🏡 "A Reluctant Belle" (The Daughtry House Series #2) 🏡 (2019) - Book Review
MY REVIEW
Series: The Daughtry House Series Book #2
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 4, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800726901
ISBN-13: 978-0800726904
Click Picture for Purchase Information
“Impoverished Southern belle Joelle Daughtry has a secret. By day she
has been helping her sisters in their quest to turn the run-down family plantation
into a resort hotel after the close of the Civil War. But by night and under a
male pseudonym, she has been penning articles for the local paper in support of
the construction of a Negro school. With the Mississippi arm of the Ku Klux
Klan gaining power and prestige, Joelle knows she is playing a dangerous game.
When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father's candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect--and even love--if you're already engaged to someone else?”
When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father's candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect--and even love--if you're already engaged to someone else?”
As a member of Interviews & Reviews in
addition to other review groups, I usually look for books that I might want
based on previous author experience, highly rated, or as part of a set I
already have/had.
If I can’t find one, then I look for a book
that I wouldn’t ordinarily have bought but still holds some level curiosity for
me; especially new books that my library may or may not have. This is a good
way to sample genres or authors I wouldn’t know about or have ordinarily
experienced, and can see if I would be interested in their other work(s). It is
also a good way to broaden my fiction experiences.
Since last year, I’ve been reading a LOT more
Historical Fiction. And, as I’ve come to discover – it isn’t necessarily I don’t
like the genre, I’m not that familiar with it or that the stories aren’t that
interesting. For me to be interested it HAS to grab me. There has to be some
element that would make me pick up this book, get me to read the first pages,
and keep me interested until I close the book.
So, when I couldn’t find anything else on Interviews & Reviews (and apologies
in advance, Ms. Davis) that caught my eye or that I didn’t already have – I
went for a challenge. Yup, another Historical Romance – “A Reckless Love” (The
Daughtry House Series #3). It had a blurb that immediately caught my eye; in
addition, Beth White was a new-to-me author.
Seeing that the title I requested was book
three of this series, I threw caution to the wind and decided to get the
previous books from Amazon. With the beautiful covers – who could blame me for
giving them a try? Unlike some series that vary with the design, these are all
the same basic design – the house at the bottom, and the featured sister on
top. Each one has their own different “color” scheme that contrast and complement
each other - blue/Selah; orange/Joelle; and according to an advanced review
copy – pinkish-purple/Aurora.
The Daughtry House Series isn’t just a
Historical Romance series about a trio of sisters – they also have an element
of suspense to them. Usually the suspense revolves around the sister’s intended
love interest. For me there is more emphasis on the suspense rather than the
romance.
The first one did, as did this one, in fact A
Rebel Heart literally started off as a train wreck. This book
definitely continued that momentum, in fact it was even far more explosive. As
I am now on #3, it is definitely continuing where the other two left off.
The books are in the order of the daughters –
Selah, Joelle, Aurora. A Reluctant Belle is middle sister
Joelle’s story.
Some trigger warnings might include: murder,
racism, slavery, the KKK, race riots. This is going to be more controversial
than the first book given the topic in this book.
This is part of a series, and unlike some that
can function as standalone reads – this one works better if read from the first
to the last one. They all take place five (5) years after the Civil War in
1870.
This starts off a bit calmer and picks RIGHT up
after A Rebel Heart leaves off at the end of April 1870.
The hotel is still far from being opened, and
Joelle is sort of being courted by preacher Gil Reese. In addition there is her
questionable relationship with Schuyler “Sky” Beaumont who happens to also be a
distant relative along with being an investor in The Daughtry House.
Joelle’s grandmother has invited her and three
other companions to Memphis for an Opera which seemingly sets off the events of
the novel in an indirect way.
The romance element between Joelle, Gil, and Schuyler
culminates in Joelle accepting Gil’s proposal out of spite from an argument
with Schuyler. But, that is all put on the back burner when Schuyler’s father,
who is running for office, is murdered.
This is where the suspense takes off, and even
heightens with the introduction of a real life Confederate figure – Nathan Bedford
Forest – as many know he was one of the real KKK members. The writer didn’t
focus on him as a villain though. And, the notes at the end are worth reading.
There is a clear division in race relations
with this novel and the writer does her best in not using the story for a
political sounding board. Joelle is also a controversial figure due to her
insistence on educating the freedmen/freedwomen. And, despite a male pseudonym
for her newspaper articles, she does fall victim to prejudice and hatred
because of it when her identity is revealed.
While balancing Joelle’s story and Schuyler’s,
the reader is treated to the connection in the case from the first book. However,
this is more fraught with the tensions and attitudes of the time. And, the
Daughtry House doesn’t escape from someone’s wrath and it is clear why it is
done though some readers may not see the immediate connection.
I really enjoyed the progression of Schuyler’s
character. If you have read the first novel (A Rebel Heart), he comes
off as arrogant and almost villainous. This novel sees him certainly far more
humble, with less bravado which is closer to his real character I believe. It
also shows him questioning his friends and looking at things differently
especially after his father’s assassination.
Joelle’s progression with Schuyler was
endearing and heartwarming. I definitely didn’t trust Gil in the beginning – I just
didn’t like him at all. After a while I was hoping that he would end up being
one of the villains because he was just that awful. And, the reader will come
to understand why in chapter 20.
I thoroughly enjoyed something Joelle said during
a confrontation on page 260: “ignorance on
your part does not constitute pretentiousness on my part”. This is
in reference to how she talks due to the fact she went to boarding school. I
could, being that I was especially smart in school often talked about my grade
level. This was often problematic with my peers. I giggled at the line.
This is a fast-paced, engaging,
thought-provoking, and explosive story that doesn’t end even at the end. The
amount and depth of research that White has done to write these novels is amazing.
The characters are beautiful and believable. Readers are definitely going to
have to grab the third release A Reckless Love this June (2020). The
events in this book definitely set up the plot for the third book.
Unlike some middle books that tend to be
sleepers or mediocre – this builds on the momentum that started in A
Rebel Heart and carries it through all the way up until the end. It is
as exciting as the first one, if not more so. I was drawn in by the end of
chapter two and it kept my attention. There were, to me, a few grammatical
issues but none that would detract from the entire enjoyment of the novel.
As this is distributed by Revell, a
Christian/faith themed publisher, there are several references to God and
faith. While they’re not a central part of the plot or focus of the story, Gil
is a preacher so the stronger references are to be expected. This novel has
heavier themes than the first one. It is a clean read with no sex scenes or foul
language. Though given the “propriety” and property behavior of the time, this
can be rather risqué.
Some words of “caution” for potential readers –
PLEASE note that this does take place about five (5) AFTER the Civil War in
1870. There will be some references to slavery, prejudice, racism, as well as
other language and terms that are authentic to the era. While some of it can be
offensive, using it in this story; set in that time; gives the story historical
accuracy while being respectful and sensitive of the complex social issue on
race relations.
One cannot write or author an authentic Civil
War or Re-Constructionist Era novel without being authentic to the vernacular
or attitudes. White herself acknowledges that some of the language back in that
time was offensive and that some of the terminology was toned down due to the
fact she and her editor felt there was no reason to be deliberately
inflammatory.
I respect White for remaining as historically
accurate as possible and believe she has done a wonderful job balancing that
accuracy while maintaining a respectful/sensitive tone towards slavery, the
injustices as a result, and the feelings of those involved.
These historical romance/fiction/suspense
novels are also a great way to learn about history or learn enough about it to
seek out more information.
I would suggestion this to anyone who is a fan
of her previous works, anyone interested in the re-constructionist era.
I’ve almost finished reading A Reckless
Love.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating
explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
Series: A Rebel Heart (The
Daughtry House Series Book #1)
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Revell (June 5, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0800726898
ISBN-13: 978-0800726898
Click Picture for Purchase Information
“Five years
after the final shot was fired in the War Between the States, Selah Daughtry
can barely manage to keep herself, her two younger sisters, and their spinster
cousin fed and clothed. With their family's Mississippi plantation swamped by
debt and the Big House falling down around them, the only option seems to be
giving up their ancestral land.
Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he'll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel. With Selah otherwise engaged with renovations, Levi moves onto the property to "supervise" while he actually attends to his real assignment right under her nose.
Selah isn't sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she'd do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.”
Pinkerton agent and former Union cavalryman Levi Riggins is investigating a series of robberies and sabotage linked to the impoverished Daughtry plantation. Posing as a hotel management agent for the railroad, he tells Selah he'll help her save her home, but only if it is converted into a hotel. With Selah otherwise engaged with renovations, Levi moves onto the property to "supervise" while he actually attends to his real assignment right under her nose.
Selah isn't sure she entirely trusts the handsome Yankee, but she'd do almost anything to save her home. What she never expected to encounter was his assault on her heart.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Beth White’s day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic
Mobile, Alabama. A Native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a
Southern drawl and is the author of The
Pelican Bride, The Creole Princess,
and The Magnolia Duchess, and A Rebel Heart. Her novels have won the
American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers’
Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.
You can
follow her on the following social media accounts:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbethwhite/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/bethsquill
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