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The Plantation #3
Evermore
Nicolette Chamard, a woman of color in the most color-conscious city in the world, rejoices when the Union Army marches into New Orleans. At last her people will be free, and even knowing her collaboration with the Union will put her in danger, she means to help make it happen. Marcel Chamard, Nicolette’s privileged white half-brother, surveys the same parade and sees conquerors, not liberators. If the Union wins the war, it will mean the end of the slave-holding culture, the end of wealth and ease. Marcel wants nothing to change, not the family’s rich cane plantation, not the life he plans with his lovely white bride, and not the life he lives with his beloved colored mistress and their two sons. Finnian McKee, a Union Army officer, comes from a family of abolitionists. He is determined to do his small part to make the ideal of freedom a reality for all. When he meets the fascinating Nicolette Chamard, he is too new to New Orleans to recognize that though she is light-skinned, she is by Louisiana standards a Negress. Torn apart by the war and by a culture that forbids their union, his heart’s desire is to find love with this woman that will transcend the bonds of race. Evermore, book three in the acclaimed Plantation Series, is the final story in this grand saga of slaves and Creoles whose lives intertwine in the complicated culture of Old Louisiana. The bonds between the races, both the loving and the despised, are about to be torn apart as the Civil War rages into New Orleans. Includes Book Group discussion questions.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
January 12, 2025
Many times when I get to book three in a series, the author has ran out of gas. Not so in this story. Evermore captured me from the first page, and never let me go until the end. The author does an excellent job of protraying the horrors of war and how it touches every citizen in some way. Craig also does a remarkable job of showing the resilience of men, women, and even children. Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, and inspiring. On to book four.
May 14, 2022
War is Hell. Whether on a global scale or something smaller, war changes the lives and fates of so many in ways they can’t anticipate.
In Evermore, author Gretchen Craig drops us into the heart of New Orleans at the outset of the Civil War. While the focus is on the main players their actions are in part due to the opposing values of the Old South and the Abolitionist North. Nicolette Chamard, a free woman of color, sees the invading Yankees as liberators. She puts to good use her education and goes to work as a telegraph operator; she works with the Yankee soldiers. It is here that she meets Captain Finnian McKee, a Boston with abolitionist leanings. And while there fates become entwined it is not an easy path they take.
Nicolette’s half-brother, a white man by the name of Marcel Chamard, is a pragmatic Southerner. He hates the idea of killing but will fight to keep his family safe. It is his exploits in the bayous and backwaters of lower Louisiana that tell the true story of the Civil War. We see his inner turmoil as he discovers one of his childhood friends in disguise and it turns out the man is a traitor, spying for the Yankees. The man’s actions warrant hanging but Marcel is torn apart emotionally.
Marcel seems to have the worst of the lot. He is engaged to Deborah Ann, a true Southern Belle, who’s biggest fear is that Marcel won’t come home from the war. She has lived a sheltered life and although she knows that most Southern men keep a placeé, or a mistress, she is shocked and appalled to learn that her new husband already has a colored mistress and two children. And when Deborah Ann fears she’s barren, she does the unthinkable.
Thrown into the mix are the growing feelings between Nicolette and Finn (the Yankee captain). Crossing the racial divide is of no consequence to Finn, but for Nicolette things are different. She is seen as a traitor. Only time will tell if these two are star-crossed lovers or soulmates.
As the story progresses, we become better acquainted with Alistair Whiteaker, now a Major in the Confederate Army. He will become the main character in Book 4.
As with the other books in this series, the author draws us deep into the heart of the Old South. At times it felt like I was more than a spectator. Rather I felt involved with the lives and the events presented in the story. This is exactly what a reader should expect. The action was well paced and steady. In all a satisfying story full of action and adventure.
Rating is actually 4.5 stars.
