Storm Clouds Rolling In by Ginny Dye
Storm Clouds Rolling In is the very first book in the ongoing Bregdan Chronicles historical
novel series. As of today, there are 7 books in the series. It's readers like
you who have turned the series into a world-wide best-seller. Thank you!
Book Description: Carrie Cromwell comes of age as the dark clouds of the Civil War swallow the country. Born with a fiery spirit and a strong mind, she finds herself struggling between the common wisdom of the South and the truth she has discovered.
The activities of the Underground Railroad and her close friendships with the Cromwell Plantation slaves create difficult choices. But when her decisions put her at odds with her heritage, and challenge her dreams, will she be able to give up all that is precious to her?
This first book of The Bregdan Chronicles historical fiction series will pull you in and never let you go. You'll experience the Civil War era (and all the years to come) through the eyes of both White and Black, free & slave, Southern & Northern - and you'll fall in love with every character.
How many books will be in the Bregdan Chronicles? No one knows yet… Ginny intends to write these character's stories, one year at a time, for as long as she is able to write. She is passionate about bringing history to life through historical fiction. Since she is amazingly healthy, that could be for a very long time! She doesn’t like stories to end any more than you do. This one won't end for a very long time!
Book Description: Carrie Cromwell comes of age as the dark clouds of the Civil War swallow the country. Born with a fiery spirit and a strong mind, she finds herself struggling between the common wisdom of the South and the truth she has discovered.
The activities of the Underground Railroad and her close friendships with the Cromwell Plantation slaves create difficult choices. But when her decisions put her at odds with her heritage, and challenge her dreams, will she be able to give up all that is precious to her?
This first book of The Bregdan Chronicles historical fiction series will pull you in and never let you go. You'll experience the Civil War era (and all the years to come) through the eyes of both White and Black, free & slave, Southern & Northern - and you'll fall in love with every character.
How many books will be in the Bregdan Chronicles? No one knows yet… Ginny intends to write these character's stories, one year at a time, for as long as she is able to write. She is passionate about bringing history to life through historical fiction. Since she is amazingly healthy, that could be for a very long time! She doesn’t like stories to end any more than you do. This one won't end for a very long time!
Published & Release Date: A
Voice in the World Publishing, Aril 12, 2010
Time
and setting: 1860-1861 Virginia
Genre:
Historical Romance
Length:
572 pages
Heat
Level: Sweet
Rating: 5 Gold Crowns
Vikki’s Musings
I found Storm
Clouds Rolling In while re-reading and listening to Gone with the Wind a couple of
months ago. I actually saw it advertised on Facebook. I am so grateful I found
this astonishing book. While there are similarities between this book and GWTW,
I actually like the characters in this one much better, especially Carrie
Cromwell.
Carrie Cromwell is a
strong-willed eighteen year old that has very far-thinking views on life and all
the rumors surrounding the year leading up to the firing on Fort Sumter. Her
closest friends are the slaves that live on her father’s plantation. As the
only child of Thomas Cromwell, she has been indulged, but not in the way that
would have been expected. Her father has treated as an equal in many ways,
allowing her to learn how to run the great plantation.
Her mother despairs of
ever turning Carrie into a proper southern mistress for her future husband’s
plantation. Since Carrie has no plans to marry in the near future, her mother
will be sadly disappointed when she arranges for her daughter to meet a dear
friend’s son, Robert Borden.
Robert Borden is
immediately attracted to the high-spirited, raven-haired beauty. In fact he
falls hard from the moment she gives him a lock of her hair as a token for the
tournament being enacted at a neighboring plantation. When he wins, he picks
her as his queen at the evening ball.
While Carrie is
extremely attracted to Robert, some of his views on slavery are vastly
different from Carrie’s when he tells her of his breeding program at his plantation,
the breeding of slaves. Carrie is appalled by this, yet is still drawn to him,
battling her conscience over her heart.
When Carrie’s mother
dies and her father leaves her in charge of Cromwell Plantation, she becomes
involved with the Underground Railroad and helps more than a dozen slaves in
their bid for freedom. Her best friend, Rose and her husband, Moses stay by her
side. Even though, Carrie has offered to help them escape. When Rose is
attacked by the overseer, the head-strong young woman, with shot gun in hand,
demands he leave her lands forever.
Thomas Cromwell is so
steeped in grief; he no longer keeps his pulse on the plantation. Secure in the
knowledge that his daughter, with the help of his overseer, will keep the property
prosperous, he never knows Carrie has fired Ike Adams. He becomes deeply involved in the politics as
his beloved Virginia marches closer to war, a war that will tear his country
asunder.
This first volume ends
as Virginia secedes from the union and with Carrie telling Robert she cannot
marry him, even though she is in love with him. Storm Clouds Rolling In
does end on a positive note, letting the reader know that all is not lost
between Carrie and the dashing Robert.
While I thoroughly
enjoy the romance between the hero and heroine, what is much more fascinating
is the workings of Carrie’s mind as she grows in her belief that slavery is not
God’s will, no matter what her father and the rest of the south believe. This
story has a thread of spiritualism running through it, but is not over done at
all. It only enhances this amazing epic tale.
Carrie is a marvelous
character, so fierce, as she develops into an independent woman, determined to
help her friends gain their freedom if they choose to travel down that path. While Carrie would love to become a doctor,
she puts those dreams to the side to continue her work in freeing any of her
father’s slaves who seek their freedom. Her ability to walk the thin line
between outright lying to her father and evading the truth is incredible. Carrie
Cromwell is truly an unforgettable character.
This is a book with a
great deal of historical detail regarding the thoughts and times leading up to the
Civil War. As I read, I wished that I had discovered this epic series while my
mother still lived. She would have enjoyed this book and series immensely as I
know you will as well. If you love a well-written historical fiction novel with
strong romantic elements, then this is a book you will not want to miss. Happy
reading!
I'm always looking for a good series during this anguishing time of U.S. history. Thanks for sharing, Vikki.
ReplyDeleteJust to let you know, I purchased the audiobook and hope the book promises great historical satisfaction.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it as much as I did. I'm now on the third book. There's a lot of great historical detail, very accurate.
Delete