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Bella's Point
Isabella Troy Stanley is a divorced, slave freeing pariah surviving in the shattered post Civil War south the only way a fallen debutante knows how. She heads to a Yankee prison and buys herself a husband.Jack Byron is the former Troy plantation stable boy and object of young Bella’s affection. He rejected her then, and he’s still not sold on the idea of marrying her now. Sure, she’s pretty, but he remembers too well how even a glance in her direction got a man of his standing ridden out of town with a semi-friendly warning. No, Jack’s more sensible now, not to mention he might still be betrothed to another woman.It’s complicated.Though to Bella, it’s make Jack love her, marry her, and live happily ever after. The plan seems to work…at least until her secret is revealed.
309 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2014
About the author
Elizabeth Seckman
16 books89 followersMulti-published author of romantic women's fiction. I am a former social worker, constant day dreamer, and mother of four fabulous boys.
I have a house in desperate need of cleaning. No set date on completion.
I have a house in desperate need of cleaning. No set date on completion.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 29, 2014
I squealed with delight when I read the story description for Bella's Point, and then I frowned. I wanted to read this book so bad, but I knew my heart would be broken if the story didn't live up to the back cover blurb. Well...
I wasn't disappointed. Bella's Point was everything I thought it would be an more. Bella was spunky and her hero was loveable, as was the cast of supporting characters. Mrs. Seckman made me love them all.
If you like rooting for underdogs and don't mind some vigilantism, this book is for you.
I wasn't disappointed. Bella's Point was everything I thought it would be an more. Bella was spunky and her hero was loveable, as was the cast of supporting characters. Mrs. Seckman made me love them all.
If you like rooting for underdogs and don't mind some vigilantism, this book is for you.
February 3, 2018
I've enjoyed all of this author's books, but this one may be my favorite. Its post-Civil War setting makes it stand out from her other books, and she does an excellent job of portraying the era and the prevailing prejudices and hardships of the times.
Bella is a spunky former Southern belle of great means, but now she's lost everything... her wealth, her father, her abusive husband, and her good reputation. Determined to take care of the people she loves, she uses the last of her gold to get the man who used to take care of her father's horses out of jail. She loved him as a young girl... and she loves him now, but can he help her turn things around? Is he willing to work alongside of her... is there a chance that he might love her, too?
All of the characters in this book are memorable, and their stories are layered as beautifully as a four-tiered chocolate cake. It's a wonderful story of love, perseverance, hate, forgiveness, and hope. Of close-knit people who care so much for each other that each is willing to sacrifice for the other... each is willing to confess to a crime to save the others.
Simply stated, I loved this book. If you liked Scarlet O'Hara, you'll love Bella.
Bella is a spunky former Southern belle of great means, but now she's lost everything... her wealth, her father, her abusive husband, and her good reputation. Determined to take care of the people she loves, she uses the last of her gold to get the man who used to take care of her father's horses out of jail. She loved him as a young girl... and she loves him now, but can he help her turn things around? Is he willing to work alongside of her... is there a chance that he might love her, too?
All of the characters in this book are memorable, and their stories are layered as beautifully as a four-tiered chocolate cake. It's a wonderful story of love, perseverance, hate, forgiveness, and hope. Of close-knit people who care so much for each other that each is willing to sacrifice for the other... each is willing to confess to a crime to save the others.
Simply stated, I loved this book. If you liked Scarlet O'Hara, you'll love Bella.
January 19, 2015
Bella’s Point by Elizabeth Seckman is a story that takes place in the post civil war era. Isabella Francine Troy Stanley (Bella) comes from a rich family until the war had practically taken everything from her. Life is dangerous for a woman who lives with just her mammy and a young boy on the frontier where anyone and everyone is willing to take advantage of them. And Bella with her “scandalous” past owing to the fact that she had divorced her husband, the difficulties are more so.
The story starts off with a determined Bella, visiting the prison to buy herself a husband. A husband none other than Jack Owen Byron, the man who had been her childhood crush and the star of her fantasies. Even when everyone else disagrees with her plan, Bella is of the mind that she and Jack together can make a home for themselves. However, things are far from that simple as Bella finds out with everyday that comes.
Elizabeth Seckman whips up a story with quite the interesting elements in Bella’s Point. There is Bella, the woman who had grown up the pampered daughter, who had practically everything she wanted or desired for. And then came her marriage, which had nearly destroyed her very soul. At first I was irked by the fact that Bella seemed to break down and cry often, even with that indomitable front that she puts up. But then as I dug into the story and found out what exactly Bella had suffered through, I thought to myself, its a wonder that she is able to be as spirited as she tended to be. Given that back then, no one would have talked about mental issues like depression, I believe that Bella was entitled to her crying sessions, until she had finally gotten the closure that she craved.
Every time I pick up a novel based in the post civil war era, I am hit by the thoughts of just how cruel life had been for people, especially for women and the colored, who had ended up bearing the brunt of societies many cruelties. I can’t help but thank God that I wasn’t born to be a witness to humanity’s vile evilness towards the fellow humans, but then I guess if one were to really look at the society we live in today, we aren’t doing that much better off. Just that we are more “civilized” in our cruelty now.
Jack turned out to be a sweetly wonderful hero. His reluctance to get married to Bella was an understandable one given that he had grown up in a world where there had always been distinct lines between different levels in society. Though I had a bit of an issue with just how suddenly Jack found himself proclaiming his love for Bella, I still thought that the way he took care of Bella, her fears regarding physical intimacy and the rest was really sweet. The one aspect of the story that I think was dragged out a bit more than necessary was Bella’s past and the fate of her ex-husband. I just felt that that aspect of the story could’ve been done and over with a lot sooner and with a fewer pages than was dedicated for it.
Loved the sweet ending to the story. Recommended for fans of Western themed historical romances!
Rating = 3.5/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
The story starts off with a determined Bella, visiting the prison to buy herself a husband. A husband none other than Jack Owen Byron, the man who had been her childhood crush and the star of her fantasies. Even when everyone else disagrees with her plan, Bella is of the mind that she and Jack together can make a home for themselves. However, things are far from that simple as Bella finds out with everyday that comes.
Elizabeth Seckman whips up a story with quite the interesting elements in Bella’s Point. There is Bella, the woman who had grown up the pampered daughter, who had practically everything she wanted or desired for. And then came her marriage, which had nearly destroyed her very soul. At first I was irked by the fact that Bella seemed to break down and cry often, even with that indomitable front that she puts up. But then as I dug into the story and found out what exactly Bella had suffered through, I thought to myself, its a wonder that she is able to be as spirited as she tended to be. Given that back then, no one would have talked about mental issues like depression, I believe that Bella was entitled to her crying sessions, until she had finally gotten the closure that she craved.
Every time I pick up a novel based in the post civil war era, I am hit by the thoughts of just how cruel life had been for people, especially for women and the colored, who had ended up bearing the brunt of societies many cruelties. I can’t help but thank God that I wasn’t born to be a witness to humanity’s vile evilness towards the fellow humans, but then I guess if one were to really look at the society we live in today, we aren’t doing that much better off. Just that we are more “civilized” in our cruelty now.
Jack turned out to be a sweetly wonderful hero. His reluctance to get married to Bella was an understandable one given that he had grown up in a world where there had always been distinct lines between different levels in society. Though I had a bit of an issue with just how suddenly Jack found himself proclaiming his love for Bella, I still thought that the way he took care of Bella, her fears regarding physical intimacy and the rest was really sweet. The one aspect of the story that I think was dragged out a bit more than necessary was Bella’s past and the fate of her ex-husband. I just felt that that aspect of the story could’ve been done and over with a lot sooner and with a fewer pages than was dedicated for it.
Loved the sweet ending to the story. Recommended for fans of Western themed historical romances!
Rating = 3.5/5
For more reviews & quotes, visit www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
February 24, 2015
Bella Stanley is a hardworking socialite turned farmer. But when she uses the little money she has to buy the freedom of a man in prison, she may have bought herself a husband or a broken heart. Jack Byron has known Bella for much of her life, but as the daughter of his former boss, he’s never allowed himself to see Bella as anything more than the wealthy landowner’s daughter. That is until she frees him from prison and invites him into her home to help with the farm. The Bella he knew before has turned into a smart, beautiful, driven woman—one who will do anything to ensure the survival of her family.
Written as a historical romance, this is a wonderful story embodying the language, dress, and culture of that time period. Bella is an extremely likable character—one whose Southern charm is accented by her fiery determination and quiet strength and dignity. As I read the novel, I was invested in Bella’s life and wanted everything to work out for her, including a happy life with the man she’s loved since she was a teenage girl and fawned over him as the stablehand. I loved Tessie whose love and loyalty toward Bella combined with her quick tongue and direct approach made her one of my favorite characters. And of course there’s Jack, whose strength and commitment to making sure Bella and her family are well cared for are endearing and swoon worthy. I loved Jack and was rooting for their love the whole time.