In Evermore, author Gretchen Craig drops us into the heart of New Orleans at the outset of the Civil War. While the focus is on the main players their actions are in part due to the opposing values of the Old South and the Abolitionist North. Nicolette Chamard, a free woman of color, sees the invading Yankees as liberators. She puts to good use her education and goes to work as a telegraph operator; she works with the Yankee soldiers. It is here that she meets Captain Finnian McKee, a Boston with abolitionist leanings. And while there fates become entwined it is not an easy path they take.
Nicolette’s half-brother, a white man by the name of Marcel Chamard, is a pragmatic Southerner. He hates the idea of killing but will fight to keep his family safe. It is his exploits in the bayous and backwaters of lower Louisiana that tell the true story of the Civil War. We see his inner turmoil as he discovers one of his childhood friends in disguise and it turns out the man is a traitor, spying for the Yankees. The man’s actions warrant hanging but Marcel is torn apart emotionally.
Marcel seems to have the worst of the lot. He is engaged to Deborah Ann, a true Southern Belle, who’s biggest fear is that Marcel won’t come home from the war. She has lived a sheltered life and although she knows that most Southern men keep a placeé, or a mistress, she is shocked and appalled to learn that her new husband already has a colored mistress and two children. And when Deborah Ann fears she’s barren, she does the unthinkable.
Thrown into the mix are the growing feelings between Nicolette and Finn (the Yankee captain). Crossing the racial divide is of no consequence to Finn, but for Nicolette things are different. She is seen as a traitor. Only time will tell if these two are star-crossed lovers or soulmates.
As the story progresses, we become better acquainted with Alistair Whiteaker, now a Major in the Confederate Army. He will become the main character in Book 4.
As with the other books in this series, the author draws us deep into the heart of the Old South. At times it felt like I was more than a spectator. Rather I felt involved with the lives and the events presented in the story. This is exactly what a reader should expect. The action was well paced and steady. In all a satisfying story full of action and adventure.
Rating is actually 4.5 stars.
February 24, 2024
EVERMORE !
An outstanding read ! As good as the other two. Can hardly wait. For the next.
To Ms Craig; Thank you. For sharing your talents with those of us who enjoy this type of reading,which I happen to one. All
Pre, during, and post civil war books .!! Thanks Again!🐼
An outstanding read ! As good as the other two. Can hardly wait. For the next.
To Ms Craig; Thank you. For sharing your talents with those of us who enjoy this type of reading,which I happen to one. All
Pre, during, and post civil war books .!! Thanks Again!🐼
September 5, 2020
Evermore is the last book in The Plantation series by Gretchen Craig. This time the time period is during the Civil War. The setting remains New Orleans and plantations nearby. At the beginning of the novel, New Orleans has been captured by the Union army and is now occupied. However, the characters in this novel involve people both on the Union side and Confederate side. The main characters are Marcel Chamard, a wealthy white plantation owner as well as owner of businesses in New Orleans, Nicolette Chamard, his half-sister whose mother was a mulatto mistress to Marcel's father, and Finnian McKee, a Union officer from Boston who comes to New Orleans with the occupying Union soldiers.
Nicolette is only 1/4 Negro and is light-skinned enough to pass for white if she chose. However, she does not hide who she is and wears the head covering required by all Negro women. She is also very beautiful and talented. At the beginning of the novel, she is still a fearful person as a result of having been beaten and assaulted by a white man. She is also passionately supportive of the Union side because she wants slavery abolished so that all of her people might be free. She catches the attention of Finnian McKee, a Union officer temporarily stationed in New Orleans. However, Finnian is ignorant of the customs of New Orleans and doesn't recognize what her head covering signifies. He is shocked when he finds out.
At the beginning of the novel, Marcel becomes engaged to the daughter of another wealthy white plantation owner and businessman. Deborah Ann is a very naive and innocent girl who is completely unaware of Marcel's relationship with a black woman who is his mistress and the mother of his 2 children. Although he loves Lucinda, he cannot marry her because of her race. Trouble erupts when Deborah Ann finds out about Lucinda. Marcel joins the Confederate army because he wants to preserve his way of life.
