jjares reviewed on 4/26/2015 + 3413 more book reviews

It is immediately after the Civil War and many Southerners are seething with anger. The 3 Jermain brothers (Cal, Darwin and Barclay) have returned to their island plantation along the South Carolina shore. Each brother bears wounds from the war some physical and others that are emotional.

Just after a severe Atlantic storm, Cal finds 3 women and 4 children adrift in a sinking boat. When he pulls the boat onto shore, he finds that one woman and one child are critically injured while the others are exhausted, battered and hungry.

The Jermain brothers and their Aunt Bessy are somewhat put out by the intruders but decide to do their Christian duty and plan to urge them to leave quickly. Dulcie, leader of the ragtag band, sees the island in a whole different light; she sees it as a wonderful place to rest and regroup.

There are tensions at the dinner table; Dulcie and the other castaways are a family of orphans while the Jermain family is isolated from each other by their Civil War experiences. Dulcie offers to put her family to work to pay for their food and lodging; Aunt Bessy quickly agrees; Cal (the eldest), isn't so happy.

At the beginning of the story, we do not know why Dulcie and the others stole a boat and left Charleston in a terrible storm. We also do not understand, at first, the injuries (physical and emotional) of the Jermain men. However, Aunt Bessys bitterness is obvious and she isn't shy about sharing her anger.

This is a complex book; each persons back story comes out in small doses. Dulcies story is the last to unwind. I was disappointed by the number of coincidences in the story. However, the author has written a powerful book.


Brides Bay Resort Series

1) Matchmaking Baby by Cathy Gillen Thacker (1996)
2) Indiscretions by Robyn Donald (1996)
3) Love and Lies by Dawn Stewardson (1996)
4) Make Believe Engagement by Day Le Clair (1996)
5) Stranger in the Night by Roseanne Williams (1996)
6) Married to a Stranger by Connie Bennett (1996)
** 7) Dulcie's Gift by Ruth Langan (1996)

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