What do you think?
Rate this book
Topaz
An updated look and a new format gives a fresh life to this long-time favorite of Beverly Jenkins’s fans, out in time for Black History Month.
A Perilous Pursuit
Kate Love is an ambitious reporter on the trail of a swindler who has been preying on elderly blacks. But when her investigation leads her into danger, she is snatched by Dix Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshal from Oklahoman’s Indian country. Kate has no choice but to flee with the daring knight her father sent to rescue her. Despite the warm simmering fire Dix’s bronzed, muscled embrace ignites, she is determined to hold on to her independence, challenging him at every turn. Yet even as their battle of wills intensifies, the heat of their passion blazes with unmatched fury…a wildfire of love that can only be answered in the sweet ecstasy of surrender.
A Perilous Pursuit
Kate Love is an ambitious reporter on the trail of a swindler who has been preying on elderly blacks. But when her investigation leads her into danger, she is snatched by Dix Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshal from Oklahoman’s Indian country. Kate has no choice but to flee with the daring knight her father sent to rescue her. Despite the warm simmering fire Dix’s bronzed, muscled embrace ignites, she is determined to hold on to her independence, challenging him at every turn. Yet even as their battle of wills intensifies, the heat of their passion blazes with unmatched fury…a wildfire of love that can only be answered in the sweet ecstasy of surrender.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 1997
168 people are currently reading
1867 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
70 books4,821 followersBeverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase.
To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
April 23, 2022
Love the hero, love their chemistry. This was just so much fun and a comfort read. The middle definitely lagged and the ending cane out of nowhere and was too quickly resolved but despite that I still really enjoyed this one and it's a five star for me.
April 19, 2022
Can always count on Beverly Jenkins to write a story I’ll love.
February 18, 2023
A wild west romance!
Steamy historical romance with a Western vibe. The main characters are well developed with strong unique personalities. For an arranged marriage to work out so well is a beautiful blessing.
Steamy historical romance with a Western vibe. The main characters are well developed with strong unique personalities. For an arranged marriage to work out so well is a beautiful blessing.
May 27, 2018
*Critterbee said it all and said it well.
I'm forcing myself to keep this brief because otherwise I will start gushing, and once I start gushing, it's hard to stop. Beverly Jenkins is a splendid author, and Topaz was a splendid story. It was amusing, charming, and smart. Kate was spunky, and Dix was swoonworthy, but that is par for the course with Jenkins' heroines and heroes. My only complaint, and the reason that I gave it 4.5 stars rounded down, was the pacing. While riveting at times, it dragged at others. And although I flew through those riveting parts, I stalled during the more plodding parts.
Whether you are new to historical romance, or an aspiring connoisseur of historical romance, or just a reader, standing in front of a book, wanting to love it, Beverly Jenkins is a must-read author.
Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A romance with a journalist or reporter character.
I'm forcing myself to keep this brief because otherwise I will start gushing, and once I start gushing, it's hard to stop. Beverly Jenkins is a splendid author, and Topaz was a splendid story. It was amusing, charming, and smart. Kate was spunky, and Dix was swoonworthy, but that is par for the course with Jenkins' heroines and heroes. My only complaint, and the reason that I gave it 4.5 stars rounded down, was the pacing. While riveting at times, it dragged at others. And although I flew through those riveting parts, I stalled during the more plodding parts.
Whether you are new to historical romance, or an aspiring connoisseur of historical romance, or just a reader, standing in front of a book, wanting to love it, Beverly Jenkins is a must-read author.
Read for SBTB Best Picture Quarterly Challenge: A romance with a journalist or reporter character.
January 16, 2016
What a Man! What a Man! What a Mighty Good Man!!!
I tell you just when I think Beverly Jenkins can't write a better story she does. After just finishing Indigo, I thought she totally out-did her self, but NO she just keeps coming better and better. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed Dix and Kate and the supporting characters in this story so very much. It was like watching a movie for me. The story just came alive and leapt off the pages for me to view. Dix and Katherine are such a wonderful, exciting couple. How can anyone not fall in love with Dix? He is everything a woman wants in a man. Kate is great too. She is ambitious, independent, and beautiful. Kate's independence and sharp wit was wonderfully tempered by the magnanimous Dixon Wildhorse. I laughed out loud, cried at times, and turned each page with great anticipation of what would come next. I learned so much about the lesser-known people of the western frontier of the late 1800's. Beverly Jenkins is truly a scholar and a gifted storyteller. A Definite MUST Read for any reader, it combines romance, a bit of western and black history and some mystery, so you will not be disappointed!!!
I tell you just when I think Beverly Jenkins can't write a better story she does. After just finishing Indigo, I thought she totally out-did her self, but NO she just keeps coming better and better. I could not put this book down. I enjoyed Dix and Kate and the supporting characters in this story so very much. It was like watching a movie for me. The story just came alive and leapt off the pages for me to view. Dix and Katherine are such a wonderful, exciting couple. How can anyone not fall in love with Dix? He is everything a woman wants in a man. Kate is great too. She is ambitious, independent, and beautiful. Kate's independence and sharp wit was wonderfully tempered by the magnanimous Dixon Wildhorse. I laughed out loud, cried at times, and turned each page with great anticipation of what would come next. I learned so much about the lesser-known people of the western frontier of the late 1800's. Beverly Jenkins is truly a scholar and a gifted storyteller. A Definite MUST Read for any reader, it combines romance, a bit of western and black history and some mystery, so you will not be disappointed!!!
April 21, 2022
So sweet and fun. I enjoyed this so much. It was funny and clever and hopeful and a western!!
Swoony Dix and smart and tart Kate. It was a wonderful journey.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale.
