Measure of Strength

Measure of Devotion #2

by C. Faron

Publicly, Jason Wadsworth is a young steel magnate. Privately, he is slowly unraveling. Gripped by depression, he is haunted by the memory of Kale, the slave he sold and the man who still holds his heart. Jason clings to his only source of comfort: the belief that he sent Kale away to a better life.

As grim as Jason’s life is, Kale has fared worse. Each day is a brutal struggle. All that keeps him going are memories of a happier time.

When a chance meeting thrusts the two back together, they must try to find the strength to forgive, not only each other, but themselves. They have one chance to right the wrongs of the past, but it requires the strength to seek redemption in each other’s arms. A strength both men may be too spent to summon.

Measure of Strength is the sequel to Measure of Devotion and contains adult language and explicit sex.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Fantasy, Historical, BDSM, Erotica, LGBT

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

C. Faron writes primarily m/m fiction.

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy reading it but I felt compelled to finish it, even though doing so was almost painful at times. A very long book for nothing much to happen in.

[Nile Princess · Rating 3 out of 5]

On to Book 2. This book should have been called 'Measure of Patience' because it was surely an excercise in forbearance. I literally wanted to strangle Kale for a good 50% of the book. The gall! Buddy, you were the one with the bright idea to be a martyr. Jason stopped you twice before when you tried this little stunt, remember?? You finally figured out how to get your way and now you have the gall to be mad and try to blame him?? Go sit down somewhere please! I literally had no patience for him. In some ways, I could understand his hurt because of what he had to endure but in other ways, it was like please God! He was never happy! No matter what Jason did, he had to find a downside.

"We can never be lovers because you're my master."
"I'll free you."
"I won't really be free because I can't support myself."

Really?? Do you want to try to make this work or not??

Anyway, in the end it all worked out, but I was definitely ready to strangle Kale at times.

Go brave.

[Melyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the cliffhanger in the first book, I was very happy to know that the second book in this series concluded the storyline. I enjoyed the historical romance feel of the book, even though it is not my favorite genre.
This book takes place three years after the end of the first book. Without spoiling anything (as it is in the description) The two main characters, Jason and Kale, find each other again. They are both very different men from where we left off. The storyline resumes and I found the story resumed trying to solve the same problems the characters had in the last book. I agreed with Sophie (a character in this book) that Kale needed a good whack to the head at times. I could not support Kales resentment as he was the one who had orchestrated many the events in the last book that brought him to where we found him in book two.
I love both characters even if they missed some obvious things about each other. The historical setting where the main characters live is so different from another place in this story that it seems like two different time periods. Even so, I enjoyed the romance, the questions brought up regarding slavery and class differences, and the two men struggling so hard to love one another. The romance was sweet and although I figured out some of the plot points before the end, I was very pleased with the ending.

[Juxian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Everything about it. Right now I feel so wonderful that I'm not sure I want to read the third book because the perfect moment will surely be shattered. But of course I will read it, I love Jason and Kale so much that I'd do anything to spend more time with them :)
Well, when I thought that with Jason finding Kale again everything will be all right, I was so wrong. The book was heart wrenching to read at times and yet everything that happened, everything that both Jason and Kale felt was necessary and believable.
I hadn't been sure what I'd felt about Jason in the first book. At first he was a terrible dick and then he was an angel and I just couldn't put it all together. But in this book - he's grown so much. It was amazing. I felt so much respect and admiration towards him. In every situation he did the best thing possible but at same time he still stayed a passionate and impulsive Jason he was in the first book.
Seeing Kale so broken was insanely sad, especially when remembering how strong and sure he used to be in the first book. And the more admirable it is that he found strength to live again and open himself to love.
Aww, I'm going to go stupid now because Jason and Kale's love, wow, it's so beautiful. They are a couple I love beyond words.

[JustJen "Miss Conduct" · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Even though there were parts that seemed a bit drawn out, and the issues seemed to be constantly brought up, I absolutely loved Kale. Something about the characters just called to me and I couldn't get enough of this story. Throughout most, I was agreeing with Jason, but then I found myself agreeing with Kale in regards to their situation. It was hard to see Jason trying so hard to right the wrongs he brought about, just as it was difficult to watch Kale's return to the man he was. This has a nice ending, though I still wish for more of their story. I sure hope things work out for them in the long run. They both deserve it.

