Alana: An Epic Post Civil War American Historical Romance

by Monica Barrie

From the ashes of Antebellum Charleston, comes a raging story of desire, power, passion and revenge. The Civil War ravaged her plantation, her life and the man she was to marry before the war, but could not take away her dreams. Alana Belfores vowed to rebuild her plantation, Riverbend, no matter the cost! But it was not until Rafe Montgomery rode into her lonely life, bringing her fiancé home, broken in mind and body, did she know the touch that sears...the kiss that devours...and the ecstasy that consumes the body and damns the soul.

TAGS: Historical Romance, Romance, Civil War, plantations, Slavery, Antebellum, Charleston, The South, Love Story, Epic Romance

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Civil War

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 1986

About the author

Monica Barrie is a multi-published author of contemporary and historical romances. Beside writing, Monica is also geriatric social worker, wife, and mother. She lives in New York with her husband David Wind, a multi published author himself.

Monica is re-releasing many of her Contemporary and Historical romance novels in eBook format. These novels were originally published by Silhouette, Tapestry & Dell.

Reviews

[PelicanFreak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alana is an epic tale of life, perseverance, love discovered, lost, found, family, unbreakable bonds, greed, and loyalty with a classic ‘good versus evil’ theme.

Barrie does an amazing job of setting the scene. Every time I opened this book, I felt like I’d stepped back a couple hundred years or so in time. It got to the point where I’d sort of hide out with this book for a break from life, it truly was an escape for me. I missed it terribly when I put it down and even with it over, I’m pretty sure it’s one of those that will stay with me for a while. The dialogue for both affluent whites and their help feels accurate and the picture painted for me has southern charm but also war-ravaged disarray. Pretty impressive

There’s no shortage of drama in this world, and it makes for some juicy reading.
Plausibility is there; many things in present day would seem too coincidental perhaps, but I suspect a couple hundred years ago, when the world was much smaller, that these things could happen. It’s pretty long, Alana just can’t seem to catch a lasting break. Or every time it seems like she might, there’s sort of a detour.

Multiple times, I found myself cursing the author out, it was quite the roller coaster.

I need to read Barrie’s entire catalog now, as few authors can provide such a vivid escape. Can’t afford a vacation, or get time off work? Just read Monica Barrie… seriously! I think this is what I’ll do from now on.


Editing/proofing:
This is pretty decent. As I understand it, this book was originally produced in the 1980s but it doesn’t show. Manuscript is mostly clean and continuity works. Flows well and is an addictive read. Formatting is clean as well. Cover is fitting.

Character development is advanced; to the point that they even evolve appropriately as they go through more of life’s trials and learn hard lessons. This really is a brilliant depiction of basic human nature.

4.5 stars.

[Emily Kestrel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alana is a historical romance melodrama, pure and simple. Taking place in the aftermath of the Civil War, the beautiful and dutiful titular character is trying valiantly to keep her family plantation running when her fiance Jason shows up, paralyzed from the waist down due to a war injury. With him is a friend from the prisoner of war camp, Rafe Montgomery, who immediately falls into insta-love with Alana, although he cannot tarry long, as he has to avenge himself against the dastardly villains who arranged for him to be unjustly imprisoned during the war. Alana marries Jason and assumes responsibility for his shipping company, thus bringing her to the attention of those same dastardly villains, who are plotting to control all the shipping profits in the country....

Well, I can't really say any more about the plot without spoiling it, as all the fun--at least for this reader--was discovering which horrible misfortune befalls the characters from chapter to chapter. The story is ridiculous and over the top, with villains so nefarious that I was expecting them to start twirling their mustaches at any minute, and a heroine so beautiful and virtuous that few men can withstand her company for more than a few minutes without insta-love befalling them, and a writing style that revels in cliches and purple prose (especially in the sex scenes). Does this mean that I disliked the book? Not at all, it was actually a rather fun read.

Read for Unapologetic Romance Readers 2017 challenge: Civil War/Reconstruction category.

[Ingrid Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story

The only thing that kept me from giving this five stars was that although it was a really good overall story, it bogged down in several places. I still recommend it as an American historical romance. I would suggest that the author, if there is a follow up about Crystal/ Elizabeth, that the excerpt immediately follow the end of this book. Also, there is no resolution about what will happen to Riverbend or Landow Shipping if Alana doesn't return. Not fair. I don't like books that leave things unresolved. I can understand Crystal if there is another book, but there needs to be some reference to the plantation and shipping company so we know they are not just POOF!

