title: Sweet Rewards
author: Bradley, Lori Beasley
description: The Civil War has been over for years, but attitudes have changed little in Louisiana. Olivia Montgomery is a widow. Her father is the owner of the prosperous sugar plantation, Sweet Rewards, but he has no male heir to leave it to. Olivia is his only hope of that male heir. He presents her with numerous prospective husbands, but Olivia turns them all away. When he presents her with handsome shipping magnate, James Deveroe, Olivia is intrigued. Olivia accepts Deveroe's proposal, but soon comes to regret it. She and her half-sister, mulatto, daughter of her father and a house maid, Magdalena slip away toward New Orleans, but on the way, come across the beaten body of Devaroe and rush him back to Sweet Rewards where Olivia helps to nurse him back to health. They marry, but before the party is over it is interrupted by an unwelcome guest who brings it to ruin. When Olivia finds that her groom has fled along with the other guests, she and Magdalena resume their plans and leave for New Orleans and the family townhouse. Olivia and Magdalena struggle to make a new life in the turbulent city. They must deal with racial bias as well as James, who returns to torment Olivia. When pressed, she decides to brave riots and return to Sweet Rewards with a little surprise.