With the Civil War over, Kit Weston, a.k.a. Katherine Louise of Risen Glory Plantation, South Carolina, travels to New York disguised as a boy to eliminate her newly named guardian and regain control of her beloved plantation. Unfortunately for Kit, Baron Cain proves difficult to kill, and when he discovers her identity, Baron promptly stashes her in a New York finishing school for young ladies.
Three years later, Kit returns to Risen Glory to find that Baron has restored the plantation to its former prosperity. Baron scarcely recognizes the hoyden he remembers in the mature, 21-year-old Kit. The instant passion that flares between them is unwanted by both and equally undeniable. Pushed to the edge, Baron threatens to banish Kit from her beloved plantation, and she commits an impulsive, nearly unforgivable act. Baron's response is equally impossible and thrusts the pair into an intolerable situation. Wild and willful, passionate and wary, the two lovers must somehow find a way to overcome pride and distrust before there can be any likelihood of a loving resolution.
Readers who love Phillips's highly successful contemporary romances will be just as enthralled with this historical romance. Lush landscapes, complex characters, a charming cast of secondary players, and a subplot that takes a look at the effects of slavery and racist attitudes in the Old South all add up to an excellent novel. A rewrite of an early title, Just Imagine is classic historical romance at its best. --Lois Faye Dyer
From Library Journal
This rewritten, retitled version of Phillips's 1984 Risen Glory is a classic tale of the Reconstruction Era, featuring a young Southern hellion who will do anything to reclaim her plantation, a Northern war hero who finds himself in possession of said plantation and guardian of the girl, and an abundance of well-defined secondary characters. It goes without saying that Baron Cain is definitely a hero of the first tier; but while he has some trust issues that he eventually overcomes with the help of the heroine it is Kit Weston's transformation from a fiery, reckless teenager into a strong, determined, courageous woman that is truly memorable. Skillfully weaving issues of politics, power, slavery, poverty, and social class into the plot, this historical may not be what readers expect from Phillips, but her strong characters, lively humor, and excellent pacing are all there. Phillips is a best-selling, RITA Award-winning writer and lives in the Chicago area. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Description:
Amazon.com Review
With the Civil War over, Kit Weston, a.k.a. Katherine Louise of Risen Glory Plantation, South Carolina, travels to New York disguised as a boy to eliminate her newly named guardian and regain control of her beloved plantation. Unfortunately for Kit, Baron Cain proves difficult to kill, and when he discovers her identity, Baron promptly stashes her in a New York finishing school for young ladies.
Three years later, Kit returns to Risen Glory to find that Baron has restored the plantation to its former prosperity. Baron scarcely recognizes the hoyden he remembers in the mature, 21-year-old Kit. The instant passion that flares between them is unwanted by both and equally undeniable. Pushed to the edge, Baron threatens to banish Kit from her beloved plantation, and she commits an impulsive, nearly unforgivable act. Baron's response is equally impossible and thrusts the pair into an intolerable situation. Wild and willful, passionate and wary, the two lovers must somehow find a way to overcome pride and distrust before there can be any likelihood of a loving resolution.
Readers who love Phillips's highly successful contemporary romances will be just as enthralled with this historical romance. Lush landscapes, complex characters, a charming cast of secondary players, and a subplot that takes a look at the effects of slavery and racist attitudes in the Old South all add up to an excellent novel. A rewrite of an early title, Just Imagine is classic historical romance at its best. --Lois Faye Dyer
From Library Journal
This rewritten, retitled version of Phillips's 1984 Risen Glory is a classic tale of the Reconstruction Era, featuring a young Southern hellion who will do anything to reclaim her plantation, a Northern war hero who finds himself in possession of said plantation and guardian of the girl, and an abundance of well-defined secondary characters. It goes without saying that Baron Cain is definitely a hero of the first tier; but while he has some trust issues that he eventually overcomes with the help of the heroine it is Kit Weston's transformation from a fiery, reckless teenager into a strong, determined, courageous woman that is truly memorable. Skillfully weaving issues of politics, power, slavery, poverty, and social class into the plot, this historical may not be what readers expect from Phillips, but her strong characters, lively humor, and excellent pacing are all there. Phillips is a best-selling, RITA Award-winning writer and lives in the Chicago area.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.