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review of book one. The only difference is this one has an ending I can walk away happy. I started to read the third book and decided I was ready to read something else.

[YullSanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Фух, можно выдохнуть... третью пока отложу, ибо сил моих нет больше переживать. Пожую хэ подольше!)))

[Eed99 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't hate this book but admit I was disappointed a lot in this book. I really enjoyed the first book and looked forward to this one, but I mostly was disappointed and in the end rather frustrated with the direction of the book.

I generally try to write my reviews spoiler free, but for this one I can't do so.

Pros:

Jason and Kale end up together and appear to get their happily ever after.

Cons:

This book was missing one of the elements I really liked in the first book-the sort of below stairs aspects of the story where we saw Kale and the other personal slaves interact with each other, play together and to some degree plot together. This is something most slave fiction lacks, and it was probably my favorite part of the first book.

Jason by the end of this book just comes across as cruel. Jason finds Kale after several years-now Jason is certainly tortured by his decision to sell Kale, but when Jason finds him, he throws Kale into this almost limbo where he is given a lovely room and nothing to do even though he is a slave. Rightly or wrongly I can't help but think in a world that accepts slavery, that there is going to be a certain comfort for a slave in doing the expected things of a slave. Pulling a slave out of hell (and the factory appeared to be slave hell) and putting him a cushy room and telling him to do whatever he wants just seems cruel. Which brings to me what has really not sat well with me in this book.

There was an easy solution the whole time and instead Jason opted to sell Kale. In the first book when Kale and Jason were trying to work out a way to be together-they never once considered the free country right next door that was economically connected to their own slave holding one? Honestly if there was a free country right next door-why didn't they plan to go there in the first place? Worse if moving their at that time wasn't an option, why didn't Jason just take Kale across the border and free him? That would have been far kinder than selling him. Sure they wouldn't have been together, but Kale at least wouldn't have been a slave and he wouldn't have ended doing hard labor.

It is almost like the author wrote the first book, but hadn't quite worked out how to make their relationship work, and then she latched onto this free country that appears out of nowhere. I can't help but think if there was a free country that close, there would have been some kind of underground railroad and some kind of talk among slaves of trying to escape there. Sure escaping comes with risks, but much like African slaves in the US, there was the North and Canada and many slaves opted for the risk in the hope they would be free.

The first book created a world where slavery just was, and there wasn't any hope of freedom period. The second book all the sudden creates this free world that is only a few days travel away-this came out of nowhere and just seemed contrived and in the end made me completely dislike Jason because he never, not once thought of it as a solution in the first book. Jason essentially was cruel in the first book, but his heart was in the right place. I found him now to be even more cruel and doubt the heart being in the right place, because he didn't consider freedom for Kale at all in this free country that is easily travelled to and apparently easy to free slaves in.

I don't regret purchasing the book, and am glad to see a resolution, but so much of what I loved about the first book was totally missing in this one, and worse the first book could have easily been just one book had they just decided to move to the free country at that point.

I would still recommend the book for those who just have to know what happens next, but knowing for me mostly just made me pissed off at the characters.

[Nana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the book is well... angst. Surprisingly, that was the best part of the book for me. I could understand Kale's anger and sympathize with him. The author did a great job describing characters' feelings. And that's why I gave this book four stars.

The magic I felt in Book One was no longer there. I overlooked Jason's reason for selling Kale in Book One, but it began to hamper my enjoyment of the story in Book Two. Jason's view of himself as a monster because he believed he raped Kale didn't seem plausible. One views oneself as a monster when society at large condemns the acts they committed and they internalize that view. Jason was brought up in a society where slavery was part of life. Would that kind of society have such a highly modern view of rape? His sensitivity and idealism may have been hurt by Kale having sex with him because he felt he couldn't refuse. But I found it hard to believe that he would be tortured by that and view himself as a rapist and a monster. It's a created world, but the modern sensitivity about the issue still sits uncomfortably with other aspects of the world. Sadly, the whole storyline will collapse without Jason viewing himself that way.

