The Scent of Magnolias and Men

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Summary: The Scent of Magnolias and Men
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The Scent of Magnolias and Men


From the Publisher
Civil War-era Memphis percolates with illicit entanglements and scandal as pillars of wealth and privilege routinely cover up scintillating indiscretions. Buck Harris is a victim of unthinkable deceit, but swears he will marry his childhood sweetheart, Josephine Parker, and kill Leslie Turnbull, his spiteful half brother. Buck's mission of love and revenge is righteous, but in the process, he frees ugly family skeletons from secret hiding places and turns Memphis' grand society upside down. When that happens, anyone is fair game, and his enemies are hunting for places to hide.



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Kevin James, A reviewer, August 24, 2004,
Good, comfortable read
Set in Memphis during the Civil War, at the time of the Battle of Shiloh, 'The Scent of Magnolias and Men' is nothing less than a brilliant and comfortable read. Old world southern charm exudes from the various characters in the tale as Josephine Parker is unwillingly wed to Leslie Turnbull in an arranged marriage for family business purposes. Josephine however is in love with another and vows she will never truly belong to Leslie, husband or not. Her childhood love, Buckwald Harris performs his transformation from childhood friend emerging as a butterfly does from a cocoon to become a large, strapping wealthy business man, with one focused goal, to wed his true love. Lies and deceit abound in this brilliantly written novel, which will draw the reader into a dangerous web of destruction, cunning, and loss of family fortune. It was apparent the author had either done extensive research into the era, or had been there himself, as I learned a great deal about the South in the 1860's. Author Schneider brings to reality the ambiance of southern glamour in a truly enjoyable read. Specifically I commend the writing style, the efficiency of the text and the elegance brought out in the pages. This writer has a unique polish to his writing that tantalizes the reader to seek out more of his work.


Rating:
Summary: Marvelous, Exciting, Sensual
Review: Author, K.A. Schneider, has a classic movie in the making with his novel, The Scent of Magnolias and Men. Moving swiftly through the Civil War era in Memphis, TN., you are enamored with characters so lively and real, it captivates the mind with visual effects. Triangle romance between friends; Leslie Turnbull, his rival Buckwald (Buck) Harris, and the love intended Josephine (Joie) Parker creates passionate love, hatred, murder and revenge. The heroine, Josephine, is betrothed to Leslie Turnbull by virtue of a prenuptial agreement between their wealthy fathers. After the death of Buck's father, Major Hampton Harris, Buck discovers hidden secrets of his birth which will send Leslie Turnbull into a raving maniac. Skeletons in the closets emerge; one after the other, engulfing the whole town in gossip and thrusts them into headlong deadly conflicts. Buck schemes to overthrow the power behind Turnbull / Parker lumber brokers, thus sending him on a journey which will, eventually, turn the entire town of Memphis into mayhem. The ending will put you on the edge of your seat! 5 stars to K.A. Schneider, for a job well done. It's a great book.



Rating:
Summary: Entertaining Read From Start To Finish
Review: Josephine Parker is a woman of Memphis, Southern society-almost Scarlet O-Hara in quality-and bequeathed to Lieutenant Leslie Turnbull, who walks the ranks of the gray-suited Confederates. Unknown to Joie, with Leslie leaving for war, her true love is already by her side, with desires and ambitions of his own. Buck Harris shows her what true love is all about, amidst discovering the truth of his own intricate past. He sets off to become a man, never losing his goal, which is to use his new-found past secret to his credit, and then marry the love of his life, the beautiful Josephine Parker. His plan is flawless, until Leslie's true colors become apparently evil, upsetting Buck's dream. Leslie is an apparition bent on destruction.
You will find K.A.Schneider's book steeped in southern dialogue, color, and raw descriptive truths of human desires. Schneider has a way of depicting his characters, both male and female with bold persona. From beginning to end, this book is a true delight for any reader.

Rating:
Summary: Guilty Pleasures...
Review: Not since I was a teenager and slipped Beula Land off the book shelf and hid in my room to devour the pages have I been sucked into a good old steamy southern soap operish saga. Two thumbs up to author K.A. Schneider and his historical romance novel The Scent of Magnolias and Men. This book gives romance readers the usual formulaic fare along with the earthiness found in another book I dearly love, Erskine Caldwell's Tobacco Road. The love story is tender and the conflicts come at you so frequently you feel you need to take cover. I read this riveting release in one day. Outstanding!