Review: Love Beyond The Grave
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 7, 2013
A long-time fan of Jennifer Blake's historical romances with more romantic titles than THE COURT OF THE THORN TREE, I admit I allowed this not so passionate sounding title to make me overlook this wonderful book earlier. That was truly my loss. Don't be fooled by the title. The thorny locust tree in the courtyard of the Villars home in old New Orleans is deeply entwined in their lives, loves, pain, pleasures and deep dark secrets born from a tempestuous past. Margaret, the heroine, has no idea what an adventure she's in for when she applies for the position of governess. Her feisty, troubled charge, little Amelina, a product of Charles Villars' first marriage to rebellious beauty Blanche, turns out to be the ultimate challenge. Amelina's father, Charles, a proper Creole gentleman, and his free-spirited, disreputable brother-in-law, Raoul, share enough tension in the house already. Living in the same quarters with Margaret increases the two men's loathing for one another until their strong emotions escalate to a fever pitch level.Is it coincidence that in "the language of trees" the locust tree symbolizes "affection beyond the grave?" This is only one of the many intriguing secrets I unlocked as I read THE COURT OF THE THORN TREE. You'll find yourself rooting for Margaret and hoping she'll end up with true love beyond the grave, a love that lasts for all time. But which man in the house--Charles or Raoul--is her soul mate? Or might the wise old Scottish doctor that makes mysterious visits to the Villars house in the night already know?I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in this powerfully written book to see what happens next. The ending was explosively exciting and surprising as finally the stormy secrets of the Villars household erupt like a long overdue summer storm.An emotional thriller with romance, danger and mystery clinging to each page, tantalizing your senses like the sweet-smelling ivory blossoms on the locust tree, this story is a VERY satisfying read. Run, don't walk, to enter Jennifer Blake's THE COURT OF THE THORN TREE.