REBEL HEARTSONG
by Morgan
K. Wyatt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Townsend
Sewell, as heir to the biggest planation in Beaufort County, is also the
biggest marital prize. Life is good, at least it was before the war. After the
Civil War devalued Confederate money, and stripped their plantation, Townsend
became a not so great catch. The only person who stands by him is Yvette, a
mulatto companion to his sisters. She jokes that she stayed only to watch over
him, which she does, quite well. He can't remember a time the beautiful servant
hasn't taken care of him, almost like a wife. He's lucky to have Yvette, but
someday some man will steal her away. The thought enrages him. He's unwilling
to live without her by his side. Does she feel the same way? If she does, how
will they survive when the law declares their love taboo?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
The kitchen was silent without clatter of dishes, no
gossiping, and no scratching from the potboy trying to rid the pot of the last
bit of burned grits. Almost afraid to
look, Yvette put her fork down and looked to the swinging door that Townsend
filled up so well. Imogene began to wave the staff out of the kitchen.
Townsend ducked his head. “Sorry to bother you, I just
wanted a word with Yvette if you don’t mind.” He nodded to Imogene, and then
added, “Ma’am.”
“Go ahead. She’s all yars.” Imogene hooted as she left the
kitchen as if she found something amusing.
Yvette shook her head. “She’s always finding something
funny.”
Townsend pulled out a chair and sat across from her at the
worktable. It was so narrow that their knees touched. Did he feel a small
tingle zip up his leg too or was it just her? His lips pulled down in a
grimace, which probably meant he did, and also that he didn’t like it. It could
be that he slammed his knee up against hers, and it just hurt, too. He opened
his mouth as if he was ready to say something, then, closed it, pulling his
lips into a firm line.
“Townsend, please don’t worry about hurting my feelings. Go
ahead and say whatever you have to say. It will make it easier on both of us.
That way you can head back home.” Yvette offered the words as a way to help him
out. The last thing she wanted was for him to leave. On the other hand, did she
want to keep twisting in the breeze? Sometimes she felt like one of those
characters in the forbidden novels Emily devoured. The woman was always in love
with an inappropriate man, and it never ended well. That, in itself, should be
a lesson for her. Taking her fork, she mushed up the rest of the biscuit since
her appetite had fled.
Review:
Rebel Heartsong is a period piece that illustrates well the perilous climate of being a woman of color in the time of the Civil War. The opening scene really struck me as very true to form. It was a harsh time when women had very little say on their fate. This story moved me. Any woman who has been a victim of sexual violence knows the fear and hyper awareness that you get in situations like the one Yvette was forced to endure at the onset of the book. While no assault took place, the very real threat of it was present, and in the plantation home where she lived, even a freed black woman could be subjected to abuse and not be able to say a thing. As Yvette found out, to be anything more than ordinary was to call unwanted attention, and that could cost her everything.
The love story between Yvette and Townsend was scorching and made me think of North and South. I have always loved period pieces in the Civil War era and I enjoyed this book for the lush scenery and the array of characters that showed the spirit of the times. The family turmoil was also something that grabbed my attention right away. Life at home can sometimes be full of drama, but can you imagine a plantation full of people and all of the inner workings? It makes the mind boggle when you look at it from a modern perspective.
Rebel Heartsong is perfect for those fans who love a good story that brings them back to the roots that our country was founded on, and some that have taken centuries to get to.
4/5
Rebel Heartsong is a period piece that illustrates well the perilous climate of being a woman of color in the time of the Civil War. The opening scene really struck me as very true to form. It was a harsh time when women had very little say on their fate. This story moved me. Any woman who has been a victim of sexual violence knows the fear and hyper awareness that you get in situations like the one Yvette was forced to endure at the onset of the book. While no assault took place, the very real threat of it was present, and in the plantation home where she lived, even a freed black woman could be subjected to abuse and not be able to say a thing. As Yvette found out, to be anything more than ordinary was to call unwanted attention, and that could cost her everything.
The love story between Yvette and Townsend was scorching and made me think of North and South. I have always loved period pieces in the Civil War era and I enjoyed this book for the lush scenery and the array of characters that showed the spirit of the times. The family turmoil was also something that grabbed my attention right away. Life at home can sometimes be full of drama, but can you imagine a plantation full of people and all of the inner workings? It makes the mind boggle when you look at it from a modern perspective.
Rebel Heartsong is perfect for those fans who love a good story that brings them back to the roots that our country was founded on, and some that have taken centuries to get to.
