Loading ...Given by Lisa G. Riley and Roslyn Hardy Holcomb
In Ohio’s Gist Settlement in 1850, Mary Katherine Day is a Stationmaster on the Underground Railroad, a position she inherited from her father (along with her family’s boardinghouse and general store) upon her parents’ death the year before. Thirty-year-old Mary Katherine is happily single (in spite of many proposals) and, therefore, independent. Enter Jacob Adams.
Mr. Adams is a carpenter and Underground Railroad Conductor who has recently returned to Gist Settlement after several years out West. He asked Mary Katherine to marry him the first time they met and asks again each time he sees her. Her repeated “no” does nothing to dissuade him nor does it stop the sparks of attraction between them. Trouble on the Underground Railroad soon forces them together, revealing long-held secrets about Jacob and awakening Mary Katherine’s repressed sexuality.
Given is an engaging read that is both erotic and historically fascinating. The story’s supernatural element of eternal conflict between the shapeshifting Eshu and demonic Thakathi, which lurks under the visible black versus white conflict, serves as an excuse for some characters’ behavior but also prompts reader reflection on true historical evil.
The cultural constraints that Gist Settlement’s “free blacks” live under and the likelihood of violence against them by whites are astonishing and embarrassing from a modern perspective. One of the story’s scariest moments is when unknown white men come into Mary Katherine’s store. She instinctively knows they intend to destroy her store and harm her. She also knows “…no matter what she [says] or how she [acts] this confrontation [is] going to end badly for her” (pg. 70). Authors Riley and Holcomb portray this and other horrifying historical truths matter-of-factly through their characters’ eyes because this was simple reality in 1850 (even in the Northern states). It is a more effective and honest approach than inserting modern sensibilities into the narrative would have been.
I was disappointed by the fast resolution of the final conflict and Given’s sudden ending. I would love to read further adventures of Mary Katherine and Jacob. I hope a sequel is in the works!
Book Stats:
- e-book, digital format
- Publisher: Loose Id
- Book Length: Novella
- Language: English
- ISBN: 978-1-60737-520-3
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To purchase an eBook copy of Given from OmniLit click here.
Thank you so much for the lovely review! I’m glad you liked the story, and I’m sure once Ros reads the review she’ll be just as happy as I am. We did lots of research for this story. Yes, there is a follow-up. It’s called “Stolen,” and right now it’s scheduled to come out in November from http://www.loose-id.com.
Again, thanks so much.
Best,
Lisa G.
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