The Magnolia Duchess is the third installment in author Beth White’s Gulf Coast Chronicles. I had the privilege of reading book two, The Creole Princess, prior to reading book three. Having read the second book, I still found myself lost in this novel. I am an avid reader of historical fiction and I do enjoy a book filled with historical detail. However, I feel like I may have missed the forest for the trees.
I must acknowledge the skill, planning, and writing talent with which Beth White pen’s her novels. White had definitely done her research and included so many historical details in her story of love and war. This story begins with Fiona Lanier discovering a washed up man on the shore. More interesting is the realization that she recognizes him. From here there seems to be a never-ending cast of characters and plot lines. Point of view in the story changes frequently to the point that I wish a full list was provided for the reader.
I never want to dissuade someone from reading a book based on m own personal feelings. Especially when the author took such pains to write such a detail filled story. If you love historical fiction loaded with characters and places, this might be the book for you. It just wasn’t a book for me. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated in any way
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