What do you think?
Rate this book
Tanglewood Plantation #1
Tanglewood Plantation
Chicagoan, Summer Woodfield, is in for the surprise of her life when she inherits the family estate, an antebellum rice plantation in Georgia. Not only is the old plantation in ruin, but comes complete with a cast of characters--characters long dead. The discovery of antiquated love letters stored inside a trunk in the attic sparks uncontrollable curiosity, and especially a purposely placed thumbprint on one of the letters. When Summer touches the print, she is inadvertently whisked back in time to the Civil War, not as the mistress of the manor as she dreams to be in the 21st century, but as a slave on her own plantation! Trapped in the clutches of a devastating war as a servant to her ancestors, she discovers the forbidden secret of her inheritance, while a love lost in the passage of time is rekindled...a love that holds her hostage between the past and the present.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 22, 2011
82 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 25, 2012
I really do not understand the critical reviews of this book. I am an avid reader and I adore books from this time period. I was captivated and enthralled from the first page on. I couldn't put this book down. What an awesome story.....!
July 14, 2012
As I am still introducing myself to 19th century novels, I am convinced this story will stay in my heart forever. there are pros and cons to Tanglewood Plantation, as in every good story. I personally did not care for "Summer's" character much as she was in this century. But when she was Evaline, she WAS Evaline! I was most interested in Evaline and Robert's love story, but thought it was much too brief for the plot. But over all, it was a fascinating idea to have Summer learn of her ancestry and heritage first hand. I'm definitely looking forward to the sequel Tanglewood Plantation II!
December 4, 2012
I was in search of a new book after finishing The Woman in White. I had not heard of the author nor the book but the premise sounded interesting so I thought I would give it a try. I got about 30% and officially quit. (Those of you who know me know that is a big deal!) The writing was terrible - I hated it. She used the word "catawumpus" way too many times and it always was in reference to the shutters. Get a thesaurus!! Besides that, the book was getting dirty. Terrible writing + mediocre plot + dirty = DON'T READ THIS BOOK!
June 18, 2012
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. The premise of traveling between the Civil War and the 21st Century to get more than one perspective on was intriguing. It definitely makes you think! The ending definitely opens itself to a sequel, and Summer would likely "travel" back to help Cherry since she has no idea what happened to her.
April 25, 2013
I loved this book. It offered insight into the life of slaves. I know I can never look at a historical with stairways for servants ever the same. I also enjoyed the images of the soldiers in the Civil War. The way it was written leaves you with scents, imagery, and so much more. I will buy the sequel.
January 13, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and am surprised at many of the negative reviews. I thought Miller did an excellent job of taking the reader back to the final period of the Civil War and offered great insight into the daily struggles of slaves, as well as the brutality of many soldiers during emancipation.
March 3, 2021
Very well written and exciting book!!
May 10, 2014
Tanglewood Plantation is the story of a young woman from Chicago that inherits her family's Georgia plantation. Expecting to be a wealthy landowner, she hightails it down south. What she finds is in stark contrast to her expectations.
The plantation is run down,to put it kindly. Grounds overgrown, the house in severe disrepair,it reeks of sadness and loss.For Summer Woodfield, this is not going to work. To make things worse,she is expected to stay put for a year before the inheritance is final!
Attempting to make the best of what she considers an awful situation, she hunkers down to try and ride it out. She finds a cache of love letters in an attic trunk. Touching a fingerprint, at the bottom of one of the letters, she finds herself transported to her plantation at the start of the Civil War. And shockingly to her, she is a slave!
Summer is a shallow young woman with a sense of entitlement so I found this to be a wonderful turn of events.While Summer struggles to survive, she also is given a life lesson or two.
I have read a lot of very critical reviews of this book. I for one enjoyed it for what I believe it is. It is an attempt to put the reader in a difficult time and place,and to see history play out from a perspective of knowing how it will end,but still try to fix it.And I think the author tried her best to keep things accurate.
There is a sequel to this, but I think I will just forgo that and remember the book kindly.
The plantation is run down,to put it kindly. Grounds overgrown, the house in severe disrepair,it reeks of sadness and loss.For Summer Woodfield, this is not going to work. To make things worse,she is expected to stay put for a year before the inheritance is final!
Attempting to make the best of what she considers an awful situation, she hunkers down to try and ride it out. She finds a cache of love letters in an attic trunk. Touching a fingerprint, at the bottom of one of the letters, she finds herself transported to her plantation at the start of the Civil War. And shockingly to her, she is a slave!
Summer is a shallow young woman with a sense of entitlement so I found this to be a wonderful turn of events.While Summer struggles to survive, she also is given a life lesson or two.
