“A fascinating story, rich in emotion.” —Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander series
North Carolina, 1793
Ian Cameron, a Boston cabinetmaker turned frontier trapper, has come to Mountain Laurel hoping to remake himself yet again—into his planter uncle’s heir. No matter how uneasily the role of slave owner rests upon his shoulders. Then he meets Seona—beautiful, artistic, and enslaved to his kin.
Seona has a secret: she’s been drawing for years, ever since that day she picked up a broken slate to sketch a portrait. When Ian catches her at it, he offers her opportunity to let her talent flourish, still secretly, in his cabinetmaking shop. Taking a frightening leap of faith, Seona puts her trust in Ian. A trust that leads to a deeper, more complicated bond.
As fascination with Seona turns to love, Ian can no longer be the man others have wished him to be. Though his own heart might prove just as untrustworthy a guide, he cannot simply walk away from those his kin enslaves. With more lives than his and Seona’s in the balance, the path Ian chooses now will set the course for generations of Camerons to come.
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About the Author
Lori Benton was raised in Maryland, with generations-deep roots in southern Virginia and the Appalachian frontier. Her historical novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she expertly brings to life the colonial and early federal periods of American history. Her books have received the Christy Award and the Inspy Award and have been honored as finalists for the ECPA Book of the Year. Lori is most at home surrounded by mountains, currently those of the Pacific Northwest, where, when she isn't writing, she's likely to be found in wild places behind a camera.
Mountain Laurel is a deeply rich book that brings you to a time that we can only imagine as times have drastically changed. Slavery is a tough issue to read but Lori Benton delivers an accurate, deeply moving depiction of the time. When I learned of the extent of her research, it was inspiring and touching to know how much effort went into the book.
The characters are well-written, drawing you in with their warm, real-life personalities that make you feel like you are sitting there with them. Seona is a beauty and full of a spark that is unfortunately dulled by her station in life. She is one whom you could easily see being a role model for younger generations. Her talent is one that could easily pull her to great heights in the modern world; but we have to endure her pain of hiding who she is because of the time period.
Ian's return is one that begins fate to shape the future in ways they didn't expect. He is kind and graceful, especially in his dealings with Seona. He has had to return to his uncle's plantation to ascend to the role of operating the plantation and slave owner. He's not exactly the cup of tea his aunt and her daughters were looking for -- but Seona is pleased about his return.
They develop a love -- one that has impact on more than just themselves. He lets his heart guide him right onto a path that he cannot turn back on. His efforts, while full of good-intention, have consequences that are haunting. He struggles to find and accept redemption.
Throughout the book, I found myself quite captivated by the characters and their experiences. While quite haunting, I still found brief moments of brightness that helped me when the book ended. The dual counterpart is one that I'm sure to grab as soon as it's available!
I received a complimentary copy from Tyndale House Publishers. All opinions are my own.
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