Jennifer F. (gilmoregirl) reviewed on 8/14/2012 + 5 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 3

Am I beautiful, Daddy? The cry of every girls heart, young and old, is to hear that their father thinks they are beautiful. As a child Altheas father made sure she knew she was beautiful and cherished. But that all changed the day her parents were killed and she and her sister were taken captive and made slaves in the home of the odious Sir Walter. Because of the girls mixed parentage they were seen as less than human in his eyes, plus he was just evil. He abused the girls in a multitude of ways, until finally Althea is able to escape and make her way by ship to Charleston and start a new life as a healer and physicians assistant. She lives a quiet, happy life and is continually worried that people will discover her past as well as her parentage. For in 1812, black slavery is rampant. Enter Morgan Rutledge, second son of a wealthy plantation owner who is captivated by the beautiful Althea and pursues her despite her reservations and efforts to dissuade him. When his little sister falls ill and none of the doctors can help her, Morgan calls Althea to see what she can do. Althea goes and prays for the little girl, who is almost past the point of no return. Miraculously the little girl is healed and Althea becomes the talk of society. Morgan pursues her even stronger after this, and he finally breaks down her resistance and escorts her to a party, where she begins to admit she is developing feelings for him. Along the way people get jealous of the relationship and sabotage it in various ways that I cant share or else it would give away big plot points :) There is a happily ever after, the best part of which is Morgan ensuring Althea knows that she is beautiful to him and cherished by him no matter what :)
This was a wonderful book that I highly recommend. I laughed, I cried at least twice, and I am contemplating reading it again in the next few weeks. It was a great encouragement to me as I am still on the lookout for my prince, and now I have added a few of Morgans qualities to my list for my prince :) Thank you to the author, MaryLu, for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.

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