As the novel progresses, the setting changes to battlefields where Finnian, Marcel, and Nicolette are all involved in some way. The author weaves in details of the battles depicting the fighting and deaths focusing on one battle in particular---the battle and siege of Port Hudson, which was a crucial battle for the Union side.
The character development was well done again in this novel. Nicolette is a memorable character particularly in how she changes during the novel overcoming her fearfulness even after being kidnapped and beaten. I particularly enjoyed how the author portrayed Marcel's character in showing how he had wanted to try and save his childhood friend and was torn apart when he couldn't. He was a complex character who seemed to be such a good person but still felt right in owning slaves and continuing to have a mistress even after he married.
One of my favorite aspects of this series by Craig was learning so much more about what life was like in Louisiana and particularly around New Orleans during a historical time period.
Nicolette is only 1/4 Negro and is light-skinned enough to pass for white if she chose. However, she does not hide who she is and wears the head covering required by all Negro women. She is also very beautiful and talented. At the beginning of the novel, she is still a fearful person as a result of having been beaten and assaulted by a white man. She is also passionately supportive of the Union side because she wants slavery abolished so that all of her people might be free. She catches the attention of Finnian McKee, a Union officer temporarily stationed in New Orleans. However, Finnian is ignorant of the customs of New Orleans and doesn't recognize what her head covering signifies. He is shocked when he finds out.
At the beginning of the novel, Marcel becomes engaged to the daughter of another wealthy white plantation owner and businessman. Deborah Ann is a very naive and innocent girl who is completely unaware of Marcel's relationship with a black woman who is his mistress and the mother of his 2 children. Although he loves Lucinda, he cannot marry her because of her race. Trouble erupts when Deborah Ann finds out about Lucinda. Marcel joins the Confederate army because he wants to preserve his way of life.
As the novel progresses, the setting changes to battlefields where Finnian, Marcel, and Nicolette are all involved in some way. The author weaves in details of the battles depicting the fighting and deaths focusing on one battle in particular---the battle and siege of Port Hudson, which was a crucial battle for the Union side.
The character development was well done again in this novel. Nicolette is a memorable character particularly in how she changes during the novel overcoming her fearfulness even after being kidnapped and beaten. I particularly enjoyed how the author portrayed Marcel's character in showing how he had wanted to try and save his childhood friend and was torn apart when he couldn't. He was a complex character who seemed to be such a good person but still felt right in owning slaves and continuing to have a mistress even after he married.
One of my favorite aspects of this series by Craig was learning so much more about what life was like in Louisiana and particularly around New Orleans during a historical time period.
January 29, 2020
A very good read
This is a hard book to put down. It was so very captivating and I literally felt like I was in the story.. thank you for letting me read this beautiful and written book
This is a hard book to put down. It was so very captivating and I literally felt like I was in the story.. thank you for letting me read this beautiful and written book
March 26, 2020
Continued great reading
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much or more than the others. It provides great insight into the culture of these times and p!ace. I do not always enjoy fiction but this is really good. Cudos to the author.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much or more than the others. It provides great insight into the culture of these times and p!ace. I do not always enjoy fiction but this is really good. Cudos to the author.
September 25, 2023
Just Perfect
I loved this series. The characters were so real and the story was wonderful. The descriptions of the battles, the way the war affected each character was just perfect.
I loved this series. The characters were so real and the story was wonderful. The descriptions of the battles, the way the war affected each character was just perfect.
February 27, 2024
Loved This One!
I think this third book in the Plantation Series was the most realistic about the horrors of war. And about the strength of one woman to endure all that was thrown at her. The lines between black and white people are softened and tightened at the same time.
I think this third book in the Plantation Series was the most realistic about the horrors of war. And about the strength of one woman to endure all that was thrown at her. The lines between black and white people are softened and tightened at the same time.
August 1, 2024
Love the author!!
The first set of book that I have come across in years, that I could not put down. I adore the stories! I only wish there was more of them, more of the characters lives, - just more!
