Shadows on the Bayou

Rating:
Summary: Love Conquers All
Review: Sylvia Dupont, a free woman of color, has been sold by her mother to the highest bidder. Sylvia has been groomed and educated to be a placee, the official mistress of white planter Adrien Valcour. It is a life Sylvia never wanted. When she meets Justin Reynaud, she loses her heart. Should she break with tradition or resign herself to her fate? Shadows on the Bayou is a very powerful story.

Rating:
Summary: A definate must read!
Review: This book brought to surface so many emotions. I laughed, got angry, and was profoundly moved with each page. This was the first book I've read that went into depth about the lifestyle of women of color in New Orleans in that time period. Needless to say, I was shocked. Not at the practice but at the acceptance of it. I cheered Sylvia on as she made the decision to defy tradition. I was proud of Justin for being proud of his heritage and his people. They made a stunning couple not because of their physical appearance, but because of their faith in God and their acceptance of the power of love. Even though they went through hell and high water to weather the storm, they never stopped loving each other. It took them awhile to trust each other, but that was expected since they didn't know each other well enough when they were married.

Both of them were stubborn and I think that is what kept them arguing often. He wanted her to give her loyalty to him and not her family (who were willing to sell her to the highest bidder), and at the same time, he kept alot of himself from her.

It's always interesting to read about two strong individuals who have to come to terms with their own demons in order to accept what fate as thrown at them. This book was intriguing, full of history and romance, and will have you up all night because you can't wait to see what happens next.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!!!!
Review: This book is "the bomb." As is Ms. Vaughn's first novel, Murmur Of Rain, this story is rich with history that moves with excitement as it sharpens your mind while entertaining you. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a shame that there's only 5 stars to give. This critic gives "Shadows On The Bayou" a Hot Fudge Sundae with Nuts, two thumbs up with a full circle and 5 out of 5 stars. ***** Bravo!!

Rating:
Summary: A NOVEL THAT TELLS A REAL STORY ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED..
Review: THIS IS A NOVEL THAT REALLY GAVE INSIGHT AS TO WHAT AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN OF BI-RACIAL BACKGROUNDS WENT THROUGH. I WEPT TO TINK THAT THIS IS THE SORT OF THINGS MY ANCESTORS ENDURED. I LOVED THIS NOVEL AND I HOPE MS. VAUGHN COMES OUT WITH ANOTHER NOVEL OR SEQUEL TO THIS ONE!

Rating:
Summary: Deceiving
Review: When I first read the comments about the book I was thoroughly excited and decided to purchase it. However, once I started reading, I must say it was deceiving. It was awful and the plot was too long! The writer could have done more research about the subject and made the plot shorter. I would not recommend this book and I wish I had not purchased it.

Rating:
Summary: Patricia VAughn Does IT Again!
Review: Why are her books so riveting? Despite what one reviewer said about Ms. Vaughn's latest work, I believe that this book was POWERFUL! It was very well researched and although the plot was long, you'll never become bored and the book was very well written. The author really does have a writing style that makes you feel like you are watching the story of Sylvia and Justin's love unfold. Although classified as a romance novel, this book is so much more. It provides a little known history of the "Selling" of women of mixed blood in New Orleans to wealthy Creole planters as mistresses, a part of history that wouldn't be found in a textbook. The characters are great and I wish that Mrs. Vaughn would write another novel. We need more authors like her who can write romances that have life lessons and moral twists too. I am throughly convinced that ANY Patricia Vaughn novel can stand up against a Beverly Jenkins novel, any day of the week. And in some cases, can beat them!! You know I only tell the truth, what have I to gain by lying about it? Kudos to Ms. VAughn! She's done it again!!