Rebel

March 11, 2019
This winning historical romance lays the groundwork for an exciting series. In post–Civil War New Orleans, New Yorker Valinda Lacy strives to teach freedmen, but both her work and her safety are imperiled by the racial hostility still plaguing the nation. When business owner Drake LeVeq saves Valinda from racist attackers, he’s immediately taken by the spunky beauty. Both were born free, and they make it their life’s mission to assist ex-slaves. Valinda, whose fiancé is in France on business, is only in New Orleans temporarily, but the chemistry between her and the hunky Drake is as hot as the spicy foods they share. When Valinda’s attackers come looking for revenge, Drake keeps her under his protection, and when she’s evicted, Drake’s mother takes her in, making it even harder for them to keep their distance. Finally Valinda breaks her engagement to stay in New Orleans, and then she has to deal with her overbearing father, who believes women have no business being on their own. Meanwhile, Drake gets involved in taking dangerous vengeance for the death of a friend. Jenkins (the Blessings series) addresses sensitive, serious issues in a tactful, realistic manner, and she brilliantly balances the real sorrows of history with a shimmering romance. This is a grand tale of finding happiness in hard times. Agent: Nancy Yost, Nancy Yost Literary.

Starred review from March 15, 2019
Love and longing in Reconstruction-era New Orleans.It's 1867, and Valinda Lacy has traveled from New York to Louisiana to teach former slaves. After a series of misfortunes--the barn she's using as a schoolroom is overrun by vagrants, she's assaulted by soldiers, and her landlady throws her out onto the street--Val is welcomed into the LeVeq family. Jenkins fans may remember the name LeVeq from an earlier trilogy (Captured, 2009, etc.). Now, the author returns to New Orleans to launch her Women Who Dare series. Val is a winning heroine, and Capt. Drake LeVeq is an excellent match. He admires her sense of independence, she respects his kindness and generosity, and--of course--they are both wildly attracted to each other. The evolution of their romance has an organic flow. Jenkins doesn't create elaborate contrivances to keep her characters apart. Val has been raised to expect neither love nor passion. Even when Drake introduces her to pleasure she's never imagined, she's reluctant to give away her freedom. For his part, Drake is wounded that she doesn't immediately return his affections when he makes his devotion to her known. As Jenkins' readers will expect, the love story is interwoven with a great deal of historical detail. She offers a vivid portrait of life during Reconstruction, and New Orleans is revealed as the unique place it is. There is colorism and classism and tension between old Creole families and former slaves, but there is also a great deal of opportunity for ambitious women. This is a huge part of the city's appeal for Val--this, and the amazing food. So often, stories drawn from the African-American past deal largely with struggle, and Jenkins does not shy away from depictions of injustice and violence. But she also gives us characters who are able to thrive and love and find their ways to happy endings.A satisfying start to a new historical series from one of romance's finest writers.

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Narrator Kim Staunton's strong and optimistic voice complements a smoldering romance that heats up during the hardships and triumphs of the post-Emancipation period. Valinda has come to New Orleans to teach but is drawn into the city's melting pot of culture and history, which Staunton depicts with a mix of French, Creole, and Caribbean accents. When Valinda finds herself in danger, she is rescued by Drake LeVeq, whom Staunton portrays in a deep and powerful voice filled with empathy that fits his status as a member of a prominent African-American family. Valinda is welcomed into the LeVeq family, and Staunton's performance reflects the pride and love that are central to its members as they empower the newly freed community. J.E.C. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine