The Pelican Bride

Gulf Coast Chronicles #1

by Beth White

A feisty young Frenchwoman gets more than she bargained for when she flees to the New World as a mail-order bride.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical, Christian, Fiction, Historical Romance

370 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 8, 2014

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Beth White teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. Her hobbies include playing flute and pennywhistle and painting, but her real passion is writing historical romance with a Southern drawl.

A native Mississippian, she is a pastor's wife, mother of two, and grandmother of two--so far.

Also published as Elizabeth White, her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.

Reviews

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really?? I can't believe I waited so long to read this fantastic book! Action, deception, suspense, romance and best of all history! This is my kind of book. Very well-written, this story took me back in time, I loved it! I'm now inspired to visit some of my local historical museums. I will definitely be reading more Beth White books!

[R.J. Rodda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming Christian historical romance packed with plot twists and well- written so that a sense of the time is strongly evoked. I had not heard of the Pelican brides before and I did not know much about the political and religious struggles of the time so while this is foremost an enjoyable romance read I also feel like I've learned something too.

I do have an issue though with the narrative approval of avoiding the legal punishment for murder, however that is a small quibble about a good read overall.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Setting: Louisiana Colony 1704
4 1/2 stars

The year is 1704, when orphaned and imprisoned Genevieve and her younger sister Aimee manage to escape and flee the persecution in France and board a ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail order brides. With hopes of finding prospective husbands and the freedom offered in Louisiana, when they land it is only to discover a wild and politically unbalanced Colony where no one is secure.
Both have promised to marry one of the rough and tumble Canadian men in this New World, but Genevieve dosen't expect to fall in love with expatriate cartographer Tristan Lanier. Tristan has guarded his heart since the brutal murder of his Native American wife, but continued interactions with Genevieve lead him to reconsider his chosen independence from love altogether. But now a secret that Genevieve harbours could mean the undoing of the Colony itself. Returning cruelty for cruelty is just a part of the reality of relations between European settlers and Native Americans in brutal New World of 1704 in this story. But the Pelican Bride which is the first book in this series is also a perfect pairing of history and romance. Genevieve's adherence to her faith in spite of all the horror around her in her young life as well as her influence on Tristan's choice to truly believe lead to a satisfying ending without it being overly "preachy" and taking away from the story as well as the historical details or the romance itself. Nicely done, and I look forward to the next book in the "Gulf Coast Chronicle" series by this new author to me.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written for history-devourers like me! I loved the in-depth research evident in this and the feeling of authenticity that all the details provided. It is quite light on the romance except for one chapter of the wedding that might have the book better suited to older audiences (16+). I actually felt that the hero's brother Marc-Antoine actually had more words devoted to his love story than Tristan himself did. It was pleasant to read such a solid historical fiction, and I would be comfortable recommending this to both men and women.

I liked Genevieve, Tristan, Marc-Antoine, Aimee, Nika, Deerfoot, and most of the other colorful characters that populate this title. Although, after Genevieve and Tristan, my favorite is Nika, I'd love to read a story about Aimee and what happened to her. It's a solid debut novel, and I look forward to Beth White's next title.

[Caity · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pelican Bride was interesting. I enjoyed the historical information and detail; however it simply wasn't my style or era. :/ It was well-written and the plot was intricate! I just couldn't really get as involved in the story as I like to. There were a few religious views that I questioned, as well.
I do absolutely adore the cover! :)
Beth White is a sweet lady and I so enjoyed my interview/chat with her! She is a talented author, and anyone who enjoys this era/style will be thrilled with this rich and vivid new novel!

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genevieve Gaillian and her sister Aimee left France in the hopes of new beginnings as mail order wives to men in the New World. Genevieve knows that she must keep her Protestant beliefs a secret and appear to adopt the teachings of the Catholic church as she begins her new life. When she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, she hopes that she has finally found someone who will allow her to be herself. Yet the New World is ripe with peril. There is sickness, primitive conditions, and the threat of war with Britain. When Tristan is sent on a peace keeping mission between warring Indian tribes, Genevieve wonders if she'll ever see him again. There is a plot to discredit her. Genevieve's future and Tristan's safety rest in the hands of a local Indian girl. Will her testimony be enough to bring peace?

To say that this book is enchanting and enthralling would be a gross understatement. It is both of those and so much more. I started this one evening and finished it the next afternoon.

I think that this may have been the first book that I've read set in the French colonies of early America - what is now Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. The setting itself was rich in detail. And the characters only served to heighten it.

I loved both Tristan and Genevieve from the moments they walked onto the pages. Their fears and struggles were very well written. I found Aimee to be a spoiled brat. But I think that was how she was supposed to come across. The supporting characters would both delight me and exasperate me at times. I was really rooting for a happy ending for Tristan and Genevieve.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I received this book for free from Revell Books for the purpose of reviewing. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Recommended to fans of American history, historical romance, Jody Hedlund, Liz Curtis Higgs, Joanne Bischoff

Rating - 5 stars

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

What originally caught my attention about The Pelican Bride was its gorgeous cover! The woman has such a dreamy look in her eyes and it is just downright beautiful. Then, I scanned the book blurb and I knew that I had to read it! It is set in 1704. Genevieve Gaillain and her sister have just arrived in the Louisiana colony. In order to secure passage on the frigate, Pelican, they have both agreed to marry men who have settled in the colony.

Genevieve is a really fascinating character to read about. She is very strong and determined, yet she has a past that is obviously haunting her. She is burdened with guilt and she really worries about her younger sister, who seems not to care a whit about Genevieve! And, oh my goodness, I just love the character of Tristan Lanier. He has survived such horrendous heartache and yet he is such a strong and good man. His devotion to those he loves is very admirable and makes for a really wonderful hero for the novel.

I had not read any other books set in this time period about this specific part of America’s history and I found it really interesting. I learned so much through this rich and deeply moving story full of such intriguing characters. I loved the romance between the two main characters. It was definitely sigh worthy! This is the first book that I have read by this author and it will definitely not be the last.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Baker Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

You can read this review on my blog at:
http://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.co...

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an interesting book about a time period I don't know too much about. It reminded me a little of The Last of the Mohican's movie. Brides were promised wealthy men and homes to travel to a settlement in Louisianian so that France could establish a more permanent base in the US. What they got was much different then promised. This story follows several different view points from an Indian woman, to a captain and his brother who has left the France army to an idiot bad guy and several other points of view along the way. Not great execution and hard to follow. The story was a good one and the history was cool but the romance took a back seat to both. I found myself skimming to get to the end. Too much detail bogged the story down. This was a clean romance with some weird Christian elements I couldn't tell if the author was preaching to me or giving info about there church.

[Andrea Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

by Andrea Renee Cox

Though I was intrigued by this book's premise, I was disappointed that a pastor's wife would include vulgar language, sexual innuendo, and heavy emphasis on mistresses and illegitimate children in her book. Those are not things expected to be featured and emphasized in Christian fiction books, which are supposed to be clean reads. This book was a miss for me.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish it...it was very slow. I'm not one for stories about Indians and those parts were very gruesome for me to read about.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great historical read! Beth White spins a story about the early settling of the Gulf Coast by the French. The Pelican brides were young women who came to marry the French soldiers in this early settlement which would one-day become the city of Mobile. She includes much historical fact that I, being a mid-westerner was not aware. I guess any historical fiction I read of this time period usually takes place in the early colonies. Many of the characters in this book are based upon historical figures from her research.
Early in the book, I did not think these young women would be strong enough to survive the hardships that awaited them. I was drawn to the strength of character in Genevieve and Nika, the native women she befriended. This is a story of political and religious intrigue, romance and friendship. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Aerykah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit slow, I think, but still pretty good.