[Janie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Dawson

I am enamoured with your story of Alana Anderson her story, I especially love historical civil war fiction. I do hope there is a sequel coming? That said I hope that if you want to read wonderfully written you ignore some of the many typos that I saw. If I can see them then everyone can. The story moved me and I am very glad that to say I read it entirely in just under 5 hours it kept my attention and the longing to feel and survive as Alana, Race and Elizabeth, I will leave the mystery of Elizabeth for a teaser in this story. Needless to say well done Monica Barrie and I thank you for making me feel so for all of the characters and story!!!!mjm

[Felicia's Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the beginning I liked this book. It didn't matter that the characters were two dimensional, it was fast paced with short details, just the book I wanted. Just provide a good story. Well, everything was good except towards the end. Alana all of a sudden became a drama queen. When you look at the entire book, Alana did nothing. All the guys fell over heels in love with her cause of a beauty. But she did nothing. She would threaten. But that is all she did. I didn't like how she felt Rafe did not have the right to be mad or upset that she married another man not once but twice. I liked Rafe, but again in the end, he was just a weak person who followed Alana around like a little puppy dog. Than.... It ended in a cliffhanger. Oh How I hate those! I wish someone in the reviews told me how it ended so I did not waste my time reading this book. You have to buy the next book in the series to see if their revenge takes hold. Throughout the entire book, its all about the revenge, or "I will avenge myself" or "I will destroying the bad guy cause he destroyed my life". But we don't get to know how the avenge/revenge went. I am going to assume you have to buy the next book to find out. In which case, I will NOT.
After finishing this book. I felt like I wasted my time.

[Crystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would rate this book 4 1/2 stars. I really want to read and review the print format of Alana and I really liked this book so much I also want to read and review the paperback format of the rest of the books in the series.
I love the cover of this book. It's intriguing, interesting and romantic just like the book.
Highly recommend book and will read again but hopefully this time it will be in print format.

[Erna Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating historical romance

Very well written. The main characters are strong and easy to identify with. So glad that through their perseverance the good ultimately prevailed over evil and that love endured it all. The book is filled with suspense, trials and tribulations, love, hate, envy, love for money and meanness. Couldn't put the book down until the very last word.

[Pam Couch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a troubled time in our past

Couldn't stop reading until the end! It's difficult to read about such a tragic time in our history and the vulnerability of women during that period. The strength of women such as Alana and Elizabeth and their shared determination to overcome is remarkable. Through Alana's life you are able view several examples of love and loss.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alana

This was an amazing read the characters were very interesting and always full of mystery,drama,excitement,lust,danger and lots of love.You are a wonderful writer. This book was very well written . I look forward to the next book. Thank you for a great read

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow at first

Given all the charaters needing to be introduced, the beginning was somewhat slow. The remainder of the novel was action packed, non stop. Held my interest and I was sorry to see the book end. Glad to know there is a sequel. Thanks.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This book shows how evil were able to take advantage of people in the South after the civil war and during the war.

[Kris Loveid · Rating 2 out of 5]

similar to gone with the wind; silly/sheltered woman who learns the hard way. ok escape read. a bit shallow and predictable.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Post Civil War era, from the ashes of Charleston to five long years of the Civic War. Alana Belfores husband-to-be goes off to war, a good buddy returned him home wounded physical and mentally. Alana is determined to care for him, she didn't know he was paralyzed from the waist down. The Civil War destroyed her plantation, Riverbend, but she had dreams of restoring it.

This is the second time for me to read this story. I read it several years ago, I enjoyed it both times. But the war can not take away her dreams of rebuilding. This novel has many twist and turns, adventure, and historical romance. An out standing Civil War era novel.

[L]

R

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow just Wow! This story grabbed me and wouldn't let me put it down. It reminded me of some of the older historical romances I used to read many years ago. Alana Anderson's story spans many years and lots of heartache. Right after the war is over her fiancé returns to Riverbend a broken and bitter man. His friend Rafe Montgomery brings him home and when Alana and Rafe meet sparks fly. She is bound to uphold her end of marrying. So she and Rafe can not be together. That doesn't stop them from falling in love, a long lasting and eternal love. Through the years many things happen to keep them apart but finally they get their HEA. You will have to read the book to see all the twists and turns this story has in it but I can tell you it is well worth the read.
Monica Barrie is a new to me author and I was really impressed with her writing. She was able to bring the characters to life and make me feel what they were feeling. The descriptions of the surroundings and the settings were wonderful allowing me to see with my minds eye what the characters were seeing.

I received a free copy of this book for an honesty review. I am glad that I did as now I have found a new author!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I truly loved this book. I couldn't put it down once I started reading it. You will too. Monica Barrie used very strong characters and a great story line. You will fall in love with Alana and Rafe. You just wouldn't believe all that they have to endure about 5 years of their lives of loving one another. Book is based on the South and back at the end of the Civil War. They each go through their own trials that test their love for one another. You will be surprised at how they meet and the discoveries that they make. They both have some very hard times that they have to make it through. But will it all be worth it? Or will it all be in vain?

[Holly Smyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. I found it to be well-written with a good storyline, plot and interesting characters. The story was full of adventure with travel to distant shores. Lots of twists and turns to hold your interest. Not all ends neatly sewn up at the end which hints at a possible sequel. Reminded me of the early books of Rosemary Rogers. A perfect romance to curl up with on a rainy day.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story line. Alana is one strong woman and endure a tremendous amount of tragedy in her life. Won't give up any hidden fact about this story, so no spoilers here. Loved this book!

[Vickie Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The characters go from one crisis to another. This is a good read.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book about the old south kept my interest. At times the characters were annoying but as I continued to read I fell in love with them, crying with their failures and rooting for them when thing went right. This is a book I would recommend.
This book was given to me for an honest review.

[N. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why did I read a book about a woman in a love triangle?

I don't need to explain my psyche and my neuroses. But I had gotten mad at the heroine for having an affair after she's married.

I'm going to call it quits on this one.