Teresa Robison

COMPELLING AND POWERFUL

This is a chronicle of Willa, a young slave, as she is traded from one plantation to another, her rise to service in the Big House, her unjust fall from grace, forbidden love between slave and master, and finally her escape to freedom. We are granted, through the author's skillful storytelling, accurate glimpses of the abuses and brutalities of slavery, as well as the decencies that also existed in plantation life.

[The Secrets of Heavenly] is a wonderful read for lovers of historical fiction and southern fiction. It is even somewhat for lovers of historical romance, although that aspect is not stressed; it is as necessary to the story, as it was a reality in the lives of female slaves. There are some light-hearted moments, but more often I found myself on the verge of tears. The story is sad and sweet, horrifying at times, cruel yet uplifting.

A very rare 5 stars.… (lisätietoja)