Disclosure: I received this book to review; this post contains affiliate links.

A surefire way to catch my interest in a book is to tell me that it’s set near Charleston, South Carolina.  Oh, how I love that place!  My first visit there was on my honeymoon and we’ve visited many times since.  Carolina Gold opens with a trip down Meeting Street; be still my heart!!  

As I read Carolina Gold, I was reminded of Gone With The Wind.  Spunky Charlotte was determined to pick up the pieces of her broken rice plantation and bring it back to life. She picks herself up by the petticoats and puts on her father’s boots, ready to get to work.  She is confronted with many hardships along the way.  Financially, she depends on the kindness of her neighbors and her father’s business contacts to get her through the planting process.  She is disheartened to find that the once-loyal slaves are not eager to help, demanding money and consideration for their time.   Charlotte finally faces the fact that she might have to consider another path for her life.

The story was somewhat choppy and disjointed in places.  I couldn’t get a good grasp on the timing between scenes.  For example, when a long-lost cousin appears at the Fairhaven Plantation, it seems that he just did too much in one day to be realistic.  I had a hard time feeling the true emotion behind Charlotte’s actions, although I sensed that it would take a lot of guts for her to accomplish her task.  While I tend to side with the slaves seeking freedom in most Civil War era novels, I was moved by the sadness and change of lifestyle for the plantation owners as I read Carolina Gold.  It was difficult for me to become interested in Nicholas, Charlotte’s neighbor and friend.  He was so wishy-washy about his responsibilities and, to me, took advantage of her kindness.  At the end of the book I saw that this book was inspired by a true 19th century female rice farmer. This made me appreciate the story a little more.  Readers who are familiar to the Charleston area will recognize names and descriptions throughout the story. 

The main complaint I have with this book was the writing in Charlotte’s journal articles.  The handwriting font was quite small and I had a terrible time trying to decipher the words.  No amount of squinting was enough.  Blame it on my age if you wish (I am nearing 40 years old, after all!) but I found myself skipping over those parts and hoping that I wasn’t missing too much.  Maybe it’s time to graduate to large-print editions!!

Would you enjoy Carolina Gold by Dorothy Love?  Enter the giveaway that starts on January 15 and you just might win a copy!

Don’t miss Dorothy Love‘s latest historical novel, Carolina Gold. Fun news: The release of Carolina Gold coincides with Dorothy’s birthday. Celebrate with her by entering the Southern Essentials Giveaway and RSVPing to her Facebook party on January 14th!

Between January 3–14, visit Dorothy Love’s Facebook Page to enter to win a new giveaway each day and be entered to win the $100 Visa Cash Card grand prize. Winners will be announced at the Facebook Author Chat party on January 14th! (Don’t have a Facebook account? Enter here.)
RSVP today for Dorothy’s Carolina Gold Author Chat Party on Facebook.

During the party Dorothy will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills, announcing the winner of the Southern Essentials Giveaway, and giving away books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she’ll also be giving partygoers an exclusive look at her next book!

So grab your copy of Carolina Gold and help Dorothy celebrate her birthday on the evening of January 14th! (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 14th!