In 1825, upon becoming the Mistress of a large, prosperous New Orleans plantation, Miranda Croteau soon struggles with the divide between her marriage and her Christian faith when she discovers a dark, dangerous secret her new husband is hiding.
In 1825, New Orleans plantation life is flourishing when Miranda Croteau marries Morgan Hightower and moves to Hightower Plantation, where she quickly and efficiently begins her new life as mistress of the largest plantation in the state.
Although she was born and raised in the south with slavery a normal, legal and accepted part of life, Miranda’s conscience and compassion always caused her to question the rational purpose and morality of slavery. Then after only a few months of marriage she learns of her husband’s involvement in illegal slave matters and begins to feel her loyalties divide between her marriage, their traditional southern ways, and her Christian principles.
Eventually her husband's actions cause her life, the life of her unborn child, and that of her personal slave, Megie, to be threatened and she calls upon the help of her brother, Jake, hoping God will somehow lead her to make the right choices and back to the arms of the only man she’s ever loved.
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Reviews for "Shattered Loyalties"
Reviewed by Laura H.
10/4/2019
The reader perceives they are starting a book about a society girl and her life of fun but in reality the author takes readers on quite a journey.
Using large print makes this an easy-to-read book. Also the chapter breaks are appropriate and make it easy to follow the story line.
The author's use of a plantation owner's wife explaining her daily interactions--gives a dimension to the story that is quite interesting while sad at the same time. This woman never loses sight of what is right in a time when that was difficult to hold on to.
The struggle some of the characters face in maintaining their humanity amid a culture steeped in a turbulent social issue, is remarkable.
By showing readers the complexity of the intersecting issues, readers are challenged to formulate and understand their own convictions as they relate to them.
This publication will better help readers to see the injustice perpetrated against one whole segment of society and the evil it inflicts on others' minds and actions.
Thank you to the author for taking the time to get this publication to print.
I received a complimentary copy of this book.
Slave Owner Daughter and Wife Acts Against Southern Tradition!
Miranda may have been a southern woman and lived on a farm with slaves, she had begun to form her own opinions early from her own conscience, or perhaps God's teachings, and her compassion, not accepting that people had a right to own other people. Fortunately, her father had adjusted to his own opinions and his workers were quite happy staying on the plantation.
Megie, who have been "given" to her when younger, now was a dear friend who helped her, rather than a personal slave... And now as they were both getting older, Miranda was happy to have met a young man for whom she had strong feelings which were returned. Her younger sister was not so lucky, as she was asked to marry, via her parents who gave permission, and then wasn't quite sure she even loved him... Yes, arranged marriages apparently was alive and well in the south at that time...
Miranda was soon married to the owner of another plantation, a larger one where she would become mistress... and Megie came with her, thankfully, because soon she would need a friend to help her as the confusion and suspicion started...
First, she had overheard just a small part of a discussion among her husband, his father and their lawyer. She had heard a woman's name...and her father-in-law was recommending that they get rid of her! Morgan seemed to be leaving for business much more often and longer than he had and Miranda feared he was having an affair. She was so confused that even when she became pregnant, she did not share it with him...
While Morgan was gone, though, Miranda had done much to improve and share the lives of the slaves at the plantation. She began to help the woman who took care of illnesses and other physical issues of the people... She had hats ordered for all of them so that they would be more protected from the hot sun beating down on them in the fields... And she also spoke up when the man in charge of productivity used a whip... and then much worse...
But when Megie fell in love with a new slave and wanted to marry, Miranda was very disappointed when Morgan would not allow it... Disappointing her best friend, Megie, and also not understanding Morgan's reasoning for not approving, pulled Miranda even further into a state of anxiety...
And finding out the truth that the woman's name was actually the name of a ship...a slave ship...didn't help! Her husband was illegally involved in bringing in more slaves!
And as things moved rapidly toward a climatic ending, Miranda sought information on the nearest location to find an Underground Railroad for escape...and Miranda told Megie and her husband, who had been married by "stepping over the broom..." to get ready because she was going with them!
I've always had feelings much like the author...that God never intended man to be owned by another man...and, even today, treated by some with hate and disdain... I think it is important that books such as this be written by White people to show that so many of us still care and hurt for how God's children was and can be treated through prejudice.
Although there are some proofreading issues, they did not detract from the wonderful story that is being shared by Karen Chalfant. I met Karen through her book, Deep in Time. Do check out my review of that book, which made me decide that I wanted to read another by this warm, sensitive author. I'm not sure whether they are listed as Christian books, but they certainly share His love in her stories... Highly recommended.
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Reviewed by E Harris
6/1/2018
Miranda Croteau is a child of privilege, having been born to wealthy Louisiana plantation owners. Shattered Loyalties, a novel by Karen Chalfant, opens in 1825 and Miranda is soon to become the wife of the man she loves, Morgan Hightower who is a plantation and slave owner. She is no stranger to slavery, but she quietly grapples with its realities. Once married she uncovers her husband's secrets and she is faced with her own loyalty dilemmas when her personal slave is threatened.
The author brings to readers a story that transports us back to a time filled with troubling issues. Even though Miranda understands her place and limitations in her marriage, she does not relinquish her strong sense of right and wrong. She understands loyalty, remains compassionate and will protect those she loves even at great personal risk. She proves she is a remarkable woman. The pace builds slowly with narrative twists which lead to an exciting conclusion.
I found this to be a well written and emotionally stirring novel. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Reviewed by Amy Campbell
5/31/2018
I was not sure how I would like Shattered Loyalties at first. It is a perfect reason why a reader should give indie authors a try. I. Loved. This. Book. I loved Miranda right from the start and loved her relationship with Megie. I thought the author did a fantastic job writing about the times in the early 1800s.
I would give Shattered Loyalties 100 stars if I could. A wonderful short and clean historical. Highly recommended.
I received this book from the author, but was not required to write a review. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
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