Keturah Book Review

The Sugar Baron's Daughters

Book One

SUMMARY:  In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

     Although it flies against all the conventions, they're determined to make their own way in the world.  But, once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns.  On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined - and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world. 

     Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation.  She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

     To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

REVIEW:  The summary of this book caught my eye: a young English lady and her sisters attempting to manage a sugar plantation all by themselves without any outside help thousands of miles from their home in the late 1700's.  The author does a wonderful job describing life on the island, the impressions of the women and the island itself.  The characters' reactions to the slave market, the ocean front near their home and working hard beside their staff make me feel like I was there experiencing everything first hand.  I like how Keturah fights for her sisters and tells them they do not have to marry for the sake of money, land or anything else, but only marry for love.  I also like how she stands up for her slaves, treating them like humans.  Even though she detests the slave markets, Keturah sees it is a necessary evil on Nevis but does what she can to make them feel like part of a family instead of cattle. 
     This book does not wrap everything about the Banning daughters lives or about trouble they have faced on the plantation.  The rest of the series should take care of this.  I can see how the next two stories will continue their progress as sugar baronesses and their lives on the island.
     This is a great book.  I am very interested in reading the other books in this series when they come out.  I'm sure they will be just as good if not better. 

This book was provided by Bethany House for review without compensation.

Lisa T. Bergren has published more than fifty books with combined sales exceeding three million copies.  A bestselling and award-winning author, she's also a recipient of the RT Lifetime Achievement Award.  Lisa lives in Colorado with her husband and three teen-and-older children.  To learn more, visit www.lisatawnbergren.com.