Spotlight on Liberty by Kim Iverson Headlee

Kim will be awarding an autographed print copy of LIBERTY (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour, and a set of 5 autographed LIBERTY note cards (US ONLY) to a randomly drawn host. Make sure you enter the drawing below.

Publisher & Release Date: Pendragon Cove Press, 2014

Time and setting: Ancient Times, Londinium, Rome

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 494 pages

Heat Level: 1 Scorching Hot Flame

Rating: 4.25 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Winner of the BooksGoSocial Best Book Award 2015. 

They hailed her "Liberty," but she was free only to obey—or die. 

Betrayed by her father and sold as payment of a Roman tax debt to fight in Londinium's arena, gladiatrix-slave Rhyddes feels like a wild beast in a gilded cage. Celtic warrior blood flows in her veins, but Roman masters own her body. She clings to her vow that no man shall claim her soul, though Marcus Calpurnius Aquila, son of the Roman governor, makes her yearn for a love she believes impossible. 

Groomed to follow in his father’s footsteps and trapped in a politically advantageous betrothal, Aquila prefers the purity of combat on the amphitheater sands to the sinister intrigues of imperial politics, and the raw power and athletic grace of the flame-haired Libertas to the adoring deference of Rome's noblewomen. 

When a plot to overthrow Caesar ensnares them as pawns in the dark design, Aquila must choose between the Celtic slave who has won his heart and the empire to which they both owe allegiance. Knowing the opposite of obedience is death, the only liberty offered to any slave, Rhyddes must embrace her arena name—and the love of a man willing to sacrifice everything to forge a future with her.

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Vikki’s Musings

I recently read Snow in July by Ms. Headlee and enjoyed it a great deal. When I was offered a chance to read and review Liberty in exchange for an honest review, I was intrigued by the book description. Since I was familiar with the author as well, I decided to give it a read.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this well-researched book in an era that is different than many of the novels that are available today.

The first scene quickly heats up, showing Rhyddes doing chores with her family. Her father is very harsh toward her and the brother closest in age to her, when he catches them in a playful moment. Rhyddes takes the blame, and her father back hands her so hard it leaves her reeling. Before he can do further damage, Pict raiders attack them. The attack leaves two of her brothers dead and her father and Owen wounded, but it is nothing compared to the disaster three days later, when her father sells her into slavery to pay his debts.

Marcus Calpurnious Aquila, while part of Roman aristocracy, fights as a gladiator against his father’s wishes. On the eve of his betrothal to Lady Messiena, his father tells him he can no longer fight in the arena. However, his betrothed wishes to see him so his father agrees to allow him to fight one final battle.  When he proves victor of the match, while the crowd gives the thumbs up for his opponent, his father gives the thumbs down and Aquila has to kill the man.

When Rhyddes arrives in Londinium, she is purchased by Jamil, the owner of a Gladiator school. She will be trained to be a Gladiatrix. When she witnesses a brutal killing by Aquila, not understanding Latin, she assumes that he chose to kill his opponent, so does not want anything to do with him.

As Rhyddes learns the language, she finds out what truly happened and her heart softens toward the handsome Roman. Even though the attraction between the pair is fierce, there can never be together, since Aquila is betrothed and Rhyddes is a slave.

Although Rhyddes and Aquila try to deny their attraction, it is too strong. Is it possible that this ill-matched couple and their forbidden relationship manage to find a way against all odds?

I enjoyed being pulled into an era from so long ago. Ms. Headlee’s vivid descriptions of the times brought this book to life. I can only imagine the amount of research she did to write Liberty. I became so enmeshed at times that I felt as if I were in the arena fighting. The suspenseful scenes enhanced this story tremendously.    

The pacing is very good at the start of the story and also at the end. It slows a bit in the middle, especially when Rhyddes and Aquila are apart. I would have liked to see a bit more interaction between them. That would have helped the romance aspects of this book.

Overall, this is an enjoyable romance, and I’m glad I had a chance to read this entertaining story. If you want a great account of the life and times in ancient England and Rome, you will definitely enjoy Liberty. Happy reading!

Excerpt:

The door shut with a terrifying clang.

“Sir!” She clutched the cold bars, failing to bleed the raw panic from her tone.

The guard paused with the key in the lock.

A hundred questions clamored for release. Every one started with, “Why?”

He frowned as if trying to discern what she’d asked. She wasn’t sure herself. “Why the lock?”