[Carole Jarvis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed at The Power of Words: http://tinyurl.com/oaxdpga

I was initially drawn to The Pelican Bride by its beautiful cover, which promises romance - but it is so much more! Rich with fascinating historical detail about a place and time I've never read about, there's also good characterization, adventure, and romance. The first hundred pages or so might move a little slowly for some, but I enjoyed the historical aspect and was able to get the characters straight before the plot really took off.

The story opens in 1704 on Massacre Island, Mobile Bay, as several women disembark from the French frigate Pélican - but their final destination is Fort Louis, which would eventually become the city of Mobile. This is such an interesting period of history because so many factors came into play. Canadians had moved into the area with one purpose in mind: "The plan was to map the coastline of the gulf, to track the rivers that fed it, find a settlement site, and stake France's claim before Spain and England could get a toehold." While local Indians were generally friendly to the French, that wasn't the case when it came to northern Alabama tribes. And then there was the religious issue - namely, intolerance for believes outside of the Catholic church.

With all of this as a backdrop, Beth did a great job with both real-life and fictional characterization and plot. Historical fiction fans will find much to like here, and Beth included "A Word to the Reader" section at the end which goes into more detail.

Tristan Lanier and Geneviève Gaillain make great lead characters. Tristan - "a sour, lonely former mapmaker with a hole the size of Canada in his heart" - is a compelling figure. Geneviève is one of several women who married and civilized those first French-Canadian settlers, but carries some hidden baggage from her life in France. Although they don't have a lot of time together in the book, a good chemistry is there and I enjoyed their romance. Secondary characters are strong, one of my favorites being the Jesuit Priest, Father Mathieu.

The whole idea of religious intolerance and persecution just blows my mind, and Beth did a great job incorporating that element into the narrative. "Tolerance in France for Huguenots had come to a flaming end" and Geneviève had come to the New World seeking peace. I love her words to Tristan in defense of what being a Huguenot or Protestant meant: "It means I am of a people persecuted for centuries for obeying Scripture and for refusing ritual worship. It means I am under the rule of God rather than any man, be he king or archbishop or dragoon. It means I must forgive you because Christ first forgave me."

Geneviève's strength, commitment and faith are inspiring, and we see spiritual growth in Tristan as well. I recommend The Pelican Bride to fans of historical romance that has a strong historical element. Those who enjoy southern fiction will also like this story.

Thank you to Revell for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Reet Champion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genevieve Gaillain's life has taken a rapid turn for the worst it would seem. A wanted criminal in France seeking peace in the Louisiana wilderness the secret Huguenot gets more than she bargained for when she lands on the foreign shores. Come to be married off to one of the local men at the grimy settlement all Genevieve wants is peace and a happy home in which she can be free of King Louis' radical religious intolerance. But even here she must guard her past life closely or risk losing everything she holds dear.

For the reader looking for action and intrigue, look no further - The Pelican Bride is just for you. In the Louisiana wilderness the likable meet the despicable in a story that keep readers on their toes until the very end (and then leave them wanting more). After having bad luck with book choices for the last few months I was a little hesitant to begin The Pelican Bride. My fears were unfounded though and my attention was snagged from page one. What luck! This is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a long time. And quite a different take for the Christian historical fiction genre. I'd like to see more stories like this one hit bookshelves everywhere. It had depth and portrayed some of the dark aspects experienced by settlers in the New World. And with that said some minor pet peeves will now be named. Sometimes it felt the author didn't have an opinion on the religious persecution endured by the Huguenots but just let the characters do the opining (not sure if that is a good or bad thing - I have to admit, it sounds like a talent to let the characters tell the story that one kind of forgets someone actually wrote it). They had their thoughts and beliefs and that was that. Still you've got to give Ms. White credit for her ability to weave a very complex story. I loved the mystery and the fact that one could feel each characters pains when they were feeling low and smile when they had their joys. I really loved it although there were some sections that bordered on inappropriate. I'm quite anxious to follow this series and eagerly await the release of book two. The characters' grammar was a little modern, but I understand the need for one to keep it that way; it certainly makes the story much easier to follow along with.

