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A World of His Own: In the Land of the Creoles
LAND OF THE An epic saga of love, marriage and betrayal
LAND OF THE Andre de Javon escaped the French Revolution as a child. Now as an adult, he arrives in New Orleans to start a new life. In due time he becomes one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the Territory. He is helped by his mentor Jean-Claude Charlevoix, whose young daughter Julie Marie falls in love with Andre, and hopes he will wait for her to grow up and marry her. But, Andre marries Gabrielle Ste. Claire who turns his life into a nightmare. Gabrielle dies leaving Andre with her illegitimate son. As Julie Marie grows up Andre realizes how much he loves her, and wants to marry her. But will Julie Marie still have him, a man who is eleven years her senior with an illegitimate child. The pirate Jean Lafitte and General Andrew Jackson are but some of the colorful characters woven throughout the story.
LAND OF THE Andre de Javon escaped the French Revolution as a child. Now as an adult, he arrives in New Orleans to start a new life. In due time he becomes one of the wealthiest plantation owners in the Territory. He is helped by his mentor Jean-Claude Charlevoix, whose young daughter Julie Marie falls in love with Andre, and hopes he will wait for her to grow up and marry her. But, Andre marries Gabrielle Ste. Claire who turns his life into a nightmare. Gabrielle dies leaving Andre with her illegitimate son. As Julie Marie grows up Andre realizes how much he loves her, and wants to marry her. But will Julie Marie still have him, a man who is eleven years her senior with an illegitimate child. The pirate Jean Lafitte and General Andrew Jackson are but some of the colorful characters woven throughout the story.
388 pages, Paperback
First published November 16, 2006
91 people want to read
About the author
Arlette Gaffrey
3 books10 followersI was born and raised in New Orleans. I am a French and Spanish Creole. My family goes back many generations in the Crescent city. Growing up I loved my home town because it was so unique. It was truly an enchanting city, and at the time so French.
When I was 18 I went to my first fashion show and before the day was over I was hired to become a high fashion model. I modeled from age 18 to 55. Before I married I modeled in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
When I was 12 years old I told everyone that when I grew up I would marry a Naval Officer who was a pilot, and I did. My husband was a creer Naval Officer who was a flyer. I am the mother of three, one daugher, two sons.
Because we were military, back in the old days we got trasnferred a lot. Looking back I wonder how I did it. We often crossed the country in our nine passanger staion wagon with three children, a dog, a cat, a guinea pig and two gold fish. Sometimes we'd go from the west coast to the east coast and ten months later we head back to the west coast. That meant packing up every thing we owened to relocate. But I loved that life. I loved being a military wife, a stay home mom and wondering where I would land from one year to the next.
I have six grandchildren, three boys and three girls. And I truly love being a grandmother.
Now that I am by myself, my children are all in wonderful marriages and so now I spend my time writing. I've written four books and hope to have the second one published next year. I am now working on my fifth book. I live in San Diego because that is where all three of my children live with their families.
This year I entered my book A World Of His Own-In The Land Of The Creoles in the Reader Favorite author contest and won an award. The award seal is now on the cover of every copy of the book. It was raited 5 across the board.
When I was 18 I went to my first fashion show and before the day was over I was hired to become a high fashion model. I modeled from age 18 to 55. Before I married I modeled in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
When I was 12 years old I told everyone that when I grew up I would marry a Naval Officer who was a pilot, and I did. My husband was a creer Naval Officer who was a flyer. I am the mother of three, one daugher, two sons.
Because we were military, back in the old days we got trasnferred a lot. Looking back I wonder how I did it. We often crossed the country in our nine passanger staion wagon with three children, a dog, a cat, a guinea pig and two gold fish. Sometimes we'd go from the west coast to the east coast and ten months later we head back to the west coast. That meant packing up every thing we owened to relocate. But I loved that life. I loved being a military wife, a stay home mom and wondering where I would land from one year to the next.