’Twould do, for a start. She nodded.

He scrunched one shoulder. “Lanista Jamil’s orders.” He twisted the key. The lock engaged with a loud click. “For all warriors—gladiators. And you, Gladiatrix.” He withdrew the key, hooked the ring on his belt, and stepped away.

“May I know your name, sir?” It felt ungodly strange asking that of a captor, but she hoped to reclaim a hint of humanity in this inhumane place into which the gods had thrust her.

“Vederi,” he said without breaking stride.

He had disappeared from sight before she realized he hadn’t bothered to ask her name.

So much for humanity.

She sank onto the cot, head in hands and heedless of the straw poking her thighs through the mattress’s canvas cover, and sobbed out all the rage, fear, despair, and grief that had harried her for the past fortnight, feelings pride had forbidden her to show the soldiers or the slaver or her new owner or his servants or even that pampered Roman—especially him—denying them all the chance to wield those emotions against her. Pain as visceral as a blade’s thrust sliced into her gut. She dropped to her knees and pressed her cheek to the wall, painting it with her tears and pounding the cool slate with the heel of her hand.

“Da, how could you!”

Author Bio:

Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, Great Pyrenees goat guards, and assorted wildlife. People and creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins—the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-twentieth century—seem to be sticking around for a while yet.

Kim is a Seattle native and a direct descendent of twentieth-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim’s novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband’s ancestor, the seventh-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia.

For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon’s Dove Chronicles, and other novels under her imprint, Pendragon Cove Press. She has been a published novelist since 1999, beginning with the original edition of Dawnflight (Sonnet Books, Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0671020412).

YouTube video interview: http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROk

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The Great Estate by Sherri Browning

Publisher & Release Date: Sourcebooks Casablanca, August 4, 2015

Time and setting: June 1909, England

Genre: Historical Romance

Length: 352 pages

Heat Level: 1 Scorching Hot Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

If you're a fan of Downton Abbey, don't miss the fascinating Edwardian world of Thornbrook Park.

Pulled apart by past mistakes. Driven by a passion neither could deny.

Sophia Thorne was young and inexperienced when she married the dashing Earl of Averford...and through dark and troubled times, their relationship nearly came to an end. Now she's determined to transform herself into the fiery, ardent lover she always wanted to be, giving them a second chance at love... before they're lost to each other forever.

It took nearly losing Sophia for Gabriel to realize he had allowed his love for his great estate to distract him from his beautiful wife. But that time is over. Despite all the obstacles standing in their way, Gabriel vows to teach Sophia what it is to truly love...and to be loved by a husband devoted heart and soul to her every desire.

Thornbrook Park series:
Thornbrook Park 
An Affair Downstairs
The Great Estate

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Vikki’s Musings

When I read the book description for The Great Estate, I found it intriguing. I am a huge Downton Abbey fan and have recently read some books written in this era and enjoyed them a great deal. Sherri Browning has written a fine addition to her Thornbrook Park series. This is the first book by Ms. Browning I have read, but it will not be the last.

Sophia, Countess of Averford made a grave mistake when she allows another man to kiss her. Even though her husband had become distracted, she should have never given in the kiss. When her husband finally returns from his year abroard, she is determined to show him the passion she held back.

Gabriel, Earl of Averford, is determined to earn back his wife’s affection. After spending a year on the continent learning ways to show his love for Sophia, he returns and sets out to seduce his wife and win back her love. Even though he witnessed a kiss between his wife and another man, he knows Sophia would never have given into the kiss if he had not neglected her.

Will Sophia and Gabriel be able to mend their differences and find true passion in their marriage, or will the past separate them forever?

The Great Estate is a continuation of the family saga of a dynastic family. Even though this is the third book in the series, I did not feel as if I had missed anything by not reading the other books first. However, after reading this entertaining book, I do plan to read the other two books.

This is a lovely love story between a couple who married without truly knowing one another. Sophia’s character had been incredibly young and naïve and had listened to the strict advice of her mother regarding relations with her husband, much to her detriment. It is only after she spends a year looking back that she is able to move past that and embrace the passion she feels for Gabriel. Sophia is now an independent woman who has managed her husband’s estate during his absence and has even made it more profitable. She has at last matured into the woman she wants to be. I felt her remorse over her actions and her determination to prove herself to her husband. I liked her character quite a lot.

