Set in the South during the mid-1800’s, Thandi’s Love explores the torrid love affair between beautiful mulatto slave Thandi Boran, and her married master, Tom Lexington. This riveting tale revolves around their great love and the many obstacles they endured. (The main obstacle being Tom’s marriage to Anna, the mean-spirited daughter of his business partner and enemy, Daniel Stafford) With … suspicions mounting and tempers flaring, Stafford warns Tom to stay away from Thandi or else… He (Stafford) soon takes his daughter back home for a much-needed break. In their absence, Stafford sends his business partner and fellow associate Victor Richmond to keep an eye on affairs, who in which instantly takes a keen liking to Thandi. With news that his beloved Aunt is dying, Tom pays her a visit and learns a shocking piece of news. Slowly the facts are revealed. Not only facts of the here and now, but also deep dark secrets from the past… Step back in time and take a journey through undeniable love, forever friendships, selfless sacrifices, and unforgettable breathtaking moments that will leave you yearning for more…
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A beautiful period piece that kept me reading. The author has a classical style that returned me to the era of slavery in the deep South perfectly. I would have to remark that the authentic language was a bit startling at first and then I remembered a lesson an accomplished writer once told me, “Be true no matter what, to the character and setting.”
Undoubtedly Ms. Strong has this formidable lesson in her “tool box” already. Simply breathtaking descriptions of flora and the finery of the era, along with some bracing life lessons along the way. The portrayal of Thandi was touching, lovely and timeless. At the end of it all was love, I was quite reluctant to see Tom and Thandi go. Well done!
I didn’t know what to expect when I picked up what I assume was Angel Strong’s debut novel, Thandi’s Love. In short, it doesn’t read like a debut novel, and I’ve had never read anything remotely historical fiction. This is a wonderful story set in mid-1800’s on the plantations of the south about family, friendship, and passionate love. I couldn’t stop turning pages. Strong has an economy to her writing style that doesn’t bore the reader with long descriptions but gives you details, action, and dialogue all woven into powerful phrases. It’s cinematic. You can see scenes come off the pages and feel the emotions of the well-developed characters as they interact with each other.
Strong knows how to make protagonist, Thandi beautiful, and I mean absolutely gorgeous, and she doesn’t have to go on about it. Strong picks her shots. Check it out. “The former tomboy, pig-tailed girl from his childhood had surprisingly morphed into a beautiful goddess.” And, “Her sleek brows furrowed inquisitively above her wide eyes.” Notice the action there. Strong also doesn’t bog you down with backstory but instead weaves it into the intricate plot strategically. She kicks off the tension in the opening pages giving the reader both the good and bad of Anna and her conflict with Tom. Yikes! “Without question, she [Anna] was a very beautiful woman, but the foulness within her profoundly diminished her outward beauty.” She paints a beautiful and honest picture of the south during that period. Her dialogue and dialect both feel authentic.
Finally, Strong masterfully wields an omniscient third-person narrative (something not easy to do) to deliver this robust tale from different points of view. Thandi’s Love is filled with twists and turns and a surprising reveal toward the end. Highly recommended.
Tom and Thandi’s taboo affair faces insurmountable obstacles in a time of insurmountable hatred of racial mixing. The love triangle between Tom, Thandi, and Victor is compelling and heart-wrenching, and I rooted for all three to get their heart’s desire. The author crafted this story beautifully, keeping the reader guessing and cheering for three equally lovable and honorable protagonists.
The author has an immense talent for this genre. A historical piece filled with a deep understanding of dynamics that take place on a southern plantation between slave-owners and slaves living in close quarters. Sometimes those affiliations grow deep roots of love and friendship that cannot be torn apart by racist hatred.
Tom Lexington, a slave-owner is trapped in a loveless marriage with wicked and jealous Anna. After many years, Thandi Boran, a green-eyed mulatto returns to her childhood plantation a beautiful woman, no longer that knock-kneed girl Tom remembered. Their love is instant and passionate, and Tom is determined to make it work. But his jealous wife will do anything to keep her husband and anything to be rid of Thandi. Underhanded schemes, family secrets, and finally worry for Thandi’s safety throws her into the protective arms of Victor Richmond.
Victor for victorious, redemption, selfless, undying love captured my heart and left me weeping. This story epitomizes life and reminds us we can’t always have what our heart wants, but true love is worth fighting for. If I could give Angel Strong ten stars instead of five, I would most definitely.
This is a story that is well worth reading. It gives a vivid description of slavery in the south where blacks were subject to abject cruelty but also a time when the voice of reason was coming to a head about keeping slaves. Tom is in a marriage where his wife is a mean spirited woman who treated him badly his love for Thandi withstood the test of time and they endured a lot. This story captivates inspires and has you cheering for Tom and Thandi when in a place and time it was forbidden to even think along the lines of love between the races!