DISCLAIMER: In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising” we would like to note that we received an electronic copy of “The Pelican Bride  provided by the publishers Revell, through NetGalley.com in exchange for our honest review.

reetchampionbookreviews.wordpress.com

[Megan Besing · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.c...
What I thought:
The full review can be read at Edgy Inspirational Romance with the link above.

Random fact: I think The Pelican Bride’s cover is precious!

I dove right into the book and realized the “Pelican” was a boat…my eyebrows lowered. (My previous EIR review explains my feelings of books about boats.) Thankfully, there was more to the story. In fact, this tale blew the whole mail-order bride genre wide open.

How, you ask? (I’m so glad you want to know.)

Non-stop conflict!

Marriages, and lies, and murders. Oh My!

Genevieve and her sister must leave France. Let’s just say it has to do with being persecuted for her faith, but that’s all I can say without inserting a spoiler. My lips are sealed. You’ll have to read about the rest. Upon landing in the New World, the only man Genevieve remotely wants to consider for her mandatory marriage is Tristan, who claims to not want a bride at all.

Now Mr. Tristan, in my odd opinion, really needs to cut his hair. (Sorry, I have male-with-long-hair issues.)

I eventually overlooked the long hair man thing. When the story unfolded, I learned more about his past and character. (And the fact that there probably weren’t a whole lot of scissors available in the early 1700s.)

My advice: Remember to put your thinking cap on in the beginning. There are a lot of character names to process. And just about the time you get everyone straight, the Indians show up, adding another list of names to remember. But I promise: it can be done.

The Pelican Bride is more than a Historical Romance. The suspense weaved throughout held me captivated. Not only did Beth White surprise me with how much I enjoyed this story, but I hope #2 in the Gulf Coast Chronicles is near completion, because Genevieve, Tristan, and I have some unfinished business and I must learn how it turns out!

Content: Almost Edgy

Story: 4.5 stars
This and only reviews can be found at edgyinspirationalromance.com
http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.c...

[Brooke Barenfanger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed The Pelican Bride. Mostly for the historical aspects of the story. The amount of research put into this novel is remarkable. The vocabulary in this book was extensive and impressive. I discovered a few French words that I didn’t know were part of the English language. I think my favorite part of the book was learning new words. However, that’s just me. Not everybody may enjoy that
Genevieve and Tristan—the main characters—were well-developed and easy to like. However, I found myself liking Genevieve’s mischievous little sister—Aimee—more. I hope that the author writes Aimee a book of her own! I also liked Ysabeau, despite what happened to her. Nothing was said about what happened to her at the end of the book, so I’m hoping that she may come into another novel.

The author put into perspective how dangerous it was to have a different religion other than Catholicism in France in 1704. Even when Genevieve escaped France to go live in America she was not able to reveal her differing belief for fear of being thrown into jail and even executed.



The relationship between Genevieve and Tristan was sweet and romantic, though sometimes unrealistic. But this fact can be easily overlooked when viewing the novel as a whole.

I was surprised at how little time Genevieve and Tristan spent in each other’s company, since this novel says that it is Historical Romance. Tristan was off on a journey for a large portion of the story, leaving Genevieve to fend for herself. He did, however, save her near the end of the book. And when they were together, I enjoyed seeing how they bantered back and forth or encouraged one another.



As I mentioned before, there was a lot of research put into this book. However, I felt sometimes that the characters were swamped with too many details, neglecting the development of some more minor characters. I appreciate all the research the author put into this novel. But the character development is just as important as the research.