I fell in love with Gabriel’s character right away, although, I am not so sure a man of this age would have been as forgiving and accepting of his wife’s indiscretion. However his wiilingness to see his culpability is refreshing and made for an interesting read. I loved his determination to become a better man. I could feel the love he has for Sophia on every page. He had me completely vested in his quest from the very beginning.

While I enjoyed the various sub-plots, I’m not sure they truly moved the story forward. They at times took away from the central focus of the book. Nonetheless, The Great Estate is a beautifully written story, and I enjoyed it. I recommend this book for it has a real sense of the time period, a time that will face revolutionary changes during the Great War. It is a time that will change forever the way the aristocracy will live their lives. Happy reading!      

Excerpt:

A short time later, Sophia glided down the stairs refreshed and feeling pretty. Jenks had worked her usual magic in pinning her hair at her nape, with soft strands falling to frame her face in perfectly planned “escape” from her diamond comb. The beading of her gown picked up the low light, shimmering as she crossed the drawing room.

“Champagne?” Her breath caught at sight of her handsome husband awaiting her, two glasses in hand. She hadn’t exactly forgotten how well he filled out a tuxedo, but she couldn’t help but feel the fresh tingles running through her blood like bubbles in the champagne when she looked him over. Golden blond hair just brushing the top of his dark collar, tanned skin. He’d spent a lot of time outdoors in Italy, apparently. His shoulders were broad enough to carry the weight of the world or at least, all of Thornbrook Park.

“It’s appropriate for tonight.” He handed her a glass and held her gaze, his coffee eyes aglow. “A celebration. I’m so happy to be home. Happiest to be with you, my exquisite wife.”  

She clinked her glass to his. “To your return. I’d almost forgotten how suited you are to dressing up, for a man who prefers the out of doors.”

His full lips parted in a smile, bringing out the single dimple in his left cheek. “I’ve a new interest in interiors.”

“Oh? So you won’t be getting up at the break of dawn to go out and kill some poor unsuspecting animal?”

“Some poor unsuspecting animal will be gracing our table tonight, and thank goodness for it. The Italians offer some interesting cuisine, but there’s nothing like a good English roasted haunch.”

“A haunch? You make it sound so appetizing. Not exactly what you learned to cook in Italy, then, I presume.”

“I learned to make gnocchi, little Italian potato dumplings, served with sage in a butter sauce. And risotto. I’ve perfected my risotto, or so our cook, Signora Gugino, told me. She was my instructor. Some mornings, I would help her go out and look for mushrooms. She taught me which ones were good for eating, and which to avoid.”

“My husband, the mushroom hunter? Astounding.”

“I can show you. We have a few of the same kind growing in the woods here.”

“I would like that.” She took a long sip of champagne.

Author Bio:

Sherri Browning writes historical and contemporary romance fiction, sometimes with a paranormal twist. She is the author of critically acclaimed classic mash-ups Jane Slayre and Grave Expectations. A graduate of Mount Holyoke College, Sherri has lived in western Massachusetts and Greater Detroit Michigan, but is now settled with her family in Simsbury, Connecticut.

Find her online at www.sherribrowningerwin.com

A Gentleman Never Tells by Jerrica Knight-Catania

Publisher & Release Date: Night Shift Publishing, January 9, 2012  

Time and setting: Early 19^th Century, London, England

Genre: Historical Regency Romance

Length: 240 pages

Heat Level: 1 Scorching Hot Flame

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

The Wetherby Brides, Book 1--

Benjamin Wetherby, Earl of Glastonbury and heir to the Marquisate of Eastleigh, has just received an urgent letter from home. His father is dying and he must return to England at once. Benjamin is a man bound by honor and duty, to both his country and his family. So, despite his reservations, he leaves his life in New York City behind so he may find a wife and assume his role as the Marquess of Eastleigh.

Miss Phoebe Blake is finally out of mourning for her father, and just in time. She and her mother could be days away from being carted off to debtors prison, so Phoebe returns to society with the intent and determination to secure a rich husband.
Sparks fly when Benjamin and Phoebe meet, and it appears they have both found just what they are looking for. But will a dark secret keep them from finding their happily ever after?

Buy Links:

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Vikki’s Musings

I found this book on Amazon for free and since I could purchase the audio for an excellent price, decided to give it a read. I had never heard of the author, but this is the first book in the Whetherby Brides series and I normally enjoy sagas a great deal. I am so glad I found A Gentleman Never Tells. I thoroughly enjoyed reading/listening to it.

