ShortHand Publishing - Review of "Shores of Promise"

Review of “Shores of Promise”

Kate Blackwell

ISBN: 1-557-48 362-0

RATE: ♥♥♥♥

Young Sarah, the daughter of a servant in England during the 1800’s, has known nothing but serving others. She grows up watching her mother cook for others and when she is old enough, (5 years-old) she is given chores to do, although without pay.

After being set up as a thief by Celly, another servant, Sarah and her mother are fired! Having been bad-mouthed by Anne Norton, their former employer, it’s unlikely they will find a position in town.

Finally, Sarah is hired by Mrs. Gerty, who has a heart of stone, and Ruth, her mother, is sent away. It’s years before Ruth is able to visit her daughter. She’s now working in the Cotton mill and is in poor health due to the cotton fibers which float in the air.

After several years of unbearable treatment Sarah overhears Mrs. Carlton, a visitor of Mrs. Gerty’s, mention she’d like to have an English maid.

Sarah sees an opportunely to get away from her “slave” condition. Since her mother has died of Pneumonia, she has no reason to stay in England. Taking a chance, she approaches Mrs. Carlton’s carriage as she’s leaving. With Mrs. Gerty glaring at them from an upstairs window, Mrs. Carlton agrees to take Sarah to America.

During the voyage to America Sarah meets David who is taking care of people stricken with seasickness. In her spare time Sarah helps David and they become friends.

Before leaving the ship David gives Sarah a notebook where he’s written his favorite scriptures in. Sarah doesn’t tell him she can’t read.

What will her future be in America? Sarah loves working for the Carlton’s who are kind and wonderful people. When they are killed what will happen to Sarah? Where will she go? Will she be happy working for Mrs. Bowman, Mrs. Carlton’s cousin? And what about the inappropriate advances Jonathan Bowman has made towards young Sarah?

When Sarah befriends Violet, one of the more than one hundred Negro slaves owned by the Bowman’s, what will she sacrifice to free her friend?

Over the years Sarah has been thinking about David. Will their paths ever cross again? What happens when Sarah finds herself in a loveless marriage? Will she ever find the happiness she so desperately seeks?

I won’t give too much away because I don’t want to spoil the story. I found it extremely captivating and I always wanted to know what would happen next.

This is apparently the first book for Kate Blackwell, who is actually Lawana Blackwell. I’ve heard her say she isn’t crazy about the two books she wrote under the name, Kate Blackwell. I failed to see anything wrong with this story! Although the book is only 186 pages, I still found it hard to put down. One can see the bright future of this talented author, even in her early work!