4/5
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Morgan K
Wyatt, raised on a steady diet of superheroes, believed she could fly at a very
young age. After using trees, barn lofts, sliding boards, and even a second
story window as launch pads, she found her flying skills were limited to fast
and downward. By the age of nine, her dreams to be a superhero needed some
modifications, which caused her to turn to writing and horseback riding as
alternatives to flying.
At the age of twenty, she had another chance
at superhero greatness as being one of the few female soldiers trained for
combat. The fact that women will be able to serve in combat soon indicates that
all the witnesses to the grenade incident have retired. The grenade incident
didn’t prevent her two sons or daughter-in-law from enlisting in the service.
Having different last names probably helped.
Morgan
recently retired from teaching special needs students to write fulltime,
instead of in the wee hours of the night. With the help of her helpful husband
and loyal hound, she creates characters who often grab plot lines and run with
them. As for flying, she prefers the airlines now.
Buy Links
Morgan will be awarding a $5 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn commenter at every stop, and grand prize of the winner's choice of ivory, peach, or white, cultured freshwater pearl necklace to one randomly drawn commenter. Make sure you leave your name and email and follow the blog by GFC and email. Don't miss a post.
The code is Morgan20
Secret Cravings Publishing is offering a sale during the Rebel Heartsong and Escaping West tours.
All Morgan K Wyatt books bought May 15-31st are available for another 20% off publisher's site.
Good morning, everyone! This book is both a great read, and intriguing look at history.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Angela,
DeleteYou are up before I am. It was interesting to delve into history and find that Gone With The Wind wasn't even close to be factual, but it is the 'faux' history we like.
Thanks for commenting.
First of all, thank you for your service, both in the military and for teaching. In both arenas, I'm sure you have helped to brighten the future of our country.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book yet, but I like the synopsis. I think this scenario, as well as the time period, has been re-told in so many different ways, both in books and movies, and it's interesting to see every writer's take on it.
Thanks again!
Laday2727@gmail.com
DeleteGood Morning Lauren,
DeleteAs of this month, 66% of my adult children, plus one daughter-in-law are in the military. I am retired.
I found in my research while some slaves did run away, not that many actually did. Slave catchers resorted to picking up free people of color and selling them back to their families, or even slaves on errands.
Thanks for commenting. Book four, Escaping West, will be on tour next week. Same prizes, check my website for stops. www.morgankwyatt.com
Thank you for hosting today.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Erzabet and Site Hosts:
ReplyDeleteI am so gratified that you understood what a thin, twisting line Yvette walked.It is so difficult not to belong to any group and shape your future. Thanks for the wonderful review. Many interesting books on the side bar, are they all yours?
Yes. :) I have been a busy girl this year with all the anthologies and my short single title.
DeleteWonderful review, Morgan!!! I love historical writers who think outside the box, and come up with amazing stories that need to be read!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to reading your brilliant book!
Hi Lani,
DeleteI recently read a great blog about historical genres having the same plot line. Debutante once engaged to hero. They fight. He has to win her back. I thought maybe something different, but all the Sewells have unusual stories.
Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for your review and the excerpt.
ReplyDeletekareninnc at gmail dot com
Hi Karen,
DeleteThanks for commenting, but I can take no credit for the review, though. However, I can enjoy it.
Congrats on the good review. I was impressed about how the review mentioned the vulnerability of women, especially of color at that time, that was shown in your story. Also, how terrible to read from the comments about slave catchers taking freed slaves in.
ReplyDeletestrive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com
Hi Jbst,
DeleteIt just goes to show that whenever people think of the good old days, they were not good for everyone.
Thanks for your comments.
Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeletejustforswag(AT)Yahoo(DOT)com
Thanks Chelsea. It ties up the Rebel Hearts family, but a few characters managed to find their way into Escaping West.
DeleteNice review about the characters
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
Hi bn100,
DeleteIt was nice review and well written. I believe I can take lessons from it on how to write a review well.
Thanks for commenting.
A very helpful review thank you.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Mary,
DeleteIt was a lovely review. I can only hope to so as well for my guests. Thanks for commenting.
Excellent review! Very helpful. I've never really read any civil war pieces but this sounds like a fun one!
ReplyDeleteandralynn7 AT gmail DOT com
Hi Andra,
ReplyDeleteThe Civil War captured my interest because it could be brother against brother. I often wondered how the mothers dealt with it. Thanks for commenting.