| Title | : | Belle of Charleston (Southern Legacy, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 158 |
| Publication | : | First published December 15, 2014 |
B00Q8M1EYK.
Set against the backdrop of Antebellum Charleston with the martial clash of brother against brother looming on the horizon--here is an absorbing, tantalizing saga of life during one of our country's most turbulent times--Southern Legacy Series.
Belle of Charleston, Book One
In a world of pageantry and show, the Montgomery family accepts the way of life that has been antebellum Charleston for over a hundred years. Two cousins, the handsome and debonair, Wade Montgomery and the bold and brooding Cullen Smythe, were born to be brothers. Raised as Southern gentlemen, their character could never be questioned--loyalty, honor, duty to one's country, God and family. It was the tie that binds until...their bond is threatened, not only by the cry for secession but by a woman--Josephine Buchanan Wright.
Josephine Buchanan Wright is a dutiful, southern belle. Her future seems fated to the two Montgomerys cousins...until all she has placed her faith in falls apart. As her life spirals out of control, she tries desperately to cling to the honor and duty that has been instilled in her. But how can she do so when all she has known is no more?
Belle of Charleston (Southern Legacy, #1) Reviews
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Truly this was one of the most well written historical novels in a long time. The characters were compelling and full of southern pride at a time just before the civil war. I'm definitely excited and ready to read more by this talented author.
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Is a great book to read
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I really LOVE Jerri's writing. She does an amazing job of creating her characters & their stories, while holding on to the actual facts of the era she has placed them in. The Belle of Charleston is not only a wonderful read in which you experience the romance...the turmoil.......the sacrifices, that must be made to uphold the very foundation of the world that has been created for our characters....... you are also drawn into the turmoil & tension that was prevalent in the months leading up to the secession of the Southern states from the Northern states. Many people don't realize just how much of the South's way of life, in regards to the institution of loyalty, honor, duty to both family & country, played a part in the decision to secede. This book, gives you a very realistic glimpse into just how important they were & still are to the Southern part of our country. Jerri does a wonderful job of showing us just how strong, & how deep, these characteristics were embeddeed in the hearts & souls of our heroine, & our heroes. It really does give us, the readers, a front row seat to experiencing what the people of the South were willing to sacrifice for their honor, their loyalty, & their duty, not only for their family, but their way of life. I can't recommend reading Belle highly enough to do it justice, but I can tell you that you won't regret the decision to do so. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book, as we continue to travel the road that Josephine & Cullen have been set on.........I received a copy of this book for an honest, & unbiased review.
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Belle of Charleston (Southern Legacy Book 1)
The love story of Josephine and Cullen. Josephine thinks she is to marry Wade Montgomery but he marry other and Jo's reputation is ruined. Can Cullen find the true about the rumors about Jo? Great story. -
A Wonderful Start to The Southern Legacy Series
This book is set in pre Civil War Charleston, SC. Being born and raised in SC I was drawn to this book. I used to read a great deal of Civil War period romance, but had not read any in several years. My first thought was that this one had ended abruptly but I then discovered this is a saga that will continue in 3 more books due out early next year. The first released now in December , Belle of Charleston and in and January, Shadows of Magnolia. The final two are due to release April and May, Born to Be Brothers and The Sun Will Rise. I am looking forward to the other 3 installments now that I know the story has not ended. I feel these will most definitely need to be read in order. They are not stand alone stories.
BLURB:
Set against the backdrop of Antebellum Charleston with the martial clash of brother against brother looming on the horizon—here is an absorbing, tantalizing saga of life during one of our country's most turbulent times—Southern Legacy Series.
Josephine Buchanan Wright is a dutiful, southern belle. Her future seems fated to the two Montgomerys cousins, the handsome and debonair, Wade Montgomery and the bold and brooding Cullen Symthe. You should read to find out how all she has placed her faith in falls apart. -
Excellent depiction of the times of those days. The characters are beautifully etched out. Especially Josephine. I loved her conversations with Cullen. The other conditions during the times were also very well brought out. Enjoyable story.
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Belle of Charleston is book one in the Southern Legacy series by Jerri Hines. It is set in and near Antebellum Charleston and the plantation of Magnolia Bluff. It is a captivating series.
Clayton Montgomery built up Magnolia Bluff and raised his son and grandsons there. His son, Douglas Montgomery, was a drunkard and had a temper which was fierce when he was angry. He took his anger out on his son Percival who stood between his father and the rest of the family. Percival was to take over the plantation and marry Clarissa Wragg. When he was killed by falling off his horse (he was the best horseman in the county sober or drunk) while drunk, his brother Wade was expected to take his place on the plantation and with Clarissa. He had fallen in love with Josephine Buchanan Wright of a nearby plantation. They had been meeting with only a slave girl to chaperone. Josephine had no idea he was to marry Clarissa when she met with him; but he did. Yet it is her reputation that is taken into question when they are discovered. Wade asks his cousin Cullen to take Clarissa off his hands which he cannot do. He then asks Cullen to tell Jo he is to marry Clarissa. All Jo wants is someone to love her, be loved in return, and to have and bring up a family in Charleston’s society. When her reputation is questioned and her world falls apart around her, she has only her honor and duty to uphold her.
