A Hope Beyond (Ribbons of Steel, 2)

Rating:
Summary: More interesting than the first book in the series
Review: At the end of "Distant Dreams," James Baldwin left Oakbridge after leaving a note for Virginia Adams, saying he couldn't marry her because he wanted to go west and giving her the chance to publicly break their engagement to avoid the disgrace of being "jilted." Virginia blamed her younger sister for encouraging James along these lines, when the truth is that James and Carolina had fallen in love but did not dare admit it to each other. Carolina is being encouraged to marry Hampton Cabot, her father's overseer, but he is actually scheming to take over Oakbridge and enjoys mistreating slaves. Virginia, not knowing that Carolina really doesn't care for Hampton, decides to get even with her and seduces Hampton, and elopes with him. Having no reason to stay at Oakbridge, Carolina moves to Baltimore to become a nanny for a little girl whose father doesn't want anything to do with her. When the father decides to permanently go away, he has a surprising proposal that Carolina must accept to determine the fate of his daughter. You MUST read the book for the surprising ending to this story!

Rating:
Summary: More interesting than the first book in the series
Review: At the end of "Distant Dreams," James Baldwin left Oakbridge after leaving a note for Virginia Adams, saying he couldn't marry her because he wanted to go west and giving her the chance to publicly break their engagement to avoid the disgrace of being "jilted." Virginia blamed her younger sister for encouraging James along these lines, when the truth is that James and Carolina had fallen in love but did not dare admit it to each other. Carolina is being encouraged to marry Hampton Cabot, her father's overseer, but he is actually scheming to take over Oakbridge and enjoys mistreating slaves. Virginia, not knowing that Carolina really doesn't care for Hampton, decides to get even with her and seduces Hampton, and elopes with him. Having no reason to stay at Oakbridge, Carolina moves to Baltimore to become a nanny for a little girl whose father doesn't want anything to do with her. When the father decides to permanently go away, he has a surprising proposal that Carolina must accept to determine the fate of his daughter. You MUST read the book for the surprising ending to this story!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!!
Review: I enjoyed this book because of the complexity of the characters, the simple words, and the over-all simple flow of the plot. I could easily relate to all the characters and saw a little of myself in each. This book comes highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: A railroad romance!
Review: In this specific book of the Ribbons of Steal series, Carolina tries to face the fact that James has left for good. Or has he? In the midst of them both realizing they love each other, they run into some problems. Virginia has so much bitterness towards Carolina that she elopes with her sister's beau. Carolina never loved him, but she strongly feels her sister's hatred and leaves to me a nanny to Victoria. She falls in love with Victoria, but not her father. He wants to leave permanately since he has no love for his daughter. Carolina agrees to marry him, so she may keep his daughter. James comes to cope with the fact that he can't live without Carolina. But will he be to late to have her? For adventure, fun, and romance read this story to keep you on the edge of your seat. It's 19th century plot gives it more excitement with the railroad being built. Happy reading!

Rating:
Summary: A railroad romance!
Review: In this specific book of the Ribbons of Steal series, Carolina tries to face the fact that James has left for good. Or has he? In the midst of them both realizing they love each other, they run into some problems. Virginia has so much bitterness towards Carolina that she elopes with her sister's beau. Carolina never loved him, but she strongly feels her sister's hatred and leaves to me a nanny to Victoria. She falls in love with Victoria, but not her father. He wants to leave permanately since he has no love for his daughter. Carolina agrees to marry him, so she may keep his daughter. James comes to cope with the fact that he can't live without Carolina. But will he be to late to have her? For adventure, fun, and romance read this story to keep you on the edge of your seat. It's 19th century plot gives it more excitement with the railroad being built. Happy reading!

Rating:
Summary: good but a little slow
Review: This is the second book in the ribbons of steel series. After reading the first book, your expecting to find out what happens between Carolina and James. Well nothing happens between them until the end of this book. It's like the authors are trying to keep you interested in their series by dragging the story out as long as possible. And by the way, in the first book James seemed like an okay guy who is a little weak. In the second book, you find out he really is a wimp who doesn't deserve Carolina. I'm somewhat interested in the railroad but the authors assume that you want to know everything that they've learned about the railroad in their research. It would be a better book with a little less detail about the railroad and more interaction among characters.

Rating:
Summary: good but a little slow
Review: This is the second book in the ribbons of steel series. After reading the first book, your expecting to find out what happens between Carolina and James. Well nothing happens between them until the end of this book. It's like the authors are trying to keep you interested in their series by dragging the story out as long as possible. And by the way, in the first book James seemed like an okay guy who is a little weak. In the second book, you find out he really is a wimp who doesn't deserve Carolina. I'm somewhat interested in the railroad but the authors assume that you want to know everything that they've learned about the railroad in their research. It would be a better book with a little less detail about the railroad and more interaction among characters.