Vanessa Riley > Quotes

“When God brings two individuals together, sometimes there are trials, but He’d never put you on the same path if you weren’t meant to walk together.”
― Vanessa Riley, Madeline's Protector

“The white man wants to blame his sins on colored women. His depravity is our fault.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Broken glass still sparkles when the light hits it. It might even look like diamonds or chandeliers’ jewels. It’s still ruined and in need of repair. Time will fix it, if you live free.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Colored enslaved women are no concubines. She has no choice but to accept his rape...”
― Vanessa Riley, Sister Mother Warrior

“Only a miracle would save this dinner. Looking into the flames, something inside taunted of peace. His knees wanted to buckle and force him to kneel and pray, but his military discipline kept him upright, and prepared him to face disaster head-on.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unmasked Heart

“Someone needs to enlighten you. White men are not prizes, they’re scourges. They rape our women. They steal from our continents then mock our treasures and identity. Why do you wish to deal with the swine and take it to your bed?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“His cousin played Chopin. She raised her head and showed off her alligator teeth.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unmasked Heart

“My fault that you married at twelve? That your husband overspent? That he’s bankrupt? That he didn’t figure out how many people were against him and his faith before it was too late? I bear mistakes, but none of those are mine. They aren’t your pa’s, either.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“My lack of understanding doesn't change things. And I choose to believe the God who set the world in orbit, clothes the sparrow, and decorates every corner of the moors in beauty has a plan.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unmasked Heart

“They were free. They wouldn’t settle for anything less than a fully committed partner. We called it husband, official with papers. The men in charge only called our contracts common-law marriages when they wanted our assets.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Cooler heads? My brother had violent lust for me. He tried to sell off my sister. How could anything be calm?”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“The cousin was one of those bodies, one of those deaths Gareth tried to keep faceless. The torture of Narvel dying in his arms had been enough. A tired, bitter huff slipped from his lips. "So the lieutenant didn't punish his cousin and now all the colony suffers. When is everyone going to understand that one man's sacrifice is enough?" "They barely accepted one man's sacrifice in Galilee on an old rugged cross. How could they ever weigh the good that can come from realizing no person was more important than the rest?”
― Vanessa Riley, The Bargain 3

“They want to humiliate them for the wealth women like you’ve earned. They’re sending messages to men like me, too, the ones who don’t care a whit about race. They want us to know we’ve no power, either. If the Fédons don’t win, Charlotte will be killed. All our children are targets because of our connections to the leaders of the rebellion.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“This being my first marriage, shouldn’t I be like the new bride awaiting discovery?”
― Vanessa Riley, The Bittersweet Bride

“The sea moaned, slapping at the cliff. It was crying out to every weak place inside, the black parts, and the white parts, too. But Gaia couldn't answer. She'd rather let the shame kill her than give into cowardice. She stepped away from the edge.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unmasked Heart

“Girlie. If the widow or one of those planters’ daughters gets a hold of him, do you think there will be dancing out back of the kitchen? Or cotton not just osnaburg for the folks in the field? One of those society women will take him and make him cruel. They care nothing for us. Black and brown bodies are nothing but to be broken for profits.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Taking one habitation away from the oppressor doesn't stop the oppression.”
― Vanessa Riley, Sister Mother Warrior

“A Blanc slaver in the presidency will always side with other slavers.”
― Vanessa Riley, Sister Mother Warrior

“Someone might look at her and miss the passion in her eyes, the intelligence that worked when she wasn't doing something stupid.”
― Vanessa Riley, The Bargain 4

“A burglar?" He grimaced. "I come home late and this is what I get.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unveiling Love: Episode I

“The birthing sadness had me. I couldn’t get out of this hole. I was trapped in the cobbled well in the square.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“That’s when I smiled at my brother. His hate came from fear, fear of me, fear of me having what was his. I just had to figure out how to prove him right.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“They have weapons. Their belief that they are superior, that they can abuse or terrorize at will—that’s a weapon. And it will be wielded any time they feel threatened or want to show themselves strong or the mood strikes on a Tuesday.’

‘Non. People can be reasoned with.’

‘Marie-Claire, ingrained hate cannot be reasoned with. It must be destroyed.”
― Vanessa Riley, Sister Mother Warrior

“Miss Doll Kirwan. My father calls you Dolly. He says that’s the name you used when you were a prostitute, when you seduced your own brother and had his baby.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“What happened in the girl’s past? Would it always drive her to be reckless,”
― Vanessa Riley, The Bargain: 2

“Having not heard from God, well, not hearing the answers he wanted, Barrington had let his worship grow cold.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unveiling Love

“Once I was talked about in such a manner. I want to encourage you. Don’t miss life because of loose talk. Come. Lift the prince’s spirits.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Ye have fire, Mrs. Norton. To toss a beefsteak across the room, ye got it.”
― Vanessa Riley, Unveiling Love: Episode I

“Creole lover don’t love no tar. White man, he’ll never take you this far.”
― Vanessa Riley, Island Queen

“Seeking light. Why? The Anglican's god hadn't forgiven her. Crying out against Him for taking Papa equaled an abduction . Not telling Barrington before they married equaled the loss of their child. When would her debts be canceled?”
― Vanessa Riley, Unveiling Love: Episode I