Helpful Score: 3
Am I beautiful, Daddy? The cry of every girls heart, young and old, is to hear that their father thinks they are beautiful. As a child Altheas father made sure she knew she was beautiful and cherished. But that all changed the day her parents were killed and she and her sister were taken captive and made slaves in the home of the odious Sir Walter. Because of the girls mixed parentage they were seen as less than human in his eyes, plus he was just evil. He abused the girls in a multitude of ways, until finally Althea is able to escape and make her way by ship to Charleston and start a new life as a healer and physicians assistant. She lives a quiet, happy life and is continually worried that people will discover her past as well as her parentage. For in 1812, black slavery is rampant. Enter Morgan Rutledge, second son of a wealthy plantation owner who is captivated by the beautiful Althea and pursues her despite her reservations and efforts to dissuade him. When his little sister falls ill and none of the doctors can help her, Morgan calls Althea to see what she can do. Althea goes and prays for the little girl, who is almost past the point of no return. Miraculously the little girl is healed and Althea becomes the talk of society. Morgan pursues her even stronger after this, and he finally breaks down her resistance and escorts her to a party, where she begins to admit she is developing feelings for him. Along the way people get jealous of the relationship and sabotage it in various ways that I cant share or else it would give away big plot points :) There is a happily ever after, the best part of which is Morgan ensuring Althea knows that she is beautiful to him and cherished by him no matter what :)
This was a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I laughed, I cried at least twice, and I am contemplating reading it again in the next few weeks. It was a great encouragement to me as I am still on the lookout for my prince, and now I have added a few of Morgans qualities to my list for my prince :) Thank you to the author, MaryLu, for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I laughed, I cried at least twice, and I am contemplating reading it again in the next few weeks. It was a great encouragement to me as I am still on the lookout for my prince, and now I have added a few of Morgans qualities to my list for my prince :) Thank you to the author, MaryLu, for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Helpful Score: 1
Veil of Pearls has a magnificent storyline with a bit of a Cinderella theme but is certainly more realistically told. It also tackles the plight of the slaves as our main protagonist is a runaway slave trying to hide her true identity in efforts to escape an abusive owner and begin a new life for herself. Adalia doesn't fit in right away in her new town of Charleston because high society has taken notice of her.. Morgan Rutledge in particular. He senses a kindred spirit and is immediately entranced by Adalia, much to the chagrin of his admirers. Adalia's fair skin gives no hint that she was once a slave, and the attitude of the day was that slaves were property and nothing more. It is because of the scorn of society that Adalia seeks to hide the very personal reasons behind her stand against slavery, but secrets have a way of coming out at the worst times. Adalia knows in her heart that any courtship would lead to heartbreak or ridicule, and she spurns the wealthy Morgan Rutledge's many chivalrous advances. With each denial, Morgan becomes more and more determined. Meanwhile, the good Dr. Willaby whom Adalia is assisting tells Adalia to stay away from those Rutledges. True love, however, cannot be thwarted, and the two become closer despite the demands of high society. Vicious slave owners, jealous women, sweet slave girls and jovial ship owners are all just a sampling of the mix of characters portrayed in Veil of Pearls. From romance at a ball to heroes of the sea, this is a story that begs the question if we should be shameful of our heritage or embrace it as a gift from God? All together it gives us an important story with purpose, as it teaches that God has a plan. I loved this story of opposite worlds colliding, and it was the first novel from the author that I had read. Based on the writing skill demonstrated here, it won't be my last. Highly recommended!
Original from: http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2012/07/veil-of-pearls-by-marylu-tyndall.html
Copyright BurtonBookReview.com - All Rights Reserved
Original from: http://www.burtonbookreview.com/2012/07/veil-of-pearls-by-marylu-tyndall.html
Copyright BurtonBookReview.com - All Rights Reserved
Veil of Pearls
After seven tormented years of slavery, Althea made her escape from Sir Walter. Her light skin gave no hint to the quarter of negro blood running in her veins and she was able to not only find work but a place to stay in her new life in Charlotte. She changed her name to Adalia Winston. All was well until an aristocrat was attracted to her.and a spoiled rich girl set out to get her out of the picture so he would notice her instead.
Morgan Rutledge was handsome, rich and a sought after bachelor. From the moment he was tongue lashed by the common servant, he was intrigued. And soon he found himself truly enjoying her company. But could Morgan give up all his worldly possessions to be with Adalia?
MaryLu has once more written a book so vivid that you feel the salt water spray on your face while on a ships deck and cringe at the crack of a whip. She shows how far some people will go to get what they want.not matter who gets trampled along the way. She shows how many of the people were slaves to more than the human masters as well. Another well written adventure that keeps you hanging on each and every word to the very end.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/07/surrender-dawn-by-marylu-tyndall.html
After seven tormented years of slavery, Althea made her escape from Sir Walter. Her light skin gave no hint to the quarter of negro blood running in her veins and she was able to not only find work but a place to stay in her new life in Charlotte. She changed her name to Adalia Winston. All was well until an aristocrat was attracted to her.and a spoiled rich girl set out to get her out of the picture so he would notice her instead.
Morgan Rutledge was handsome, rich and a sought after bachelor. From the moment he was tongue lashed by the common servant, he was intrigued. And soon he found himself truly enjoying her company. But could Morgan give up all his worldly possessions to be with Adalia?
MaryLu has once more written a book so vivid that you feel the salt water spray on your face while on a ships deck and cringe at the crack of a whip. She shows how far some people will go to get what they want.not matter who gets trampled along the way. She shows how many of the people were slaves to more than the human masters as well. Another well written adventure that keeps you hanging on each and every word to the very end.
**Received through NetGalley for review.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2011/07/surrender-dawn-by-marylu-tyndall.html
New author for me. I enjoyed the backdrop of the story as well as the story line itself. Christian fiction set just before the War of 1812 in the deep south. Predictable "fairy tale" ending, but a good read.
I have been a fan of MaryLu Tyndall since I picked up the first title I found by her. Since that moment Ive rejoiced each time her new novel hits my hands and this time was far from an exception.
Veil of Pearls combines so much into a solid novel. Historical controversy (in this case the plight of slaves pre-Civil War), strong characters that arent afraid to grow and learn to embrace change. A love story that moves the depth of my heart with impassioned precision. And writing that completely grips me, painting word pictures upon my mind that only make me want to stop and savor the impact of their words.
Tyndalls novels have progressively improved to where I do believe, she is even better than when she started, though not to detract from her previous titles. The power of each word to build a story complex in emotion and plot is carefully built until at the end of the story I was disappointed to leave these characters behind.
Adalia and Morgans love story is one that the reader can never escape from knowing it possibly cannot succeed. Adalia has come from a slaves descent and bears the marks on her very back. Knowing this the entire time I was reading the book kept an element of unease waiting to break lose.
Spiritual threads, romantic elements, wordsmithing! I truly adored this title. Its unique and different. Yet entertaining and compelling. Tyndalls latest is not to be missed!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.
Veil of Pearls combines so much into a solid novel. Historical controversy (in this case the plight of slaves pre-Civil War), strong characters that arent afraid to grow and learn to embrace change. A love story that moves the depth of my heart with impassioned precision. And writing that completely grips me, painting word pictures upon my mind that only make me want to stop and savor the impact of their words.
Tyndalls novels have progressively improved to where I do believe, she is even better than when she started, though not to detract from her previous titles. The power of each word to build a story complex in emotion and plot is carefully built until at the end of the story I was disappointed to leave these characters behind.
Adalia and Morgans love story is one that the reader can never escape from knowing it possibly cannot succeed. Adalia has come from a slaves descent and bears the marks on her very back. Knowing this the entire time I was reading the book kept an element of unease waiting to break lose.
Spiritual threads, romantic elements, wordsmithing! I truly adored this title. Its unique and different. Yet entertaining and compelling. Tyndalls latest is not to be missed!
This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the author for my copy to review.