I have six grandchildren, three boys and three girls. And I truly love being a grandmother.
Now that I am by myself, my children are all in wonderful marriages and so now I spend my time writing. I've written four books and hope to have the second one published next year. I am now working on my fifth book. I live in San Diego because that is where all three of my children live with their families.
This year I entered my book A World Of His Own-In The Land Of The Creoles in the Reader Favorite author contest and won an award. The award seal is now on the cover of every copy of the book. It was raited 5 across the board.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 23, 2008
Author, Arlette Gaffrey brings historic New Orleans and Louisiana to life in this epic tale of love, ambition and betrayal. Her extensive research is most evident in the descriptions of the Creoles and their customs. The introduction of Jean Lafitte and Andrew Jackson not only place the timeline but also add color and historical significance to the politics of the day. Vivid adjectives bring the countryside alive and the characters are both endearing and easy to identify with. Exciting, suspenseful and romantic, this book has it all for historical fiction fans. Andre’s story will enrich the lives of readers. Highly recommended by Allbooks Review, Shirley Roe
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November 19, 2008I love anything dealing with NOLA!
April 25, 2008
A World of His Own: In the Land of the Creoles by Arlette Gaffrey is a wonderfully artistic novel rich in history and romance. This story shows a historical part of New Orleans that the average person doesn't know about. The Creoles are a colorful people that are set in their ways and snobbery is a large part of their social structure. Keeping the blood lines pure is one of their top priorities. The book is astounding and addictive. It will keep you wanting more with each page you turn. I fell so in love with this book that I have been savoring each and every chapter like a delicate decadent chocolate.
Andre de Javon is a man set on a mission. He is the most handsome man to have been found in New Orleans in quite some time. Not only handsome but determined, hardworking, smart and patient he learns what he can in order to start his own plantation and make it the best one in the area. Andre is so much sought after that the claws come out on the Belle's of the Ball whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Julie Marie Charleviox is the daughter of Andre's mentor and a child still but with a grown woman's feelings. Very much the little hellion, her father sends her to the Convent for schooling to become a proper young lady so that all the young beau's of New Orleans will seek to capture this young beauty when she becomes of age. Unfortunately for all the young beau's, Julie's young heart is immediately captured with her first introduction to Andre de Javon who is ten years her senior. Upon her debut it becomes clear that all the young men flock to this rare creature whose beauty rivals that of the most stunning diamond, has the knowledge of the most proficient plantation owner and stands to inherit most everything her pappa has worked so hard to gain.
Gabrielle Ste. Claire is a beast in the body of an exquisitely beautiful young woman. Much sought after at each Ball she attends, it is the dismay of all the young men of New Orleans when she spy's Andre as he attends his first soiree upon his arrival in the city. She is a rough cut diamond with all the sharp edges and knows exactly how to use them to her best advantage. Spiteful, demanding, sharp tempered she knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She is the spoiled child with a silver spoon in its mouth in every sense of the word.
The story is set in early nineteenth century New Orleans teaching us about the most minute details of the background of the Creole people. Most of these people coming from France after the Reign of Terror and Napoleon's War just want to make a life for themselves in the most successful way possible. Through trial and error they become an import part of the United States with the development of plantations growing cotton and sugar cane. Not only do these plantations grow the sugar cane but they process it into molasses and the finest sugar to be found.
Another factor that makes New Orleans so important is its strategic location at the mouth of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered a major shipping port of great worth but it is also a very dangerous port due to pirates who continually raid incoming ships stealing the booty and selling the goods at a much higher price.
The main focus here though is the story of Andre de Javon and Gabrielle Ste. Clair. Marriage ensues with battles that brew making this a horrific nightmare. A great mistake is made by Andre and he pays for it in more ways than you can imagine. Secrets are kept in order to protect Gabrielle's family from total disgrace and Andre's total ruination.
The author has given us such a wonderfully told story of what family life was truly like during this time period. I feel as though the author has been sitting here reciting to me words that have been handed down from generation to generation to keep the history pure and to acknowledge the hardships and hard work that was required in order not only to survive but to thrive. This novel will be going into my personal collection for future reading when I hunger for that piece of candy to satisfy my sweet tooth. Well done.
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/
Andre de Javon is a man set on a mission. He is the most handsome man to have been found in New Orleans in quite some time. Not only handsome but determined, hardworking, smart and patient he learns what he can in order to start his own plantation and make it the best one in the area. Andre is so much sought after that the claws come out on the Belle's of the Ball whenever an opportunity presents itself.
Julie Marie Charleviox is the daughter of Andre's mentor and a child still but with a grown woman's feelings. Very much the little hellion, her father sends her to the Convent for schooling to become a proper young lady so that all the young beau's of New Orleans will seek to capture this young beauty when she becomes of age. Unfortunately for all the young beau's, Julie's young heart is immediately captured with her first introduction to Andre de Javon who is ten years her senior. Upon her debut it becomes clear that all the young men flock to this rare creature whose beauty rivals that of the most stunning diamond, has the knowledge of the most proficient plantation owner and stands to inherit most everything her pappa has worked so hard to gain.
Gabrielle Ste. Claire is a beast in the body of an exquisitely beautiful young woman. Much sought after at each Ball she attends, it is the dismay of all the young men of New Orleans when she spy's Andre as he attends his first soiree upon his arrival in the city. She is a rough cut diamond with all the sharp edges and knows exactly how to use them to her best advantage. Spiteful, demanding, sharp tempered she knows what she wants and will stop at nothing to get it. She is the spoiled child with a silver spoon in its mouth in every sense of the word.
The story is set in early nineteenth century New Orleans teaching us about the most minute details of the background of the Creole people. Most of these people coming from France after the Reign of Terror and Napoleon's War just want to make a life for themselves in the most successful way possible. Through trial and error they become an import part of the United States with the development of plantations growing cotton and sugar cane. Not only do these plantations grow the sugar cane but they process it into molasses and the finest sugar to be found.
Another factor that makes New Orleans so important is its strategic location at the mouth of the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. It is considered a major shipping port of great worth but it is also a very dangerous port due to pirates who continually raid incoming ships stealing the booty and selling the goods at a much higher price.
The main focus here though is the story of Andre de Javon and Gabrielle Ste. Clair. Marriage ensues with battles that brew making this a horrific nightmare. A great mistake is made by Andre and he pays for it in more ways than you can imagine. Secrets are kept in order to protect Gabrielle's family from total disgrace and Andre's total ruination.
The author has given us such a wonderfully told story of what family life was truly like during this time period. I feel as though the author has been sitting here reciting to me words that have been handed down from generation to generation to keep the history pure and to acknowledge the hardships and hard work that was required in order not only to survive but to thrive. This novel will be going into my personal collection for future reading when I hunger for that piece of candy to satisfy my sweet tooth. Well done.
Reviewed for Front Street Reviews
http://www.frontstreetreviews.com/
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April 23, 2008"A World of His Own" is a well-written, authentic piece of literature by an author who obviously knows the history and culture of New Orleans in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. One of many aspects of the book that I noticed was the author did not use the sex and profane approach with her characters and yet presented relationships that were interesting and involving.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like historical novels and I look forward with anticipation to the author's next endeavor.
I highly recommend this book to readers who like historical novels and I look forward with anticipation to the author's next endeavor.
July 11, 2010
Trash, masquerading as an historical novel. Oh, well...
December 22, 2011
A World of His Own is an enjoyable historical novel set in New Orleans in the early 1800′s. The novel spans a few years and centers around the life of Andre Raphael de Javon, an ambitious and handsome Frenchman who comes to America in order to become one of the richest plantation owners in Louisiana.
The story begins when he’s just arrived by ship to New Orleans in the company of his friend Charles, who’s spent the last six years studying in Europe. Charles comes from a prestigious family in the city and he soon invites Andre to stay with them until he can find a place of his own.
