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Elizabet, Under the Back Staircase
Elizabet had to learn early on in her life, to know her place in the world. As an illegitimate child of the wealthy owner of the house and his cook, she learned how to balance, having one foot on the front stairs and one on the back. Elizabet experiences love, hate, acceptance and longing as she navigates her way through the turbulence of her life, within the backdrop of the Civil War. She accomplishes what few women in that time period can, she finds her calling.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2015
This was an amazing story. First of all it was my first civil war book and I loved loved it!!!!! Bet or Elizabet is a hard worker and stands on her own two feet. She was born to a servant cook who fell for the home owner and was very happy but since it wasn't allowed Bet was downstairs with them while her Dad was upstairs married to someone that was approved. Bet knew she was a different bred right away.
She grow up and became closer to those upstairs and became a helper/daughter. She was happy and excepted her place in the house. As she grew so did the need to be on her own and that's where things changed and she became a hard worker and took care of wounded soldiers.
This book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and a history lesson too. A great read and enjoyed every moment!!!!
She grow up and became closer to those upstairs and became a helper/daughter. She was happy and excepted her place in the house. As she grew so did the need to be on her own and that's where things changed and she became a hard worker and took care of wounded soldiers.
This book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and a history lesson too. A great read and enjoyed every moment!!!!
March 2, 2015
Elizabeth, Under The Back Staircase, is a wonderfully warm historical romance that utterly makes you feel good as you read it. She is a strong woman who faces her obstacles head on. Debbie Zello does an excellent job writing her characters and making us fall in love with them. Her knowledge of the Civil War adds to the reality of the story. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good romance with a historical background.
June 1, 2016
I received this book, Elizabet, as an ARC with a promise of a true and fair evaluation. I will start by saying that I had never before received such a wonderful gift in my 69 years. This book is an exceptional love story that just happened to be a historic event.
Debbie Zello masterfully wrote the part of Bet, the principle character, in the first person and was able to brilliantly share her feelings, thoughts, and emotions from childhood to adulthood.
As the daughter of a servants and the white farm owner in Pennsylvania, Bet was looked at differently and treated with much more respect than other slaves and servant's of her age.
Debbie told the story of her living two lives simultaneously so as to make the reader understand the meaning of having feet on the front and back stairs at the same time.
The story progresses with well placed remarks to highlight the racially charged environment at the time.
Debbie is able to record historical events as 'just something that happened' during the romantic adventure that Bet was experiencing. With my being from Louisiana and decedent of grand parents with large farms, I quickly recognized the uniqueness of Bets family situation.
I enjoyed this story so much that, at one point, I felt compelled to write to Debbie to tell her how much it meant to me. It was shortly afterwards that I realized who, in history, the characters were.
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to feel some of the raw emotions now routinely being expressed in newscasts every day.
My only two grievances is that this writer and this book was not available as mandatory reading during my early education. The last is that it can only be rated with a maximum of 5 stars. That is where the ratings should begin for such a beautiful, romantic, loving, and exceptional "history " book of this caliber.
Debbie Zello masterfully wrote the part of Bet, the principle character, in the first person and was able to brilliantly share her feelings, thoughts, and emotions from childhood to adulthood.
As the daughter of a servants and the white farm owner in Pennsylvania, Bet was looked at differently and treated with much more respect than other slaves and servant's of her age.
Debbie told the story of her living two lives simultaneously so as to make the reader understand the meaning of having feet on the front and back stairs at the same time.
The story progresses with well placed remarks to highlight the racially charged environment at the time.
Debbie is able to record historical events as 'just something that happened' during the romantic adventure that Bet was experiencing. With my being from Louisiana and decedent of grand parents with large farms, I quickly recognized the uniqueness of Bets family situation.
I enjoyed this story so much that, at one point, I felt compelled to write to Debbie to tell her how much it meant to me. It was shortly afterwards that I realized who, in history, the characters were.
I recommend this book to anyone that wants to feel some of the raw emotions now routinely being expressed in newscasts every day.
My only two grievances is that this writer and this book was not available as mandatory reading during my early education. The last is that it can only be rated with a maximum of 5 stars. That is where the ratings should begin for such a beautiful, romantic, loving, and exceptional "history " book of this caliber.
March 16, 2015
This is a must read for anyone !!
Typically not my genre of what I read. I must say that I'm thrilled that I did. It's about Strength of a Women who had to overcome so much at a young age with who she was. It's about never giving up for what you believe in. In all that had happened since she was born she always had grace. Here is a few excepts that I loved and hope that you do as well..
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us. What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
Acceptance may not be one of the seven heavenly virtues but, without it, the world can only be at war.
I Highly recommend this book to anyone. I can't wait to read more of Debbie Zello's books.
Typically not my genre of what I read. I must say that I'm thrilled that I did. It's about Strength of a Women who had to overcome so much at a young age with who she was. It's about never giving up for what you believe in. In all that had happened since she was born she always had grace. Here is a few excepts that I loved and hope that you do as well..
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us. What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.
Acceptance may not be one of the seven heavenly virtues but, without it, the world can only be at war.
I Highly recommend this book to anyone. I can't wait to read more of Debbie Zello's books.
January 28, 2017
Poor Elizabet had to grew up knowing that she was basically illegitimate and that she was not as important as you would think. Back in the Civil Wars times illegitimate children were treated as nothings by most people. Yet she still yearns for a bit of a real life, including love and a family. She actually even spent time trying to help others.
I loved the fact that she was a strong character despite the fact that she had grown up with no advantages. She is not afraid to face her problems and did not back down easily. Also the writing about the Civil War and the information provided was good. I feel like the book put a face on how some women may have actually dealt with this time period.
I loved the fact that she was a strong character despite the fact that she had grown up with no advantages. She is not afraid to face her problems and did not back down easily. Also the writing about the Civil War and the information provided was good. I feel like the book put a face on how some women may have actually dealt with this time period.
October 15, 2017
I found this book an easy read, and a deeply poignant coming of age tale taking place before the civil war, as well as the story of a fully matured, strong woman during the war. The author swept me back in time seamlessly, and I found myself in this amazing woman's shoes. Excellent characterization of the MC and others made this possible. The style of writing was open and a joy to absorb. I will certainly be buying more of Author Debbie Zello's books. Most highly recommended.
September 21, 2020
I thoroughly enjoy how this story explores the social status separations of the time, as well as a small history recap of the beginnings of slavery and women's rights, and the Civil War. This is a fast-paced, page-turner of a book.
January 27, 2020
I loved this book... I am not really a fan of the historical books, but I read this as the author and I are friends on Facebook and I am an aspiring write myself and I want to support other writers. I started and finished this book in a day I started late one night and finished the next night because I needed to find out how it ended. this book was amazing, her writing is amazing. I was there in that house, I was dressed in those clothes. and I felt Elizabet's spirit she was a woman born not to privilege but she didn't let that stop her from being a great woman. Her battles were many but she stuck to who she was and what she wanted to be. I cried for her and her love...and I rejoiced with her when she finally got it. this was a great book. if you are thinking about reading it don't think anymore just read it and enjoy it. Debbie Zello is an amazing writer and I am looking forward to reading more from her.
January 25, 2017
Elizabet
An emotional story full of love and loss. I loved how independent and strong the main character was, overcoming so much in her life. I enjoyed the flow of the story and how real it felt. Keeping with the times the story touched on the war, suffrage and women's right.
An inspirational book that I highly recommend to historical romance fans.
An emotional story full of love and loss. I loved how independent and strong the main character was, overcoming so much in her life. I enjoyed the flow of the story and how real it felt. Keeping with the times the story touched on the war, suffrage and women's right.
An inspirational book that I highly recommend to historical romance fans.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews