Topaz

4.5 helmsPlease follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages.I’m very excited about this review as this was my first Beverly Jenkins! I’ve been meaning to try her for ages and finally it has happened and so glad I read Topaz. About time I read about some coloured characters…it never even crossed my mind coloured heroes and heroines are not featured as prominently within the historical romance genre and I’m so proud Beverly Jenkins has rectified that! Not only is this a fun historical romance, but it is also a history lesson that I’m sure a lot of us are unaware of! Yes, we have all heard about the American Civil War, but what other hardships did the Black population in America face? Read Beverly Jenkins and you are sure to pick up on some fascinating historical titbits!Dixon (Dix) Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshall finds himself offered the hand of Katherine Love by her father to settle his debts with Dix. Disgusted by Bart Love’s offer, yet intrigued by his description of Katherine, as Dix is in the market for an agreeable wife, Dix, agrees to meet her. As they set off to meet the biddable seamstress’s assistant, Bart realises Katherine is missing and her home has been ransacked. Panicking, Bart begs Dixon to help him find his daughter. Suspecting Bart is up to his usual tricks, Dix makes Bart tell him the whole story, where Bart fesses up that Kate really is a newspaper woman and she was planning to expose a Mr Rupert Samuels and his business dealings. Dix and Bart track Kate down to Rupert Samuel’s house and watch from afar as she’s forcefully taken into the dwelling by Rupert’s henchmen. Bart drops another bombshell – Rupert and Katherine are meant to be getting married on the morrow! Bart attempts to reassure Dix that the wedding was a ruse and she wasn’t planning to go through with it, as she was only pretending to be his fiance so that she could expose him! Furious with Bart and his schemes, Dix’s code of honour leaves him with no choice except to see this plan through and rescue Kate from Rupert’s hands.Giving up hope of not being wedded to Rupert Samuel’s, Katherine Love resigns herself to an unwanted fate until a furious lawman snatches Kate from the altar, rescuing her from her worst nightmare. Kate is ecstatic about her rescue until Dix informs her that her father has sent him to rescue and wed her instead! Marriage isn’t something Kate has wanted as she had no plans to abandon her career to look after some man from the West. Finding herself in another pickle thanks to Bart Love’s deeds, Kate has no choice but to marry Dix to save her father from gaol. Despite her situation, Kate is determined to hold fast to her independence and her career and challenges Dix at every step. As Dix and Katherine get to know one another, their passion for each other takes over and grows and becomes something much more wonderful.I really enjoyed Katherine and Dix’s story….Dix is so patient and respectful of Katherine and her needs…he’s a perfect hero! Katherine is strong-willed, independent and determined to make something of herself and I loved her tenacity. The history strewn within this book is just amazing. For example, the Black Seminoles! Wowww…had no idea there were black escaped slaves who intermarried with some Native American tribes and had their own race! This fact just totally blew my mind but it makes total sense in the course of nature for this to happen! Where could escaped slaves go?! Human instinct is to survive so if a kind tribe took them in as equals why the heck not! I’m just so stunned that these facts are not as widely known….I love being surprised with history because it really does show just how cosmopolitan the world really is! Intermarriage, biracial children etc. etc. have all been done in the past and history really is just repeating itself now! I wish the world would stop fighting over such “trivial” matters such as race, religion, ethnicity because at the end of the day we are all the same underneath with the same wants and needs.Enough heavy talk, but I thoroughly enjoyed how Beverly Jenkins managed to make me think, surprised me with history AND delivered an awesome historical romance, with just her words! What a talented lady and I’m so happy to have finally read something of hers! Thank-you Ms Jenkins for such an enjoyable time!

Absolutely loved this romantic tale set in the Wild West. The author takes us on a journey of what feels like 4 books in one. I loved learning about the history of the west, about the native tribes, settlements, and way of life. Very tasteful love scenes. A beautiful tale. Glad I discovered this author.

A.great story of the old west. The book provides insight into the lives of Blacks and Native Americans during the 19th century. We become acquainted with the Seminoles and law men like the famous Bass Reeves, the struggles for women's equality and the challenges of the early black female journalists.

Steamy historical romance with a Western vibe. The main characters are well developed with strong unique personalities. For an arranged marriage to work out so well is a beautiful blessing.

This was an amazing story that had a little but of everything- forced marriage, kidnapping, humor, mystery, passion, and falling in love. Kathrine Love is a headstrong investigative reporter, and Dixon Wildhorse is a no-nonsense US Deputy. I loved them both from the beginning to the end. Another winning story from the queen, Ms. Bev.

I am in awe of how Beverly Jenkins can keep me riveted to each book! I could not put Topaz down. A wonderful adventure in the wild West!

Everything I laugh so hard would recommend this to anybody that love Beverly Jenkins I’ll gave a 5 star rating would have been a10 star if i could, looking forward for the next book.

I enjoyed this historical romance novel. I liked that it was full of history. I especially liked the wagon journey Katherine and the marshal took with all those mail order brides.

Nice book, as always Beverly Jenkins doesn't dissappoint.