MY REVIEW:
“Carolina Gold” is exactly the kind of story I have come to expect from Dorothy Love. With her eloquent words Dorothy has painted a captivating yet poignant picture of life following the war between the states. Her well-rounded characters practically step off the page and readers will find themselves sympathizing with their plight.
When Charlotte Fraser returns to her family plantation following the death of her father, she is determined to fulfill her promise to keep the plantation going by continuing to raise their prized Carolina Gold rice. She quickly discovers that nothing remains of the life she once knew. Her once rich and powerful neighbors are struggling to survive and many have left the area. The slaves the rice growers depended on to produce their crop have been freed and they too are struggling to survive in their new environment. Charlotte reluctantly agrees to teach the two daughters of her new neighbor Nicholas Betancourt and grows to care for his family despite a potential threat to her own security.
“Carolina Gold” is a testament to the strength and tenacity of the human spirit as it documents the lives of Charlotte and Nicolas in their efforts to rebuild their homes and lives from the rubble of war and the loss of their former way of life. Each of them discovers an inner strength and their true calling from the Lord as they work together with other friends and neighbors to survive.
I thoroughly enjoyed “Carolina Gold”. My only complaint is that it ended much too soon.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
The war is over, but her struggle is just beginning.
Charlotte Fraser returns to her late father’s once-flourishing rice plantation on the Waccamaw River, determined to continue growing the special kind of rice known as Carolina Gold. But Fairhaven Plantation is in ruins, the bondsmen are free, and money is scarce.
To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly accepts a position as tutor to the young daughters of Nicholas Betancourt, heir to the neighboring Willowood Plantation. Then Nick’s quest to prove his ownership of Willowood sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that reveals an old family mystery—and threatens all that she holds dear.
Inspired by the life of a 19th century woman rice planter, Carolina Gold continues Dorothy Love’s winning tradition of weaving together mystery, romance, and rich historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman’s struggle to restore her ruined world.
Purchase a copy HERE.
Learn more at Dorothy’s website.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A former journalist, free-lance writer and college professor, Dorothy Love explores the intersection of history and human relationships to create novels that speak to the hearts of women everywhere. She is the author of the acclaimed Hickory Ridge novels set in her native state of Tennessee. After earning a masters degree and Ph.D, she authored dozens of magazine articles before breaking into book publishing with a number of award-winning novels for preteens and young adults. The Hickory Ridge series marked her adult fiction debut. Currently she is working on several stand-alone historical novels set in the South.
When she isn’t busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.
Find out more about Dorothy at her website.