I really liked the subplot that incorporated Tristan's younger brother, Marc-Antoine. I kept on wondering if somehow Aimee would end up with him or an Indian woman named Nika that kept on coming into the story. You'll have to read the book to find out!




The Pelican Bride was an enjoyable, historically saturated read(plus the cover is beautiful :). I give it 31/2 out of 5 stars.




* I received a free copy of this book from the publishers for an honest review, which I have given. The opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone. Read more of my reviews and subscribe to my blog here http://brookesbookblog.weebly.com/blo...

[Rambling Readers · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Pelican Bride" brims with historical details surrounding a lesser covered era in history. Beth White places readers in the Gulf Coast, circa 1704. Tensions run high between the colonies, Native Americans, and various religious groups. There is no shortage of historical information or characters within the pages of "The Pelican Bride." The plot jumps right into the unsettled environs of the Gulf Coast, and there are a multitude of details and political figures for readers to absorb. White's thorough research is evident throughout, and the novel acted as a history lesson for me. The political complexities were too much for me at times. It took me several chapters to settle into the story, and I was drawn to certain topics more than others.

"The Pelican Bride" goes far beyond a story about a ship of unmarried women traveling to unknown territories in search of husbands. White uses the perspectives of several different characters to extend the plot. While I appreciate the depth and dynamics various points-of-view lend to the story, the changes left me feeling disconnected and unsettled. As the climaxes approach, the scenes switch quickly leaving us just on the brink of something significant occurring. This definitely builds suspense, which can keep readers anxiously turning the pages. Ultimately, I would have preferred fewer character perspectives and less sudden scene transitions.

Because there were some subplots that held my attention more, the pace and my interest ebbed and flowed as I was reading. The characters of Genevieve and Nika both have intriguing stories to tell with complex lives and backgrounds. I appreciate White's portrayal of a French woman and a Native American woman living in the same area, but experiencing life in completely different ways, even when their paths cross. The relationships that develop in "The Pelican Bride" are diverse and unique, and the political element adds suspense and historical background. For readers looking for Christian fiction with a well-researched plot, "The Pelican Bride" offers a love story wrapped in layers of history.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from Revell through the Revell Reads Blog Tour Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

[ASC Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great journey!!! From the beginning Beth grabbed me with her expressive writing. Then the humor also took hold. I REALLY enjoyed reading about the courageous and Faithful Genevieve. In fact the majority of the characters I loved. Even when Genevieve's baby sister turns out to be spoiled and selfish I grew to love her as she grows up and redeems her actions, I really would like to find out where she ends up. I really enjoyed the history in the story and I personally think that the details and information were just right, not too much and not too little. Beth wrote in her "A Word to the Reader" that she feels she loaded the story with way too much information and that she suspects to get criticism "on both ends of the spectrum". Not from me. I have read books where the details and descriptions just go on and on, but not in The Pelican Bride. As a matter of fact she is one of those authors that I wish had written my high school history books (I probably would have enjoyed History more if she had!) ;) . There are some things with the twists and turns in the plot that got a little confusing at times however. There is SO much packed into this journey that it blew my mind at times!!! LOL! :D The twists and cliff hangers at the end of chapters and paragraphs are artfully done in a way that made me feel I had to go on to see what was possibly going to happen next! Betrayal and danger crop up around every corner, but also Faith and love bloom in the sweltering heat of the early south! Love, sadness, Faith, pain, sorrow, murder, treason, deception, humor, betrayal, and much more weave the story of The Pelican Bride together. Rapidly paced Beth brings all things into a nice finale; wrapping up almost all loose ends. I recommend this as a good read, with a deep plot, graphic detail, and beautiful romance!

Songs: "Whom Shall I Fear [God of Angel Armies]" by Chris Tomlin, "You Won't Let Go" by Michael W. Smith, "Don't Give Up" by Calling Glory
These songs may be changes or more may be added in the future.

