SEDAHLIA by Cynthia D. Toliver
After fleeing post-Civil War Georgia, John Masters, Sr., his wife Virginia Masters, and their rebellious servant Jessie Lindsey have built new lives in Texas ranch country. Now their offspring, Johnny Masters and Rachel Lindsey, are in love. On the isolated, sprawling Sedahlia ranch, their youthful dalliances are largely overlooked until Rachel becomes pregnant, forcing Rachel…
After fleeing post-Civil War Georgia, John Masters, Sr., his wife Virginia Masters, and their rebellious servant Jessie Lindsey have built new lives in Texas ranch country. Now their offspring, Johnny Masters and Rachel Lindsey, are in love. On the isolated, sprawling Sedahlia ranch, their youthful dalliances are largely overlooked until Rachel becomes pregnant, forcing Rachel to leave Texas for a freedman’s school in Georgia.
From the insulated Sedahlia ranch to the Jim Crow south, the rails both separate and unite – parting lovers, reuniting family, pushing out the old, bringing in the new. It is in these settings that the Masters and Lindseys live and love, and their personal needs and mores collide. The repercussions rumble through this family and the surrounding community, tearing them asunder and bringing them together as only love and tragedy will.
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“Loved this family saga”
Five Star Review on Amazon By Melissa Finnegan
Wow. I not even sure what to say. This book is amazing. The story was unlike anything I have read in a very long time. It is a thick book, no doubt about it, but it is book that pulls you into the life of this family and won’t let go.
The trials faced by the characters in this book was heartbreaking and the scary part is these types of activities probably actually took place to someone simply because of the color of their skin.
I kept waiting for things to get better for the characters in this book and honestly it looked like it might not ever get better. But there is hope in the end.
Now, as much as I loved this book I do need to caution readers, there is a lot of intimate moments in this book both pre-marital and marital. It isn’t overly graphic but it will paint a very vivid picture of what is going on and it happens several times. If things are easily awoken in you this might be a book to avoid. But if that doesn’t bother you and won’t lead you down a path you shouldn’t go then you should be fine.
Also, there isn’t an overflow spiritual stuff going on. I wish there was a bit more but there are some characters that have faith and try to bring that into other characters lives who are seeking and lost.
For me this book was amazing and I loved being brought into the lives of these characters.A copy of this book was given to me through The Book Club Network Inc. in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author
Cynthia D. Toliver is a 1980 graduate of Rice University. She has enjoyed a varied career as a chemical engineer, environmental consultant, teacher and author. A native Texan, she credits her family and educators with her love for literature. She is the author of two historical novels, Sedahlia and Crown’s Jewel and an inspirational book, Come See a Man. Rawsistaz calls her first published work, Crown’s Jewel, “a stunning debut”. Ms. Toliver continues to teach and author new fiction.