The romance in this novel is sweet, tender, and believable. And despite the twist in the story—a secret Bella carries that could ultimately send her to hang—everything works out in the end with an extremely satisfying conclusion. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves sweet historical romances with memorable characters and an engaging plot.
Written as a historical romance, this is a wonderful story embodying the language, dress, and culture of that time period. Bella is an extremely likable character—one whose Southern charm is accented by her fiery determination and quiet strength and dignity. As I read the novel, I was invested in Bella’s life and wanted everything to work out for her, including a happy life with the man she’s loved since she was a teenage girl and fawned over him as the stablehand. I loved Tessie whose love and loyalty toward Bella combined with her quick tongue and direct approach made her one of my favorite characters. And of course there’s Jack, whose strength and commitment to making sure Bella and her family are well cared for are endearing and swoon worthy. I loved Jack and was rooting for their love the whole time.
The romance in this novel is sweet, tender, and believable. And despite the twist in the story—a secret Bella carries that could ultimately send her to hang—everything works out in the end with an extremely satisfying conclusion. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves sweet historical romances with memorable characters and an engaging plot.
December 12, 2014
I was very excited to get my hands on this book and wasn't disappointed. The setting reminds of Gone With The Wind. The Civil War has ended, and Bella is left to piece her life together after everything has been torn away. She's a head-strong young lady, who doesn't seem to always think things through...perhaps a little naïve.
The story starts of with a bang and doesn't let go. This isn't about how Bella makes the questionable decision to buy herself a husband from prison, but rather what the consequences are and how she tries to juggle everything until it somehow falls together. Maybe. Her decisions propel her from one situation into another, but not all tragedies are her fault. I think this is what kept some of her irrational actions from getting overly irritating. Yep, she is irrational, but society around her isn't exactly behaving humane and logical themselves.
The romance is sweet...I personally like a little more hesitation before the hero and heroine fall in love, but the pace here worked well with the story. I had no trouble falling in love with the hero myself and cheered him on as he had Bella's back.
The setting was well done. The problems surrounding Bella were believable and easy to understand. I had no problem sympathizing with her or her situation.
Summed up, this is a must read for historic romance fans, especially those intrigued by this time period. It's sweet, an easy read and leaves that nice warm smile.
The story starts of with a bang and doesn't let go. This isn't about how Bella makes the questionable decision to buy herself a husband from prison, but rather what the consequences are and how she tries to juggle everything until it somehow falls together. Maybe. Her decisions propel her from one situation into another, but not all tragedies are her fault. I think this is what kept some of her irrational actions from getting overly irritating. Yep, she is irrational, but society around her isn't exactly behaving humane and logical themselves.
The romance is sweet...I personally like a little more hesitation before the hero and heroine fall in love, but the pace here worked well with the story. I had no trouble falling in love with the hero myself and cheered him on as he had Bella's back.
The setting was well done. The problems surrounding Bella were believable and easy to understand. I had no problem sympathizing with her or her situation.
Summed up, this is a must read for historic romance fans, especially those intrigued by this time period. It's sweet, an easy read and leaves that nice warm smile.
January 15, 2015
Bella has a tarnished reputation. Formerly rich, now she’s struggling. She’s divorced, with an ex-husband who mysteriously disappeared. She helped her half-brother escape town, but people make wild allegations about the two of them since she’s white and he’s mixed race. She has to fight to make a decent life and name for herself, but her next decision is frowned on by many. She has her eyes on an ex-con whom she wants to marry. She’s had feelings for him for years, although Jack doesn't feel the same way...at least not at first.
There’s a beautiful love story in this novel. Surrounding the love are tongue-wagging townspeople, criminal activity, misbehaving lawmen, and many other colorful characters and situations. I enjoyed the post Civil War setting. I hope the author writes more historical romances.
There’s a beautiful love story in this novel. Surrounding the love are tongue-wagging townspeople, criminal activity, misbehaving lawmen, and many other colorful characters and situations. I enjoyed the post Civil War setting. I hope the author writes more historical romances.
October 1, 2015
What a wonderful walk into the steamy hot past of post-Civil War Georgia. I loved the characters and the tension between Bella and Jack. I don't read very much romance, but I enjoyed escaping into this adorable story with a bit of mystery and excitement! It left me feeling warm and fuzzy and hopeful. If you like historical romance, I recommend it!
May 8, 2015
"Bella's Point" is a story about a woman trying to survive in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Read full review in the 2015 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2015 May issue of InD'tale Magazine.
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February 3, 2016This was a great book. It's was nice to read about how things were way back then
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews