Tansy

by Gretchen Craig

Multiple award-winning author Gretchen Craig returns with an unconventional novel about loyalty, independence, and love. On the eve of her seventeenth birthday, Tansy is caught in a sizzling kiss with Christophe Desmarais. The next night, Tansy’s mother introduces her to the life she has been raised as a beautiful quadroon in Old New Orleans, Tansy is meant to be a rich white man’s mistress. She is as she should be, biddable, loyal and submissive. But is this all there is? As Tansy matures, she wearies of telling herself that her narrow life is enough, yet she is terrified to leave behind security and plenty to become a self-reliant, independent woman. Chistophe Desmarais was, like Tansy, born to a mixed-race mother and a rich white father, but as a shrewd card-player, a talented violinist, and a respected teacher, he creates his own life. The attraction between him and Tansy has never abated, only been pushed down and unacknowledged. When he sees Tansy discovering there is more to her than being pretty and pleasing, he allows himself to hope that she will become her own woman. Maybe then the two of them will have a chance at a life together.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ebooks

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2015

Reviews

[Lynn Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romance and complications

The stories of the old South are both beautiful, and heart wrenching as told in this novel. Yes, the concept of a Placage is strange for so.e, but mistresses of all kinds and nationalities have been kept by men of power forever. In New Orleans, the system of doing so was both acceptable, and honored, by both sides. While the women were essentially concubines, the contracts, as described by Gretchen Craig, often resulted in opportunities for their sons that were beyond imagination to the rest of the black community.

[Nina Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tansy

Interesting. Enjoyed. Will pass it on to family and friends. Tough life these folks had to women needing protectors so the scrum of the earth didn't trick them into prostitution.

[Diana Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced exciting novel. Holds your interest from the first pages.

[sandra stinon · Rating 1 out of 5]

To much sex

Not much of a story and entirely to much sex
I do not recommend this book if you’re looking for a story.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by this author and like the first (Theena's Landing) I was moved by the author's gift of writing scenes in a way that makes you feel you are present with the characters. The setting is New Orlean and the central character's are the beautiful, quadroons who contract with and are kept wealthy white gentlemen. The matches are skillfully crafted and legally binding. Tansy is introduced to this world by her mother at age 16 after being caught kissing a childhood friend who is also of the light skinned black community. She enters into a alliance with a man who is kind to her, who fathers her son and keeps her in luxury until she begins to realize that she wants more for her life. Caught between wanting what is best for her son and wanting to be free to make her own decisions, Tansy grows increasingly restless. When her "protector" marries to produce a legitimate heir, her worldview begins to change. The story is well crafted, well paced and engaging from the first page. The reader gets a glimpse into Louisiana history and a different kind of slavery. An engrossing read.

[Maggie Wadsager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, especially after just finishing The Plantation Series. Even though many years have passed since the Civil War, life for an octoroon is still very much the same. To read and live through Tansy's story as a rich mans placee, a reader cant help but feel compassion for the few options women of color had then. Creole tradition was introduced to me by Gretchen Craig and continues to confound me. To have such double lives and for it to be expected.... Agh... The time gap only confounds it further. This was one of my favorite books written by Gretchen Craig and I can't wait to read more!

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creole life in Louisiana.

A book about the placage culture in Louisiana between bi-racial young woman and the white men who set up house with them and even had children who carried their white father's names. This was a double life - outside their white legal marriages. It was an accepted culture that was common with creole men in the 18th and most of the 19th century. It told this time in history quite well.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading.

This book kept me entertained for days as I was only able to read in short spurts at a time.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading The Plantation Series, this was a big disappointment.