When it is discovered that her Father actually owns Magnolia Bluff and in order for the Montgomerys to keep it, she must marry a Montgomery, she is forced into an engagement with the younger son, Andrew. Meanwhile, she had fallen in love with the cousin, Cullen Smythe.
What will happen? Will Wade somehow get control of the plantation? Will she marry Andrew? What of her love for Cullen? How is she to win over the Montgomery women and the women of Charleston? What part will her cousins Harry Lee and Buck play in her life? -
I love reading Jerris books, she has a unique way of bringing the characters to life and at the same time pulling you in to the lovel and making everything come to life around you and this book was no different, the other thing I like about jerri is how she brings in the surroundings and settings of fact and blends them so well with the story. This book is the first of a series of 4 and it has left open many doors for the characters to take.... Anything could happen. The characters are fantastic and their relationships, hard times and love lives are all ready to be explored further. I can't wait for the next in the series. Would definitely recommend reading.
I was given a copy of this book for an honest review -
Jerri Hines does it again. This is a smorgasbord of history and intrigue and romance. The fight to retain a very important property brings to life all sorts of intrigue for the leading lady. Trusting the wrong men, gaining her independent spirit through adversity, and the period being brought to life in brilliant color made this book a favorite of mine. All I can say is that I couldn't wait for the next part of this series and I don't think you'll be able to either!
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I love anything antebellum/civil war era this was full of drama love and loss. I look forward to getting to know the characters more in the second book.
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Great
Josephine promised in love to another but on the way fell in love with Cullen. See how this one turns out. -
Improper Proposal
They grew up together, Percival and Wade Montgomery and their cousin, Cullen Smythe. They had dreams of becoming sailors together. But in pre-Civil War Charleston, South Carolina, there were duties that fell to the oldest son. So, while Percival stayed behind to run the family plantation, Wade and Cullen went to sea.
Upon learning of Percival's death, Wade returns to Charleston and the duties to his family. It is then that he falls in love with and proposes to the beautiful Josephine Buchanan Wright. But, this marriage was not to be. Before Percival passed, he was betrothed to Clarrisa Wragg. And this duty also fell to Wade's shoulders. But how could he tell Josephine?
Enter cousin Cullen. But even serious, stoic Cullen could not resist beautiful Josephine.
This is a very well written historical romance, but it is the first in a saga, so this is not the end of the story. But if you're like me and love spending a lot of time with your favorite fictional characters, you'll love this one! -
For being a free first book on Kindle, I have to say I was decently impressed. I was intrigued from the very beginning and despite all the names of the Montgomery family thrown at you all in the beginning I appreciated the fast-paced plot. There was a lot more of a mystery/intrigue element to this towards the plot and then the last half of the book went somewhere completely unexpected. I appreciate the unconventional conclusion/cliffhanger at the end, to which I really didn't see coming if I have to admit. I docked a star mostly for so much being thrown at the reader in the first couple of chapters in regards to the backstory of the characters and their previous interactions. (08/2023)
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True southern family pre civil war Josephine is in love with Wade even though he is promised to Clarissa because his brother died and there is a debt to be paid. Family secrets come about on all sides Still hoping true love wins out in the coming books. There are cliff hangers and things left a mystery but that is what reading a serial is about
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Not there for me.
I could not find a good page to truly sink myself into, during the beginning stages of this novel. I like to imagine it in my mind as a movie as the pages turn; however, I never could find footing to actually get that started here with this story. I would possibly like to try again later, hopefully it might be a better fit. -
Too much convoluted motivation and not enough likable characters for my taste, but this is simply a note that it didn't suit my taste. The story itself is fair enough, touching on southern mores, political motivations, society, and slavery as would be expected. It didn't intrigue me enough to get book 2, even though I don't know what happens to the main characters.
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Buy the next book?
You won’t like the ending, they want you to purchase the next book in the series.
There is little depth in the book. Characters & world building must develop if you continue reading -
This book is just sad. Jo is the only likeable character in the whole thing. I didn't even care for Cullen. Most of the people are shallow and stupid, Clarissa is a conniving witch. Not badly written, just a bad book.
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Well done
Josephine torn between families as well as the men in her lives. Just when things are calming down and love is real, her father returns to rescue her and causes more problems. Can Josephine ever find respect and love in her life?
