ALWAYS AND FOREVER

Author: Gretchen Craig ISBN: 0821780190 4/2006 HISTORICAL Publisher: KENSINGTON
Time Period: 1830's Louisiana

Set against a fascinating backdrop of 1830s Louisiana, Always and Forever is a sweeping saga of a Creole-American family and of two remarkable women whose friendship will be tested by prejudice, tragedy, passion, and the love of one extraordinary man. Since they were children running barefoot about Toulouse Plantation, Josie and Cleo have been as close as sisters, forging an unbreakable bond that defies their roles as mistress and slave. Together, the two have shared secrets and protected each other through happiness and heartbreak. They never dream they could also share an intense passion for the same man, the elegant, charming, and irresistibly seductive Bertrand Chamard. His love will change their friendship forever and set in motion a series of events from which there can be no turning back.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

Gretchen Craig’s debut novel, ALWAYS AND FOREVER, receives a standing ovation from me! I absolutely loved it. It’s a novel rich in compelling characters, beautifully described landscapes and enough drama to keep you reading until the end.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER tells the unforgettable story of Josie and Cleo. Josie is the plantation owner’s daughter, and Cleo is her slave. However, as Josie finds out later, Cleo is really her sister and the life that she has known is going to take a very tragic turn. Despite the hardship and losses in Josie’s life, Cleo also has obstacles to overcome, as well. In the end, it’s the bond of family that helps them to survive.

Miss Craig pulls you into the lives of Josie and Cleo and the people all around them. She writes each character with great detail until you feel like you know them personally. I felt like crying with Cleo when the flood hit, and giddy when Josie was falling in love.

There’s nothing better than having an author transport you to another place and time. That time would be 1830’s Louisiana. For Josie and Cleo, it was a time of growing up and trying to survive whatever life threw at them. Neither of them could ever imagine that it would be the love of one man that would turn their lives upside down.

I would definitely recommend reading Gretchen Craig’s ALWAYS AND FOREVER. I was happy to discover that Miss Craig has a sequel to this book in the works. I’ll be anxiously waiting for it!

Julie Kornhausl