Dorothy Love's Carolina Gold ~ Reviewed

Carolina Gold [Paperback]
By Dorothy Love (Author)
Pages 320
Binding Softcover
Release Date Jul 1, 2013
Publisher Thomas Nelson
ISBN 140168761X

Description:

"The war is over, but at Fairhaven Plantation, Charlotte's struggle has just begun."

Following her father's death, Charlotte Fraser returns to Fairhaven, her family's rice plantation in the South Carolina Lowcountry. With no one else to rely upon, smart, independent Charlotte is determined to resume cultivating the superior strain of rice called Carolina Gold. But the war has left the plantation in ruins, her father's former bondsmen are free, and workers and equipment are in short supply.

To make ends meet, Charlotte reluctantly agrees to tutor the two young daughters of her widowed neighbor and heir to Willowood Plantation, Nicholas Betancourt. Just as her friendship with Nick deepens, he embarks upon a quest to prove his claim to Willowood and sends Charlotte on a dangerous journey that uncovers a long-held family secret, and threatens everything she holds dear.

Inspired by the life of a 19th-century woman rice farmer, "Carolina Gold" pays tribute to the hauntingly beautiful Lowcountry and weaves together mystery, romance, and historical detail, bringing to life the story of one young woman's struggle to restore her ruined world.

Review: 

Carolina Gold is about Charlotte Fraser, who, following her father’s death, returns to her family’s plantation in South Carolina.  Being the sole owner, she is determined to bring back the rice crop, also called Carolina Gold, following the aftermath of the Civil War.  However, with limited resources, money, and hired help, along with unpredictable weather, she is finding it might not be as easy as she first thought.  To help with finances, she agrees to tutor the daughters of her handsome neighbor, Nicholas Betancourt.  As she finds herself falling in love with him and his daughters, the startling realization comes up that Nicholas might be the true owner of Charlotte’s plantation, Fairhaven, as no one has been able to find the claim he staked. 

I love this time period in history, and really enjoyed Charlotte’s character.  She was so determined to do whatever it took to keep her home, and she wasn’t afraid to dive in there and do her part as well.  You find yourself cheering her on, hoping she can make a go of it, and wishing you could go help her! 

Reviewed by: Sarah Meyers