My Review - The Pelican Bride

4 our of 5 stars 

THE PELICAN BRIDE by Beth White is rich in history and characters with genuine appeal.

It’s 1704, and Genevieve Gaillain, along with her sister, is looking for a new start in the new colony of Louisiana.  Passage on the frigate Pelican, comes with one stipulation.  She and her sister must agree to marry one of the men in this new colony.  Since her religious beliefs will only bring her persecution if she were to stay in her homeland, Genevieve decides the new colony is the safer of the two evils.  Especially since she has already been labeled a criminal and will be sought out for her crime.

Tristan Lanier is not looking for a wife.  Already having suffered the loss of his beloved, he chooses to live a solitary life on his own plantation.  Respected by many in the nearby Fort where his brother is still an officer, he makes himself available to this burgeoning colony whenever his talents are required.  Unfortunately, there are those that detest Tristan’s involvement and would like nothing better than for him to go away . . . permanently.

When Tristan helps the passengers of the Pelican make their way to their new home, Genevieve finds herself at odds with the older of the Lanier brothers.  But the mutual animosity between Genevieve and Tristan soon blossoms into something more.  Though both of them struggle with the secrets they are keeping, they can’t seem to fight the powerful forces drawing them together. 

Unrest in the new colony, along with sinister happenings that are hard to explain, soon drives a wedge between Tristan and Genevieve.  The sting of betrayal may be an obstacle too big for them to overcome  When it becomes obvious someone is trying to silence them both, they realize it’s not just their love for each other on the line, but their very lives.

Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed THE PELICAN BRIDE.  At first, the introduction of so many characters, especially the different officers, was a bit hard to keep straight.  I couldn’t tell who was on whose side.  But, as the story progressed, I was better able to identify the good, the bad, and the ugly.  The main characters were fleshed out very well.  I fell in love with Genevieve and Tristan, Nika and Deerfoot, was exasperated with Aimee’s petulance, understood the struggle Marc-Antoine felt to be recognized on his own merit, and loathed Dufresne.  A good book should make you feel a gamut of emotions for the characters involved.  Ms. White accomplished that in THE PELICAN BRIDE.

Book provided of review purposes.

Available April 2014 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.