Plucking the Pearl

Oyster Harbor #1

by Afton Locke

When Pearl’s sheltered life shatters in the 1930s with her mother’s death, her only option is to move in with poor relatives and shuck oysters in the local plant on Oyster Island, Maryland.

Determined to live a morally proper life, the last thing she wants is an affair with a white man, but Caleb, the plant owner, knows a pearl when he sees one. The successful widower is the “oyster king” of the island, but his intense desire for his forbidden new employee, a woman of color, threatens everything he’s built.

What begins as a private sexual liaison flowers into strong feelings that don’t fit the social mores of the island. When their secret is discovered, they risk losing everything. They dared to pluck the pearl, but will their love be strong enough to keep it forever?

Genres: Interracial Romance, Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Historical Fiction, Erotica, Erotic Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2012

About the author

Afton Locke is a USA Today Bestselling Author who writes outside the box. Her trips always inspire her, sometimes years after they’re over. She lives with her husband, usually surrounded by animals, both wild and domestic. When she’s not writing, Afton enjoys hiking, cooking, reading, and watching retro TV.

Reviews

[Tisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had been looking forward to reading this book for so long…but I ended up a bit disappointed. I am a sucker for impossible love stories but this one made me uneasy sometimes. I think it is because it is set in the 30’s. Let’s face it, race relations were different and even though our protagonists saw “only love and not color” the issue is still there. The fact that Caleb was in a position of power in relationship to Pearl made me a little queasy, like he was a jerk taking advantage of her. I have read many employee-employer types of relationship but this one just didn’t work out for me. It just seemed like Pearl’s pretty face granted her a better life, a better job etc. So she’s a little too “Mary Sue” for my taste.
The attraction and sexual tension could have been fleshed out (and kept restrained) a little better.Honestly I was hoping both characters would be a little more careful about their whole situation/love affair. The story started to drag a little bit by the middle of the book and I kind of lost interest because all had been already done between Caleb and Pearl (if you see what I mean). I was left wondering why they were in love…and just didn’t care anymore.
What totally killed the story for me was the fact that Pearl was engaged to a man…yet sailing alone with some other guy when she KNEW she would compromise herself. People who cannot be faithful or cannot keep a promise jut make me mad!!(and make me hate them a bit)…FYI I was mad at Caleb for that too!!
Now on to what I like:
The name Caleb just sounds so right…lol
The cover is soooo racy!!!
I liked the secondary characters. They seemed very real, like they had their head on their shoulders and even though I did not agree with their thinking, I understood where they came from.
The writing in general was pleasant and I liked how the author incorporated imagery that was very appropriate the setting of her story.
Although this book did not turn out how I expected, I will definitely give the author another chance, on the writing style alone .
Ps: I will never be able to look at oysters the same way again lol

[A.W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very BEAUTIFUL story. The love and passion between Caleb and Pearl was very strong and well written. I was so intrigued by what would happen next i couldn't stop reading until I was finished. It's so good I'm reading it again. I have a strong passion for interracial reads especially those written that time frame and are passionate realistic. If i could give this book ten stars I would.

[Amber]

Totally giving this book a go, but not because of it's super hot cover tho...

[Synithia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hot story that I read in one day. At first I didn't like how quickly Pearl and Caleb started up. It seemed out of place in 1930's America for them to fall so fast. The author did a great job keeping the sexual tension between these two characters, even after they had sex! If you're looking for a steamy romance to curl up with, this is a good one to try.

[Deloris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this book to be a sweet love story but it was not, it was complicated and the way Caleb talked so dirty to Pearl all the time it just turned me off. I know everything turned out in the end but the relationship was so negative I did not understand why. Pearl was so wishy washy she got on my nerves. The fact the ended up together did not make me feelgood by the time that happened I had given up on them. I would have liked a more positive love story but hey I am not the author I am a reader and this is just my opinion.

[Nicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book at first, the whole interracial forbidden romance story. However, when Pearl got engaged and was still sneaking off for boat ride with Caleb I lost interest. What hurt me more is that she went on the boat ride like a naive little girl as if she had no clue what a man who wants her really want to do with her on a boat ride with just the two of them. It was pathetic. THE SEX electrifying though….

[Alisia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book.

[Layla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wasn't expecting how intriguing this story would be. There were so many emotions and I really questioned whether or not the characters would be together. It seemed real and made me think about life and love. Not to mention the sex scenes were outrageously hot!

My own boyfriend happens to be white and I'd never really put much thought into what people in history must have gone through in order for us to be accepted as couple in today's society. It's quite heartbreaking.

So, although the pearl and oyster references in the book started to get a bit overdone towards the end, I do think that Plucking the Pearl was worth the read. I believe the oh-so-scandalous cover made me unprepared for how meaningful and heartwarming the story is.

However, I think interracial marriage was illegal in the 1930's so I was a little confused by the ending.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a nice read of the love story between Caleb & Pearl,it was nice to see Caleb fight for the love of his life in that at first they had to hide their relationship and when he finally announced his feelings for her even thou Pearl was still afraid also took courage of him to denounce the KKK and go wit his heart,if only his brother Henry had a few balls to tell the Klan and the Mayor where to go.

[Charmer (+ Vibes Only) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I was away from this book, I couldn't wait to get back to it. This is the second hottest cover to me.

[Jatana Fleming · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the passion between Caleb and Pearl but it just took me forever to stay committed to finishing this book. I understand the time period and that wasn't a problem for me and it seemed realistic, but something just would not let me fully connect with them. But I'm glad I finished it and I'll read the rest of the series at some point.

[Modus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably one of the best books I've read. The plot, characters, setting descriptions, writing, etc. Everything is just great. I got invested in the people and couldn't put it down. Smut aspects were good too, and the ending was decent. I hope there's more from these characters!

[Aya Batista · Rating 5 out of 5]

All though some parts of the story made me very uneasy and think hmm even though
I adore love stories like any other person I can't help but to think that some things wouldn't fly by in the 30s

[L. Boogie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. Pearle drove me crazy sometimes. I hated all the women in her family I. The beginning. By the end I was indifferent. Caleb was crazy but I guess he was in love so that drove his actions. I hated the mayor from beginning to end.

I believe that how kkk are able to thrive. Their members include critical members of society. Like law enforcement, govt officials and local business owners

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought that the book okay, but had the potential to be better. There was angst, but there was also confusion. Neither one wanted to hurt the other but it seemed like all they did was hurt one another because they were trying to protect the other. The sexual scenes were kind of weird because she was a virgin, but she was talking as if she was sexually experienced. Also, the things that he did to her I don't know if someone who had trouble with sexuality or who was that new to the scene would be able to do all that in such a short period of time. There were also scenes that had the potential to be big problems but they ended up being glossed over. I grade the book with a strong 3 stars.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1930s on Maryland's segregated Eastern Shore, Plucking the Pearl is a sexy and romantic story of an innocent young black woman who falls deeply in love with her handsome windowed boss. As their loving sexual relationship grows, so does the tension in their small town, where the Ku Klux Klan has taken root and is spreading its message of hate and intolerance. The path their relationship takes, and the fear and conflict they must confront makes for a great adventure--one that leaves you wondering if their love can survive. I recommend Afton Locke's erotic romance, Plucking the Pearl, highly! Give it a try!!

[CJLuvsBooks! · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories that take place in the past and I think the author really captured the time period well. The story and characters were well written, and the sex scenes were deliciously erotic. The only downside for me was, as much as I wanted to, I just didn’t care for Pearl. She got on my nerves and came off too wishy-washy. I understand she’s young and naive and didn’t know much about the world or men for that matter, but I think she toyed with Caleb’s feelings a little bit.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances and I would definitely read another book by this author. :)

[Cazy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know how this couple was going to work everything out, but the author made it happen in a believable way. The author did a great job of showing their tribulation and internal struggles without losing the practicality of the times the story was set in. great story.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the best interracial books I've read to date. Very well written, story line was awesome! Love, love, love

[Bonita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful love story exceptionally told. I felt as though I lived the experience myself. My first time reading this author but DEFINITELY NOT my last!

[Alicia Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

I can't wait to read Sadie's surrender. I loved this book. A great page turner. The love affair was so captivating.