The first set of book that I have come across in years, that I could not put down. I adore the stories! I only wish there was more of them, more of the characters lives, - just more!
April 19, 2018
Book 3 of the sweeping family saga encompassing the civil war and an end to slavery. Pretty typical of the time but interesting.
June 7, 2019
Forgiveness and Love
Love is four letter Depth that 💘hold is priceless.Some people look all their lives for some one to care and hold dear
Love is four letter Depth that 💘hold is priceless.Some people look all their lives for some one to care and hold dear
February 7, 2023
Loved it.
April 30, 2023
Great story! Fantastic end to A Saga of Slavery!
I love that era of time!
I love that era of time!
September 19, 2023
wonderful
Love the series. I can picture every detail of the plantations. I would love to see the breathtaking dresses. Wonderful !
Love the series. I can picture every detail of the plantations. I would love to see the breathtaking dresses. Wonderful !
September 21, 2023
The story continues....
The south, in the times of slavery and war is depicted without prejudice in this novel. Well written and a pleasure to read.
The south, in the times of slavery and war is depicted without prejudice in this novel. Well written and a pleasure to read.
March 24, 2025
So good! Really captures all the aspects of war....makes ye ponder...
April 4, 2025
Evermore
Great series about slavery during the civil war. I love this series, very interesting and keeps your interest. Great book.
Great series about slavery during the civil war. I love this series, very interesting and keeps your interest. Great book.
September 18, 2025
Audiobook wow! So much going on.
October 10, 2025
Evermore
It was ok, it took me a few months got read it! I read the first two books in this series and they were much better.
It was ok, it took me a few months got read it! I read the first two books in this series and they were much better.
September 25, 2015
Evermore: A Saga of Slavery and Deliverance is book three of The Plantation series by Gretchen Craig. It is set in New Orleans in 1862.
Nicolette Chamard is the daughter of Cleo, a slave, and Bertrand Chamard. Cleo had been a slave on the neighboring plantation before she was freed. Now she lived mainly in New Orleans and entertained in the Silver Spur. Like her mother, Nicolette was beautiful and could sing wonderfully. She performed at the homes of the rich, like the Presswoods, as well as at the Silver Spur. This evening she performed for her half-brother Marcel’s future fiancee’s family. Miss Deborah Ann Presswood fully intended for Marcel to be her husband. She had no way of knowing that although he needed to take a wife, he already had a family with a quadroon. Although Marcel loved Lucinda and his two boys, he knew he could never marry her, so like his father, he intended to have a separate “white” family. Meanwhile, his sister Nicolette found her way in New Orleans. She loved Alistair Whiteaker but knew he would never marry her despite her being only 1/8 African. Although a free woman, she still had to endure the segregation in New Orleans.
Captain Finnian McKee was one of the Union occupiers of New Orleans. He was to set up the foundry there and to establish a telegraph team and a flag corps. Although he was very busy, he did not fail to enjoy the beauty of New Orleans. It was nothing like his home in Boston. When Nicolette shows up wanting to learn Morse Code, he was stunned. She was beautiful and smart. She learned Morse code quickly and became a telegraph operator for his company. He was enraptured with her and she liked his attention, although she was clearly aware that he had no idea she was not white.
Could the attraction between the two of them flourish? Nicolette knew it could not and she also knew she was at risk for being named a traitor as she worked for the North. Can she stay safe? What would happen when Finnian found out she was not white? What would happen to Nicolette and Lucinda and her sons when they were taken by slave traders while on their way to Bertrand Chamard’s plantation? Would they ever see freedom again and what price would they be willing to pay?
There are enough plots in this one book to write several books, yet they are so intertwined that they worked in one book. It is a long book but does keep you entertained and interested in finding out what happens to the characters during the Civil War.