I have read a lot of very critical reviews of this book. I for one enjoyed it for what I believe it is. It is an attempt to put the reader in a difficult time and place,and to see history play out from a perspective of knowing how it will end,but still try to fix it.And I think the author tried her best to keep things accurate.
There is a sequel to this, but I think I will just forgo that and remember the book kindly.
August 12, 2012
The summary made it sound as if the author was familiar with Octavia Butler's Kindred. I was hoping for a well written story about the about time travel to the antebellum south, so far I'm unimpressed.
The writing is mediocre and the narration sounds naive. The book packed with clichés about relations between whites and blacks like the “angry black woman” who “blames” the main character for the slaveholding of her ancestors. After about 10 pages I had to check the Amazon author page to confirm what I already knew: the author is a white woman.
In my opinion novels dealing with slavery, civil rights, and/or the black-white race dichotomy are just not as strong in this voice (The Help, anymore?). I know everyone can't be Butler or Morrison, but if you are going to tackle the subject matter I would rather not feel like I'm reading a story written for a five year old who knows nothing of U.S. history, it is offensive.
The writing is mediocre and the narration sounds naive. The book packed with clichés about relations between whites and blacks like the “angry black woman” who “blames” the main character for the slaveholding of her ancestors. After about 10 pages I had to check the Amazon author page to confirm what I already knew: the author is a white woman.
In my opinion novels dealing with slavery, civil rights, and/or the black-white race dichotomy are just not as strong in this voice (The Help, anymore?). I know everyone can't be Butler or Morrison, but if you are going to tackle the subject matter I would rather not feel like I'm reading a story written for a five year old who knows nothing of U.S. history, it is offensive.
March 13, 2017
Kindle book. Time travel. A young woman from Chicago inherits a run down antebellum mansion from a relative she barely knows. The book took a little time to get into, but once the protagonist travels back to the era of the Civil War, it picks up speed and interest. I sometimes found the writing a little sophomoric and the ending seemed a bit forced and too quick. But, it still was fascinating to watch this young woman from the 21st century discover her roots, up close and personal.
May 14, 2013
I really liked this book. I loved how you were able to view the lives of slaves and what their life would have been like. The author did an amazing job in my mind of making you feel the emotions of love pain and triumph in this book!!!!
January 17, 2013
Could not put this book down. Interesting story line that held my attention the entire book.
June 20, 2013
If you can get past the first 30 pages or so it gets much better. At first the writing is a little rough improves. In all well worth reading. Glad I didn't stop at the beginning.
February 28, 2020
3.5 stars. This is a novel involving time travel from the present day back to the Civil War era. The story begins with a young woman in Chicago, Summer Woodfield, finding out that she has inherited a plantation home just outside New Orleans. When she goes to the plantation to check on it, strange things begin to occur including visions in which she sees people in the past. After discovering some old love letters and touching a fingerprint on one of them, she is immediately taken back in time becoming the person of Evangeline, a beautiful slave girl who is the daughter of the plantation owner and a slave. I won't go any further into the plot to avoid spoiling it for others.
The parts of the novel in which Summer is Evangeline in the past were the best parts of the novel and they definitely kept me riveted to the book. However, the current day Summer was not a character I liked very much. The author's depiction of her interactions with others seemed almost childish at times.
All in all, however, I felt it was a worthwhile read.
The parts of the novel in which Summer is Evangeline in the past were the best parts of the novel and they definitely kept me riveted to the book. However, the current day Summer was not a character I liked very much. The author's depiction of her interactions with others seemed almost childish at times.
All in all, however, I felt it was a worthwhile read.
April 5, 2021
Quick read
The overall story and setting--historical , time travel, romance is a palatable and easy to read one. The subject matter, an southern slave plantation during the Civil War is compelling enough but the writing does not rise to the occasion.
The author means well and I did feel better about reading the book in the final third act. But the beginning and center of the novel depicts too many stereotypes and morality tales all to benefit a protagonist who is a spoiled blonde woman from Chicago. The goal is to educate her about the horrors of life as a plantation slave but the device to do it is to literally have slaves suffer and die around her while inside a slave's body for her to understand. There's something exploitative about that and no amount of The protagonist feeling up and loving her new large breasts and bum that she gets for suddenly becoming a black woman can atone for.
The overall story and setting--historical , time travel, romance is a palatable and easy to read one. The subject matter, an southern slave plantation during the Civil War is compelling enough but the writing does not rise to the occasion.
