new world. Her young sister Aimee is awed by the pomp and importance of the officers, failing to see their glaring lack of sincerity and character. Tristian Lanier, a widower who has nursed a broken heart for many years surprises everyone and asks Genevieves hand in marriage. Even more surprising he does so before leaving on a 2 month journey to encourage support and peace of local Indian tribes. His chances of coming back alive are slim.
In addition to the disgusting conditions of the settlement, lawlessness rules, especially in the corrupt leadership. Genevieve finds herself stretched thin trying to help the other suffering women, protect herself and Aimee, and living with the uncertainty and fear for their lives.
One thing that made this such a fantastic historical Christian novel is how the author included so very many detailed facts of politics at that time and the raw and difficult living conditions of the people. The story was fast paced and exciting. Do not read when going to bed at night! It certainly made me think about how blessed we are with our religious freedom today!
I received this book free from Revell publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Charity L. (kingsdaughter1611) -
The minute I read the blurb on the back of this book, I knew it sounded like it was right up my alley. Sure, I love a good suspense novel, but I also like historical novels as well. So long as they aren't dry and you feel like you are reading a textbook:) I had no need to worry with this one! Excellent book about a group of people I didn't even know existed.
The book opens with two women disembarking off a ship. These are the Pelican Brides. There is a whole boatload of them and they have come overseas as brides for the men in the Louisiana colony. I have to admit, I had never heard of these women before. By the time I was done, I knew a lot about them. My favorite was Genevieve, the oldest Gaillian sister. I felt a connection with her and the troubles she had watching over her younger sister Aimee. In fact, a couple times I wanted to shake Aimee as she is somewhat shallow and oblivious to what is going on around her. I think she came through in the end though.
I immediately fell in love with Tristan. He is the oldest Lanier brother, very mature and kind. A man with mixed emotions and many battles to wage. His younger brother very much reminded me of Aimee but we see as they both mature and grow.
The historical detail is shown to a great extent and I really liked that. The turmoil and political factions were quite intriguing. Overall an excellent book that I will be picking up again. Way to go Beth!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
The book opens with two women disembarking off a ship. These are the Pelican Brides. There is a whole boatload of them and they have come overseas as brides for the men in the Louisiana colony. I have to admit, I had never heard of these women before. By the time I was done, I knew a lot about them. My favorite was Genevieve, the oldest Gaillian sister. I felt a connection with her and the troubles she had watching over her younger sister Aimee. In fact, a couple times I wanted to shake Aimee as she is somewhat shallow and oblivious to what is going on around her. I think she came through in the end though.
I immediately fell in love with Tristan. He is the oldest Lanier brother, very mature and kind. A man with mixed emotions and many battles to wage. His younger brother very much reminded me of Aimee but we see as they both mature and grow.
The historical detail is shown to a great extent and I really liked that. The turmoil and political factions were quite intriguing. Overall an excellent book that I will be picking up again. Way to go Beth!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are 100% mine.
Mary N. (maggysue) reviewed The Pelican Bride (Gulf Coast Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 811 more book reviews
Interesting story about my area of the country. I liked the main character, who was brave and had strong beliefs.
Jasmine A. (jasmineflower88) reviewed The Pelican Bride (Gulf Coast Chronicles, Bk 1) on + 51 more book reviews
History, romance, & intrigue at their best!
I first wanted to read The Pelican Bride after reading the book blurb and discovering it was about a French Huguenot that fled France to the New World looking for freedom to practice her faith. See, I enjoy learning my family history and I happen to know that I had some Huguenot ancestors that fled France in the very late 1600's. That knowledge made this book even more interesting to me than a typical historical novel would be, and believe me I do love historical novels.
You know, The Pelican Bride did not disappoint in any way. Beth White did an excellent job with a little-known piece of American history. Who ever heard of Pelican Girls? Well, I have now. The author successfully wove the historical details and fiction into a wonderful story.
The characters, both good and bad, are realistic and believable. They elicit the emotions of the reader in such a way that you feel a part of the story instead of just observing through the author's eyes. I love the heroine; she is strong, kind, and follows her beliefs no matter the cost. I also enjoyed watching the hero change and grow throughout the story.
One of the things I liked best about the book is that it isn't just a historical romance but also includes a healthy dose of intrigue. There is mystery, danger, double crosses, murder, kidnapping..... Well, you are just going to have to find out for yourself!
One little thing I'll note is that this book does have a few PG-13ish moments and I would kind of suggest this story for a little older readers, like 15-16 or so.
Excellent story from a good author and I will be excitedly awaiting the next book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles! Don't miss this wonderful story about a little-known piece of American History!
(I received a copy of this book from Revell for my honest review. All opinions are my own.)
I first wanted to read The Pelican Bride after reading the book blurb and discovering it was about a French Huguenot that fled France to the New World looking for freedom to practice her faith. See, I enjoy learning my family history and I happen to know that I had some Huguenot ancestors that fled France in the very late 1600's. That knowledge made this book even more interesting to me than a typical historical novel would be, and believe me I do love historical novels.
You know, The Pelican Bride did not disappoint in any way. Beth White did an excellent job with a little-known piece of American history. Who ever heard of Pelican Girls? Well, I have now. The author successfully wove the historical details and fiction into a wonderful story.
The characters, both good and bad, are realistic and believable. They elicit the emotions of the reader in such a way that you feel a part of the story instead of just observing through the author's eyes. I love the heroine; she is strong, kind, and follows her beliefs no matter the cost. I also enjoyed watching the hero change and grow throughout the story.
One of the things I liked best about the book is that it isn't just a historical romance but also includes a healthy dose of intrigue. There is mystery, danger, double crosses, murder, kidnapping..... Well, you are just going to have to find out for yourself!
One little thing I'll note is that this book does have a few PG-13ish moments and I would kind of suggest this story for a little older readers, like 15-16 or so.
Excellent story from a good author and I will be excitedly awaiting the next book in the Gulf Coast Chronicles! Don't miss this wonderful story about a little-known piece of American History!
(I received a copy of this book from Revell for my honest review. All opinions are my own.)