Nicolette Chamard is the daughter of Cleo, a slave, and Bertrand Chamard. Cleo had been a slave on the neighboring plantation before she was freed. Now she lived mainly in New Orleans and entertained in the Silver Spur. Like her mother, Nicolette was beautiful and could sing wonderfully. She performed at the homes of the rich, like the Presswoods, as well as at the Silver Spur. This evening she performed for her half-brother Marcel’s future fiancee’s family. Miss Deborah Ann Presswood fully intended for Marcel to be her husband. She had no way of knowing that although he needed to take a wife, he already had a family with a quadroon. Although Marcel loved Lucinda and his two boys, he knew he could never marry her, so like his father, he intended to have a separate “white” family. Meanwhile, his sister Nicolette found her way in New Orleans. She loved Alistair Whiteaker but knew he would never marry her despite her being only 1/8 African. Although a free woman, she still had to endure the segregation in New Orleans.
Captain Finnian McKee was one of the Union occupiers of New Orleans. He was to set up the foundry there and to establish a telegraph team and a flag corps. Although he was very busy, he did not fail to enjoy the beauty of New Orleans. It was nothing like his home in Boston. When Nicolette shows up wanting to learn Morse Code, he was stunned. She was beautiful and smart. She learned Morse code quickly and became a telegraph operator for his company. He was enraptured with her and she liked his attention, although she was clearly aware that he had no idea she was not white.
Could the attraction between the two of them flourish? Nicolette knew it could not and she also knew she was at risk for being named a traitor as she worked for the North. Can she stay safe? What would happen when Finnian found out she was not white? What would happen to Nicolette and Lucinda and her sons when they were taken by slave traders while on their way to Bertrand Chamard’s plantation? Would they ever see freedom again and what price would they be willing to pay?
There are enough plots in this one book to write several books, yet they are so intertwined that they worked in one book. It is a long book but does keep you entertained and interested in finding out what happens to the characters during the Civil War.
August 3, 2015
I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first two. This book is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. This book was more focused on the life of an octoroon and the only two places society accepts them. Watching Nicolette gain her strength and make her own path, made me as a reader, love her all the more. I couldn't imagine a life where being a whore or a placee (mistress), are the only lives have to choose. Not even being invited to her 'other' families weddings, simply because of her heritage is deplorable. Marcel Chamard tore my heart into pieces in this book. I had so much hope for him, but like many southern men of the time, he choose the route that was expected and not the route he so desired. To see Lucinda's strength and love for Marcel was equally hard to understand, but such is the time gap. I loved this book the most..... except that little mention of Josie's possible future with a certain neighbor. I'll scorn him always! :) Great books. Thank you for the pleasure and gift you have given us readers!
April 25, 2015
Evermore - Book #3 - The Plantation Series -- The Civil War is about over, the Union Soldiers are marching into New Orleans. This is the story of Nicolette and her family of color living in New Orleans. In the south families are divided, some fought on the north and others fought for the south. The South struggled with fortunes, food, places to live, and worse was losing family members during the war. When the slaves were free after the war they were uneducated, poor, and mostly lost as to where to go or what to do. This was a very dramatic story about mix races, looking at the war from the view of the colored race. A very good history lesson that is not taught in schools.
This was an easy, fast paced read, the characters were well defined, the story line was fantastic. A beautiful set of books but be sure to start with book # 1 and read all three books.
This was an easy, fast paced read, the characters were well defined, the story line was fantastic. A beautiful set of books but be sure to start with book # 1 and read all three books.
March 28, 2016
Book 3 - Plantation Series
Ms. Craig's book EVERMORE ( #3 IN Plantation Series) begins where book #2 leaves off. Second generation characters from first book (with new characters introduced) take up their lives as New Orleans becomes an occupied Union city. I did not find this quite as interesting as the first two books. Maybe because it deals more with historical text material regarding the war. Since this has been extensively written about in every Civil War era book, I found myself scanning ahead to get back into the meat of the story. I like a book that holds me bound to read each page. However, having said that to explain my lower rating for this book, I still enjoyed the book when the storyline was engaged.