The author means well and I did feel better about reading the book in the final third act. But the beginning and center of the novel depicts too many stereotypes and morality tales all to benefit a protagonist who is a spoiled blonde woman from Chicago. The goal is to educate her about the horrors of life as a plantation slave but the device to do it is to literally have slaves suffer and die around her while inside a slave's body for her to understand. There's something exploitative about that and no amount of The protagonist feeling up and loving her new large breasts and bum that she gets for suddenly becoming a black woman can atone for.
July 30, 2017
First in a trilogy about a rice plantation in Georgia. The main character, Summer, starts seeing ghosts almost immediately upon her arrival to claim the plantation as her inheritance. Before you know it she's time-traveled back to the plantation as it was at the very beginning of the Civil War and she's now a slave! It held my interest but I am curious to see if the next 2 books can do the same.
September 4, 2017
Good read
I enjoyed this book very much.
The dual roles are pretty remarkable.
Can't wait to read on in this series.
I enjoyed this book very much.
The dual roles are pretty remarkable.
Can't wait to read on in this series.
March 12, 2018
Good read, but a bit far-fetched. Enjoyed it nonetheless.
January 26, 2019
What surprise this book was. Loved it.
May 10, 2019
Chills!!! This book was beautifully written and the characters were awesome. This is definitely a tear jerker.
February 28, 2017
Very easy read - just too short!
April 4, 2012
Summer Woodfield left her job in the city right after receiving the news of her inheritance, the Tanglewood Plantation, from her Aunt Ada. From the old photos she saw back when her father was still alive, it was a very beautiful plantation. However, Summer's dreams fall apart when she sees the town of Bluebell and the plantation. She expects the plantation to be old but not that old, the plantation is now one big dilapidated house and surely, it needs to be renovated but she doesn't have the money to bring it back to livable condition. The first time she spends her night at the house, she sees an old man hanging by the neck from the fountain. The following day, she can hear someone moaning at the fountain. After seeing and hearing the ghosts of the house, she is thinking of going back to the city but according to the will, she needs to stay at the plantation for a period of one year for her to inherit the plantation and all her Aunt Ada's money. So she has to stay and deal with the ghosts of the plantation.
The book had a good storyline. Summer is transported back to the past and she was Evaline, one of her ancestors. Evaline is the daughter of Charles and a slave named Jamaica. She saw everything and discovered all the secrets of her ancestors. I enjoyed reading the story and I liked the way the story of the slaves is told. I now have an idea what it feels like to be a slave. Reading this book is like watching a Spanish telenovela. I wanted to slap and drag Elizabeth, Charles wife, by the hair many times. She is so mean to Evaline and to all other slaves.
While I liked the story, there were some parts of the book I had to skim. I was pretty annoyed with the slang dialogue of the slaves. I found myself reading them slowly and back again to understand them. Overall, if you want a good horror book and do not mind the slang dialogue, pick up this book.
The book had a good storyline. Summer is transported back to the past and she was Evaline, one of her ancestors. Evaline is the daughter of Charles and a slave named Jamaica. She saw everything and discovered all the secrets of her ancestors. I enjoyed reading the story and I liked the way the story of the slaves is told. I now have an idea what it feels like to be a slave. Reading this book is like watching a Spanish telenovela. I wanted to slap and drag Elizabeth, Charles wife, by the hair many times. She is so mean to Evaline and to all other slaves.
While I liked the story, there were some parts of the book I had to skim. I was pretty annoyed with the slang dialogue of the slaves. I found myself reading them slowly and back again to understand them. Overall, if you want a good horror book and do not mind the slang dialogue, pick up this book.
January 17, 2017
Summer Woodfield was notified that she had inherited Tanglewood Plantation after her Aunt Ada had passed away. This is a time-travel back and forth from 1860 to the 21st century. Summer left her job in Chicago to see her beautiful plantation house, she was so excited but upon her arrival her hopes dropped. The large, once beautiful house was delapitated and almost in ruins, in bad need of repairs, as she walked through the house chills went through her.
This novel kept me interested, I love the Civil War era. The story had many characters with detailed personalities. Even with the many characters in the story it is so well written you don't get lost or confused while reading. The plot was incredible, the author did an outstanding job on her writing and research. The time-travels were merged so smoothly and beautifully together. I learn more about the Civil War and all the adventures were in colorful detail, I felt as if I was there.
If you want a great adventure with Summer Woodfield start here. The author has written two other books in the series with Summer Woodfield. These books are stand along books. You may want to read them in order. Summer's life continues in each book, there are no cliff-hangers to get you to read the next book, just good adventures. I have already read the second one, a good book also.
This novel kept me interested, I love the Civil War era. The story had many characters with detailed personalities. Even with the many characters in the story it is so well written you don't get lost or confused while reading. The plot was incredible, the author did an outstanding job on her writing and research. The time-travels were merged so smoothly and beautifully together. I learn more about the Civil War and all the adventures were in colorful detail, I felt as if I was there.