Matthew 5

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Revell Reads and for the purpose of reviewing it. The above is my honest opinion of The Pelican Bride. ~ASC

[Kate Breslin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canadian traders, French and British soldiers, Mobile and Alabaman Native Americans—all battling to stake a claim in early 18th century Louisiana Territory. This is history I never knew, but Beth White does a wonderful job painting the scenes in the first of her Gulf Coast Chronicles series. I found myself immersed in story—about a wilderness full of hardship, gritty settlers, brutality, drama, romance, and intrigue as French Huguenot Genevieve Gaillain carries a secret to this new land, one she must keep in order to survive. And when she falls in love with the Canadian, Daniel Boone-styled Tristan Lanier, she'll learn he’s got secrets of his own. Can they each learn to trust one another with the truth? The Pelican Bride is my first Beth White novel, and I look forward to reading more!

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your usual setting, not your usual historical romance--The Pelican Bride breaks new ground in the historical genre. Choosing to write a story set in the French colony that became Mobile, Alabama, draws the reader into a new and exciting period.

I fell in love with Tristan Lanier just as Genevieve Gallain did. Who can resist a kind but fearless heroine and a hero who refuses to be molded to fit what others think is right--when he knows what is right and will do it? A winning beginning to a new historical series.

[Laurel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Quarantine book #? DNF. I wanted to like this. I kept trying for a long time. It is so poorly written. There were so many characters introduced with absolutely no explanation of who they are it felt like I was reading book #2 of a series. At another time I might have persisted but right now I need something enjoyable to read. Giving up and moving on.

[Tweety]

One of my favorite time periods!

Better yet, it was an unusual setting, I haven't read many books placed here. The characters were interesting and I enjoyed the author's style. I will be reading the next in the series!

[Rea K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought the third in this series the other week, so I figured that I might as well buy the first and second ones and read a series in order for once (unlike the Hawthorne House series where I read the last two first). And it's not like I didn't want to read this one ever. At some point it made it into my "meh-college-years" list so it obviously was on one of my shelves.
After reading, I glanced through some of the reviews and was amused. This was one of the cleaner books I've read. TRUST ME HERE. I HAVE READ SOME OF THE TRASHY ROMANCE NOVELS (see that one pride and prejudice remake, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rockstar I think it's called). Either I'm inured to "coarse language" and that junk or I'm not a prude. Not a complete prude anyway. There are still a good deal of things that embarrass the hell out of me. The restaurant industry has saved me from being the complete prude I was. Or turned me into the girl who doesn't bat an eyelash at swears at the very least. If you're curious about what sort of people work in the restaurant industry, hold onto your Sunday-go-meetin' hats and cross yourselves next time you walk into a restaurant. I was once showed a vid about the versatility of the word "fuck" by one of my favorite boys I worked with.
I digress. There were a few spots where I went all squinty-eyed skeptical about the historical accuracy of food things. Cream puffs in the primitive land of what I would impolitely call bumfuck nowhere. Ah, hell. I'm a baker, so I'll overlook that cream puffs are probably unlikely in 1704 Alabama. In my opinion at least. Who knows. Maybe they really did have a sweetheart patisserie chef in the wilds of Alabama makin' cream puffs and crusty french bread.
It's a rare time where I read a book about the early 1700s, so I am completely at loss for what people were wearing and eating and doing at that point. I do much more reading of the latter half of the century and the next ones. And far more reading about nobility and Europe, especially England. When I started the book, I was puzzled. "How did she promise to marry a guy and still fall in love with this one?" And then I started reading and it made loads more sense. There was a boatload of girls who came over on the promise to marry one of the men in the settlement, not like the mail order bride who comes for a specific guy.
The POV doesn't stay between Genevieve and Tristan. It floats between several other characters and THE ONE I ABSOLUTELY COULD NOT STAND. I WAS SO ANGRY WITH HIM THAT I THINK I KEPT READING OUT OF FURY AND HOPE FOR HIS COMEUPPANCE. A few things were too neatly tied up, but heeeeeey, that's writing books. The one girl made me so angry, but only because she was a vapid annoying child and let her tongue wag without thinking.
Important things I took from this book? I really like the name Ysabeau and I want to learn French. If only to be able to pronounce the glorious French names and words properly.

[Gerrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 stars

In many ways this was a really fine novel. It was very well written, and the history comes alive. It's an interesting period in American history - the French settlement of Louisiana and Alabama at the turn of the 18th Century. The author tells a good story, and the characters have depth, and are well developed, both French settlers and Native Americans. And the author juggles a large cast of characters with ease. The politics that encompassed the French, Spanish, British, and Indian alliances among them, were fascinating. The book also goes into some of the history of the French Huguenots. But, I never felt I was getting a history lesson, as the history was seamlessly woven into the story.

The story starts with the arrival of a ship of young women from France (including the heroine), sent to the still raw and crude young colony of Louisiane as brides for the French soldiers and settlers. It was a great premise. This was probably more historical fiction with a very strong romantic element, but the romance was very satisfying, as was a secondary romance between the hero's brother and a young Native American woman.

For all these reasons, this book would have easily received at least a 4 star rating from me. However, what I didn't know at the time that I got the book was that it's inspirational fiction. I don't mind inspirational fiction if the religious message is delivered with a light hand. While this book was definitely not as preachy as some I've read, it still had too much of a heavy-handed religious message for me, in some places quoting long passages of the Bible. It really detracted from an otherwise very satisfying story. Maybe this author just wants to preach to the converted, but such preaching tends to turn off more lay readers. And that's a shame, because it may keep a very good book from reaching a wider audience. And this book deserves a wider audience.

There are two other books in this series which I do plan to read, for the fine writing, great history, excellent character portrayals, and assured story telling. Hopefully there won't be as much preaching as in the first book, but if there is, I will definitely skip those sections.

[Catherine Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written historical novel with a romantic storyline. I suspected but reading this has convinced me I would never fair well in the Louisiana terrain.

[Jeri Stofa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy interesting read, taking place in the early 1700's in French Lousiana

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focused on both the settlement of the Louisiana Territory in 1704 as well as the fighting between English, Spanish, French and native Americans over the area, Geneviève Gaillain and her sister, Aimée, have been transported on the ship, Pelican, to the Louisiana territory, from France where they have escaped from prison with the help of a Huguenot pastor. France has been declared Catholic by the King and persecution of the Hueguenots has begun. As brides for the military soldiers there from France, what will the girls find and how will they manage life in an entirely different world?

Well written and full of interesting historical detail which reinforces what a wonderful researcher Beth White is, I discovered lots of fascinating details about this time period in the history of Louisiana. The storyline continues at a great pace and keeps the reader's attention from start to finish.

[Brandi (Rambles of a SAHM) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this twenty-first century world of ours it is hard to imagine crossing an ocean to marry someone we've never met and live in a place we know nothing about. The teenage girls known as the Pelican Brides did just that. Many of them came to escape poverty or persecution in France. The journey to what is now Mobile, Alabama took three months and many didn't even make it to Louisiane. Once there they were met with conditions that were not as promised. The men they had to choose from were not exactly what they had expected either.

In The Pelican Bride we follow this journey with Geneviève Gaillain and her younger sister. The story begins just as they land at Massacre Island in Mobile Bay. The first man Geneviève meets is Tristan Lanier. He is rugged and handsome but is dead set against marrying. Geneviève is amused by him but is sure that there are better prospects to be had.

After only a short time at Fort Louis the pressure begins for each of the young women to find a spouse. If they do not choose soon the support from the Crown will be withdrawn and the unmarried women will be left to fend for themselves. Geneviève doesn't like any of the prospects so she becomes determined to make a way to provide for herself and her sister. She is a trained pastry chef and plans to use those skills to earn a living.

The New World has many factions that are looking to conquer and settle this wilderness. The tension between the French, British, Spanish and Native Americans is a constant backdrop to everyday life. The harsh conditions and climate add another dimension to the act of building a colony that will grow and prosper.

This novel had two of my favorite elements. The first is that this is a title from an author unknown to me. I'm very excited to discover her work and looking forward to reading what she has already written and eagerly anticipating what is coming next in this series. The second thing that I enjoyed was reading about a time frame that isn't widely covered in historical fiction. We owe so much to these brave men and women for helping to establish the country we have today. Beth White did a fabulous job of mixing fascinating facts with fictionalized characters to showcase a point in history that would ultimately change the landscape of the world.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not being from the South, I have little knowledge of the history of the other end of the great river - but what White has detailed in her story is fascinating: the French, British, and Spanish squabbles as everyone tried to snatch their slices of America, French mail order brides known as the Pelican Brides (for the ship on which they sailed over), and the persecution of the Huguenots (French Protestants) and their influence on America. White incorporates this history masterfully, and the author's note in the end fills in extra detail for those who would love to know more.

White's depiction of the primitive conditions of the colony - a waterlogged fort sunk in a swamp where the heat, humidity, and tropical diseases preyed on the Europeans - are a stark reminder that even the Deep South was once frontier. The Pelican Brides did not arrive to be the mistresses of manicured plantations with elegant drawing rooms - they were lucky to have sound houses at all, just like any other frontier habitation. (In that regard, the gorgeous cover art is slightly misleading - I doubt white clothes stayed white long).

As a rule, the more points of view there are in a tale, the harder it is to write a tight-knit, cohesive story. White does a good job for having four points of view besides that of our hero and heroine, but I think it could have been done with a total of four viewpoints instead of six. Mainly I would have liked a little more time devoted to Genevieve and Tristan; their relationship got the short end of the stick, but it was in favor of the complexity of the politics and plot, so it is a toss up which would be the better route.

The subplot of Nika the Kaskaskian woman brings in and helps clarify some of the tribal politics, as well as providing a foil for the message of God's love; her story is every bit as intriguing as Genevieve's own. I'm glad the author was bold and wrote of a time and place that receives little attention - it is a joy to discover a new world. The plot was complex but never dull, with a few surprises along the way! I look forward to the next in the series! 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you Revell for a free copy of the book for the purpose of review; I was not required to make it positive, and all opinions are my own.

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting period of history for a novel. The Gulf Coast Chronicles promised history and it promised that of a region I am unfamiliar with historically or currently. I am a bit of a history buff yet did not know much about the area's history. I knew that a group of French Canadians emigrated to the Gulf Coast to escape persecution in Canada. It is also presumptive to assume that English and Spanish were contenders for the territory. And of course, there were the Native Americans – Indians – that were already in the area. It was a rough area just as the author depicted and the young ladies aboard the Pelican (boat they traveled on to arrive as “Pelican Brides”) did not expect it to be so rough.

The ladies soon found out that they as women were much wanted and desired by the rough, dirty, lonely men in this frontier. But even though they signed on to marry, they could have their choice of husbands. It was not quite this simple, though, as there was political unrest, dishonesty, and manipulation of the Indian tribes to suit the political and dishonest goals of the manipulators.

The characters are well developed and interesting. Genevieve Gaillain, a French Protestant and fugitive, is the lead female character who traveled with her sister as Pelican Brides. The main male lead, Tristan Lanier, is a strong interesting man. The supporting cast of men and women are woven into the story with ease creating a community of people that tend to make the reader think this is indeed a historical happening. While a novel, I found it appealing to my love of history. I especially liked the detail of the Indians and their interaction with the French and Canadian settlers. The Indian women teaching the French women how to make bread from corn which they grind themselves is interesting.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from Revell in exchange for my review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. I received no compensation for this review.