From the beginning Andre shows great ambition. He wants to invest his money wisely and prosper, though he doesn’t know how at first. When he decides to become a plantation owner, his friend Charles introduces him to someone how can advise him–a generous, successful man by the name of Jean-Claude. At about this time, Andre meets Gabrielle, a gorgeous yet possessive and selfish young woman who’s set on marrying him at all costs. Like any normal man, Andre is deeply attracted to Gabrielle, even though he knows she’s not the right woman for him. In spite of this, he ends up marrying her, no doubt tempted by her handsome dowry which will help him achieve his dreams.
As Andre’s plantation grows and he gets wealthier, his marriage becomes increasingly turbulent and Gabrielle more and more unstable. Andre’s pain is deeped by the fact that he’s secretly fallen in love with Jean-Claude’s daughter, a young beauty who’s been infatuated with Andre since the tender age of eleven. Thus, we follow Andre’s ups and downs and his hellish marriage as he becomes the wealthy owner of a plantation.
I have a lot of good things to say about this book. The early 1800′s come to life under the author’s pen. There are many interesting, informative passages about the Creole culture, slave ownership, the running of a plantation, the food, clothes, etc. Though it took me a while to connect with Andre, once I did I really was hooked and wanted to know how the story ended, and whether or not he would at last find happiness. So the plot, though pretty much a love story, kept me turning pages until I finished the book. At times, though, the pace dragged a bit due to redundant phrases, unnecessary description and too much ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing.’ I also think the character of Gabrielle could have used more depth, as she comes across as the stereotype of an ‘evil beauty’ throughout much of the book.
But, as I said, the author made me care for Andre and his situation enough for me to want to keep reading and finish the book. It was an entertaining, interesting read.
The story begins when he’s just arrived by ship to New Orleans in the company of his friend Charles, who’s spent the last six years studying in Europe. Charles comes from a prestigious family in the city and he soon invites Andre to stay with them until he can find a place of his own.
From the beginning Andre shows great ambition. He wants to invest his money wisely and prosper, though he doesn’t know how at first. When he decides to become a plantation owner, his friend Charles introduces him to someone how can advise him–a generous, successful man by the name of Jean-Claude. At about this time, Andre meets Gabrielle, a gorgeous yet possessive and selfish young woman who’s set on marrying him at all costs. Like any normal man, Andre is deeply attracted to Gabrielle, even though he knows she’s not the right woman for him. In spite of this, he ends up marrying her, no doubt tempted by her handsome dowry which will help him achieve his dreams.
As Andre’s plantation grows and he gets wealthier, his marriage becomes increasingly turbulent and Gabrielle more and more unstable. Andre’s pain is deeped by the fact that he’s secretly fallen in love with Jean-Claude’s daughter, a young beauty who’s been infatuated with Andre since the tender age of eleven. Thus, we follow Andre’s ups and downs and his hellish marriage as he becomes the wealthy owner of a plantation.
I have a lot of good things to say about this book. The early 1800′s come to life under the author’s pen. There are many interesting, informative passages about the Creole culture, slave ownership, the running of a plantation, the food, clothes, etc. Though it took me a while to connect with Andre, once I did I really was hooked and wanted to know how the story ended, and whether or not he would at last find happiness. So the plot, though pretty much a love story, kept me turning pages until I finished the book. At times, though, the pace dragged a bit due to redundant phrases, unnecessary description and too much ‘telling’ instead of ‘showing.’ I also think the character of Gabrielle could have used more depth, as she comes across as the stereotype of an ‘evil beauty’ throughout much of the book.
But, as I said, the author made me care for Andre and his situation enough for me to want to keep reading and finish the book. It was an entertaining, interesting read.
August 18, 2010
Type-O's much? This self-published book needs serious editting!
January 3, 2009
I think it is a book about what we know, but never care about them
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews