The Pelican Bride ~ written by Beth White
Some content includes affiliate links, which give me a small percentage of the sale without costing you any extra. You are not obligated to use these links when you make a purchase, but when you do so it helps to support this site, so thank you!
|
She's come to the New World to escape a perilous past. But has it followed her to these far shores? It is 1704 when Frenchwoman Geneviève Gaillain and her sister board the frigate Pélican bound for the distant Louisiana colony. Both have promised to marry one of the rough men toiling in this strange new world in order to escape suffering in the old. Geneviève knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of persecution for her outlawed religious beliefs. When she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer-turned-farmer whose checkered past is shrouded in mystery, Geneviève realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. Trouble is brewing outside the fort between the French colonists and the native people surrounding them. And an even more sinister enemy may lurk within. Could the secret Geneviève harbors mean the undoing of the colony itself? |
|
Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she is a pastor's wife, mother of two, and grandmother of one--so far. Her hobbies include playing flute and pennywhistle and painting, but her real passion is writing historical romance with a Southern drawl. 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. Visit www.bethwhite.net for more information. |
Review from Joy In Our Journey ~ by Julie:
The Pelican Bride is a little-known history lesson from the early
1700’s in our country, taking place in what is now Louisiana. It is rich in trauma, secrecy, scandal,
politics, religion, and emotional highs and lows. The story revolves around a group of very
young women who have come from France to get away from hardships of many kinds
in that country and have been promised a husband and a good life in this new
country. Basically two sisters,
Genevieve and Aimee, are the central figures, along with the men they hope to
choose as husbands.
Life is not easy in Louisiana; it is far from the “civilized” life these women had in France. The weather is abominable, the “town” (actually a fort) they land in is quite primitive, the men are all thirsting for their own wife and there are certainly not enough of the women to go around, hence much vying for attention! The reasons for these particular women leaving France must be kept secret (they are Huguenots and the new settlement is decidedly Catholic and is intent on staying so). The fear of the English coming and destroying or taking over what they have in this area is terrifying. Oh, and of course, there are also Indian groups in the area, some of which are friendly to the settlers, some which are not or can be easily swayed one way or the other.
Survival in this early setting is difficult to say the least, extremely tenuous. Disease, childbirth, accidents, and explosive tempers are a constant fear and the anxiety of daily events keeps everyone on their toes. This is an adventure well worth reading, though at times it is difficult to keep all the names and events straightened out in the reader’s mind. However, it is filled with things to think about, possibly giving rise to the opportunity of studying this period in history a little more in-depth. The blessings of living in our own time and age—even with our many problems and difficulties—are more than evident! You'll enjoy reading The Pelican Bride.
Life is not easy in Louisiana; it is far from the “civilized” life these women had in France. The weather is abominable, the “town” (actually a fort) they land in is quite primitive, the men are all thirsting for their own wife and there are certainly not enough of the women to go around, hence much vying for attention! The reasons for these particular women leaving France must be kept secret (they are Huguenots and the new settlement is decidedly Catholic and is intent on staying so). The fear of the English coming and destroying or taking over what they have in this area is terrifying. Oh, and of course, there are also Indian groups in the area, some of which are friendly to the settlers, some which are not or can be easily swayed one way or the other.
Survival in this early setting is difficult to say the least, extremely tenuous. Disease, childbirth, accidents, and explosive tempers are a constant fear and the anxiety of daily events keeps everyone on their toes. This is an adventure well worth reading, though at times it is difficult to keep all the names and events straightened out in the reader’s mind. However, it is filled with things to think about, possibly giving rise to the opportunity of studying this period in history a little more in-depth. The blessings of living in our own time and age—even with our many problems and difficulties—are more than evident! You'll enjoy reading The Pelican Bride.
|
|
I received a copy of this book for review, but was not compensated financially in any way. The opinions expressed are those of Joy In Our Journey.com and are based solely on experiences while reading these books.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
