Rebel

Women Who Dare

By: Beverly Jenkins

Narrated by: Kim Staunton

Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The first novel in USA Today best-selling author Beverly Jenkins’ compelling new series follows a Northern woman south in the chaotic aftermath of the Civil War....

Valinda Lacey’s mission in the steamy heart of New Orleans is to help the newly emancipated community survive and flourish. But soon, she discovers that here, freedom can also mean danger. When thugs destroy the school she has set up and then target her, Valinda runs for her life - and straight into the arms of Captain Drake LeVeq.

As an architect from an old New Orleans family, Drake has a deeply personal interest in rebuilding the city. Raised by strong women, he recognizes Valinda’s determination. And he can’t stop admiring - or wanting - her. But when Valinda’s father demands she return home to marry a man she doesn’t love, her daring rebellion draws Drake into an irresistible intrigue.

©2017 Beverly Jenkins (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

Pirate Bear finds Helion Teacher and love roars

The Bear LeVeq saves an unknown woman while returning his sister in law home and the sparks from that meeting start to smolder. Once again a LeVeq male finds himself under the love spell but unaware how to resolve the situation. The fates help put him, Drake and the lovely Valinda into the same area when she is thrown into the street by the cruel white renters she lived with while attempting to teach the free people of New Orleans after the war. Ms. Staunton's performance is outstanding as she moves from character to character incorporating little quirks to make known that she understands the story. She has a good knowledge of diction both for English, French and Creole. Ms. Staunton has also included the diction of the old south in the 18th century under her belt. The entire performance relies on the wonderful writing of Ms. Beverly Jenkins. It is her vast knowledge of history and her wonderful way to craft an image on paper that makes you feel engulfed enough to hear the bugs buzzing, see the sunrise, feel the breeze in the afternoon or on the other hand to hear the anger in a protectors voice when his love has been harmed or worse taken. Ms. Bev is the BEST!!!!

Ms . Jenkins is the Queen of Historical Romance!

Not only are you taught historical facts. But you are entertained by her descriptive stories.

Love Beverly Jenkins stories

The way Beverly Jenkins writes helps to shape what the social scene was like in different parts of the history of black folks. It also helps that there are great romance stories interwoven in to the history lessons. She never disappoints and this particular story is also great.

Brilliantly written love story

I loved this book. What a brilliantly written story full of everything I love in a novel: romance, love, danger, tension, character growth and family/community.

Beverly Jenkins is one of my favorite authors because she doesn't just tell a story, she educates the reader. It is so apparent that she really researches the era and crafts the story in a way that the reader will leave knowing a few more things about our American History. This story moved a fast pace, had drama and that familial ties that embraced people who don't have loved ones around.

In this new series set in the 1860's, Valinda Lacey moved to New Orleans to work with Nuns to educate newly empanciated slaves. She was met with some resistance from one of the nuns as well as some white supremacists who attacked her carriage. Luckily, Captain Drake LeVeq and his sister in law were on the road and rescued Valinda. It eventually led to Drake's mother to offer Valinda a place to stay and a job. Valinda was compassionate and was clear as to she wanted to spend her life as an educator. Drake was a contractor who also volunteered at the Freedmen's Bureau. Drake and Valinda had qualities that the other admired but there was hinderance.
Even though Drake was attracted to Valinda and vice versa, but she was engaged to be married to a man whom she didn't love. The marriage was important to Valinda because it guaranteed her freedom from her father and the protection of her fiance's name. Drake had his work cut out for him to show Valinda that she could have it all: freedom, family protection as well as passionate love.

I expected a well written story and I wasn't disappointed. I listened to this story and I smiled, laughed, felt sympathy, anger and hope. These characters were resilient in spirit despite the financial or societal circumstances. This author clearly values family because the LeVeq family has been a pillar in the community for several of her books. Another thing that amazed me was the way she wrote passionate sex scenes. They weren't crass and overly descriptive, just enough to make you feel butterflies in your belly but not look over your shoulder in embarrassment for your Pastor. Bravo!!!

I am excited for this new series Women Who Dare and I can't wait for the next installment.

The Great Men

This is really a good novel, I have only read one other of Beverly jenkins's book. and that was 'through the storm' and i really love it. I think that now I'm hooked, and I'm loving her characters..

Great Read

A love story filled with glimpses of history. Loved it and couldn’t put it down.

My first book by Beverly Jenkins

I don't know why I have not read her books before. this was a great one to start with. smart and sexy. the romance scenes were intimate but not over the top perfect blend of emotion and sex.

I also learned so much about the Freed Men I never knew. A new experience from a perspective completely different than my own. it was amazing.

Lovely story and storytelling

I don’t generally read historical romance, but this story was truly enjoyable. I appreciated the lack of violence and the simplicity of a black romance during the years of reconstruction. It was tender, while also coming through as authentic. Well done.

Winner as usual

Beverly Jenkins has yet to let me down. I love all of her books. I read this when it came out, but wanted to listen to it so the book would come more al8ve!

good read

love it , wish it had a different narrator. Also could have been better if she used french/creole accents