USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns with the first book in a breathtaking new series set in the Old West
Rhine Fontaine is building the successful life he's always dreamed of—one that depends upon him passing for White. But for the first time in years, he wishes he could step out from behind the façade. The reason: Eddy Carmichael, the young woman he rescued in the desert. Outspoken, defiant, and beautiful, Eddy tempts Rhine in ways that could cost him everything . . . and the price seems worth paying.
Eddy owes her life to Rhine, but she won't risk her heart for him. As soon as she's saved enough money from her cooking, she'll leave this Nevada town and move to California. No matter how handsome he is, no matter how fiery the heat between them, Rhine will never be hers. Giving in for just one night might quench this longing. Or it might ignite an affair as reckless and irresistible as it is forbidden . . .
Source: borrowed from Hoopla audio
It's taken me this long to read my first book by Ms. Bev. It should've happened sooner but I'm glad to finally have at least one of her many books under my belt.
Eddy is a free black woman and she has ambitions for herself to make it West to open her own restaurant. On her way there, she's robbed in the middle of the desert and abandoned. Rhine finds her on the verge of death and brings her back to his place so she can receive treatment and recuperate. When Eddy finally comes to she's shocked by Rhine's kindness and generosity but also a little uncomfortable because not only is he a man, he's white. Rhine, a saloon owner, has been passing as white ever since he was freed. He hasn't forgotten where he came from but understood that he could do more for his people by passing as white and quietly making headway for them. Being politically active, he works diligently to better the lives of other blacks in his community. He's also very much engaged to be married to Natalie, daughter of one of the town's most important families. Rhine is already influential but joining with Natalie's family will only increase his stature thereby garnering him more influence that he can use to improve life for the town's black citizens. Only his best friend knows his secret history but Eddy with her demure charms and incredible confidence is making him seriously reconsider everything his life is built on. He wants to be with her but he would have to reveal the truth to everyone and risk losing all that he has gained, including his political influence. Would he rather be with someone with substance whom he loves and respects or in a marriage of convenience with someone who looks down on anyone she considers inferior?
The romance in Forbidden was sweet and I like how Jenkins gradually built it up to the point that the sexual tension between Rhine and Eddy was so unbearable that they had to do something about it soon. Oh my gosh, she wrote those stolen moments between them so well! Rhine is a gentleman and courted her and that had me swooning. Eddy's self-assurance and pride in her work makes her an admirable character. The creative dishes she'd whip up had me wishing I could taste her cooking for real. I was also drawn in by her generosity and kind nature. Whenever I pictured her, I saw her with a wide smile for anyone, brightening their day.
Aside from Eddy and Rhine's romance, I enjoyed the bits of historical context that were dropped here and there giving me a better sense of the current events of that time period and how, even after the Civil War, there was still much work to do. It was bittersweet actually because in this story Rhine and Eddy's friends had so much hope and trust that things were starting to get better but as a reader to know that the struggle would continue on for years ... like I said, bittersweet. There's no getting used to the ugly side of human beings and I was worried for what that meant for Rhine and Eddy moving forward. Thankfully, they're strong individuals who don't scare easily.
Ms. Bev is a wonderful storyteller and Forbidden was not only an enchanting read but also for me, an educational one. I'm looking forward to reading the next two books in this series - Breathless and Tempest.
~ Bel
No comments:
Post a Comment