The Randolph Legacy

Great read, especially if you enjoy historical and romantic novels. The author is able to transport you back in time to the early 1800's. She paints an intriguing picture of Plantation life on the James River touching on slavery, inheritance, Quaker religious issues. Highly recommended although I am not certain of any basis of historical fact.

Just when I was convinced that this summer would leave me irritable and dissatisfied with fiction, I chanced upon this wonderful read! The main characters are well drawn, and despite a mystical tendency to see and feel past events and current ghosts, believable. The situation is a new look at the old returning scion theme, with a female character who is refreshingly unlike most in period novels, yet true to her time and station. Charbonneau weaves in several story lines well, leaving only one that tugs at greater exposition, that of the Frenchman, "Fayette". On the whole, a marvelous way to spend some reading hours.

Ms. Charbonneau has woven another masterful, compelling tale. I found the narrative richly layered with drama, action, and heartfelt romance. Readers will fall in love just as the main characters do! Judith Mercer is a warm, unique heroine; and Ethan Randolph is deftly drawn as a man both simple and complex, endearing in his innocence and attractive in his strength. Anyone who thinks all romance novels are alike have never read a novel by Ms. Charbonneau! What I always like best about her work is her fresh, unique voice. THE RANDOLPH LEGACY does not disappoint. The plot is unusual and intriguing. The language is spare but visual, painting pictures of sailing ships, bustling ports, sunny plantations and lighthouses by the sea. This is a book you won't want to put down!

Charbonneau's latest novel represents both a brilliant celebration and daring augmentation of the historical romance genre. In The Randolph Legacy, Charbonneau demonstrates to the hilt her mastery of all of the traditional elements of her craft: the weaving of a deep mystery around the fascinating male protagonist, Ethan Randolph; searing and sensuous descriptions of carnal passion unfolding in the beautiful Quakeress heroine, Judith Mercer; convergence of fast-paced subplots on the harrowing denoument of the central mystery; all served up with sedulous attention to the regional cultures of the United States in 1815. But, in addition to these traditional elements, Charbonneau audaciously bestows upon her most sympathetic characters certain shared powers of extra-sensory perception that enable them to transcend their cultural limitations and that also enable Charbonneau to further her ethical investigation of the ambiguities, hypocrisies, and redemptive possibilities of interracial human relations on the slave plantations of Virginia.

In 1805 on the high seas, English Captain Willis has a twelve year old American lashed for refusing to work as a sailor under the English flag. Due to the fast action of a French prisoner, the lad's life is saved, but he mentally and physically crippled. A decade later, a Quaker Judith Mercer escorts a strange young man to the Windover Plantation in Virginia. She swears to the wealthy Randolph family that the crippled creature is their lost son Ethan, who allegedly died at sea ten years ago. As Judith helps Ethan regain his physical and emotional health, the pair falls in love with each other. However, Judith has demons of her own to surmount before she can ever think of entering into a loving relationship. Then there are those who would prefer the heir to be impressed by the British again. With all this hanging in the air, it appears that two deserving souls will still fail to find happiness. THE RANDOLPH LEGACY is a fast paced historical fiction, with a strong romantic thread running through the well researched and fascinating story line. The issue of British impressment of American citizens are seen through a fresh perspective, a trademark of Eileen Charbonneau. The lead protagonists are endearing character, who add emotional depth as they struggle to overcome their personal histories to forge a future together. The colorful story line is brisk and exciting. Ms. Charbonneau, known for her young adult novels, should receive acclaim as a multi-genre talented author. Harriet Klausner