Always and Forever

A fresh voice! A new kind of historical romance! Imagine one strong-willed, recently altar-jilted Black female taking on a project to deliver 30-plus Black mail order brides from Chicago to Kansas in 1884. Although Jim Crow was alive and thriving, this story, thankfully, does not dwell on it, but rather uses racism as a reality-based backdrop for the atmosphere of that time period. ALWAYS AND FOREVER focuses on the relationship between the lead woman, Grace Atwood, and the wagon master, Jackson Blake. The author skillfully develops the characters and takes us through each of the controlling motivations in their lives. This is a very beautifully told and passionate love story. I am now a Brenda Jenkins fan.

If you are a big Beverly Jenkins fan, then you will love Always and Forever. This books was done in a way that only Beverly Jenkins can. We met Grace Atwood and Jackson Blake in the book Topaz. I loved Grace, she didn't allow anyone to have her back against the wall. She could go with the best of them. Jackson was on the run and had been for years. When Grace asks him to become the wagonmaster for about 35 mail-order brides, he felt this would be his opportunity to go back to his hometown and get his business straight. What Jackson hadn't planned on was Grace lighting his fire and BOY did she.Some familiar characters from Beverly's previous books are present: Griffin (Jackson's brother) from the Taming of Jessi Rose and Mr. and Mrs. Dix and Katherine Wildhorse from Topaz.As usual you get a wonderful history lesson. If you have not read any of Ms. Jenkins books, then start with Night Song, Vivid, Indigo, Topaz, Through the Storm, and The Taming of Jessi Rose. Make sure you have a cool glass of ice water, you will definitely need it.

In 1884 Chicago, one hour before he was to marry Grace Atwood, Garth Leeds informs her that he is marrying Amanda Young instead. Rather than weep about his treachery, Grace accepts her cousin Price Prescott's offer to escort women to a small remote Kansas town to become the wives of the Black veterans of Lincoln's war that live there.Worried about the Jim Crow laws that are suffocating the recently freed Black population, Grace decides to use a wagon train to deliver the 30-35 brides. Finding a dependable guide proves educational to Grace until she interviews former sheriff Jackson Blake. Her first meeting with Jackson proves enlightening as Grace enters a whorehouse where he mistakes her for one of the girls and begins kissing her. Jackson decides to leave Chicago even if he cannot go as far as his beloved Texas, being wanted there. He accepts the job of wagonmaster even though Grace never actually offered it to him. On the trail, the passion between Grace and Jackson ignites into a deep abiding love, but he knows he offers her nothing due to his "criminal" past.As always, Beverly Jenkins provides her fans with a fabulous, fast-paced ethnic historical romance. The story line is filled with action, tension, and a humorous verbal duel between the lead charcaters, who are heroic, intrepid, and simply wonderful. Readers obtain a fascinating glimpse at the plight of the Black two decades after the Civil War allegedly emancipated the slaves. Anyone who enjoys a superb Americana ethnic romance will achieve tremendous pleasure from ALWAYS AND FOREVER. Harriet Klausner

Beverly Jenkins is just simply an incredible, multi-talented author. "Always and Forever" was a wonderful reading experience. This novel has so much to offer. The story of woman banker and cowboy taking a group of "mail order brides" cross country touched me in so many ways. From start to finish I was there with them -- I laughed, I cried, I felt their pain, their joy, their fear and their frustrations. It's such a heart-rendering story. Ms. Jenkins is noted for weaving quite a bit of real life history into her stories. She caught my attention and I fell hard for her novels when I read "Vivid". Since that time, I've read each and every one of her novels ("Vivid, Night Song, Topaz, Indigo, Through the Storm, and The Taming of Jessi Rose"). My advice to all of you, who want read a great novel, with a touch of historical facts, Beverly Jenkins is one author you want to add to your to buy list and one you'll want keep on that list. Every time I say she can't possibly improve on this last novel, she proves me wrong by doing the possible by generating another great book. Keep it up Beverly.

Hot, Hot, Hot! This novel was another masterpiece written by Beverly Jenkins. I absolutley loved the story plot and the characters in this latest novel. I enjoyed the professional status that Grace Atwood held in the novel, and the way the two characters ended up together. It was apparent that Grace felt heartbroken being left at the altar, but she couldn't have begun to imagine what lay on the other side of the door for her. Passion, and Love like she had never known. As always the History in the novel is so enligthning. Beverly you are number one on my list as favorite authors! Keep up the good work, and hurry up with the next one!