55451

Another good read! These characters draw me in to their lives and I learn from them. Perseverance, fortitude, faithfulness, loyalty to God, family, and friends! ( )

Serafina's painful memories of betrayal in Venice soften with her growing fondness for John Falconer, who has joined her father in a new commercial venture. His work thrusts him into America's first gold rush--in the Carolina mountains! When Falconer fails to return from a trip as planned, rumors begin to swirl that his past has caught up to him--or worse. Serafina seeks hope from yet another tale: a "night angel," who pays a slave's ransom in freshly-minted gold! With her father's help, Serafina sets out to determine Falconer's fate. But her own destiny hangs in the balance. ( )

Plot Summary: What happens, When & Where, Central Characters, Major Conflicts
Serefina hears something in the middle of the night--Assasins! She rouses Falconer, her families hired hand/bodyguard and he gets her and her maid to safety. Her parents are appalled at the lack of propriety though, and Serefina realizes that even if she had feelings for Falconer, there could never be a match between them. This is unfortunate because Falconer loves Serifina. But other matters must be taken care of, such as the families safety and business regardinga gold mine. Falconer volunteers to go and take care of these matters, hoping time away from Serifina will help heal his broken heart. He also has a mission of his own to accomplish--freeing slaves to make up for his time as a sailor on a slave ship.






Style Characteristics: Pacing, clarity, structure, narrative devices, etc.
The Bunn's capture the feel of the historical period well, and also create well drawn characters with inner and outer conflicts that drive the story along at a nice pace. Serefina and Falconer seem more that willing to move on to new loves after their break-up, which may seem strange especially in Falconer's case. Without knowledge of the previous books some parts were a bit clouded, but the main story was easy to follow without the backstory. Falconer's luck in freeing the slaves is miraculous, as is his recue from jail.






How Good is it?
An enjoyable read, a nice escape, adventurous and full of characters that are a pleasure to meet. ( )