The solution provided for HEA didn't seem plausible, either. A country where slavery was illegal? That country appears just when the author needs a way of making Kale free? Jason had been so unhappy with the fact that Kale was a slave in Book One and if it was that easy for them to cross the border, why did that possibility never occur to Jason in Book One?

Overall, however, I felt the characters made strong impressions and the author succeeded in making the readers care for what happen to them. It's like the author really got into her characters' minds and for me, that's always a plus point.

[K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the follow up to Measure of Devotion and picks up three years after the previous story finished. Again the story revolves around Jason and his slave Kale, only at the start Jason is alone, he is separated from his wife and has not got over loosing Kale, who he sold at the end of the previous book. As he throws himself into his work, and the bottle, his secretary is left to look after him. On a visit to one of the mines his company owns he discovers Kale again – working for him as a labour slave. Determined to right the wrongs Jason felt he did Kale he purchases him and returns to the city with him. But the treatment that Kale has received in the mines has not only affected his health but his outlook on life. Even if they overcome their personal differences, society still won’t accept a Master/slave personal relationship and the slave can never be freed. It’s ultimately Jason’s estranged wife that helps come up with a solution to their problems. This books rounds off nicely Jason and Kale’s story to give a HEA – though I understand a further installment is due of the series shortly.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book. I would have given it a 5 star rating if not for the fact that I wanted to read more about what their lives would be with Kale a free man and it was kind of shorted out. I am glad Renee didn't even made an appearance though. I was pissed at her from the 1st book and I gotta say she would have been more happy if she hadn't separated Jason from Kale. I can't seem to shake the impression that because she wanted everything from Jason she ended having nothing. Although the idea of divorce never gets hinted at so she will apparently keep married to him simply not really a part of his life.

I loved seeing them together again. Kale kept blaming Jason for his treatment for those 3 years they were apart but I think it was both their fault. They both made mistakes and I was happy to read they'll overcome them together. Martin becoming the company's president was a surprise but a pleasant one! I thought Jason would take Sophie and Martin with them but I guess it sort of makes sense. It was gratifying to read such a wonderful ending.

Thank you Ms. Caethes Faron. You did an amazing job. It was brilliant.

[Yblees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writing this review after my 2nd read, and I'm going to increase my original rating to 4 stars.

When I first read this sequel, I had certain expectations of how the story would turn out. And well, it didn't really. Hence, what was probably an unfairly low-ish rating (3 stars).
On this, my second visit to the book, and without all those pesky expectations, I've found it surprisingly good. This is a book best appreciated for it's rich characterisation of the major players, and the interactions between them.

However, Measure of Strength left too many issues unresolved to be a satisfying finale for the series. So I was very pleased to find out about book 3. To be released soon...
And I've been checking every day, and waiting impatiently... urgh!

[Tamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished crying over the 1st book and wanted to cry starting this one. Jason was so broken after giving Kale up. I was so sad that after giving up Kale for the marriage that would advance him, he lost interest in that goal, in his wife, and found that burying himself in his work and drink was the only way he could cope.

Then he found Kale slaving in his own mill, also broken.

I don't like giving away spoilers, but I did get my HEA here, and wonder if there is anything planned for the future, to show how they move forward.

Loved it and it's on my-6-star-favs shelf. Highly Recommended.
================================
1st read - Jan 2, 2013
2nd read - Nov 30, 2016

[Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oooh, the angst in this book. Satisfying well-written sequel to 'Measure of Devotion'. Really cared about these characters, Master Jason has turned to drink after selling his lover and slave. Kale is a broken man after 3 years of abuse as a labor slave.

'Kale's eyes finally met Jason's, and Jason was stunned by how wrong he had been. Kale hadn't been keeping his eyes averted in a submissive gesture. He had kept them averted to hide his anger. Rage flared in his eyes that his voice only hinted at.'

