THE KNOTTED RING
BY MYRA HARGRAVE MCILVAIN
Historical Fiction / Family Saga / Historical Romance
Publisher: Next Chapter
Page Count: 412
Publication Date: December 7, 2023
Scroll down for Giveaway!
Susannah Mobley, expecting a baby by her lover, a slave owned by her family, submits to an arranged marriage to Hezekiah James who is headed to Texas to claim a Spanish land grant. Caught in a series of lies about the origin of a beautiful ring woven from her red hair and the circumstances of her pregnancy, Susannah embarks on the harsh trip to Texas, grieving for her lost love and determined to control her destiny.
On the wagon train journey, Hezekiah is tested by his beliefs and strengths with his slaves and Native Americans, as well as a strange Mad Stone. His determination to build a plantation as fine as Susannah’s home place and to make the best decisions for Susannah fails. Susannah will have to decide if she can live with the consequences of her lies and open herself to this man who shows every form of contrition or if she will allow longing for what she cannot have to destroy her life.
~~~
The Knotted Ring is currently a semi-finalist status
in the Laramie Awards for Western and Americana Fiction.
“An often engrossing and well-handled story of the 19th century.”
—Kirkus Reviews
~~~
CLICK TO PURCHASE!
Barnes & Noble │ Google │ Kobo
Myra Hargrave McIlvain, a sixth-generation Texan, is a storyteller who has written Texas historical markers (yes, real people write those things lining Texas highways), articles for newspapers and magazines such as Texas Highways, and six nonfiction books about famous and infamous Texas characters and places.
McIlvain found her real love when she wrote her first historical fiction. All her tales take place in Texas during major periods of its history. However, The Knotted Ring was inspired by an old family story, and in her search to understand what may have happened, she imagined their lives set in a time that she knew well––the establishment of the first Anglo colony.
McIlvain views history as the story of a people; the people she knows best have made Texas home.
————————————–
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE WINNERS
1st Prize: Autographed hardcover & tote bag; 2nd Prize: Autographed paperback + candle; 3rd Prize: Autographed paperback
(US only; ends midnight, CST, 02/29/24)
FOR DIRECT LINKS TO EACH BLOG PARTICIPATING IN THIS BOOK BLITZ!
blog tour services provided by
MY REVIEW:
I loved reading the author’s notes at the end of this book and learning that this story came about through research into her family genealogy. While the story is fiction, all the events are believable.
Set in the time period before the Civil War, when slavery was common in the south, the author did a great job of depicting the reality of it from both sides.
Susannah was born to a wealthy plantation owner and her life was one of privilege. Sent to boarding school in New Orleans, she discovered a deep love for and a natural talent for playing the harp. I love the sound of that instrument and could hear it in my mind when she played for guests in their home.
She grew up with slave children and seeing no difference between herself and them. She taught them to read and write when no one was looking and developed a deep bond with a slave, Philippe. But when she got older, that innocent friendship turned to love, and she wound up pregnant with his baby.
Imagine a white girl pregnant with a black man’s baby in the early 1800s. She was immediately married off to a young lawyer, Hezekiah, who had a penchant for adventure.
The story follows this union through some of the most horrific scenarios you can imagine as they journey to Texas, looking for land to settle.
My heart broke with each loss and hardship.
I hoped Susannah would grow to love the man who married her and offered to give her baby a name. But that hope was all but dashed when Hezekiah did the unspeakable, even though his intentions were good. He truly loved Susannah.
I don’t want to leave any spoilers here. I loved this story. It gripped me from the first page until the last. The author kept it authentic. And when I discovered the reason behind the book title, I was deeply touched. This is a story that is so real, you’re left to wonder if it’s truly fiction. I highly recommend it.
Like this:
Like Loading...
I can’t imagine the fear that poor woman lived with, not only for her unborn child, but a forced marriage and then uprooted to a faraway home.
This sounds very good.
Exactly, Jacquie. It is a very gripping story and one I think you’d seriously enjoy. I certainly did!
Hi Jan, this book sounds compelling. A wonderful review.
Thank you, Robbie. This book was SO good!
Yes, you wrote an enticing review, and I thank you sincerely.
You wrote an enticing story. So, thank you!!
Jan, I almost cried with joy over your wonderful review and gratitude that you made readers want to find out more. I have been in the hospital with my husband since Monday and not able to take part in the book blitz. You gave me a wonderful gift and emotional lift.
I, too, have struggled with my WordPress posts. When I finally get home, I must wrestle with it and get needed help.
Again, I am deeply in my our debt. Myra
Oh, Myra. I am SO sorry to hear that your husband has been ill. Life sure throws us come curve balls, doesn’t it. I truly enjoyed your story. You told a tale that had to be difficult to write at times, but you did it in a really good way. I am so over my WordPress woes. I wish I was better at technology, but I’m not and have to rely on others. Then, it never gets done the way you want it. Anyway, thank you for your lovely comment and I will keep your husband in my prayers. Hugs!
Wonderful review, Jan! And congratulations to Myra!
Thank you, Mary. This was such a good story!
Nice review, Jan. You hit on all the reasons I loved the story, especially Susannah’s treatment of the slaves on her father’s plantation. I’m sure she wasn’t the only White woman to respect the Blacks, but those are never much written about. I’m glad Myra chose to showcase that in her book.
Thanks for stopping by, Mary Ann. I am glad you enjoyed the story, too. I agree about Susannah’s treatment of not only the slaves on the plantation, but her husband’s slaves, too. Such a great story!
Wow, this sounds so good, Jan. I remember you telling me about this plot. I can’t imagine and I’m sure it happened quite a lot. Sending much love and wishes for a beautiful day.
It was such a good story, sister. And yes, I imagine it happened quite a lot with children of plantation owners and slave children. Thank you for stopping by to leave a comment.
This book sounds great, Jan, and your emotional reaction to it is a compelling reason to pick it up. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and congrats to Myrah on what sounds like an exceptional read. 🙂
This story did evoke emotion in me, Diana. I had to keep reminding myself it is fiction because it is so realistic. Thank you for stopping by!
A genealogy lead story. Very cool! Thanks for sharing, Jan! This sounds like a great read.
It is a really good story, Mar. Happy you stopped by to support Myra.
I love that this story came about from the author’s family genealogy – that’s fascinating. Wonderful review, Jan, and best wishes to Myra!
Thanks for stopping by, Teri. This was such a good story and learning what inspired it made it even more interesting.
Thanks for being a part of our book blitz and for writing a great review! Glad you loved the book.
My pleasure, Kristine. It was a great story!
I wonder what Hezekiah did! Enticing review, Jan!
Exactly what I wanted the reader to wonder, Priscilla. 🙂 Such a good story!