If you want a great adventure with Summer Woodfield start here. The author has written two other books in the series with Summer Woodfield. These books are stand along books. You may want to read them in order. Summer's life continues in each book, there are no cliff-hangers to get you to read the next book, just good adventures. I have already read the second one, a good book also.
May 30, 2012
I really loved the plot of this story, however I was somewhat disappointed in it's telling. It was such an original idea and yet it could have been so much more. I found the skill of the author to be very inexperienced and strewn with many common clichés... It seemed to have been written for a very young audience perhaps. The story was also quite unrealistic and whitewashed as well...atrocities were merely suggested or recalled and Evaline got away with what no slave ever would have without being sold or killed, despite her paternity. Many slaves were sired by their own masters, it didn't protect them. I also found the ending to be quite unsatisfying, unless a sequel is imminent, then it was quite unfinished and undeveloped. I did find great potential in all of the characters however, and they were endearing in what we knew of them.
April 21, 2013
A young woman, Summer, receives word of her inheritance from her Aunt...she thought she was inheriting a beautiful plantation, Tanglewood, but what a disappointment it was in reality! Then strange things start happening...ghosts of the house perhaps? But she needs to stay at the plantation for one year to fully inherit everything from her Aunt so she has to stay.
Suddenly she is transported back and becomes Evaline, who is the daughter of her ancestor and a slave named Jamaica. It's an interesting depiction of what it would be like to be a slave in the Old South at that time, especially one who is the illegitimate daughter of the plantation owner, while living with the other foot in the 21st century. Not the best writing skills but enough to keep me to the end. I'd suggest as a good summer read.
a
Suddenly she is transported back and becomes Evaline, who is the daughter of her ancestor and a slave named Jamaica. It's an interesting depiction of what it would be like to be a slave in the Old South at that time, especially one who is the illegitimate daughter of the plantation owner, while living with the other foot in the 21st century. Not the best writing skills but enough to keep me to the end. I'd suggest as a good summer read.
a
April 2, 2013
The author take you back in time by the current day character’s dreams (or time travel) which is far fetched but an interesting way to tie the linage of the family together.
If you can get past the time travel the story shows history that may have not been considered (i.e.: the North fought to free slaves only to rape, pillage and starve people from the south during the war. Going from plantation to plantation taking what they needed to survive and having Southerners (white or black) wait on them: cook their meals, steal their food & horses then burn the buildings that the Northerners took shelter in while they were there. In a twisted way they were not much different than the reason they were fighting for in the first place.
If you can get past the time travel the story shows history that may have not been considered (i.e.: the North fought to free slaves only to rape, pillage and starve people from the south during the war. Going from plantation to plantation taking what they needed to survive and having Southerners (white or black) wait on them: cook their meals, steal their food & horses then burn the buildings that the Northerners took shelter in while they were there. In a twisted way they were not much different than the reason they were fighting for in the first place.
October 22, 2015
I loved this book!
Historical fiction stories of the Civil War and the South are my very favorite read. I knew I would like this book from the synopsis but I did not realize I would have a hard time putting it down. Now that I've read the first book in the trilogy I can't wait to read the next book! The characters are wonderful and Mrs Miller does a great job in making g you either hate them or fall in love with them. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
Historical fiction stories of the Civil War and the South are my very favorite read. I knew I would like this book from the synopsis but I did not realize I would have a hard time putting it down. Now that I've read the first book in the trilogy I can't wait to read the next book! The characters are wonderful and Mrs Miller does a great job in making g you either hate them or fall in love with them. I will definitely be looking for more books by this author!
October 7, 2014
This turned out to be a great read. At first I did not know if I was going to like because the main character Summer was so shallow in the beginning. I love how the author used time travel as a way to bring out the historical parts in the book. It felt like I was watching a movie as I was reading and I could not put it down. This is my first book by this author and I will definitely check out her other books. one of the best historical fiction books I have read so far this year.
May 5, 2016
Seamlessly tragic and jubilant in one breath
Jocelyn Miller writes with her heart on her sleeve in this epic tale. I was transported across the miles and the fabric of time to the old south in the fight of one plantation to survive the war of northern aggression, and the struggle for one woman to claim her Inheritance. Step into the embrace of Tanglewood Plantation. You'll be glad you visited.
Jocelyn Miller writes with her heart on her sleeve in this epic tale. I was transported across the miles and the fabric of time to the old south in the fight of one plantation to survive the war of northern aggression, and the struggle for one woman to claim her Inheritance. Step into the embrace of Tanglewood Plantation. You'll be glad you visited.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews