Midnight Satin

Rating:
Summary: Nice sequel to Midnight Silk!
Review: Laurie Grant offers up another entertaining historical featuring Jake Taylor, brother of Mariah from "Midnight Silk." Unlike many other writers who try to write Civil War fiction, Ms. Grant does her homework and gives an accurate historical portrait of the time period, the political climate, local customs, and the rarely-seen setting of the Texas frontier. Other than a couple of minor mistakes with period fashions, her portrayal of the time is as always faultless. We meet the "disgraced" immigrant, Erica Mueller, who's desperate for a fresh start in America. Determined to be a good German daughter, her resolve is tested when she rescues the handsome Jake. Can their love survive the rigid customs of the 19th century Victorian era, her strict, Old-World family, and the nasty seducer she thought she'd left behind? Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Midnight Satin
Review: The post Civil War South is a time of change, but not all the scars were caused by the war. Consider the case of Erica Mueller, a German immigrant in New Braunsfels, Texas. With shame in her past, the best she can hope for is a loveless arranged marriage until one day an injured Texas soldier comes into her family's care. Despite the problems inherent in Jake Taylor's continued prescence in their lives, the Muellers give him quality care and a relationship between Erica and Jake begins to form, over the objections of her parents. However, the man who hurt Erica is not as out of the picture as they thought, threatening the happiness that is blossoming between them.

*** Though set in Texas, you might picture this as a Western Regency; it has much of the same sweet tone and plot devices that have made that genre beloved. Ms. Grant's historical research into the Germans of Texas is also quite accurate as an added bonus. ***

Amanda Killgore

Rating:
Summary: fabulous refreshing Reconstruction romance
Review: With the War Between the States over, weary Confederate Captain Jake Taylor returns to his Texas home, looking forward to starting anew away from the violence. On a trip to San Antonio, Indians attack him, leaving Jake for dead. While lying in dirt, he looks up to see a gold "halo" angel peering down at him.

With the American Civil War over, the German Mueller family crossed the ocean hoping to leave behind the scandal caused by daughter Erica. When the golden haired Erica finds Jake seemingly lifeless on the dirt, she sees him as a form of atonement. As she nurtures Jake back to health, the nurse and the patient fall in love. However, Jake has to overcome her strict parents' objection to a non-German son-in-law and persuade his beloved that whatever her dark secret is he will love her forever even when the shame of the past arrives with a vengeance.

The contrast of cultures between nineteenth century German culture and the more commonly used in romance tales Texan makes MIDNIGHT SATIN a fabulous refreshing Reconstruction romance. The story line focuses on the relationship and growing love between the former Confederate officer who has his traumas to deal with and the newly arrived "disgraced German lass who feels her fall from grace makes her unworthy of the man she loves. Erica's family adds depth as they object to the Texan, but while doing so they enable fans to compare the old world to the new. Laurie Grant (fitting surname for a Reconstruction Era author) furbishes a delightful romance with a strong cast that brings to life post Civil War Texas.

Harriet Klausner