Phoebe Blake is a damsel in distress. Her father died a year ago, and she and her mother are on the verge of losing it all. They barely have enough money for food. She knows she must find a man to marry and quickly, but she also longs for a love match.

Benjamin Whetherby, the Earl of Glastonbury, suffers from a huge case of guilt for wounding a man in a duel, and this man succumbs to fever days after. Guilt-ridden, he leaves hearth and home and goes to America, where he spends a year. When he learns his father is ill, he rushes back to be at his side. The Marquess wants to see his heir married before he dies, so Benjamin goes to London to find a wife.

When Benjamin meets Phoebe at a ball, he is immediately smitten, and wants to pursue her, intent on making her his bride. The next day he decides to visit her, but he must pay a visit to the widow of the man he killed first. When he arrives at the baroness’s residence, he is greeted by none other than Phoebe.

Benjamin has a dilemma on his hands. Should he follow through with his plans to wed the lovely Phoebe, or will he allow guilt to drive them apart?

This is a sweet romance that’s unfolds gently. It is a boy meets girl, they get married and along comes baby story, but is not boring at all. The pacing is excellent and the many twists in this tale kept me listening well into the night to finish it.

While both characters have strong motivations to marry, the attraction is instant between them, so they actually choose each other because of this more than their external reasons for marrying. It is refreshing to read a story where, the couple truly likes each other from the beginning.

Phoebe is a great heroine. Even though she finds herself in a deplorable situation, she does not let it pull her into the darkness as it has her mother. While she is a waif character type, she has a touch of the spunky kid rolled in. Her ability to grab the brass ring is evident and had me liking her from the start.

Benjamin is a fantastic hero. While not completely without faults (he has a mistress at the start of the story, and he has a short fuse at times), he is an honorable man, determined to do the right thing. His desire to protect Phoebe’s innocence is commendable, and causes him great distress. His secrets eat at him, and then he becomes the keeper of Phoebe’s mother’s secrets as well. Even though these secrets could very well tear him apart from the woman he loves, he will not break faith with the baroness.

While there is very little internal conflict in Phoebe—most of hers is external—Benjamin on the other hand, has a great deal of both. He has easily definable goals and strong motivation, which makes this book a great read.

Since I listened to the audio version of A Gentleman Never Tells, I want to mention the narration. Sherrill Turner reads with an abundance of feeling, getting the emotions the characters feel across to me. However, she needs to work on her male voices. Her voice is a bit high-pitched, so I’m sure that makes it more difficult. Even with this issue, I enjoyed her narration and look forward to listening to the other books in this series.

If you enjoy a tender romance with plenty of plot twists and turns, then you will enjoy this lovely tale of two amazing characters, finding their happy ending. I can’t wait to read/listen to the next book in this great series. I’m sure I will enjoy them as much as I did this one. Happy reading! 

Welcome to my blog today! Jamie Salisbury is on the hot seat today sharing an excerpt from her newest release, Archangel. Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter drawing below for a chance to win a $20 Amazon/Barnes & Noble Gift Card!

BLURB:

Archangel. A musical angel hiding in the dusty, smoke-filled London clubs, she performs with reckless abandon.  Few know the woman behind the mask she adorns.

Mary Tudor, twin sister to Amadeus Tudor - a well-known rock star- has all but given up her up and coming photography business to become the personal photographer, and fiancé to Daniel Kennedy. Daniel, a world renowned violinist, is one of the few who knows Mary's secret. Together they scheme to devise a way for her to fulfill a secret dream.

Postponing their wedding until after Daniel's much anticipated European tour, Mary juggles many jobs. One however alludes her every month. Motherhood.

Making unannounced, surprise appearances during Daniel's tour, the mysterious Archangel rules the concert stage. Suddenly everyone wants to know who this masked woman is. Fans clamor for more, the press want to know every detail about her, and a few others are sure Daniel Kennedy is quite aware at who this phenomenon is.  And if that weren't enough drama, a sinister enigma from her brother's past threatens both her future and her life.

Will Archangel's identity be revealed as planned, or will the chaos of Amadeus' past catch up to them?

Excerpt:

Donning my mask I walked next to him in silence. Peering out through the curtains I could see the wall of fog rising. I waited for Danny's cue, his playing to begin. As he did, I stepped out from behind the curtains and into the fog.

The mystique fit the rock number perfectly and by the time the stage cleared all spots were on the two of us. All our hours of practice had come down to this one moment. Our playing meshed perfectly, flawlessly.

