Keturah

First things first, I am not a huge historical fiction fan, so I put this book at the bottom of my pile. I have not read any of the author's previous works, but I will pick up the next books in this series. I enjoyed the book to some degree although as you will see below there were some parts that left me disappointed.

The setting begins in England and then travels to the West Indies in 1772. Due to some unfortunate financial woes of their father, three sisters inherit his estates and have to make some tough decisions. They choose to go the unconventional route and travel to the West Indies via ship. Here lies my first disappointment - this is an almost unbelievable journey in the story. During that time period, what occurs on their travels to the West Indies is not historically accurate. So if you are one who likes historical fiction, I would say this book will be an annoying if not frustrating read. I already stated that historical fiction is not my type of book, so I kept reading it for the story and not the history or accuracy of the time period.

While I enjoyed the sisterly bond between the three sisters, some of their interactions left me rolling my eyes. I do believe the author was going for strong female characters, but in my opinion two of the sisters missed that mark. Maybe their strength will come out in future books in this series.

The main characters, Keturah and Gray, are both unlikable. I struggled to connect with them. Her interest in him was awkward and his interaction with her was the same. Their romantic connection fell flat. The book mentions some very heavy topics (rape, slavery, violence, etc.) although doesn't go into great detail. There is a enough that I do think it is worth mentioning and being aware of while reading.

I was most looking forward to the setting in the West Indies as I have not read many books that have used that location. This did not disappoint! I enjoyed the journey via ship and the West Indies.

All in all, this was not an easy read. I will read the other books in the series out of curiosity.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher (Bethany House). All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to give a favorable one.

Conquered at 30%.
I almost wished I could share my notes and highlights on this file like people do with their kindle copies, because there was just so much snark going on!

Keturah's former plight fails to arouse my sympathy...she has decided to punish the entire race of men for the actions of one. That's not the sign of a strong woman. A lady who flexes her muscles and yells aloud does not a strong woman make. This sugar puff loses her spine the minute she touches the hero's bare chest, though there are some stubborn struggles.

Gray is...NOT a gentleman. He comes in like a dashing, distant fellow straight out of a modern bodice-ripper. I was willing to give him a chance, because I admired his wish to go make a career for himself. He seemed good-humored enough. But then on shipboard he hides from the fair ladies he has just promised to be a friend and protector to, then manipulates Keturah into interest in his farming books by ordering his servant to sit on deck and read one. Then, the night of a bad storm, he hops out of bed (conveniently discards popular practice and sleeps shirtless) and throws a jacket on—SO contrived!—to go check on the ladies. (Historically, he'd be caught in his “shirt sleeves” sooner, since the linen (washable part) would have always been layered under the jacket (woolen or silken jackets aren't washable, but linen is, because, you know, sweat...and stink...) instead of grabbing the jacket first off. You want him showing chest? Have him not lacing up the shirt.) So some interesting pirate fantasy plays out as he has his arms thrown out and his hair hanging over his face in front of Keturah, and when she is in his arms she finds herself suddenly not so independent after all....

Anyway, got past that just barely and then we have a flashback of hers to a time when she attended a ball after a severe beating from her husband. It's previously been said that a) she couldn't admit in public she was beaten, and b) he had not formerly shown any romantic interest in her. But he somehow intuits that she is hurt and then asks her to dance, where his gentle touches in her hair, down her back, and on her waist provide comfort she desperately needs. What?? It's not okay for an unmarried man to comfort a troubled wife by caressing her.

So that was where Gray as a hero and I parted ways.

A slough (spelling intended) of historical inaccuracies made it tough reading as well. Once the characters lost the promise I had seen, there was nothing left to keep me reading.
Words: sissy (1800s), shenanigans (1850), etc
Food: sardines (fished for oil in 1750, eaten in 1900s after rise of canning industry)
Manners: one that stood out was handshake. A ship's mate refusing to shake hands with a lady was first a rank insult and then ahead of its time. He should have bowed.
Shipboard: It's hammered in how dangerous it would be to be around the sailors. Why did the ladies take a ship tour, why were they not accosted, and why did they see no sailors in the hold during the times of loading the ship?
Gossip: They buck custom and then mourn when they are gossiped about?

Anyway, I had enough of it and stopped. I had more than enough material for a review already. :) I won't be trying this author again.

Thanks to the publisher for a free review copy.