Swoony Dix and smart and tart Kate. It was a wonderful journey.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale.
May 14, 2018
I am slowly working my way through Beverly Jenkins's back catalog (all stored snugly on my ereader), and I have arrived at Topaz.
First, let me say that there is something so wonderful about finding an author that you trust enough to completely let down your guard and just enjoy reading her books without worrying about being disappointed. Beverly is that author to me. Her heroes are respectful and likable, her heroines fiery and admirable, and the historic research has been done, and done right.
Topaz starts out in Chicago towards the end of the nineteenth century. Kate is a newspaper reporter currently deep undercover working on a story about a corrupt, politically connected swindler. Already in a perilous situation, things turn deadly when her cover is blown, and she is held prisoner by the villainous Rupert Samuel.
Dixon is a Marshal in Indian Territory, and has followed Kate's scapegrace of a father, whose shady dealings have directly affected Dixon (basically causing him to enter into the story). Dear Daddy offers Kate up as a wife to Dixon as a way to placate and compensate Dixon, and also, in a misguided surge of fatherly feeling, to provide for Kate's future. Luckily for everyone, their timing is impeccable, as Dixon is able to rescue Kate from Samuels. They agree to wed, and head on out to Indian Country (present day Oklahoma).
So we have a steamy romance, description of daily life in Chicago, a short stay in a brothel, a wonderfully described wagon train trip with a bevy of mail order brides, mysterious elements, historical detail about the despicable behavior of the US government and greedy land-grabbers, late nineteenth century feminism, information on newspapers in that era, and a surprise appearance by Aristophanes. All of that. Beverly Jenkins combines all of that beautifully. Topaz is my favorite (so far) of all of her books. I especially appreciated
At the book's end, all of the resources used to research the story are included, which I really appreciate. After finishing her books, I often want to learn more about the history of the time period, and these references really help. I loved this book.
First, let me say that there is something so wonderful about finding an author that you trust enough to completely let down your guard and just enjoy reading her books without worrying about being disappointed. Beverly is that author to me. Her heroes are respectful and likable, her heroines fiery and admirable, and the historic research has been done, and done right.
Topaz starts out in Chicago towards the end of the nineteenth century. Kate is a newspaper reporter currently deep undercover working on a story about a corrupt, politically connected swindler. Already in a perilous situation, things turn deadly when her cover is blown, and she is held prisoner by the villainous Rupert Samuel.
Dixon is a Marshal in Indian Territory, and has followed Kate's scapegrace of a father, whose shady dealings have directly affected Dixon (basically causing him to enter into the story). Dear Daddy offers Kate up as a wife to Dixon as a way to placate and compensate Dixon, and also, in a misguided surge of fatherly feeling, to provide for Kate's future. Luckily for everyone, their timing is impeccable, as Dixon is able to rescue Kate from Samuels. They agree to wed, and head on out to Indian Country (present day Oklahoma).
So we have a steamy romance, description of daily life in Chicago, a short stay in a brothel, a wonderfully described wagon train trip with a bevy of mail order brides, mysterious elements, historical detail about the despicable behavior of the US government and greedy land-grabbers, late nineteenth century feminism, information on newspapers in that era, and a surprise appearance by Aristophanes. All of that. Beverly Jenkins combines all of that beautifully. Topaz is my favorite (so far) of all of her books. I especially appreciated
At the book's end, all of the resources used to research the story are included, which I really appreciate. After finishing her books, I often want to learn more about the history of the time period, and these references really help. I loved this book.
April 22, 2022
4 stars
A wholesome, romantic journey interlaced with rich American historical facts, Topaz has undeniable charm, and two easily lovable protagonists.
The atypical scenarios throughout established many memorable set pieces: the opening heist gone wrong, the wedding in a brothel, the mail-order-bride wagon trail (could've gone on longer than just 50% of the book), the shenanigans of a wild west small town, all under the current of 19th century American racial turmoil. Not only is the historical context rich and immersive, the balanced power dynamic is extremely endearing: Kate is headstrong (but not thoughtlessly reckless), and Dix is dominant but sensible, and the worst he does is simply good-heartedly humoring kate, which is a welcoming respite after finishing another historical romance drilling on male domination (*cough* A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey *cough*).
I went into Topaz with cautious reservation because I have been underwhelmed by Beverly Jenkins' novels previously (gave both Night Song and Indigo 3 stars), even though my issues with her narrative choice are still present (pausing plot for extended 'history lesson', the romance resolves way before the book ends, ending the book with an action sequence, etc.), this is possibly the most evenly distributed and contextually sound, therefore the best iteration of her 'formula' I've read thus far. Topaz just might have convinced me to continuing keep Beverly Jenkins on my radar.
***The Rake Appreciation Society Book Club | April 2022 Selection***
A wholesome, romantic journey interlaced with rich American historical facts, Topaz has undeniable charm, and two easily lovable protagonists.
The atypical scenarios throughout established many memorable set pieces: the opening heist gone wrong, the wedding in a brothel, the mail-order-bride wagon trail (could've gone on longer than just 50% of the book), the shenanigans of a wild west small town, all under the current of 19th century American racial turmoil. Not only is the historical context rich and immersive, the balanced power dynamic is extremely endearing: Kate is headstrong (but not thoughtlessly reckless), and Dix is dominant but sensible, and the worst he does is simply good-heartedly humoring kate, which is a welcoming respite after finishing another historical romance drilling on male domination (*cough* A Gentle Feuding by Johanna Lindsey *cough*).
I went into Topaz with cautious reservation because I have been underwhelmed by Beverly Jenkins' novels previously (gave both Night Song and Indigo 3 stars), even though my issues with her narrative choice are still present (pausing plot for extended 'history lesson', the romance resolves way before the book ends, ending the book with an action sequence, etc.), this is possibly the most evenly distributed and contextually sound, therefore the best iteration of her 'formula' I've read thus far. Topaz just might have convinced me to continuing keep Beverly Jenkins on my radar.
***The Rake Appreciation Society Book Club | April 2022 Selection***
January 18, 2022
I actually tried reading Topaz a few years ago and didn’t click with it, but when it popped up while I was browsing through my Kindle library this week I decided to give it another go. And lo and behold, I enjoyed it much more this time around! If you’re in the mood for solid historical fiction with a hefty dose of feisty feminism, Topaz is the book for you. Katherine, a city girl and newspaperwoman in the 1880s, is forced by one of her father’s criminal schemes to marry Dixon Wildhorse, a Black Seminole lawman who takes her back home to Indian Territory. They don’t expect to get along quite so well…or be quite so attracted to each other. Needless to say, sparks will be flying in that wagon!
October 28, 2019
This is easily my second favorite book by her, right behind Indigo.
This was funny and fun.
Mildly feminist even!
This was funny and fun.
Mildly feminist even!
November 6, 2025
I first read this on 10/24/25 and had to run it back less than two weeks later! I just loved this story! 🤭🫶🏾 All the stars and praise to Topaz!
___________________________
5 Stars ✨
It’s a rare day when I give a romance 5 stars! Am I becoming a historical romance girly?! I absolutely loved everything about this one—the writing, the characters, the historical setting, the tension, the passion, the yearning… I could go on and on. I literally couldn’t put it down; I stayed up late and woke up early just to keep reading. I was hooked from the first chapter!
I’ve officially gone down the Beverly Jenkins rabbit hole and already have more of her books on the way. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! 💕
___________________________
5 Stars ✨
It’s a rare day when I give a romance 5 stars! Am I becoming a historical romance girly?! I absolutely loved everything about this one—the writing, the characters, the historical setting, the tension, the passion, the yearning… I could go on and on. I literally couldn’t put it down; I stayed up late and woke up early just to keep reading. I was hooked from the first chapter!
I’ve officially gone down the Beverly Jenkins rabbit hole and already have more of her books on the way. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! 💕
November 4, 2025
This was my first Beverly Jenkins, and I really enjoyed it! The romance was so good — Kate and Dix had great chemistry and their banter kept me smiling. I also loved the western setting and how Jenkins weaved in bits of history throughout the story.
Definitely made me want to check out more of her books!
Definitely made me want to check out more of her books!
June 24, 2023
One thing about Queen Bev, she's gonna write tf out of some characters. I LOVED Kate and Dix from their first introductions: Kate as a stubborn, ambitious reporter and Dix as a cool, confident Black and Indigenous Marshal. I was so excited to see how they would be within their arranged marriage and when their dynamic and banter came through?? Top top tier. The sexual tension/chemistry was perfection and I loved seeing them fall for each other. On a story level, I enjoyed the small town community of women Kate found when she made her way to Dix's home, and all the stunts they pulled together to give women more autonomy in town. That little plotline was probably my fave, it was so fun! Also, after some googling, I found that a lot of characters from her other standalone books were mentioned here! I love stuff like that, it made me even more excited to work through her backlist.
I can definitely tell this is one of Bev's earlier books by the writing, which was somewhat clunky and repetitive at times. While I always love learning some history from her books, all the background knowledge was delivered less smoothly than in the previous books I read. Also, some of the suspense elements were a bit much for my ability to suspend disbelief. The plot progression just wasn't as smooth as I would've wanted.
Another day, another hit from Beverly Jenkins. Her characters are among my fave in romance, and I can't wait to keep meeting new ones.
I can definitely tell this is one of Bev's earlier books by the writing, which was somewhat clunky and repetitive at times. While I always love learning some history from her books, all the background knowledge was delivered less smoothly than in the previous books I read. Also, some of the suspense elements were a bit much for my ability to suspend disbelief. The plot progression just wasn't as smooth as I would've wanted.
Another day, another hit from Beverly Jenkins. Her characters are among my fave in romance, and I can't wait to keep meeting new ones.
April 24, 2017
I seriously have a problem...that I don't want solved. I like being addicted to Beverly Jenkins' books!
I take great pleasure in reading about "recalcitrant " women and hunky men who love learning that they don't run a darn thing. Jenkins has yet to fail to deliver me with strong women and strong female friendships. Sorry, got ahead of myself.
Topaz (no one is named that in this book, as a matter of fact, the stone itself plays a very small role in this book) is the story of a woman used as collateral for her wiley father's debt. In order to settle said debt, Katherine must marry Dixon Wildhorse ( I know but it's super swooney in the book so stop your judgement!).
I absolutely adored the story, even though the tropes of; we both love each other but don't know it, was getting kind of tiring. Watching love bloom between these two was deliciously entertaining.
Was this book predictable? Yes. Is there anything that will surprise you? Heck no! But the book is still worth it+ At this point I don't know why I am such a huge fan of historic fiction...I just scan right past the history and get tot he good stuff!
I take great pleasure in reading about "recalcitrant " women and hunky men who love learning that they don't run a darn thing. Jenkins has yet to fail to deliver me with strong women and strong female friendships. Sorry, got ahead of myself.
Topaz (no one is named that in this book, as a matter of fact, the stone itself plays a very small role in this book) is the story of a woman used as collateral for her wiley father's debt. In order to settle said debt, Katherine must marry Dixon Wildhorse ( I know but it's super swooney in the book so stop your judgement!).
I absolutely adored the story, even though the tropes of; we both love each other but don't know it, was getting kind of tiring. Watching love bloom between these two was deliciously entertaining.
Was this book predictable? Yes. Is there anything that will surprise you? Heck no! But the book is still worth it+ At this point I don't know why I am such a huge fan of historic fiction...I just scan right past the history and get tot he good stuff!
November 5, 2025
Wow, I think this might be my favorite Beverly Jenkins story! 😍 I loved every single part of it. There was such a great mix of everything, and the banter? Just perfect! It all came together so wonderfully—it felt like a chef's kiss! I honestly can't think of anything that compares to it right now. It was the ideal way to brighten up a wacky Wednesday at work!
August 19, 2024
i need the mass market paperback of this cover BAD: acquired 🙂↕️
Topaz follows the lovely Katherine Love and her romantic interest Marshall Dixon Wildhorse. Quite frankly, this story was such a wild ride. The majority of Topaz takes place in ‘Indian Territory’ after a trek with the mail-order-brides we met in Always and Forever and A Chance at Love. Because this story has a good portion of the exact same events that happened in Always and Forever, it seemed quite repetitive to have stated all that information again (though Topaz was published first). Other than that, this story took me on a rollercoaster in the best way imaginable! Kate and Dix are probably the most compatible couple I’ve read from Jenkins thus far, and they completely amused me with how absolutely unhinged they are. I truly loved the setting and the supporting characters throughout this story because they fought hard for what they believed in and became important figures in the lives of our main characters. Kate and the other ladies fighting for their rights for a good portion of the story was such a sight to see, and the men with their archaic ideals were absolutely frustrating. It was very entertaining but made me that much more appreciative of my ancestors and those who didn’t take a rejection and unfair laws/viewpoints as the end-all-be-all. The smuggling, betrayals, snakes, deaths, etc. was wild, but i was tuned in. Dixon is probably one of my top two Beverly Jenkins love interests hands down, and Kate as well for being someone i aspire to be like. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Ranking: Something Like Love, Always and Forever, Topaz, A Chance at Love, The Taming of Jessi Rose, Night Song.
Topaz follows the lovely Katherine Love and her romantic interest Marshall Dixon Wildhorse. Quite frankly, this story was such a wild ride. The majority of Topaz takes place in ‘Indian Territory’ after a trek with the mail-order-brides we met in Always and Forever and A Chance at Love. Because this story has a good portion of the exact same events that happened in Always and Forever, it seemed quite repetitive to have stated all that information again (though Topaz was published first). Other than that, this story took me on a rollercoaster in the best way imaginable! Kate and Dix are probably the most compatible couple I’ve read from Jenkins thus far, and they completely amused me with how absolutely unhinged they are. I truly loved the setting and the supporting characters throughout this story because they fought hard for what they believed in and became important figures in the lives of our main characters. Kate and the other ladies fighting for their rights for a good portion of the story was such a sight to see, and the men with their archaic ideals were absolutely frustrating. It was very entertaining but made me that much more appreciative of my ancestors and those who didn’t take a rejection and unfair laws/viewpoints as the end-all-be-all. The smuggling, betrayals, snakes, deaths, etc. was wild, but i was tuned in. Dixon is probably one of my top two Beverly Jenkins love interests hands down, and Kate as well for being someone i aspire to be like. Rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Ranking: Something Like Love, Always and Forever, Topaz, A Chance at Love, The Taming of Jessi Rose, Night Song.
April 26, 2016
So technically I've only read 58% of this book (on my Kindle), and I don't know... I picked it up to read as my last 2015 Read Harder challenge item--a "guilty pleasure" book, which is difficult because a guilty pleasure implies shame, and I'm not ashamed of what I read. I'm not normally a reader of straight up romance, so I chose this since it is slightly outside my comfort zone. I really liked this at first. It had a pretty decent, dominant plot outside the love story, interesting historical tidbits, and the steamy parts were suitably steamy (even for me being really tired of the whole being-a-virgin-is-attractive-and-worthier). But I got halfway through and just stalled. And stalled. And I'm on school break and the clock's a-ticking. And I figured it's not really a guilty pleasure if you don't feel like reading the whole thing. Maybe I'll continue this later; I'll certainly recommend it to people looking for a romance with substance.
August 1, 2025
BEVERLY JENKINS!!!!! PUHHHHLEEEASSSEEEE!!! I loved this story of Dixon Wildhorse & Katherine Love REAL BAD!!!
Dix, Black Seminole Marshall, & Kate, a newspaper woman came together due to her father being a swindler 😂🤣, he got caught & promised her hand to repay his debt..! Either way, the relationship that blossomed was BEAUTIFUL!
Although I really LOVED Dix, Kate was such a BAD A*******!!!!!!! Definitely going in my top FMC’s! I loved this BOOKKKKKK!!!! I read this e-book & LOVE the fact that Beverly added an extra chapter for us to have a more complete ending!
Dix, Black Seminole Marshall, & Kate, a newspaper woman came together due to her father being a swindler 😂🤣, he got caught & promised her hand to repay his debt..! Either way, the relationship that blossomed was BEAUTIFUL!
Although I really LOVED Dix, Kate was such a BAD A*******!!!!!!! Definitely going in my top FMC’s! I loved this BOOKKKKKK!!!! I read this e-book & LOVE the fact that Beverly added an extra chapter for us to have a more complete ending!
December 13, 2020
I don't know why it took me so long to update my progress on this book.....
A few months back I read Grace and Blake’s book and Dix and Kate we're mentioned and I thought that they were very much and love. Who'd have thought they had an "arranged" marriage? Certainly not me. But let me tell you, I fell in love with them before they fell in love with each other lol. Kate’s sass and wit just make me love her more.
A few months back I read Grace and Blake’s book and Dix and Kate we're mentioned and I thought that they were very much and love. Who'd have thought they had an "arranged" marriage? Certainly not me. But let me tell you, I fell in love with them before they fell in love with each other lol. Kate’s sass and wit just make me love her more.
July 28, 2011
My all time FAVORITE book.. Love Dixon Wildhorse :-) I can re-read this a million times and never get tired
December 24, 2017
4.5 helms
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)
I’m very excited about this review as this was my first Beverly Jenkins! I’ve been meaning to try her for ages and finally it has happened and so glad I read Topaz. About time I read about some coloured characters…it never even crossed my mind coloured heroes and heroines are not featured as prominently within the historical romance genre and I’m so proud Beverly Jenkins has rectified that! Not only is this a fun historical romance, but it is also a history lesson that I’m sure a lot of us are unaware of! Yes, we have all heard about the American Civil War, but what other hardships did the Black population in America face? Read Beverly Jenkins and you are sure to pick up on some fascinating historical titbits!
Dixon (Dix) Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshall finds himself offered the hand of Katherine Love by her father to settle his debts with Dix. Disgusted by Bart Love’s offer, yet intrigued by his description of Katherine, as Dix is in the market for an agreeable wife, Dix, agrees to meet her. As they set off to meet the biddable seamstress’s assistant, Bart realises Katherine is missing and her home has been ransacked. Panicking, Bart begs Dixon to help him find his daughter. Suspecting Bart is up to his usual tricks, Dix makes Bart tell him the whole story, where Bart fesses up that Kate really is a newspaper woman and she was planning to expose a Mr Rupert Samuels and his business dealings. Dix and Bart track Kate down to Rupert Samuel’s house and watch from afar as she’s forcefully taken into the dwelling by Rupert’s henchmen. Bart drops another bombshell – Rupert and Katherine are meant to be getting married on the morrow! Bart attempts to reassure Dix that the wedding was a ruse and she wasn’t planning to go through with it, as she was only pretending to be his fiance so that she could expose him! Furious with Bart and his schemes, Dix’s code of honour leaves him with no choice except to see this plan through and rescue Kate from Rupert’s hands.
Giving up hope of not being wedded to Rupert Samuel’s, Katherine Love resigns herself to an unwanted fate until a furious lawman snatches Kate from the altar, rescuing her from her worst nightmare. Kate is ecstatic about her rescue until Dix informs her that her father has sent him to rescue and wed her instead! Marriage isn’t something Kate has wanted as she had no plans to abandon her career to look after some man from the West. Finding herself in another pickle thanks to Bart Love’s deeds, Kate has no choice but to marry Dix to save her father from gaol. Despite her situation, Kate is determined to hold fast to her independence and her career and challenges Dix at every step. As Dix and Katherine get to know one another, their passion for each other takes over and grows and becomes something much more wonderful.
I really enjoyed Katherine and Dix’s story….Dix is so patient and respectful of Katherine and her needs…he’s a perfect hero! Katherine is strong-willed, independent and determined to make something of herself and I loved her tenacity. The history strewn within this book is just amazing. For example, the Black Seminoles! Wowww…had no idea there were black escaped slaves who intermarried with some Native American tribes and had their own race! This fact just totally blew my mind but it makes total sense in the course of nature for this to happen! Where could escaped slaves go?! Human instinct is to survive so if a kind tribe took them in as equals why the heck not! I’m just so stunned that these facts are not as widely known….I love being surprised with history because it really does show just how cosmopolitan the world really is! Intermarriage, biracial children etc. etc. have all been done in the past and history really is just repeating itself now! I wish the world would stop fighting over such “trivial” matters such as race, religion, ethnicity because at the end of the day we are all the same underneath with the same wants and needs.
Enough heavy talk, but I thoroughly enjoyed how Beverly Jenkins managed to make me think, surprised me with history AND delivered an awesome historical romance, with just her words! What a talented lady and I’m so happy to have finally read something of hers! Thank-you Ms Jenkins for such an enjoyable time!
Please follow me on my blog :) Review originally posted on Vellum Voyages (www.vellumvoyages.com)
I’m very excited about this review as this was my first Beverly Jenkins! I’ve been meaning to try her for ages and finally it has happened and so glad I read Topaz. About time I read about some coloured characters…it never even crossed my mind coloured heroes and heroines are not featured as prominently within the historical romance genre and I’m so proud Beverly Jenkins has rectified that! Not only is this a fun historical romance, but it is also a history lesson that I’m sure a lot of us are unaware of! Yes, we have all heard about the American Civil War, but what other hardships did the Black population in America face? Read Beverly Jenkins and you are sure to pick up on some fascinating historical titbits!
Dixon (Dix) Wildhorse, a Black Seminole Marshall finds himself offered the hand of Katherine Love by her father to settle his debts with Dix. Disgusted by Bart Love’s offer, yet intrigued by his description of Katherine, as Dix is in the market for an agreeable wife, Dix, agrees to meet her. As they set off to meet the biddable seamstress’s assistant, Bart realises Katherine is missing and her home has been ransacked. Panicking, Bart begs Dixon to help him find his daughter. Suspecting Bart is up to his usual tricks, Dix makes Bart tell him the whole story, where Bart fesses up that Kate really is a newspaper woman and she was planning to expose a Mr Rupert Samuels and his business dealings. Dix and Bart track Kate down to Rupert Samuel’s house and watch from afar as she’s forcefully taken into the dwelling by Rupert’s henchmen. Bart drops another bombshell – Rupert and Katherine are meant to be getting married on the morrow! Bart attempts to reassure Dix that the wedding was a ruse and she wasn’t planning to go through with it, as she was only pretending to be his fiance so that she could expose him! Furious with Bart and his schemes, Dix’s code of honour leaves him with no choice except to see this plan through and rescue Kate from Rupert’s hands.
Giving up hope of not being wedded to Rupert Samuel’s, Katherine Love resigns herself to an unwanted fate until a furious lawman snatches Kate from the altar, rescuing her from her worst nightmare. Kate is ecstatic about her rescue until Dix informs her that her father has sent him to rescue and wed her instead! Marriage isn’t something Kate has wanted as she had no plans to abandon her career to look after some man from the West. Finding herself in another pickle thanks to Bart Love’s deeds, Kate has no choice but to marry Dix to save her father from gaol. Despite her situation, Kate is determined to hold fast to her independence and her career and challenges Dix at every step. As Dix and Katherine get to know one another, their passion for each other takes over and grows and becomes something much more wonderful.
I really enjoyed Katherine and Dix’s story….Dix is so patient and respectful of Katherine and her needs…he’s a perfect hero! Katherine is strong-willed, independent and determined to make something of herself and I loved her tenacity. The history strewn within this book is just amazing. For example, the Black Seminoles! Wowww…had no idea there were black escaped slaves who intermarried with some Native American tribes and had their own race! This fact just totally blew my mind but it makes total sense in the course of nature for this to happen! Where could escaped slaves go?! Human instinct is to survive so if a kind tribe took them in as equals why the heck not! I’m just so stunned that these facts are not as widely known….I love being surprised with history because it really does show just how cosmopolitan the world really is! Intermarriage, biracial children etc. etc. have all been done in the past and history really is just repeating itself now! I wish the world would stop fighting over such “trivial” matters such as race, religion, ethnicity because at the end of the day we are all the same underneath with the same wants and needs.
Enough heavy talk, but I thoroughly enjoyed how Beverly Jenkins managed to make me think, surprised me with history AND delivered an awesome historical romance, with just her words! What a talented lady and I’m so happy to have finally read something of hers! Thank-you Ms Jenkins for such an enjoyable time!
July 16, 2023
This is about Katherine and Dixon. Dix is a Black Seminole Deputy Marshal who gets set up with Katherine as her father offers her up in exchange for not going to jail. Katherine is a newspaper woman who gets herself in a sticky situation at the beginning that Dix gets her out of.
I really liked Katherine and Dix. As always, I learned something new about history which I always enjoy. At times, this story felt slow and the ending was a little rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed this. Loved seeing Katherine fighting for her rights and Dix being so sweet and loving. Also, this felt steamier to me than some of Ms. Bev's other books I've read.
I definitely want to read Blake and Grace's story next!
I really liked Katherine and Dix. As always, I learned something new about history which I always enjoy. At times, this story felt slow and the ending was a little rushed. But overall, I really enjoyed this. Loved seeing Katherine fighting for her rights and Dix being so sweet and loving. Also, this felt steamier to me than some of Ms. Bev's other books I've read.
I definitely want to read Blake and Grace's story next!
November 23, 2021
The story starts off in Chicago in 1884, Kate is an ambitious newspaper reporter on the trail of a railroad stock swindler, who has been selling counterfeit stocks, primarily preying on elderly Blacks. While following who she thinks is guilty, she ends up needing some rescuing and that comes in the form of an arranged marriage due to her father. Kate’s dad stole cows that did not belong to him and sold them, so instead of going to jail her father made a deal with Dixon Wildhorse (the owner of the cows he stole and sold).
Dix is a mustached, Black Seminole deputy Marshall hero. He meets Kate and they marry pretty quickly, at a brothel of all places. Dix is wanting to get back home to Indian Territory where he lives (current day Oklahoma), so right after their wedding they join up with a mail-order-bride wagon train/caravan that’s headed west. We see some familiar characters from Beverly Jenkins’ other books: Grace Atwood (Always and Forever) and Loreli (A Chance at Love). After traveling with the caravan for 40+ days, Dix and Kate leave those ladies behind in Kansas and continue on to their home. Once they arrive to Dix’ home, Kate fits right in with some of the local ladies and less than a week there she gets herself into some trouble by getting arrested with the other women. When the local newspaper man won’t hire her because she’s a woman, Kate starts picketing outside his office and soon other ladies of the town join in and protest other businesses that won’t hire them in town.
I loved the use of topaz in the story: Dix wears a topaz on his Marshall badge and also an earring that were both from his grandfather and have special meaning to him. Kate wears a topaz-color dress at one point and she also has a topaz from her mother that she wears on a necklace. I liked how Kate wrote about their journey to be included in the newspaper. I love the slice of life moments, how headstrong and independent Kate is of a hero, how sweet and caretaking Dix is towards Kate, seeing Kate and the other ladies take one these local businessmen who refuse to see them as equals, and Kate’s use of her lock picks!
Dix is a mustached, Black Seminole deputy Marshall hero. He meets Kate and they marry pretty quickly, at a brothel of all places. Dix is wanting to get back home to Indian Territory where he lives (current day Oklahoma), so right after their wedding they join up with a mail-order-bride wagon train/caravan that’s headed west. We see some familiar characters from Beverly Jenkins’ other books: Grace Atwood (Always and Forever) and Loreli (A Chance at Love). After traveling with the caravan for 40+ days, Dix and Kate leave those ladies behind in Kansas and continue on to their home. Once they arrive to Dix’ home, Kate fits right in with some of the local ladies and less than a week there she gets herself into some trouble by getting arrested with the other women. When the local newspaper man won’t hire her because she’s a woman, Kate starts picketing outside his office and soon other ladies of the town join in and protest other businesses that won’t hire them in town.
I loved the use of topaz in the story: Dix wears a topaz on his Marshall badge and also an earring that were both from his grandfather and have special meaning to him. Kate wears a topaz-color dress at one point and she also has a topaz from her mother that she wears on a necklace. I liked how Kate wrote about their journey to be included in the newspaper. I love the slice of life moments, how headstrong and independent Kate is of a hero, how sweet and caretaking Dix is towards Kate, seeing Kate and the other ladies take one these local businessmen who refuse to see them as equals, and Kate’s use of her lock picks!
July 8, 2023
OMG, how did I wait this long to read this magnificent book?? I do wish I had read it with Always and Forever because part of this book includes events that take place in Always and Forever with the couple in that book (Grace and Jackson, leading mail order brides from Chicago to Kansas and I do remember Katherine and DIxon in that book). But regardless, I adored this book and rereading about that event through a different set of eyes was also fun. This book made me laugh out loud (the bank scene with the women made me howl with laughter) and the ending was bittersweet and then the added epilogue was lovely and poignant and so sweet. Basically, I adored Katherine - a typical Ms. Bev heroine with her headstrong, stubborn, willful attitude and Dixon, implacable and steadfast and willing to do whatever it took to support his wife and make her happy. The villains were villainous and the heroes were heroic and as always, the book was unputdownable and wonderful and I loved it.
CW: on page parental death (and other deaths);
Loved it just as much rereading via audio. Katherine and Dixon’s romance is one for the ages!
CW: on page parental death (and other deaths);
Loved it just as much rereading via audio. Katherine and Dixon’s romance is one for the ages!
Read
September 29, 2021Definitely a standout in my Beverly Jenkins readings. She has a bit of a formula, which is fine, but it's refreshing that this one deviates slightly. It's a marriage of convenience sort of situation and a bit lower drama than many.
March 15, 2025
If Dixon Wildhorse and Katherine Love Wildhorse have no fans, I AM DEAD! These two were such amazingly strong (and sometimes dense😭) characters and I truly loved every minute of their banter and playfulness🥹🫶 I also really enjoyed the side characters as well (shout out to Vera and Grace🙂↕️👏). This book made me feel like I read three different stories all in one, from the fiasco in Chicago, the entire wagon ride to Kansas City, and then settling in Nero😂 It was super fun to read and all of the historical details are so interesting to learn! I really hope Jackson Blake has his own book😭
August 21, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 because Beverly Jenkins named her hero Dix Wildhorse. Possibly my favorite HR Hero name to date!
I had previously read a YA Historical Romance by Beverly Jenkins which I really enjoyed, so I was eager to check out the "real thing" so to speak by reading one of her adult HRs. It didn't blow me away, but I still thought it was a pretty good story.
This book opens in 1884 Chicago. Our heroine is Katherine Love, a 28-year-old big city newspaperwoman working undercover to expose the malicious illegal dealings of a powerful Chicago man, Rupert Samuels. However in the course of her undercover investigation, Katherine allowed Rupert to actually fall in love with and become engaged to her undercover alter-ego. Katherine's cover is eventually blown, and she finds herself unable to escape the impending marriage to Rupert. Enter our hero, Dix Wildhorse, a Black Seminole marshal. He has come to Chicago on the hunt for Katherine's petty swindler father, Bart, who scammed Dix out of a herd of cattle. Bart offers Katherine's hand in marriage as a repayment of his debt, which Dix accepts. Dix rescues Katherine from the altar, and the two tentatively agree to an arranged marriage. Together they start the journey back to Dix's hometown in Indian Territory, all the while being pursued by Rupert and his henchmen.
The strongest part of this book for me was definitely the romance. Dix and Katherine's relationship felt so natural. Both start off the viewing the marriage as basically a business arrangement; Dix feels that he is overdue for sons and that when it comes to a wife basically any woman will do, and Kate views the marriage as a temporary inconvenience that will keep her father out of jail. Obviously their feelings develop into more, but their romance had a very satisfying, slow-burn, natural progression. I was particularly touched Dix's character progression, where he goes from seeing all women as basically the same, to someone who really understands and falls in love with the things that make Katherine an individual.
The historical detail was also a strong point in this book. One of my favorite things about reading Beverly Jenkins is that she clearly puts a ton of research into her books, and it's refreshing to read to read a HR where the author can so confidently incorporate historical details into the story.
That said, the plot in this story kind of lost me after a while - hence my 3.5 star rating. The book started off really strong, but once Dix and Katherine reach his hometown I felt that the plot just started to meander, which is one of my pet peeves in HR. I thought the entire story had Hallmark Movie-vibes, for lack of a better term, in the sense that there is the very stereotypical set up that Katherine is the Big City Girl being forced back to her father's hometown by Dix, the Small Town Masculine Hunk. Most of the middle portion of the book consists of Katherine teaming up with a group of like-minded women and starting a crusade to bring more progressive ideas to the rural town. I thought that this was boring, honestly. What's more, after meandering for probably 150 pages, the plot picks up at warp speed and jams a bunch of crazy stuff into the final chapter. I felt like the pacing of the entire book could have been improved.
So although it was not my favorite, I still enjoyed it and I will definitely read more Beverly Jenkins in the future.
I had previously read a YA Historical Romance by Beverly Jenkins which I really enjoyed, so I was eager to check out the "real thing" so to speak by reading one of her adult HRs. It didn't blow me away, but I still thought it was a pretty good story.
This book opens in 1884 Chicago. Our heroine is Katherine Love, a 28-year-old big city newspaperwoman working undercover to expose the malicious illegal dealings of a powerful Chicago man, Rupert Samuels. However in the course of her undercover investigation, Katherine allowed Rupert to actually fall in love with and become engaged to her undercover alter-ego. Katherine's cover is eventually blown, and she finds herself unable to escape the impending marriage to Rupert. Enter our hero, Dix Wildhorse, a Black Seminole marshal. He has come to Chicago on the hunt for Katherine's petty swindler father, Bart, who scammed Dix out of a herd of cattle. Bart offers Katherine's hand in marriage as a repayment of his debt, which Dix accepts. Dix rescues Katherine from the altar, and the two tentatively agree to an arranged marriage. Together they start the journey back to Dix's hometown in Indian Territory, all the while being pursued by Rupert and his henchmen.
The strongest part of this book for me was definitely the romance. Dix and Katherine's relationship felt so natural. Both start off the viewing the marriage as basically a business arrangement; Dix feels that he is overdue for sons and that when it comes to a wife basically any woman will do, and Kate views the marriage as a temporary inconvenience that will keep her father out of jail. Obviously their feelings develop into more, but their romance had a very satisfying, slow-burn, natural progression. I was particularly touched Dix's character progression, where he goes from seeing all women as basically the same, to someone who really understands and falls in love with the things that make Katherine an individual.
The historical detail was also a strong point in this book. One of my favorite things about reading Beverly Jenkins is that she clearly puts a ton of research into her books, and it's refreshing to read to read a HR where the author can so confidently incorporate historical details into the story.
That said, the plot in this story kind of lost me after a while - hence my 3.5 star rating. The book started off really strong, but once Dix and Katherine reach his hometown I felt that the plot just started to meander, which is one of my pet peeves in HR. I thought the entire story had Hallmark Movie-vibes, for lack of a better term, in the sense that there is the very stereotypical set up that Katherine is the Big City Girl being forced back to her father's hometown by Dix, the Small Town Masculine Hunk. Most of the middle portion of the book consists of Katherine teaming up with a group of like-minded women and starting a crusade to bring more progressive ideas to the rural town. I thought that this was boring, honestly. What's more, after meandering for probably 150 pages, the plot picks up at warp speed and jams a bunch of crazy stuff into the final chapter. I felt like the pacing of the entire book could have been improved.
So although it was not my favorite, I still enjoyed it and I will definitely read more Beverly Jenkins in the future.
July 23, 2020
And I still thoroughly love this adorable love story.
April 8, 2022
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. It was a touch confusing at the start, as there were references to Philly and Chicago - perhaps an editing issue. The latter half of the novel, in particular, reminded me of the author’s Blessings series, as it involved some colorful townsfolk coming together to support each other. There is still some dated language, but I enjoyed her main and side characters. And as always, the history was fascinating! Worth reading! 4 stars
March 22, 2016
After going through a Beverly Jenkins mini-marathon back in February, I decided I needed to eventually read more of her stuff. I heard Topaz was wonderful, so I decided to make this my sixth book by this author. I'm quite glad I did so.
The story followed Katherine, a newspaperwoman, and Dixon, a US Marshal. Katherine was fiercely independent in a time when women weren't really accepted as being such. Dixon, meanwhile, was making a career for himself when it was still hard for black men, let alone black Seminole men, to do so. I just really loved both of these characters' determination to follow their callings in life.
This story was a romance, so of course it was about these two falling in love. They did get off to a rough start, when Katherine's father pretty much gave her away. So they had a bit of arranged marriage going on, which I cannot resist. Add that to the stubborn heroine who'd made up her mind to do things her own way, and I was all set to love this story.
Another thing I really appreciated about this book was the setting. Granted, as they start off on a wagon train, the place does change throughout the novel. But the main setting I mean is Indian Territory. I love westerns, and to have this one be set amidst the Native Americans fighting for a home and land...I loved it. There was all that going on, mixed with women trying to teach men to value them as more than just mothers and wives.
Overall, this book was definitely good. It didn't quite match up to Indigo, but still. I liked the setting and main characters. The romance grew in a very believable manner, and I loved how much Dixon and Katherine respected each other. The way Beverly Jenkins handles misunderstandings is really great, because she makes you understand it from both sides, and you never really get mad at anyone. All this is to say, I definitely recommend this to people who love western historical romances that don't focus on white pioneers.
The story followed Katherine, a newspaperwoman, and Dixon, a US Marshal. Katherine was fiercely independent in a time when women weren't really accepted as being such. Dixon, meanwhile, was making a career for himself when it was still hard for black men, let alone black Seminole men, to do so. I just really loved both of these characters' determination to follow their callings in life.
This story was a romance, so of course it was about these two falling in love. They did get off to a rough start, when Katherine's father pretty much gave her away. So they had a bit of arranged marriage going on, which I cannot resist. Add that to the stubborn heroine who'd made up her mind to do things her own way, and I was all set to love this story.
Another thing I really appreciated about this book was the setting. Granted, as they start off on a wagon train, the place does change throughout the novel. But the main setting I mean is Indian Territory. I love westerns, and to have this one be set amidst the Native Americans fighting for a home and land...I loved it. There was all that going on, mixed with women trying to teach men to value them as more than just mothers and wives.
Overall, this book was definitely good. It didn't quite match up to Indigo, but still. I liked the setting and main characters. The romance grew in a very believable manner, and I loved how much Dixon and Katherine respected each other. The way Beverly Jenkins handles misunderstandings is really great, because she makes you understand it from both sides, and you never really get mad at anyone. All this is to say, I definitely recommend this to people who love western historical romances that don't focus on white pioneers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews