“A fascinating story, rich in emotion.” –Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling author of the Outlander seriesNorth Carolina, 1793Ian Cameron, a Boston cabinetmaker turned frontier trapper, has come to Mountain Laurel hoping to remake himself yet again–into his planter uncle’s heir. No matter how uneasily the role of slave owner rests upon his shoulders. Then he meets Seona–beautiful, … Seona–beautiful, artistic, and enslaved to his kin.Seona has a secret: she’s been drawing for years, ever since that day she picked up a broken slate to sketch a portrait. When Ian catches her at it, he offers her opportunity to let her talent flourish, still secretly, in his cabinetmaking shop. Taking a frightening leap of faith, Seona puts her trust in Ian. A trust that leads to a deeper, more complicated bond.As fascination with Seona turns to love, Ian can no longer be the man others have wished him to be. Though his own heart might prove just as untrustworthy a guide, he cannot simply walk away from those his kin enslaves. With more lives than his and Seona’s in the balance, the path Ian chooses now will set the course for generations of Camerons to come.A story of choice and consequence, of bondage and freedom, of faith and family.
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I really enjoyed Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton! She takes you back in time with wonderful characters and a page-turning plot. But the deeper inspirational themes make an even great impact. I highly recommend this beautifully written and well researched novel. I listened to the audio version and thought the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.
I really enjoyed Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton! She takes you back in time with wonderful characters and a page-turning plot. But the deeper inspirational themes make an even great impact. I highly recommend this beautifully written and well researched novel. I listened to the audio version and thought the narrator did a good job bringing the story to life.
Love forbidden, sacrifice, redeemed. Mountain Laurel casts long shadows of kinship through generations of a society that breeds slaves and secrets. Only Divine wisdom can unravel this web of human passions and intrigue so tightly woven. Only Divine mercy can pave a road to loosen the chains of bondage—those worn by the enslaved, and those binding the hearts of slavers. Exquisitely penned, with all the beauty of a highland song, Lori Benton throws wide the door of a culture born in Scotland and wedded to the American south in years before that region dreamt of abolition. Stunning portrait of a past made real.
I am a fan of this author (confession here) so I went into this book hopeful. I was not disappointed.
First, what this story is not: it’s not a cookie-cutter romance. What it is: a rich, poignant exploration of life during the late 18th century south as well as the spiritual journey of the main character, Ian. We see slavery from the point of view of a young woman, Seona, and as the story unfolds, our characters learn that the worst form of slavery is that of the soul.
Lori Benton’s prose is lovely and deft, never overdone, like the subtle strokes of the painter’s brush. If you are looking for a well-written novel with solid Christian content, this is it.
A well-woven story, but for some reason I didn’t really enjoy it.
Lori Benton weaves a narrative that is rich in history, people and emotions. It will take you on a journey of love and heartbreak, freedom and bondage, and truth and secrets. Lori Benton’s descriptions are so rich in detail that they’ll take you back in time to a world so far removed from ours. There you meet Seona (pronounced shona), a woman who’s been a slave her whole life and never dreamed of a life beyond it. Ian is running from his past when he arrives at Mountain Laurel, only to encounter new obstacles that will challenge his moral fibre. Seona is trying to maintain her faith in seemingly impossible circumstances. Ian is a man who doesn’t seek God until he reaches his lowest point and has no where else to turn. Their attraction is instantaneous and forbidden as they search for a path that will allow them to be together without losing those they care about. This novel seriously divided me and pitted my romantic heart against my moral compass. I’m usually quite good at predicting what is going to happen in a book but this story genuinely surprised me with an ending that was not entirely satisfying and yet was so perfect. It makes me so impatient for the sequel!
Reading Lori Benton’s books always breathes a bit of beauty into my soul. She weaves together a world of people and places that linger long after finishing the final chapter. Mountain Laurel was no exception.
From the very first chapter, we encounter Ian Cameron and are swept along the tide of his struggles, his passions, his uncertain convictions and the mingled sorrow and joy that his choices lead him to. We also get a glimpse of the story from the perspective of Seona, whose life is greatly impacted by Ian and the choices she makes with him. Although the story does tend towards the melodramatic at times, it does speak to the fact that life is messy and the learning process is in how we deal with it.
This book was exquisitely written and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get lost in a wonderful piece of historical fiction. It is a heavier read, so be prepared to have your heart ache a bit. However, like all great works of fiction, it’s worth it.
Ian Cameron returns to his Uncle Hugh’s plantation, hoping to renew himself once again and become his heir. He is not particularly comfortable with slave owning, but his cabinet making skills allow him to meet Seona, who is one of the slaves, but is also a wonderfully talented artist.
Plantation life on Mountain Laurel Plantation in the 1700’s was not easy, and slavery was an ugly part of that lifestyle in the south. Lori Benton writes a very rich and carefully researched novel about a southern plantation during that era. She dives right into the nitty gritty and has no qualms about the topic of the abuse of the slaves, either physical or otherwise. The entire novel is well written but not a completely easy read, as the facts of the era can be a bit disturbing.
Note: I would consider this an adult title, even though the abuses and marriage bed scenes are very skillfully handled and although not extremely detailed, the content is what I would consider to be adult.
I received a copy of this book as a blog giveaway and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
Gutted. This book. Has left me gutted.
There were times reading this when Mountain Laurel and I were not on speaking terms with each other. I was so angry, conflicted, heartbroken, hopeful, and amazed… Like every other book I’ve read from Lori Benton, this story takes you into the early heart of America, and you feel. Every. Gritty. Throb of that heart. You go through the emotions that the characters are feeling, because they are real and understandable. Relatable, in the truest human sense of the word. You hope with them, rejoice with them, wonder and hurt with them. You anguish with them, and are led to cling tighter to Jesus with them. So here I am, back on speaking terms and giving this tragic, beautiful, soul-searching book 5 stars. Because it truly is a book readers must experience.
Oh… Dear Fall 2021 – please hurry. I need Shiloh.