Through the Storm. Beverly Jenkins. 1998. HarperCollins. 388 pages. [Source: Public Library.]
I am far too late on the Beverly Jenkins train; luckily, I’ve corrected course and thoroughly enjoyed the first in her historical fiction series that follows the Le Veq family in Civil War-era New Orleans.
With an unexpected and dramatic escape from the plantation she’s always know as home, Sable finds herself newly free during the ongoing Civil War. Through what can only be described as divine intervention, she comes crosses paths with Raimond Le Veq at a refugee camp. While the disarming general is obviously enamored with her, Sable is suspicious and disinterested in any connection that doesn’t make good use of her newfound freedom.
Unfortunately, things never play out in simple terms, and a spur of the moment decision pulls the two apart, with Raimond left resenting Sable, who he’s come to see as a traitor. Just a year later, Sable finds herself in Raimond’s hometown of New Orleans. They’re one again thrown together by chance, this time in a marriage of convenience so that Raimond’s family can access the much-needed family inheritance they need to recover from the war.
There is constant tension between the two — Sable’s not quite sure what to make of their arrangement and her place in his life, and Raimond is wary of the former slave he thinks betrayed him. If Sable and Raimond have nothing else, they’ve got sexual tension. From their first meeting, it’s apparent that they share a physical attraction; that is only buoyed over time. As they get to know one another, they find not only mutual respect but also affection. To them, being thrust back together under less than favorable circumstances is equal parts frustrating and enticing.
As characters, Sable and Raimond are infuriating and endearing. The true treat of this book, however, is the rapport between Sable and the other Le Veq’s — Raimond’s beloved mother and his humorous brothers. This book also reintroduces characters from Jenkins’ Indigo, Hester and Galen. It’s apparent that Jenkins puts a great deal of effort and intentionality into developing relationships among her characters, and it is these interactions that drive not only the action, but the growth of characters as well. Jenkins’ world-building is also of note. There are countless settings in the book, and each is treated to an in-depth description that paints a vivid picture. Whether it is the crowded and uncertain environment of the camp or the opulence of a Lev Veq hotel, the imagery bolsters the story and is truly a character in its own right.
A strength of Jenkins’ writing is her attention to historical accuracy. She doesn’t just write a historical romance that happens to take place in the past. Instead, her writing reflects in-depth research about contemporaneous events and figures, which she then incorporates seamlessly into the story. The time period or plot are not tertiary characters, but are indeed central to the story and the characters’ identities. In Through the Storm, the reader isn’t just seeing a romance play out; they’re also getting a history lesson from the lens of those most impacted. And if that’s not enough, there’s a reference list so people can do their own further reading.
I am thrilled to have picked up Through the Storm. I absolutely recommend it for those who enjoy romance, as it absolutely fits the bill. However, this went a step further than historical romances I’ve read previously with its realistic depiction of events, people, and settings. I absolutely recommend this read, and am already excited to finish her back-catalog.
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