Ms. Craig's book EVERMORE ( #3 IN Plantation Series) begins where book #2 leaves off. Second generation characters from first book (with new characters introduced) take up their lives as New Orleans becomes an occupied Union city. I did not find this quite as interesting as the first two books. Maybe because it deals more with historical text material regarding the war. Since this has been extensively written about in every Civil War era book, I found myself scanning ahead to get back into the meat of the story. I like a book that holds me bound to read each page. However, having said that to explain my lower rating for this book, I still enjoyed the book when the storyline was engaged.
May 23, 2024
Excellent Story
About a young woman who has a drop of Black blood, her white brother and his family. In New Orleans where it is common for white planters to have Black mistresses, the Union army has taken control and Colette is overjoyed that slavery will soon end. She finds a job with the Federal signal group and ends up being at odds with the white confederate loyalists. This is her story and that of her brother. It is a love story and a story of the Civil War. Well written.
About a young woman who has a drop of Black blood, her white brother and his family. In New Orleans where it is common for white planters to have Black mistresses, the Union army has taken control and Colette is overjoyed that slavery will soon end. She finds a job with the Federal signal group and ends up being at odds with the white confederate loyalists. This is her story and that of her brother. It is a love story and a story of the Civil War. Well written.
February 6, 2015
Evermore
Gretchen Craig doesn't disappoint as she brings this saga to an end. As the war between North and South continues families are divided, loved ones die and fortunes are lost. Nicollet struggles emotionally after a brutal beating but eventually falls in love with a man fighting for the North. Marcel gets married and his wife finds out that he has another family. The drama continues as she goes off the deep end. No Gretchen did not disappoint!
Gretchen Craig doesn't disappoint as she brings this saga to an end. As the war between North and South continues families are divided, loved ones die and fortunes are lost. Nicollet struggles emotionally after a brutal beating but eventually falls in love with a man fighting for the North. Marcel gets married and his wife finds out that he has another family. The drama continues as she goes off the deep end. No Gretchen did not disappoint!
March 18, 2015
Evermore
This the third book in the series was the most exciting of the three books. It was hard times back then during the civil war. And I find it hard to believe the wives of the plantation owner would turn their head at there husbands having a Negro slave as his mistress, and even have children with them. That's adultery no matter the time. It would have been hard for me as a women to turn my back to this and say nothing.
This the third book in the series was the most exciting of the three books. It was hard times back then during the civil war. And I find it hard to believe the wives of the plantation owner would turn their head at there husbands having a Negro slave as his mistress, and even have children with them. That's adultery no matter the time. It would have been hard for me as a women to turn my back to this and say nothing.
January 30, 2016
Epic tale continues
Gretchen Craig writes beautifully about the struggles of those caught up on the war between the state's. So many people lived the same way as these characters it makes me feel patriotic that anyone endured those hardships. The only reason this was not a 5 star rating was due entirety to missing or misused words surely done or missed by proofreaders, editors or computers.
Gretchen Craig writes beautifully about the struggles of those caught up on the war between the state's. So many people lived the same way as these characters it makes me feel patriotic that anyone endured those hardships. The only reason this was not a 5 star rating was due entirety to missing or misused words surely done or missed by proofreaders, editors or computers.
April 7, 2015
Evermore
Evermore was easy reading. The final book in a trilogy. I grew to care for the characters and couldn't get enough of their life stories. I look forward to reading more books by Gretchen Craig.
Evermore was easy reading. The final book in a trilogy. I grew to care for the characters and couldn't get enough of their life stories. I look forward to reading more books by Gretchen Craig.
August 10, 2016
The story continues.
All three of the Plantation Series books have grabbed me and pulled me in. Very good reads. I love stories that are generational as they teach you a lot about a family. I have one more to read in this series. I cannot wait!
All three of the Plantation Series books have grabbed me and pulled me in. Very good reads. I love stories that are generational as they teach you a lot about a family. I have one more to read in this series. I cannot wait!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews