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Pozlacený měsíc
V Severní Karolíně se dokončuje stavba velkolepého sídla Biltmore House rodiny Vanderbiltů. Jde o ohromující příklad privilegovanosti ve Spojených státech konce devatenáctého století a symbolizuje touhy svého majitele i sny cílevědomé dívky Kerry žijící ve stínu panství.
Budoucnost Kerry MacGregorové se otřese v základech, když ji po dvou letech studia v New Yorku zavolají rodinné povinnosti domů do Apalačských hor. Vrací se na rodnou farmu stojící na pozemku, který patří k posledním kouskům potřebným k dokončení panství Biltmore, a je odhodlaná o svou půdu bojovat do posledního dechu. Její osud však může zamotat něco mocnějšího než ambiciózní dědic Vanderbiltů, protože do měnící se krajiny se jeden po druhém sjíždějí další vetřelci – uprchlík ze Sicílie, reportér honící se za převratným příběhem, skandálem poznamenaná mladá žena a ochránce přírody, který je připraven jít přes mrtvoly, jen aby v místních obyvatelích rozdmýchal hněv a nevraživost. Kerry se ocitá ve válce mezi bohatstvím a chudobou, nevinností a zkažeností, a aby přežila, musí zvítězit
nejen nad vlastní hrdostí a zoufalstvím, ale i nad pokušením v podobě peněz a mužů, kteří je ovládají.
Budoucnost Kerry MacGregorové se otřese v základech, když ji po dvou letech studia v New Yorku zavolají rodinné povinnosti domů do Apalačských hor. Vrací se na rodnou farmu stojící na pozemku, který patří k posledním kouskům potřebným k dokončení panství Biltmore, a je odhodlaná o svou půdu bojovat do posledního dechu. Její osud však může zamotat něco mocnějšího než ambiciózní dědic Vanderbiltů, protože do měnící se krajiny se jeden po druhém sjíždějí další vetřelci – uprchlík ze Sicílie, reportér honící se za převratným příběhem, skandálem poznamenaná mladá žena a ochránce přírody, který je připraven jít přes mrtvoly, jen aby v místních obyvatelích rozdmýchal hněv a nevraživost. Kerry se ocitá ve válce mezi bohatstvím a chudobou, nevinností a zkažeností, a aby přežila, musí zvítězit
nejen nad vlastní hrdostí a zoufalstvím, ale i nad pokušením v podobě peněz a mužů, kteří je ovládají.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2020
13517 people are currently reading
14929 people want to read
About the author
Joy Jordan-Lake
16 books508 followersJoy Jordan-Lake's varied--and admittedly odd--professional experience has included working as a college professor, author, journalist, waitress, director of a program for homeless families, university chaplain, horseback riding instructor, free lance photographer, and --the job title that remains her personal favorite--head sailing instructor.
Born in Washington, D.C., Joy Jordan-Lake's first vivid childhood memory was watching her mother weep in front of the television, where newscasters were just reporting the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. Later moving south with her family, she grew up on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, just outside Chattanooga, where she learned to observe the ways in which communities respond with courage to bigotry and violence--or fail to do so.
After earning a bachelors degree from Furman University and a masters from a theological seminary, Joy re-located to the Boston, Massachusetts, area where she earned a masters and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Tufts University, and specialized in the role of race in 19-century American fiction.
While in New England, she founded a food pantry targeting low-income and homeless families, served on the staff of a multi-ethnic church in Cambridge, worked as a free-lance journalist, and became a Baptist chaplain at Harvard. Her first book, Grit and Grace: Portraits of a Woman's Life (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1997), was a collection of stories, poems and essays which The Chicago Tribune described this way: "Written with much heart and wit, this little gem of a book touches on the ordinary and profound experiences that make up a woman's life . . . a poignant and satisfying collection . . . funny and sad, inspiring and awfully surprising."
Joy's second book, Whitewashing Uncle Tom's Cabin: Nineteenth-Century Women Novelists Respond to Stowe (Vanderbilt University Press, 2005) continued her doctoral dissertation work, exploring the inter-weavings of literature, theology, and race in American culture.
During this period, life for Joy and her husband, Todd Lake, was becoming increasingly chaotic with two careers, numerous re-locations for Todd's work, two young biological children and the adoption of a baby girl from China. Joy's nearly-manic need to ask everyone around her about how they managed--or not--to balance kids and career led to her third book, Working Families: Navigating the Demands and Delights of Marriage, Parenting and Career (WaterBrook/ Random House, 2007). Publishers Weekly called the book, "refreshing for its social conscience," and written with "sharp humor and snappy prose."
In its review of Joy's fourth book, Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous: Ten Alarming Words of Faith (Paraclete Press, 2007), Publishers Weekly again praised the author: "A professor at Belmont University and a former Baptist chaplain at Harvard University , the author mines her personal history...to illumine and interpret ideas such as...hope. Sometimes wry, occasionally stern, Jordan-Lake, with a touch of Southern gothic sensibility...has a gift for welcoming, lucid and insightful prose...."
Joy's first novel, Blue Hole Back Home, published in 2008 and inspired by actual events from her own teenage years, explores the tensions and eventual violence that erupt in a small, all-white Appalachian town when a Sri Lankan family moves in. Ultimately, Blue Hole Back Home, which bestselling author Leif Enger called "beautifully crafted," is a story not only of the devastating effects of racial hatred and cowardice, but more centrally, a celebration of courage, confrontation and healing. Used in a variety of classroom and book club settings, Blue Hole Back Home was chosen in 2009 as Baylor University's Common Book, and as the Common Book at Amarillo College in 2014.
Joy's latest novel, to be released in fall of 2017, is A Tangled Mercy. Told in alternating tales at once haunting and redemptive, A Tangled Mercy is a quintessentially American epic rooted in heartbr
Born in Washington, D.C., Joy Jordan-Lake's first vivid childhood memory was watching her mother weep in front of the television, where newscasters were just reporting the shooting of Martin Luther King, Jr. Later moving south with her family, she grew up on Signal Mountain, Tennessee, just outside Chattanooga, where she learned to observe the ways in which communities respond with courage to bigotry and violence--or fail to do so.
After earning a bachelors degree from Furman University and a masters from a theological seminary, Joy re-located to the Boston, Massachusetts, area where she earned a masters and a Ph.D. in English Literature from Tufts University, and specialized in the role of race in 19-century American fiction.
While in New England, she founded a food pantry targeting low-income and homeless families, served on the staff of a multi-ethnic church in Cambridge, worked as a free-lance journalist, and became a Baptist chaplain at Harvard. Her first book, Grit and Grace: Portraits of a Woman's Life (Harold Shaw Publishers, 1997), was a collection of stories, poems and essays which The Chicago Tribune described this way: "Written with much heart and wit, this little gem of a book touches on the ordinary and profound experiences that make up a woman's life . . . a poignant and satisfying collection . . . funny and sad, inspiring and awfully surprising."
Joy's second book, Whitewashing Uncle Tom's Cabin: Nineteenth-Century Women Novelists Respond to Stowe (Vanderbilt University Press, 2005) continued her doctoral dissertation work, exploring the inter-weavings of literature, theology, and race in American culture.
During this period, life for Joy and her husband, Todd Lake, was becoming increasingly chaotic with two careers, numerous re-locations for Todd's work, two young biological children and the adoption of a baby girl from China. Joy's nearly-manic need to ask everyone around her about how they managed--or not--to balance kids and career led to her third book, Working Families: Navigating the Demands and Delights of Marriage, Parenting and Career (WaterBrook/ Random House, 2007). Publishers Weekly called the book, "refreshing for its social conscience," and written with "sharp humor and snappy prose."
In its review of Joy's fourth book, Why Jesus Makes Me Nervous: Ten Alarming Words of Faith (Paraclete Press, 2007), Publishers Weekly again praised the author: "A professor at Belmont University and a former Baptist chaplain at Harvard University , the author mines her personal history...to illumine and interpret ideas such as...hope. Sometimes wry, occasionally stern, Jordan-Lake, with a touch of Southern gothic sensibility...has a gift for welcoming, lucid and insightful prose...."
Joy's first novel, Blue Hole Back Home, published in 2008 and inspired by actual events from her own teenage years, explores the tensions and eventual violence that erupt in a small, all-white Appalachian town when a Sri Lankan family moves in. Ultimately, Blue Hole Back Home, which bestselling author Leif Enger called "beautifully crafted," is a story not only of the devastating effects of racial hatred and cowardice, but more centrally, a celebration of courage, confrontation and healing. Used in a variety of classroom and book club settings, Blue Hole Back Home was chosen in 2009 as Baylor University's Common Book, and as the Common Book at Amarillo College in 2014.
Joy's latest novel, to be released in fall of 2017, is A Tangled Mercy. Told in alternating tales at once haunting and redemptive, A Tangled Mercy is a quintessentially American epic rooted in heartbr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 962 reviews
December 6, 2020
ppy Tuesday and happy pub day to this book! Growing up in North Carolina, there’s always been a certain bit of magic about the Vanderbilts and their palatial estate, Biltmore House; or as well call it here, “The Biltmore.”
I was so excited when the author reached out to me about her newest book, Under a Gilded Moon, because it’s the first historical fiction book I’ve read that centers on this estate. Set in the late 1800s, I immediately was transported to the time and place and the construction of the house. There’s also a murder mystery within this story, and such fun, larger-than-life, engaging characters. Jordan-Lake addresses the strong divide between “the haves” and the “have nots,” and how this estate makes the rift even more apparent.
My favorite aspect of the book was the setting. The author did an amazing job paying tribute to one of my favorite places, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She captured the stunning backdrop beautifully!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
I was so excited when the author reached out to me about her newest book, Under a Gilded Moon, because it’s the first historical fiction book I’ve read that centers on this estate. Set in the late 1800s, I immediately was transported to the time and place and the construction of the house. There’s also a murder mystery within this story, and such fun, larger-than-life, engaging characters. Jordan-Lake addresses the strong divide between “the haves” and the “have nots,” and how this estate makes the rift even more apparent.
My favorite aspect of the book was the setting. The author did an amazing job paying tribute to one of my favorite places, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. She captured the stunning backdrop beautifully!
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
October 6, 2020
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
After two years spent in New York, trying to earn a degree, Kerry MacGregor has to put her life on hold in order to return home to care for her ailing (and estranged father). When she returns home, Kerry realizes that an heir of the Vanderbilt family has built an outrageously large estate in the mountains of her home town, and all of the properties around her are being sold to the wealthy family. Although she is desperate to remove herself from the Vanderbilt’s and their outrageous wealth, Kerry is soon left with no choice but to take a position working in their home. When a reporter is killed in a suspicious manner, Kerry begins to question everyone around her and trusts no one. How powerful is the Vanderbilt family and would they kill to protect their family secrets?
“Under A Gilded Moon” by Joy-Jordan Lake is a historical fiction novel, although obviously some characters and elements of the plot have some basis in reality (for example, the Vanderbilts and their ridiculous estate in the Appalachian mountains, as well as George Vanderbilt’s wealthy friends, such as Madison Grant) , the novel itself is deemed to be fiction.
Right off the bat, I felt a little lost. The story and characters lacked development, as I felt I was reading a sequel to a novel, where the background of the plot and players had been detailed in a previous novel (this was not the case) . Obviously, the Vanderbilt’s and their clan are infamous and world-renowned, but that alone did not give me enough background information on all of Lake’s characters.
The southern feel of this novel was enjoyable (I definitely got a “Where the Crawdads Sing” vibe) , and I really did enjoy Kerry as a character (once I got to know her which, admittedly, took some time) . The novel was mostly told in chronological order, with only a few chapters highlighting a specific detail of the past for a few of the characters, but overall it had good flow.
I am a fan of historical fiction and although this novel was “not bad”, it did not engage me as I had hoped. I would’ve liked more background development of the characters right at the beginning, but I did enjoy the ending of the story. Overall, it was a mediocre exploration of wealth, privilege, innocence and poverty, as told from both ends of the spectrum.
After two years spent in New York, trying to earn a degree, Kerry MacGregor has to put her life on hold in order to return home to care for her ailing (and estranged father). When she returns home, Kerry realizes that an heir of the Vanderbilt family has built an outrageously large estate in the mountains of her home town, and all of the properties around her are being sold to the wealthy family. Although she is desperate to remove herself from the Vanderbilt’s and their outrageous wealth, Kerry is soon left with no choice but to take a position working in their home. When a reporter is killed in a suspicious manner, Kerry begins to question everyone around her and trusts no one. How powerful is the Vanderbilt family and would they kill to protect their family secrets?
“Under A Gilded Moon” by Joy-Jordan Lake is a historical fiction novel, although obviously some characters and elements of the plot have some basis in reality (for example, the Vanderbilts and their ridiculous estate in the Appalachian mountains, as well as George Vanderbilt’s wealthy friends, such as Madison Grant) , the novel itself is deemed to be fiction.
Right off the bat, I felt a little lost. The story and characters lacked development, as I felt I was reading a sequel to a novel, where the background of the plot and players had been detailed in a previous novel (this was not the case) . Obviously, the Vanderbilt’s and their clan are infamous and world-renowned, but that alone did not give me enough background information on all of Lake’s characters.
The southern feel of this novel was enjoyable (I definitely got a “Where the Crawdads Sing” vibe) , and I really did enjoy Kerry as a character (once I got to know her which, admittedly, took some time) . The novel was mostly told in chronological order, with only a few chapters highlighting a specific detail of the past for a few of the characters, but overall it had good flow.
I am a fan of historical fiction and although this novel was “not bad”, it did not engage me as I had hoped. I would’ve liked more background development of the characters right at the beginning, but I did enjoy the ending of the story. Overall, it was a mediocre exploration of wealth, privilege, innocence and poverty, as told from both ends of the spectrum.
December 27, 2020
Under a Gilded Moon by Joy Jordan-Lake is historical fiction that features characters who actually lived and became a well-known part of American history. The time is the late 1800s and young George Washington Vanderbilt II has built Biltmore House in the Appalachian Mountains. The immense estate occupies vast segments of land near Asheville, North Carolina. To this day, Biltmore House is still considered the largest occupied residence in the United States. The story takes place on both levels of the grand home, witnessing the interactions of the upstairs and the downstairs. The details about the people who have always lived in these hills and the history of the Vanderbilts make Under a Gilded Moon intriguing and the author brings us back to the gilded age, a term coined by Mark Twain because he considered the period to be glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath. If you enjoy history with your mystery fiction, this is the one for you. Highly recommended. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 8, 2020
2.5 stars- this book needed some major editing. There was wayyyyy too much going on, the story jumped around in timelines with no explanation or need, there were several unnecessary characters, and several unnecessary plot lines. I almost DNF’d it multiple times and wish I had quit about halfway through. Not enjoyable.
December 16, 2020
Did not finish. I agree with many of the reviewers that could not get past the technical issues of the writing, like grammar and choppy style, where it was difficult to tell what was going on. Wait, who is on a horse? Is she on a horse, or are they both on horses? Oh, wait it’s night, I thought it was day time. Hold up! It’s now foggy and cold too. When did that happen? Wait, did Nico work in the quarries? He’s the kid right? Hold up, 5 years in the quarry, is he a kid or what? 5 years is a long time for a small child to have already worked in the quarries. I’m so confused, and I don’t like the protagonist, and the man with the shock of blond hair. Let’s use that phrase 8 to 10 times. I give up.
By the way, Biltmore is lovely and you should visit.
By the way, Biltmore is lovely and you should visit.
October 23, 2020
Reading this beautiful historical fiction novel that blends fact and fiction so seamlessly, brought me back to the time when I visited the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, N.C.
Joy Jordan-Lake wrote about the Vanderbilts and their iconic Biltmore House in a well researched novel that encompass social and economic structures, a family of privilege, the American Royalty, and the greed and power.
Jordan-Lake crafts a story so intriguing and exciting while weaving together the stories about people from different classes and walks of life as they are put against each other.
In this gorgeous story set against the backdrop of the North Carolina mountains, we read a story of the Appalachians versus the Blue Ridge, and whose dreams and determination will win over power and greed.
I highly recommend this book!
Joy Jordan-Lake wrote about the Vanderbilts and their iconic Biltmore House in a well researched novel that encompass social and economic structures, a family of privilege, the American Royalty, and the greed and power.
Jordan-Lake crafts a story so intriguing and exciting while weaving together the stories about people from different classes and walks of life as they are put against each other.
In this gorgeous story set against the backdrop of the North Carolina mountains, we read a story of the Appalachians versus the Blue Ridge, and whose dreams and determination will win over power and greed.
I highly recommend this book!
November 20, 2020
I really wanted to love this book. I did enjoy researching George Vanderbilt and the Biltmore Estate. The time period was perfect. The historical references were intriguing. However the story was disjointed. I found myself confused and flipping back a few chapters to see if I had missed something that could clarify what was going on. The love interests were laughable. Some of the mysteries were unsolved in my mind. I literally laughed when I saw there were book club discussion questions at the end of the book. I find it unendurably frustrating when a book has so much potential and doesn’t rise to the challenge.
July 6, 2022
DNF at 30%
I REALLY didn't want to DNF this one, as it will be my third in a row, a dismal start to my 2021 reading challenge. But it was really terrible.
So many things were wrong with this book: besides being generally boring, characters were not developed, timelines didn't make sense, details were confusing or conflicting. It was almost like two or more people were writing it, with a general idea of what it was about, but they didn't consult with each other or worry about whether their versions lined up.
I finally threw in the towel at this point where the absurdity just got to be too much:
Sal Berganini - probably not the exact name, but I don't care enough to go back and look it up - is an Italian gentleman who is on the run having been wrongly accused of two murders, one in Sicily, and one in New Orleans. Now the minute he steps off the train in Asheville, NC a fellow passenger is murdered and he immediately becomes a suspect. Berganini is the unluckiest bastard alive.
Due to a past encounter with George Vanderbilt, he manages to get a job in the stables at the newly-built Biltmore. He is horrified to realize one of the guests is Lily de Bechamel (or something like that) - the daughter of the man he's supposed to have murdered in New Orleans. He's terrified that she will recognize him, which makes sense. But then a few chapters later, as Lily is dismounting from her horse, Berganini hisses at her, "You are from New Orleans!" Way to fly under the radar, Berganini!!
In the following chapter, Lily comes to the stables to confront him but Berganini has apparently suffered some sort of memory-erasing seizure in the interim, as he is unable to figure out why she is there, and is again fearful that she will recognize him. Also, bizarrely, he thinks she wants him to kiss her. WTF? This is Exhibit A to support my hypothesis that multiple people with poor communication skills are responsible for this mess.
Anyway, life is too short and I'm done with this.
I REALLY didn't want to DNF this one, as it will be my third in a row, a dismal start to my 2021 reading challenge. But it was really terrible.
So many things were wrong with this book: besides being generally boring, characters were not developed, timelines didn't make sense, details were confusing or conflicting. It was almost like two or more people were writing it, with a general idea of what it was about, but they didn't consult with each other or worry about whether their versions lined up.
I finally threw in the towel at this point where the absurdity just got to be too much:
Sal Berganini - probably not the exact name, but I don't care enough to go back and look it up - is an Italian gentleman who is on the run having been wrongly accused of two murders, one in Sicily, and one in New Orleans. Now the minute he steps off the train in Asheville, NC a fellow passenger is murdered and he immediately becomes a suspect. Berganini is the unluckiest bastard alive.
Due to a past encounter with George Vanderbilt, he manages to get a job in the stables at the newly-built Biltmore. He is horrified to realize one of the guests is Lily de Bechamel (or something like that) - the daughter of the man he's supposed to have murdered in New Orleans. He's terrified that she will recognize him, which makes sense. But then a few chapters later, as Lily is dismounting from her horse, Berganini hisses at her, "You are from New Orleans!" Way to fly under the radar, Berganini!!
In the following chapter, Lily comes to the stables to confront him but Berganini has apparently suffered some sort of memory-erasing seizure in the interim, as he is unable to figure out why she is there, and is again fearful that she will recognize him. Also, bizarrely, he thinks she wants him to kiss her. WTF? This is Exhibit A to support my hypothesis that multiple people with poor communication skills are responsible for this mess.
Anyway, life is too short and I'm done with this.
November 1, 2020
WOW! Joy Jordan-Lake, author of “Under A Gilded Moon” has written a captivating, enthralling, intriguing, intense and amazing novel. The genres for this novel are historical fiction, and fiction. The timeline for this novel is around 1895, and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The location for this story is mostly set in North Carolina, I love the way that Joy Jordan-Lake vividly describes the characters, the settings, and the events. The author describes her dramatic and colorful characters as complex and complicated. The characters, settings, and events show comparisons and contrasts of rich vs.poor classes, good vs. evil, educated vs. ignorant, loyalty vs. betrayal, people that abide by the law, and criminals, and hate vs. love. There are some characters that have tremendous hatred and feel they have the perfect solution.
Kerry MacGregor has had the wonderful opportunity to attend an exclusive college in New York when she is called back to North Carolina when her father is ailing. Kerry has had the taste of a higher society than the cabin she grew up in North Carolina. Kerry also has ambivalent feelings about her father. Kerry is headed back home and has no idea what troubles await her.
On the train, Kerry meets some unusual characters, as she connects with her aunt and her twin brother and sister. It seems the properties where Kerry and her family and other families have lived for years are threatened by the Biltmore House or Mansion that is being built in North Carolina by the Vanderbilts. Kerry also is aware she will have to find some type of work to be able to survive, take care of her father and siblings.
This is such a suspenseful and page-turning novel. There are twists and turns, danger and murder. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel and would love to see this made into a screenplay and movie.
Kerry MacGregor has had the wonderful opportunity to attend an exclusive college in New York when she is called back to North Carolina when her father is ailing. Kerry has had the taste of a higher society than the cabin she grew up in North Carolina. Kerry also has ambivalent feelings about her father. Kerry is headed back home and has no idea what troubles await her.
On the train, Kerry meets some unusual characters, as she connects with her aunt and her twin brother and sister. It seems the properties where Kerry and her family and other families have lived for years are threatened by the Biltmore House or Mansion that is being built in North Carolina by the Vanderbilts. Kerry also is aware she will have to find some type of work to be able to survive, take care of her father and siblings.
This is such a suspenseful and page-turning novel. There are twists and turns, danger and murder. I highly recommend this thought-provoking and memorable novel and would love to see this made into a screenplay and movie.
January 28, 2021
There’s a good story here—particularly the concept of the Gilded Age clashing/intermarrying with an Appalachia that requires prodding into modernity yet resents the intrusion on its isolation—but that same story is buried beneath too many characters + motivations + POVs + plot threads. I see what the author is going for, but IMO she fell too much in love with Biltmore/Vanderbilt & should’ve toned down the involvement of Real People, or else written 2 different books—a fictionalized tale (Kerry, Cabot, Lilli, Sal) & saved the Vanderbilt gushing for a separate biographical novel. Likewise, we have two villains, Dearg (fictional) + Grant (Real Person), & while their motives are intertwined, there’s too much pagetime wasted on dissecting Grant instead of developing Dearg.
In short: Vanderbilt & Grant, though (rightly) arching over the background, ultimately distract the reader & prevent the OCs from taking center stage or developing any significant depth.
Also, the chapters were too brief & kept skipping between too many POVs. Every time I adjusted to one person, it switched to another...which gets to be very annoying, esp in a 400-page novel.
3 stars. Not awful, but not marvelous either.
In short: Vanderbilt & Grant, though (rightly) arching over the background, ultimately distract the reader & prevent the OCs from taking center stage or developing any significant depth.
Also, the chapters were too brief & kept skipping between too many POVs. Every time I adjusted to one person, it switched to another...which gets to be very annoying, esp in a 400-page novel.
3 stars. Not awful, but not marvelous either.
December 5, 2020
I had to DNF this one. No love lost as it was an Amazon First Reads for free, however the number of grammatical errors on each page was atrocious. I'm not sure this ever went through editing. There were sentence fragments, comma splices, starting sentences with conjunctions for no real reason ("And" and "Because" were favorites) all of which added to a choppy narrative that distracted from the story. Congrats if you've reached the end of my review. Just for you, I proof read twice--more times than the author did for this novel. Cheers.
December 8, 2020
UNDER A GILDED MOON is a historical novel of sweeping themes played out on a small stage: the Biltmore estate near Asheville, North Carolina.
Many threads weave together to create a gripping story of murder and intrigue, class tension and bigotry, but also natural beauty and unlikely romance. The backdrop is magical: the Blue Ridge Mountains in winter and the palatial Vanderbilt home during its first Christmas.
All the characters are wonderfully complex--some real, some fictional--but my favorite is Kerry, the heroine. Smart, outspoken, and compassionate, she's committed to family, even when that commitment is tested by the father she once despised.
I loved the upstairs/downstairs glimpses of life in the Biltmore house contrasted against the conditions of Kerry's one-room family cabin with its collapsing roof, and I loved meeting George Vanderbilt. (I am now obsessed with his progressive views on land management and generosity to his employees.)
Bottom line? This is a rich, atmospheric page-turner.
Many threads weave together to create a gripping story of murder and intrigue, class tension and bigotry, but also natural beauty and unlikely romance. The backdrop is magical: the Blue Ridge Mountains in winter and the palatial Vanderbilt home during its first Christmas.
All the characters are wonderfully complex--some real, some fictional--but my favorite is Kerry, the heroine. Smart, outspoken, and compassionate, she's committed to family, even when that commitment is tested by the father she once despised.
I loved the upstairs/downstairs glimpses of life in the Biltmore house contrasted against the conditions of Kerry's one-room family cabin with its collapsing roof, and I loved meeting George Vanderbilt. (I am now obsessed with his progressive views on land management and generosity to his employees.)
Bottom line? This is a rich, atmospheric page-turner.
December 1, 2020
Intricately woven and meticulously researched —Joy Jordan-Lake’s UNDER A GILDED MOON is a perfect blending of fact and fiction. Rich in place, history, detail, and character. Joy brings her characters to life on the pages with emotion, resilience, hope, forgiveness, and courage.
Check out my fascinating and in-depth Elevator Q&A Ride with the Author. Go behind the scenes of the book and the author. One of my favorites!
Crossing several genres, from historical fiction, literary, mystery, suspense, and thriller rolled into one captivating read. Good vs. evil, there is a sharp contrast between the Appalachians’ poverty and the wealthy and privileged surrounding Biltmore— paralleling to our present-day headlines.
Protagonist Kerry MacGregor, a smart and driven young woman, has worked hard to escape her poor background for education and has been living in New York and is leaving college to return home to take care of her family. Her aunt meets her on the train with her younger twin siblings.
They are headed toward Asheville, NC, to the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the journey, they meet some other characters, which become a big part of the storyline.
Her mom has passed away, and her dad is in poor health. He was not a nice man. They are estranged. However, now she must take care of him and her siblings, which forces her to take a job at Biltmore, the last place on earth she wants to work, along with her aunt.
Set in the late 1800s, George Vanderbilt has chosen Asheville to build his palatial estate. In doing so, his people are buying up all the land surrounding the estate. The poor, uneducated people have worked hard for their homes and trying to survive.
To the extreme, the wealthy guests and Vanderbilt’s family are on opposite sides of culture, class, education, social, and more. In addition, there is scandal, murder, and injustice with some literary twists book lovers will enjoy!
What an intriguing cast of characters! We have royalty. A fugitive from Sicily. An investigative reporter, chasing a groundbreaking story. A debutante tainted by scandal, a conservationist, and a young lady trying to achieve a life and education in New York when she is pulled back to the mountains of North Carolina and caught in the cross-fires.
If you love Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate as much as I do, you will love this one! Joy is a master storyteller and brings her characters alive.
I first was introduced to Joy’s writing with A Tangled Mercy, and when I saw Under A Gilded Moon, I knew it would be a must-read. After reading, I was blown away and realized I had not read her award-winning Blue Hole Back Home and quickly purchased the audiobook, and once again, wowed. Joy is a master of dual timelines. All three are 5 stars and highly recommend, as well as her children’s book A Crazy-Much Love.
If you have had the opportunity to read Joy’s prior books, you will fall in love with UNDER A GILDED MOON. As a North Carolina native, I have spent much time in Asheville, NC, and at the Biltmore Estate. Who doesn’t love visiting during the Christmas holidays? Check out Joy’s website and read all about the 125th Biltmore anniversary on Christmas Eve.
Curl up with a cup of tea or coffee and find a comfy chair. Joy takes us on a journey, back in history to 1895 with the Vanderbilts and some scandalous suspense and mystery. UNDER A GILDED MOON is illuminating, lyrical, meticulously researched, and elegantly written. 5 STARS +. Top Books of 2020!
I hope you enjoy UNDER A GILDED MOON as much as I did. The book would make a stunning Christmas gift. The hardcover is stunning (with beautiful mountains under the cover jacket. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
Check out my fascinating and in-depth Elevator Q&A Ride with the Author. Go behind the scenes of the book and the author. One of my favorites!
Crossing several genres, from historical fiction, literary, mystery, suspense, and thriller rolled into one captivating read. Good vs. evil, there is a sharp contrast between the Appalachians’ poverty and the wealthy and privileged surrounding Biltmore— paralleling to our present-day headlines.
Protagonist Kerry MacGregor, a smart and driven young woman, has worked hard to escape her poor background for education and has been living in New York and is leaving college to return home to take care of her family. Her aunt meets her on the train with her younger twin siblings.
They are headed toward Asheville, NC, to the Blue Ridge Mountains. On the journey, they meet some other characters, which become a big part of the storyline.
Her mom has passed away, and her dad is in poor health. He was not a nice man. They are estranged. However, now she must take care of him and her siblings, which forces her to take a job at Biltmore, the last place on earth she wants to work, along with her aunt.
Set in the late 1800s, George Vanderbilt has chosen Asheville to build his palatial estate. In doing so, his people are buying up all the land surrounding the estate. The poor, uneducated people have worked hard for their homes and trying to survive.
To the extreme, the wealthy guests and Vanderbilt’s family are on opposite sides of culture, class, education, social, and more. In addition, there is scandal, murder, and injustice with some literary twists book lovers will enjoy!
What an intriguing cast of characters! We have royalty. A fugitive from Sicily. An investigative reporter, chasing a groundbreaking story. A debutante tainted by scandal, a conservationist, and a young lady trying to achieve a life and education in New York when she is pulled back to the mountains of North Carolina and caught in the cross-fires.
If you love Asheville, NC, and the Biltmore Estate as much as I do, you will love this one! Joy is a master storyteller and brings her characters alive.
I first was introduced to Joy’s writing with A Tangled Mercy, and when I saw Under A Gilded Moon, I knew it would be a must-read. After reading, I was blown away and realized I had not read her award-winning Blue Hole Back Home and quickly purchased the audiobook, and once again, wowed. Joy is a master of dual timelines. All three are 5 stars and highly recommend, as well as her children’s book A Crazy-Much Love.
If you have had the opportunity to read Joy’s prior books, you will fall in love with UNDER A GILDED MOON. As a North Carolina native, I have spent much time in Asheville, NC, and at the Biltmore Estate. Who doesn’t love visiting during the Christmas holidays? Check out Joy’s website and read all about the 125th Biltmore anniversary on Christmas Eve.
Curl up with a cup of tea or coffee and find a comfy chair. Joy takes us on a journey, back in history to 1895 with the Vanderbilts and some scandalous suspense and mystery. UNDER A GILDED MOON is illuminating, lyrical, meticulously researched, and elegantly written. 5 STARS +. Top Books of 2020!
I hope you enjoy UNDER A GILDED MOON as much as I did. The book would make a stunning Christmas gift. The hardcover is stunning (with beautiful mountains under the cover jacket. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. Highly recommend!
#JDCMustReadBooks
November 21, 2020
This book was free from Amazon and seemed to have a number of favorable reviews. I had not read anything by this author until this rather lengthy portrayal of the key figures involved in the development of Biltmore in Asheville, NC. I have visited the house and enjoyed my time in Asheville, so I did think it likely I would appreciate this book. I liked parts of it. The young woman trapped with family obligations after having had a respectable education was touching and believable.
Overall, it was worth my time to think about how the the farmers/residents were displaced as Biltmore was determined to build this estate.
Overall, it was worth my time to think about how the the farmers/residents were displaced as Biltmore was determined to build this estate.
November 7, 2020
Disjointed
I enjoyed the story but, whether it was poor editing or something else, I found that the story was not cohesive and disjointed. I'm not sure I will read any more of Ms. Jordan-Lake's books.
I enjoyed the story but, whether it was poor editing or something else, I found that the story was not cohesive and disjointed. I'm not sure I will read any more of Ms. Jordan-Lake's books.
September 11, 2022
The premise of this one sounded great, however I was unable to connect with the characters and the plot was not set up for me as well as I would have liked. I knew about the Vanderbilts obviously but wanted more from the other characters. It was also jumping around too much for me to follow and as such this one didn't resonate with me like I had hoped.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the digital copy to review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the digital copy to review.
December 7, 2020
At times it was almost like a stream of consciousness treatise which only the author could interpret. That is only a small exaggeration. I kept reading, waiting for when the story line would tighten, the characters would develop with real depth, not just continual repetition of the same overwrought emotions. It never did. Another very irritating contrivance was the way in which descriptions of the surroundings, the weather, the odors, etc., were stuck into the narrative in jarring places. Not in ways that flowed with the tension being created. Essentially, the book was padded; it was too long, unnecessarily so. I read it to the end, admittedly skimming the last 50 pages. Just could not bear to read it all.
December 8, 2020
I suspect this could be a good book, but I just couldn't get into it. The main character, Kerry has spent the last 2 years going to college in NYC, but has to return to rural North Carolina when her father is dying. She grew up in the mountains, and it was an isolated place without much formal education. A former teacher helped bring her to NY, and they both know that if she returns home she may not be able to return to college. She journeys back to North Carolina with her aunt and younger twin siblings. There is an Italian man who seems to be running from something along with his brother (that he calls his son). The Italian man is seeking out the Biltmore estate because Mr. Vanderbilt had promised him a job. There is a Jewish journalist on the train who is murdered almost immediately after disembarking. There are two upper class men who may or may not be up to no good. There is a wild wealthy young woman visiting Biltmore, and yeah. I made it a quarter of the way into the book and didn't really get much of a story. Lots of back ground but no story, and it didn't hold my interest. I'll try again later.
September 12, 2020
Who doesn't love Biltmore House and Asheville, N.C.? I love Joy Jordan-Lake's take on what may have happened in the world of George Vanderbilt and those around him during the building of this now-iconic mansion. UNDER A GILDED MOON is historical fiction at its finest, full of international intrigue, mystery, and of course, romance! The story has the feel of Downton Abbey, with all the relationships -- love, hate and in between -- of the "upstairs" and "downstairs" characters, all wrapped up in exciting (and sometimes heartbreaking) adventures of the time. The interweaving of stories from both ends of the economic and social spectrum make for a thoughtful look at the whole process. I loved having these characters and this beautiful setting to come back to each day, and I was sad when I had to say goodbye to them at the end. I highly recommend you read this book -- then you're going to want to head to the mountains of North Carolina.
November 30, 2020
While an interesting plot, it glanced over and eluded to all the plot lines i wanted to follow, but wrote out in detail the mundane stuff. The format of the storytelling was also pretty jerky, going back and forth between time and timelines, and character POV, making me have to stop and reread a lot to figure out who was actually in the scene.
November 13, 2020
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What an excellent historical novel and reading experience Under a Gilded Moon turned out to be.
I must have lived under a rock all this time because I was not aware of the Biltmore Estate (and George Washington Vanderbilt II) before reading this book. Reading the story made me research and fall in love with the history of the estate. It is now on my checklist of places to visit. So, a big thank you to the author for introducing me to this piece of history.
Coming back to the story, I loved reading this book! It has historical references, a murder mystery, intrigue, and romance, all interwoven beautifully! Similarly, the author also describes the locations of the North Carolina mountains and the estate in s vibrant manner. Moreover, the level of detail put in is immaculate. For instance, I loved how some of the addresses mentioned were actual locations to historical landmarks.
The author also beautifully contrasts the various lifestyle of the vast characters. Also, Kerry is terrific in the lead! My next favorite characters were Sal and Nico. I enjoyed how the author portrays them and the attitude and prejudice of society toward them. I also liked all the other characters like Grant, Cabot, Lilli, Aunt Rema, Tully, and Jursey,
The story had me glued from the first page, and the plot just kept getting better with the mystery. The climax is intense as the characters (I’m not going to say who) hang on for their lives in the literal sense. “Under a Gilded Moon” is the first book I read of Joy Jordan-Lake, and I am already a fan!
Overall, do read this book if you like historical fiction, mystery, or yearning for a taste of the Biltmore Estate history.
November 16, 2020
Joy Jordan-Lake is an exceptional story-teller. In this novel, she weaves history (some fascinating, some disconcerting) with engaging characters and incidents (some real, others fictional) in a way I did not want to stop reading. The gritty reality of survival for the Blue Ridge mountain people is sharply contrasted with the extravagance of the Vanderbilts and other high society families of the time. Through the author's extensive research, one gains an understanding of George Vanderbilt's sincere desire to grasp the established culture of the hardworking, poverty-stricken locals and attempt in his own way to bring new opportunities through his Biltmore estate. Jordan-Lake captures all voices and settings in ways that bring readers directly into the heart of the story. This is a novel that invites lingering over passages and informs much of the cultural history of the late 1800's that was new to me and surprisingly relatable to current issues. Aspects of mystery, murder and romance wind through the narrative offering a highly entertaining, informative and satisfying read.
November 1, 2020
Lyrical Descriptions, But…
I liked, for the most part (as some prose bordered on purple), how the author described settings and surroundings. She made places come alive, creating images with words that easily translated into something you could see in your mind's eye. In terms of characterization, though, I thought most seemed to be stereotypes of class and station rather than fully realized characters. While the book has touches of intrigue and romance, it comes across more as a study of social structures based on money and opportunity. The “Haves” of this book are the Vanderbilt family and their friends, and the “Have Nots” seem to be everyone else! The book certainly shows what the top 1% of the turn of the previous century could make happen; their wishes became reality, no matter the consequences that those changes made for others. They turned this area, through sheer will and scads of money, into precisely what they wanted, not caring about the locals whatsoever or what they thought of this plan. It certainly does make you think of parallels between then and now, how the rich or powerful so often get their way, claiming to do what is good for all while truly thinking of what is best for themselves only. Unfortunately, the author seems to assume that we have a good general knowledge of the Vanderbilt family history, so it felt like there were holes in places that made certain parts of the story not flow logically. By the way, the author does include extensive historical notes in the back, especially explaining what is real and what is fictionalized. While I enjoyed the author's depictions of place and time, I felt like both character and plot were not up to the same par.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I liked, for the most part (as some prose bordered on purple), how the author described settings and surroundings. She made places come alive, creating images with words that easily translated into something you could see in your mind's eye. In terms of characterization, though, I thought most seemed to be stereotypes of class and station rather than fully realized characters. While the book has touches of intrigue and romance, it comes across more as a study of social structures based on money and opportunity. The “Haves” of this book are the Vanderbilt family and their friends, and the “Have Nots” seem to be everyone else! The book certainly shows what the top 1% of the turn of the previous century could make happen; their wishes became reality, no matter the consequences that those changes made for others. They turned this area, through sheer will and scads of money, into precisely what they wanted, not caring about the locals whatsoever or what they thought of this plan. It certainly does make you think of parallels between then and now, how the rich or powerful so often get their way, claiming to do what is good for all while truly thinking of what is best for themselves only. Unfortunately, the author seems to assume that we have a good general knowledge of the Vanderbilt family history, so it felt like there were holes in places that made certain parts of the story not flow logically. By the way, the author does include extensive historical notes in the back, especially explaining what is real and what is fictionalized. While I enjoyed the author's depictions of place and time, I felt like both character and plot were not up to the same par.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
December 5, 2020
Prepare to be swept away into this epic, masterfully written, exquisitely atmospheric historical fiction novel from the bestselling author of 'A Tangled Mercy', 'Blue Hole Back Home', & more!
'Under a Gilded Moon' is so well-researched, w/ gorgeous writing, a fantastically created sense of place, & an expertly constructed mystery. I personally have been to the Blue Ridge Mtns & to Asheville, NC a couple times on business yrs ago, having only ever seen the Biltmore from afar, & it is stunning! I would love to visit the inside IRL someday, but this book made me feel like I already have!
'Under a Gilded Moon' is so well-researched, w/ gorgeous writing, a fantastically created sense of place, & an expertly constructed mystery. I personally have been to the Blue Ridge Mtns & to Asheville, NC a couple times on business yrs ago, having only ever seen the Biltmore from afar, & it is stunning! I would love to visit the inside IRL someday, but this book made me feel like I already have!
February 19, 2021
Because this book takes place at The Biltmore House in the North Carolina mountains, I knew I had to read it. Having visited the estate, the author refreshed my memory of the elaborate decor and the magnitude of its size.
George Vanderbilt II was the owner of this mansion. He loved the countryside and proceeded to build the largest home in the United States, while the local residents lose their land and their homes. It's an enormous intrusion of their way of life.
This book is not just about Biltmore Estate. It is also an intriguing whodunnit as a murder has taken place and there are several suspects who may be involved.
The author has thoroughly researched and has presented a memorable story that kept me turning the pages late into the night. This is my first book by this author but I will seek out more of her titles. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
George Vanderbilt II was the owner of this mansion. He loved the countryside and proceeded to build the largest home in the United States, while the local residents lose their land and their homes. It's an enormous intrusion of their way of life.
This book is not just about Biltmore Estate. It is also an intriguing whodunnit as a murder has taken place and there are several suspects who may be involved.
The author has thoroughly researched and has presented a memorable story that kept me turning the pages late into the night. This is my first book by this author but I will seek out more of her titles. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
December 2, 2020
I have grown to have a love for historical fiction since joining Bookstagram and this story for some reason really piqued my interest. From the very beginning we meet the spark that is Kerry, heading back home after receiving a telegram about her father's failing health. From the onset of the train ride, we get a taste of what we are going to get within these pages... and that is the the many differences in society - especially the wealthy and privileged against the poor and innocent (Biltmore vs Appalachia).
What we end up with is a lesson in forgiveness, fortitude and a cast of characters that leave you really thinking about where you might stand. I truly appreciated the historical notes at the end describing the background to some of the characters. The author is also adding historical photos regularly to the Behind the Scenes section of her website (www.joyjordanlake.com) and I'll certainly be checking that out.
I really appreciated how this was a bit of a genre mash up - combining historical fiction with that thrilling, suspenseful mystery. And quite honestly, I really fell in love with Kerry's character. She certainly didn't ask for her gift and I felt for her in so many ways... but what a delight in what kind of adult she is despite and because of it. Certainly had a couple of gaspy moments towards the end there. And the author really brings the atmosphere to life, engaging you til the very end.
What we end up with is a lesson in forgiveness, fortitude and a cast of characters that leave you really thinking about where you might stand. I truly appreciated the historical notes at the end describing the background to some of the characters. The author is also adding historical photos regularly to the Behind the Scenes section of her website (www.joyjordanlake.com) and I'll certainly be checking that out.
I really appreciated how this was a bit of a genre mash up - combining historical fiction with that thrilling, suspenseful mystery. And quite honestly, I really fell in love with Kerry's character. She certainly didn't ask for her gift and I felt for her in so many ways... but what a delight in what kind of adult she is despite and because of it. Certainly had a couple of gaspy moments towards the end there. And the author really brings the atmosphere to life, engaging you til the very end.
December 3, 2020
Joy Jordan-Lake brings history alive in her newest novel, ‘Under a Gilded Moon.’ She ties together several subplots to reveal the extremes of wealth and poverty in the late 1800s around Asheville, North Carolina’s crown jewel, The Biltmore Estate.
Having been raised in a poor family inhabiting a small windowless, one-roomed decrepit cabin in North Carolina, Kerry MacGregor has managed to escape poverty and get an education at a prestigious university. A telegram from home informing her that her father is ill and the deep-seated feelings of loyalty to family bring Kerry from New York back to Ashville, North Carolina. Kerry and her father have always had a rocky relationship, but she manages to put it aside and focus on those who need her. In returning home during her second year at university, Kerry learns more about herself and her family as she reluctantly gains employment at the Biltmore Estate.
I really struggled to get into this book. I’d tried twice and it wasn’t until the third time around, starting from the beginning again, that it started to make sense. This is a meat and potatoes read. Not a beach read. Please persevere through the many characters (some with double identities) and make notes if you need to. At times you’ll wonder if this is book two of a series, as there are unclear connections and references. The author does not spoon-feed readers. Dig and re-read. It will be so worth it in the end as this is a spectacular historical novel. The first thing you’ll notice is the attention to detail. I don’t think I’ve ever been aware of an author describing textiles and garments and their movements as characters walked. It really helped to get involved in the era. Set against the Appalachian Mountains, the Biltmore Estate is nearing completion and Joy Jordan-Lake exceptionally describes the interior and exterior of this fantastical structure. This Guilded-Age chateau was quite a contrast against the impoverished Appalachian Mountains. Ever present is the reminder of George Vanderbilt II’s philanthropic vision and he dedication to improving the lives of the people who lived and worked at Biltmore. This isn’t just a novel about a girl returning home to help her twin siblings care for their dying father, it’s about wealth, secrets and murder in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. I loved the cast of colourful characters; fugitives in disguise, a reporter with a shocking article, a society lady with a secret, and a man hell-bent on creating havoc with the hill people. As soon as I read about Kerry reaching into her skirts to pull out a knife attached to her thigh, I knew she was my favourite character! When she arrived home after two years and was able to shoot a possum between the eyes, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Throughout the novel, you’ll see her grapple with the divisions between the gentry and the hillfolk, the haves and the have nots, and the preconceived ideas moneyed people have of women. The author explores the idea that in order to survive, sometimes we have to do the very thing that we promised we’d never do. She also uncovers the great divide between the have and the have nots in the late 1890s.
This is a superb novel about a strong woman who must navigate her pride and desperation to survive while dealing with the temptations of fortune and the men who control it.
Thank you to Joy Jordan-Lake, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a chance to review this fantastic novel in exchange for an honest review.
Having been raised in a poor family inhabiting a small windowless, one-roomed decrepit cabin in North Carolina, Kerry MacGregor has managed to escape poverty and get an education at a prestigious university. A telegram from home informing her that her father is ill and the deep-seated feelings of loyalty to family bring Kerry from New York back to Ashville, North Carolina. Kerry and her father have always had a rocky relationship, but she manages to put it aside and focus on those who need her. In returning home during her second year at university, Kerry learns more about herself and her family as she reluctantly gains employment at the Biltmore Estate.
I really struggled to get into this book. I’d tried twice and it wasn’t until the third time around, starting from the beginning again, that it started to make sense. This is a meat and potatoes read. Not a beach read. Please persevere through the many characters (some with double identities) and make notes if you need to. At times you’ll wonder if this is book two of a series, as there are unclear connections and references. The author does not spoon-feed readers. Dig and re-read. It will be so worth it in the end as this is a spectacular historical novel. The first thing you’ll notice is the attention to detail. I don’t think I’ve ever been aware of an author describing textiles and garments and their movements as characters walked. It really helped to get involved in the era. Set against the Appalachian Mountains, the Biltmore Estate is nearing completion and Joy Jordan-Lake exceptionally describes the interior and exterior of this fantastical structure. This Guilded-Age chateau was quite a contrast against the impoverished Appalachian Mountains. Ever present is the reminder of George Vanderbilt II’s philanthropic vision and he dedication to improving the lives of the people who lived and worked at Biltmore. This isn’t just a novel about a girl returning home to help her twin siblings care for their dying father, it’s about wealth, secrets and murder in the shadow of Biltmore Estate. I loved the cast of colourful characters; fugitives in disguise, a reporter with a shocking article, a society lady with a secret, and a man hell-bent on creating havoc with the hill people. As soon as I read about Kerry reaching into her skirts to pull out a knife attached to her thigh, I knew she was my favourite character! When she arrived home after two years and was able to shoot a possum between the eyes, I knew she was a force to be reckoned with. Throughout the novel, you’ll see her grapple with the divisions between the gentry and the hillfolk, the haves and the have nots, and the preconceived ideas moneyed people have of women. The author explores the idea that in order to survive, sometimes we have to do the very thing that we promised we’d never do. She also uncovers the great divide between the have and the have nots in the late 1890s.
This is a superb novel about a strong woman who must navigate her pride and desperation to survive while dealing with the temptations of fortune and the men who control it.
Thank you to Joy Jordan-Lake, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for a chance to review this fantastic novel in exchange for an honest review.
November 12, 2020
This well-written historical fiction was a surprise. I liked it much more than I anticipated.
George Vanderbilt is building a palatial home in North Carolina. He is buying up all of the land around Biltmore hoping to have the most beautiful home in America. This is the story about those that have had their family homes in the region for generations, and yet most of them are the poorest of the poor with no or few survival skills. It is a book about the haves and the have-nots, it is a tale of people who hate those who are poor, regardless of color, in other words, eugenics. It is not a sweet, kind story of folks who learn to get along with each other, and in places it was difficult to read. There are good guys and bad guys in both groups of people. It is beautiful in ways and so ugly in others.
I found the hatred in people very hard to read, perhaps because we hear so much of that kind of nasty hate filled language being spewed even today, or especially today. I needed to read this and learn again from history. I would recommend it to others. It's really good.
George Vanderbilt is building a palatial home in North Carolina. He is buying up all of the land around Biltmore hoping to have the most beautiful home in America. This is the story about those that have had their family homes in the region for generations, and yet most of them are the poorest of the poor with no or few survival skills. It is a book about the haves and the have-nots, it is a tale of people who hate those who are poor, regardless of color, in other words, eugenics. It is not a sweet, kind story of folks who learn to get along with each other, and in places it was difficult to read. There are good guys and bad guys in both groups of people. It is beautiful in ways and so ugly in others.
I found the hatred in people very hard to read, perhaps because we hear so much of that kind of nasty hate filled language being spewed even today, or especially today. I needed to read this and learn again from history. I would recommend it to others. It's really good.
December 15, 2020
An Ok Novel, Nothing Spectacular!
This novel was just ok and I expected more (Dr. Jordan-Lake's novel A Tangled Mercy was excellent). It was hard to believe the books were written by the same author. It was difficult for me to focus and keep up with all the many characters. I could not "connect the dots" throughout (a fragmented storyline). It took me awhile (almost 1 week) to finish this novel as opposed to finishing A Tangled Mercy in only 2 days. Although, Dr. Jordan-Lake does an excellent job with the historical facts and lessons and I always learn new information when reading her novels (great history lesson). It was nice reading about Biltmore in the very beginning, beautiful Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
This novel was just ok and I expected more (Dr. Jordan-Lake's novel A Tangled Mercy was excellent). It was hard to believe the books were written by the same author. It was difficult for me to focus and keep up with all the many characters. I could not "connect the dots" throughout (a fragmented storyline). It took me awhile (almost 1 week) to finish this novel as opposed to finishing A Tangled Mercy in only 2 days. Although, Dr. Jordan-Lake does an excellent job with the historical facts and lessons and I always learn new information when reading her novels (great history lesson). It was nice reading about Biltmore in the very beginning, beautiful Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Mountains.
November 16, 2020
Thank you to @joyjordanlake_books for gifting us an Advanced Reader’s Copy of your incredible book💜
Under a Gilded Moon is the epitome of why I love historical fiction!
Joy Jordan-Lake writes with the depth and detail that I always crave from books.
This books is about the Biltmore Estate that George Washington Vanderbilt, built in beautiful North Carolina mountains. It painfully deals with the extremes of the haves and the have nots, the class and race struggles seem relevant some of the issues today. It had some murder mystery and even romance. It has inspired me to want to visit the Biltmore estate as soon as I can!🧜🏼♀️🌺
Under a Gilded Moon will be available December 1,2020!!
Under a Gilded Moon is the epitome of why I love historical fiction!
Joy Jordan-Lake writes with the depth and detail that I always crave from books.
This books is about the Biltmore Estate that George Washington Vanderbilt, built in beautiful North Carolina mountains. It painfully deals with the extremes of the haves and the have nots, the class and race struggles seem relevant some of the issues today. It had some murder mystery and even romance. It has inspired me to want to visit the Biltmore estate as soon as I can!🧜🏼♀️🌺
Under a Gilded Moon will be available December 1,2020!!
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