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok so I loved both books, but for different reasons. In the first one I disliked Jason for a good chunk of the book and was loving Kales take charge attitude, but the second book the roles were reversed. I wanted to smack Kale upside the head for most of the book. And I was totally digging Jasons "this is gonna work" way of thinking. Yes there were a few hicups along the way but loved the way it ended.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. I was SO glad when I finished book 1 and saw that the story continued. It was a bitter sweet book with the right mount of romance for me. I was in love with Kale and Sophie when they were working together in the kitchen. Just a wonderful read to escape into. Makes me wish there was more to the story.

[Aria Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even better and more shocking than the first. The roles were reversed a bit which was interesting. Loved the story and the pace. I'd spend money on a third book if there is ever one written!!!

[Emi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first book of this series... five years ago, maybe? And then, a couple of weeks ago, this book appeared as a recommendation in my kindle, and decided to give it a try, to close the cliffhanger of the first book.
The first thing that comes to mind is that this book was a little too long, or too slow. Not much happens at first, but it was interesting to see the dark state the two main characters are at the beginning. Kale had it reall bad, being a slave, but Jason, even when he has a scessful bussines and money, is not okay either. He is literally drowning himself in alcohol, and depression threatens to kill him.
Of course, as a romance book, the two of them have to collide eventually. It was a really nice love story, even if Jason has to carry the romantic part for almost the entire book. He really tries to make everything better. Kale is a little infuriating, but I can't say that I don't see why he is so depressed. As a bad side, this was a little too perfect, like, there're not bad characters here. The only struggle is between the two main characters, and the other characters are all really nice. That made it all too quiet for them. It was a story without danger, I would say.
All in all, this was entertaining.

[Gordon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I DEVOURED it, as well as "Measure of Devotion"! I was reeling from the emotional roller coaster ride of Measure of Devotion when I started this sequel, and as things do not start out very rosy, I was afraid the sequel would just finish me off. I was so wrapped up in the story (spanning both books) I became almost impossible to live with for nearly two days until I could get to a point in the story where I felt like I at least had an idea where we were going. I finally got through it all, it was really well worth the trip. I will enjoy re-reading it again since I'll be able to deal with the stress and uncertainty much better the second time through.

Really well written, engaging and interesting characters, totally (for me) unexpected plot twists and character evolutions, and exactly the type of story I'd hoped it would be (no, I won't tell you what that is, you'll have to read it). There are relatively few explicitly sexual passages compared to some others of the genre, but those that are there are (imho) REALLY good.

[Free_dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a shame it took me so long to finally read this book, because I absolutely loved it. Okay, so maybe a little bit more world building wouldn't have hurt and I didn't quite understand why it took them so long to finally find the solution to their problems, but I just couldn't put it down. I was addicted from page one and only work and sleep kept me from it for any length of time. There was just something about it that made me breeze right through it.
You do need to read part one to understand this sequel. It's been years since I did that and while I didn't remember all the nitty gritty details, the overall story arc was still present enough in my mind. I most definitely won't take as long to read the next installment.

[Louie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It got me right in the feels!

From the very beginning of this book, I could feel every emotion that Jason & Kale were experiencing - the heartache, the tortured unrequited passion, their desire to make each other happy - and it was absolutely delicious and wonderful! To “ride the roller coaster of emotions” they were on from moment to moment was exhilarating, and sometimes exhausting, but always worth it. And to see how this chapter of their lives ends makes it all worth experiencing.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is FANTASTIC... This book you'll need tissues..

[Joseph Tonlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

See https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Residual · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the first book left me spiraling, and though I wanted to rush to read the second, I let it sink in for a few days before picking it up. I'm glad I did. This one throws you right into Jason's miserable future self and has a whole different pace and feel to it then the last one at the beginning. So the kid royally screwed things up - as usual, but I still felt for him. I think more mature, weathered version of him appealed to me more than the old, immature Jason did.
When we're introduced to Martin I was nervous he would become a love interest and there would be a triangle thing going on to complicate what was already far too complicated, but I'm glad that wasn't the case. It would have been too much. I liked the role he played in the story, but his character was a bit bland for me.
Sophie the cook...for some reason all the female cooks in these stories are exactly alike, and it bothered me a little XD Is there just one stereotype for these ladies? I mean they're sweet and likable but they're so obviously the same person I want to whack the author over the head with a wooden spoon...
And then, of course, Kale. Sweet and lovable as ever. He went through some tough times after getting Jason to give him up and is a changed man, but still himself deep down, which I liked. What I didn't like?

WHY ARE THESE PEOPLE SO CLUELESS?
I find this is a very common theme in these romance books, that the lovers are completely oblivious to eachother's feelings no matter how obvious...or how many times they tell eachother how they feel. Nope! They can't believe it so it must be a lie! Ugh...At times it's endearing but after a while it gets very annoying and unbelievable. The level of that between Jason and Kale got to that irritating point after a while...although, I will forgive it somewhat, based on the fact that Kale is a slave and it's probably been ingrained into his whole mental system not to trust your master and especially not to love them. Jason...I don't know what his excuse was ha. He's just whiny.

Did I get my happy ending? Yes. Was I satisfied with it? Yes. Was the road there a bit rocky? ...yes. I definitely liked the first book better, but I don't regret reading the second. It's nice to see their story come to some kind of close. I would actually love for a third book to come out though...see how the two adapt after everything that's happened. For now though I'm content, and I suppose that's a good reason to pick up and finish a book, isn't it?

[Carol Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 does not disapppoint

At the end of the 1st book, I couldn't wait to read the 2nd because I really wanted to get to a part where Jason and Kale would be together again. I hesitated for a week because I knew the beginning would be as emotionally heartwrenching as the end of the first book. I had to gear up for it.
This author really knows how to write the characters so true to life. I'd gotten to know them so well I felt what they did. I if you've read the first book, Measure of Devotion, you will not be disappointed with this one. If you haven't read it then you must start there to immerse yourself in this truly amazing relationship.
This book picks up after 3 yrs. Jason is still ripped apart over his decision to sell Kale. While his professional life has flourished and he's become a steel magnate after taking over his wife's family's company, he has withdrawn from society. All the reasons Kale thought it would be best for Jason if he wasn't there never came to fruition. On the other hand, Jason took slight comfort that with Kale's skills he would've been sold to a decent master. Jason was shocked and angry when he found Kale working on the labor line in his steel mill. He couldn't understand how this happened. To which Kale reminded him of how naive he was. Needless to say, Jason bought him immediately and took him home.
This part of their journey is about one man trying to atone for his mistakes and the other trying to find a way to cope, finding how to be honest with himself about his feelings and forgiveness for both. It is a difficult and emotional journey at first that seems to get easier with time and the support of their friends in the home.
Jason, having grown up alot in these 3 yrs, is more able to find solutions to their problems, his place in societal hierarchy also helps finding the connections he needs. Kale still thinks of Jason as an idealistic boy and doesn't want to give any true hope that Jason can do what needs to be done in order for them to have a free relationship and life together. Jason more than prices him wrong and Kale finally starts to realize the man that has Jason's become.

[United Indie Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

This picks up 3 years after Measure of Devotion ended. Jason's life has taken a turn for the worse and he is has closed himself off to everyone. Although on the business side of things he is one of the best. He runs the leading company in the country for producing steel, but yet every night he sinks into a deep depression that he drowns in alcohol. While going to do an inspection of one of his mills he runs into someone that he never thought he would see again and he can't believe his eyes at what he sees.

Kale thought he was doing the right thing but making Jason get rid of him 3 years ago, but life as a slave has only gotten worse. He works everyday and doesn't know if that day will be his last. He never thought he would see Jason again until one day Jason comes to the mill and then his world is turned upside down again. When Jason purchases his title again in hopes that everything can be the same as it was both men soon realize that each of them has changed in their own ways. Jason hanging onto his guilt and love. Kale hanging onto his anger and fear. Will these two ever get their happy ending or is it just not possible for a master and slave to be together and be happy!

Once again Jason and Kale will pull at your heart strings and take you on one heck of an emotional rollercoaster. Caethes Faron knows hot to write a novel that makes the readers feel the emotions that every character is going through. I could not pull myself away from the journey that Jason and Kale go on. I felt like I was living it with them. Once again I found myself wanting to slap both characters for not being able to see the other point of view. This book made me even more invested in Jason and Kale and I could not read to more. I cried tears of both sadness and happiness while I read this!