As Danny and Ben had pretty much put the skids on letting me make my entrance through the audience this time. This stalker or whoever he was. Don Roberts. A part of Amadeus's past, not mine. I needed to be in charge here, and not let some person who had a beef with my sibling try and intimidate me.

Launching into the Paganini number I turned away from Daniel and started towards the set of stairs leading down to the audience. Walking down into the crowd, I made my way up one of the aisles. I knew Ben or one of his guys was behind me. They were so close I could just about feel the body heat.

I walked to the top of the section and cut across to begin my trek back to the stage. By the time I made it to the stage, Danny and I would have plenty of time left until the ending of the piece. After that Ben could help me make my great escape.

It was on the final path towards the stage. Things became a blur. A face, an arm reaching out, grabbing me. Ben and his guys all around me. I vaguely recalled being whisked away into Danny's dressing room, never getting to finish Paganini. But then Paganini had a flair for the dramatic, and this was certainly that.

The next thing I was truly conscious of was being in Danny's dressing room changing out of my outfit. A knock at the door and Ben entered, a very stern look on his face. Danny of course was finishing his show.

"What happened?"

"He tried to grab you as you were walking back to the stage. You don't remember?"

"Vaguely. I was focused on the music and getting back onto the stage at exactly the right time. Then I saw this man-his face-his hand reaching out to grab me."

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Writing romance stories with passion and sass, Jamie Salisbury has seen several of her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novella, Tudor Rubato was a finalist in the 2012 RONE (Reward of Novel Excellence) awards. The cover won for Best Contemporary Cover. Now in 2014, her novel, Life and Lies was nominated for a RONE in the Erotica category. Her books are both self- published and now include several published through Secret Cravings Publishing.

Music, traveling and history are among her passions when not writing. Her previous career in public relations in and around the entertainment field has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas.

Website: http://www.jamiesalisbury.com/

Blog: http://www.romanceauthorjamiesalisbury.blogspot.com/

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Carried Forward by Hope by Ginny Dye

(The Bregdan Chronicles Book 6)

Published & Release Date: A Voice in the World Publishing, May 5, 2014

Time and setting: 1865 Virginia

Genre: Historical Fiction Romance

Length: 655 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweet Heart

Rating: 4 Gold Crowns

The Civil War has ended, but the struggle to rebuild America is just beginning. 

Description: America struggles to rebuild in the aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination. Promises will be broken, and everyone you have grown to love will be asked to pay a high price to make freedom for the slaves more than just a mockery. 

Robert fights to emerge from the darkness as Carrie risks everything to bring him back to her. 

Moses is offered the opportunity of a lifetime, while Rose returns to her roots with a dream that will change everything. 

Matthew is caught up in the worst maritime disaster in American history, while Jeremy discovers the cost of embracing his true heritage. 

Thomas and Abby are surprised by a future they never dreamed was possible. 

Volume #6 of The Bregdan Chronicles continues the sweeping historical saga that now encompasses the first year of Reconstruction following the Civil War. 

Buy Link:

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Add to Goodreads:

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Vikki’s Musings

This is the sixth book in the Bregdan Chronicles Series. I have grown to really care about the characters in these amazing books, and Carried Forward by Hope is no exception. This one gives me a glimpse of what the Reconstruction period immediately following the end of the Civil War may have been like for the freed slaves and the white men and women that wanted to ensure their continued freedom. This was not an easy task to say the least.

Carrie and her friends are still in shock over the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. She fears that this will not bode well for many of her friends. Lincoln would have made sure the government helped the freed slaves find jobs and a life with meaning. President Johnson is another matter. As an ex-slave owner and a man who fought for the right to own slaves, Johnson is bound to stand with the plantation owner in their desire to keep the black population under their control. It soon becomes clear that their worries are justified.

Johnson make it easy for the southern states to rejoin the union with very few changes in leadership allowing these men to bring forth black codes, which severely curtailed the newly freed slaves ability to integrate with white population. In essence, they were still under the thumb of all the plantation owners as if slavery still existed. The Republican congress was not in session and Johnson ran amuck to say the least until congress would reconvene in January 1866.

Carrie fights to bring Robert back from the deep depression he is in while he slowly recovers from his near death experience at the end of the war. She travels to Maryland to convince the family that helped him after he was injured at Antietam. The family was hiding out to avoid having their children apprenticed. They agree to come to Cromwell Plantation and little Amber works her magic. Robert begins to get over his desolation and is soon restored to full health.

While I enjoyed the fascinating look at the history immediately following the end of the Civil War in Carried Forward by Hope, I struggled with some of the plot points, especially the one with Janie and Clifford. There was just too much of a shift in his personality for my tastes. Again, other than Clifford and a bit of Robert’s character, most of the other characters do not show any flaws. For me, that is unrealistic.

I do enjoy Amber’s character a great deal, and I was glad to see she has returned to the plotline. In fact, I like her brother Clint as well and feel they help give this book light among all the darkness. I am also glad to have Janie back with Carrie and the others.

Nonetheless, I enjoyed Carried Forward by Hope and look forward to reading Glimmers of Change, the next book in this incredible series. If you want to see a different side to what happened during this troubled time in American history, I highly recommend reading this series. I do want to mention that you need to read this series in order because each book picks up where the last one ends. Happy reading!

Dark Chaos by Ginny Dye

Published & Release Date: A Voice in the World Publishing, July 8, 2010

Time and setting: 1863-1864 Virginia

Genre: Historical Fiction Romance

Length: 662 pages

Heat Level: 1 Sweet Heart

Rating: 5 Gold Crowns

Book Description:

Dark clouds and chaos descend lower upon America as the war rages around them; threatening all they hold dear. 

Carrie and Robert are once more pulled apart, and Carrie finds herself the target of a hostile group of men determined to stop her from providing medical care of black residents of Richmond. How long can she continue to save other people's lives at the risk of her own? 

Aunt Abby is sucked into a violent riot in the North, while Matthew faces the greatest challenge of his life. 

Rose welcomes new life, while Moses risks everything as a Northern spy. 

The ultimate test comes as the people of a once-promising nation must hold on to their faith and dreams as everything around them crumbles. 

The fourth 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. 

Buy Link:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bregdan-Chronicles-Historical-Fiction-Romance-ebook/dp/B004443YVK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1428424839

Audible: http://www.audible.com/pd/Romance/Dark-Chaos-Audiobook/B00R8JFJAW/ref=a_search_c4_1_1_srTtl?qid=1430106098&sr=1-1

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18909782-dark-chaos?ac=1

Vikki’s Musings

And this amazing story continues with the fourth book of The Bregdan Chronicles. Dark Chaos is filled with turmoil of the times as the north continues to wage war against the south. I must mention that even though these books are quite long, the pacing is so good that they read as a much shorter story.

This edition of this saga starts out on a happy note with Carrie at long last marrying Robert Borden. Unfortunately that does not last long. General Lee needs him to lead his men in the defense of, yet again, another assault on Richmond. The day after their wedding, Carrie has to kiss him goodbye and live in fear that he will not make it through the upcoming battle.

Dark Chaos covers the period from the spring of 1863 to the following spring.  Up to this point the south has come out the victor in most of the battles, but the tide turns when Grant takes over the Army of the West with Joseph Hooker as the Commander of the Army of the Potomac.

After a decisive victory over Hooker at Chancellorsville, Lee marches his army north, while Robert is sent on a diplomatic mission to England. While he is disappointed when Carrie decides to stay in Richmond instead of joining him, he accepts her decision, knowing his strong-willed wife will not change her mind.

Robert is safe in England when Lee suffers a huge defeat at Gettysburg and Grant is victorious in his campaign to take Vicksburg, gaining control of the Mississippi, cutting the south in half. Unfortunately Carrie and Robert’s friend from Philadelphia, Matthew Justin, is not and ends up back in Libby prison.

While Dark Chaos has many dark moments, the love between the various couples grows stronger. We see Moses as a leader of the black soldiers, Matthew making a daring escape with Carrie and Robert’s help, Robert barely making it through the perilous crossing from England back to his wife’s waiting arms and Rose continuing in her effort to educate the children in the Contraband Camp.

What I love about these books is the chance to see a different perspective on the Civil War. One that shows the turmoil and chaos surrounding the issue of slavery, a story that shows how black and white fought for the freedom of slaves. Even though many in the north do not treat the blacks any better than the south does, men like Moses stay strong in their belief that at the end of this terrible war will be a new day.

At the close of this addition in this epic tale, Carrie is again facing the possibility of losing Robert forever, as once again Richmond is in danger. This is another story rich with history and filled with deep emotion. Now, I shall continue on with the next story in this outstanding series. Happy reading!