We follow Julianne Chevalier from the prison in Paris to the shores of Louisiana, as she journeys with her new husband, a man she has just met. Made me think of Nazi Germany, trying to make a pure race, Aryan for Germany and French for the King of France.
Julianna has been marked by the King of France, on her shoulder, as a murderer, which we witnessed and saw the injustice, made me glad I didn’t live in the 1720’s, and I don’t think it was much better in America, or the territories.
When she and her new husband arrive in New Orleans, they meet evil head on, and it continues through out the book, and though the action, we wonder if anyone is going to survive. We also experience a hurricane, as if these poor starving people needed more devastation, but greed is in control, or so it seems.
A page-turner for sure, as there is non-stop action from the beginning to the end, and you find yourself walking in the new French colony in American, and traveling the bayous and the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the marshes. Will the people that we have started to care about be able to survive, and what will become of them all.
A great insight into the early people who lived in this unsettled country and helped make it what it is today. Highly recommended.
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love learning history through fiction, so this novel went on my TBR list as soon as it made a blip on my radar. And in no way did it disappoint! It is impossible not to get caught up in Julianne’s story from the moment she finds herself wrongfully convicted, through to her forced marriage, and then the trials she endures once she reaches Louisiana – both physical and emotional. And it’s beautifully written, in such a way that the words themselves fade into the background and you become immersed in the details and emotion of the story.

And what a story it is. The reality of Louisiana is far different from what was promised, and rebellion is in the air for Europeans and natives alike. Food shortages, mosquito-born illness, and tropical weather are just some of the physical hardships confronting them. But it was Julianne's emotional journey that really kept me hooked into the story. Forced to wed a stranger – a fellow convict – she struggles to save her new husband from himself even before they reach their destination. But nothing prepares her for the heartbreak and test of loyalties that awaits her on Louisiana’s far shores.

It’s difficult to say much more without giving spoilers, but there is a beautiful quote that captures the heart of Julianne’s emotional journey: “We all have scars, my beautiful one. They make us who we are, and if we let them, they bring us together.” It is a difficult – and at times agonising – journey before Julianne can truly rest in that truth, but it is illustrated beautifully in this novel, perhaps most poignantly in Julianne’s relationship with the young half native/half French girl, Lily. However I will leave you to discover that for yourself.

And just a warning: The last quarter of the book is absolutely riveting. It took me completely by surprise, and I’m telling you now, you will not want to put it down – especially since you will be holding your breath until you reach the end!

If you love historical fiction with a compelling character journey, this is a novel you really shouldn’t pass up. And there is a beautiful element of romance to sweeten the deal. What more could a history lover ask for?

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review.

What a great history lesson and writing. I never knew some of the things and how New Orleans began. And the main characters and what they went through! I can not even begin to imagine the humiliation and suffering. Just to be marked is bad enough. But the things she suffered through. And the beginnings of New Orleans and Louisiana. The Indian wars. Without giving more away I can tell you I did not want this book to end. It is beautifully written and well told! Highly Recommend this book!

I really enjoyed this book. It was very different than I was expecting. I liked the interesting, little known historical facts and details. I've actually never read anything about the French colonization of America or New Orleans history, so I found it all incredibly intriguing.

I thought the setting and historical aspects of this book were extremely well done, especially in the first half of the novel. I learned a lot more than I was expecting. I felt immersed in the world Jocelyn Green created, and I was interested and engaged. Toward the end I felt like this faltered a little. I felt like we were being told how things were in the colony, but nothing was actually impacting our characters. They were mostly wrapped up in the their own small personal dramas, and I didn't enjoy that quite as much. I wanted to experience more of the settlement as a whole and the culture and struggle.

My connection to the characters seemed to fall off about the same time, about two thirds of the way through the book. I was still interested but I wasn't quite as invested. I felt like Julianne, although she did go through a lot, was pretty cloistered compared to the average settler's experience. I was a little annoyed that with everything else going on and everything she'd survived, she couldn't just be happy with what she had instead of constantly yearning for more. She did come around, but that and the conflict with Marc-Paul was difficult to get through. I also wanted more from their relationship. It almost felt like they had more chemistry when she was married to her first husband than they did once they were together. They had their moments, but, again, after all they'd been through I guess I just wanted more.

I was surprised at the nonstop action and upheaval in this book. You definitely can't call it slow or uneventful. It felt like some new conflict was popping up at the beginning of every chapter. That did make for a quick, intense reading experience.

Overall, I'd say I liked it but didn't love it like I wanted to. If I hadn't started feeling disconnected and annoyed with Julianne and Marc-Paul toward the end, I probably could have given this four stars. I would still highly recommend this to historical fiction fans. I will probably check out some more of Jocelyn Green's books in the future. I also have to say that the paperback of this book is gorgeous. I love the design so much. Not only is the picture beautiful, but it has pretty little details on the cover and spine that really make it stand out.