Reviewed by Melonie

[Damir LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Measure of strength took a big leap into the future from Measure of Devotion. The start was a little unsettling and choppy, but as the missing pieces of what the hell happened started to get filled in, the displacement wore off. The story just trundles along from here to the end. There is no huge swellings of conflict or drama. The trauma is a post sense and comes over as mediocre but still reads smoothly as a simple read that it never warrants to shut the book.

I did have one annoyance and that was the personalities of the MCs took a large slump: Jason is too perfectly accommodating while Kale is endlessly wishy-washy, flip flop of love, angry, love, angry, love, angry… shut the F up will you already… I hate to jab it to the author but Kale became a whiny girl too many times in this one. This character decline also came at the expense of Jason’s character by invalidating the issues he thought he had caused by Kale’s lies and that ‘never’ got addressed and cleared. Kale endlessly blames Jason for doing what Kale wanted him to do in the first place, and throws it up too many times to draw out the story then to never admit fault.

Adding to it is the condescending, “Jason is just a boy,” repeatedly stated by Kale. A guy would have left Kale to his self-made self-serving wallowing.

But lucky for Kale, Jason stuck with him knowing it would be worse for them both being apart.

One fun part was the obvious solution and the agonizing wait for these two men to come to finally realize it, delivered a nice “It’s about F**king time.” Once that took place, it was back to a cozy, easy read that I had, since book 1, and I resolved to be okay with it. And I bought book three to find out how it all ends.

[Discerningcritic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following on from my review of Book #1, I will start by saying this cover is a lot better, but still flat and a little bland. Better than #1, though (again, I knocked a star off the rating, and again, the book absorbed it without an issue).

The name Kale still annoys me (Cabbage), but by now, I'm so emotionally invested that he could be called Turnip, and I'd allow it. I was choked up and saddened when Kale re-enters the story. Already left reeling by Jason's descent into alcoholism, I guessed what was coming, but still had a 'clapped hand over mouth while I gasped' moment!

I started up my mantra-like chanting, as I had in book #1, (with incense this time) again, muttering aloud as though Jason (now called every name imaginable) could hear me. My husband came up to the bedroom to make sure I was all right and hadn't spiralled into madness. The jury is still out--I say no, he says yes.

I loved the plot and the twists and turns the tale takes. It was witty, clever, endearing and so well written it was a beauty to behold. The intimacy between Kale the Cabbage and Jason takes on deeper meaning and as a result, the sex matures into something new. It was lovely to see them reclaiming each other, and admitting to themselves how deep their love runs.

[Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jason and Kale parted ways - well, when Jason sold Kale at Kale's insistence, to be more accurate - neither of them ever expected to see each other again. Kale expected Jason to move on and find happiness and Jason was so guilty over what he thought he did to Kale, he would never think about trying to ever find him again. But when Jason, who has been anything but happy, finds Kale working as a labor slave in a mill owned by his wife's family's company, he thinks he might have an opportunity to try to make things right. He certainly doesn't expect the two of them could go back to where they were before, but he never intended for Kale to end up as a labor slave and he can at least set that right. But when the two of them are under the same roof again, will they really be able to deny the feelings they had for each other that never truly went away?

I absolutely adore these characters even if I found myself frustrated by them at times (both in the first book and in this one). Caethes Faron has created a world that, while very different from our own in many ways, is one that readers will certainly appreciate getting lost in again and again.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second in a series of three Master/slave books, this one is the darkest but for me also the most moving. The struggles of two who love each other so much wrapped in the crushing burden of slavery is a nice contrast to the typical regency romances. While this is set in a fictional universe, the story of two souls who yearn for each other (and have hurt each other) is entwined deeply into at least a superficial look at what people of good conscience must have faced in the early 19th century. Indeed, it provides a fictional glimpse of what western society's would have been like in the early 20th century if their 19th century predecessors hadn't had some significant success against the institution of slavery (and perhaps what plenty of people still faced at the turn of the century when confronting continuing racist attitudes).

Apart from the alternate history/historical critique, the relationship between the two protagonists kept me enraptured. A nice contrast and balance to both regency and Master/slave romances (both of which I often enjoy).