Book Blurb
When a young woman returns to North Carolina after a thirty-year absence, she finds that the once grand tobacco plantation she called home holds more secrets than she ever imagined.
Though Peak Plantation has been in her family for generations, Leslie Nichols can’t wait to rid herself of the farm left to her by her estranged grandmother Maggie—and with it the disturbing memories of her mother’s death, her father’s disgrace, and her unhappy childhood. But Leslie isn’t the only one with a claim to Peak.
Jay Davenport, Peak’s reclusive caretaker, has his own reasons for holding onto the land bequeathed to him by Leslie’s grandmother. Before she died, Maggie hinted at a terrible secret surrounding Adele Laveau, a lady’s maid who came to Peak during the 1930s and died under mysterious circumstances. Jay is haunted by Maggie’s story, yet the truth eludes him—until Leslie uncovers a cryptically marked grave on the property.
As they delve into the mystery of Adele’s death, Leslie and Jay discover shocking secrets that extend deep into the roots of Leslie’s family tree—secrets that have the power to alter her life forever.
Toot's Review by Stacy Sabala
This was a fascinating story that combined the past with the present. The author takes the story of Adele and Henry and intertwined the story of Jay and Leslie. It all takes place on the Peak plantation in Gavin, North Carolina. Gavin is the family name of Henry as his family was the founders of the town. Leslie grew up in Gavin at the Peak plantation living with her grandmother Maggie, Henry’s daughter. Leslie left the plantation when she was eight after her mother’s death. She witnessed her mother’s death and believes that her father killed her. She is running from the ghosts that live there. She hasn’t been back in thirty years. Her grandmother has recently died, about a year ago, and Leslie has inherited the plantation. She has very little time left to claim it. When her father is paroled from jail and comes looking for her again, she decides to head to North Carolina and away from him.
When she arrives she is confronted by Jay Davenport who was Maggie’s handyman and companion for the last parts of her life. He is disgusted with Leslie and isn’t afraid to express it. He doesn’t understand why she never came back, not even for her grandmother’s funeral. He doesn’t think she deserves anything that Maggie left her. He doesn’t realize the ghosts that chase her. Plus he has his own plans for the plantation and worries that Leslie will ruin everything that he and Maggie had had planned.
Once Leslie decides she will stay for awhile and help Jay with his plan for the plantation, she discovers the unnamed grave that lies on Henry’s ridge. When she finds other things which form more questions in her mind, the search is on to figure out who is buried in the grave. As she investigates, she gets closer to some major family secrets that Maggie wants to be known. She tried to tell Jay at one time but was unable to complete the story. Leslie begins to unravel the mystery and they learn the story of her great grandfather Henry and his love for Adele. The story is heart breaking, but needs to be known. Jay and Leslie work together. Their feelings for each other grow as they unearth the truth.
The ride is bumpy and full of turmoil. Leslie has to deal with her father and the ghost of her mother and Jay has to deal with his own issues of his ex-wife and his writing career. They found their way to each other, but will they be able to survive the secrets and the betrayals that occur in the present and the past.
I really liked this story. The author did a great job of revealing the past and twisting the story around the main characters present story. I found the journey from past to present and back an interesting way in which the author presented the story. Adele was my favorite character. She made mistakes but loved deeply and the author revealed her tremendous strength in the end. I had a suspicion as to what Adele really gave up for her love of Henry and I was right. It was sad that it occurred but knowing the times and the secret Adele had herself explained why she had to do what she did.
Leslie’s obsession to discover the truth ignited the reader’s same obsession. I wanted to know what happened and if a happy ending was possible for those involved. Parts of the story I could guess before it happened, but others were a surprise. This story fascinated me and it was a fabulous read.
I give it a 5 out of 5
Woot! You made my day! :)
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