In 1858 Natchez, Mississippi, Lily Anderson is determined to thwart a marriage of convenience. She embarks on a riverboat venture to keep her and her two sisters afloat financially. But gambler Blake Matthews has won part ownership of lily's riverboat. How will their business profit if he and the feisty Mississippi miss disagree about almost everything? The affluent jean Luc Champney will do anything to get back what he lost in a card game, including wooing and endangering the pretty new owner. Will the siren song of the river evolve into a serenade or a somber lament?
Cruise down the Mississippi with Natchez belle Lily Anderson. Needing to provide for herself and her sisters, Lily is desperately trying to make a go of a riverboat venture with co-owner Blake Matthews. But they fail to find anything to agree upon. Blake is enamored of the feisty Lily. Attempts to woo her may be lost to the devious Jean Luc Champney. Will the siren song of the river evolve into a serenade or a somber lament?
Author Bio
Diane T. Ashley, a “town girl” born and raised in Mississippi, has worked more than twenty years for the House of Representatives. She rediscovered a thirst for writing, was led to a class taught by Aaron McCarver, and became a founding member of the Bards of Faith.
Aaron McCarver is a transplanted Mississippian who was raised in the mountains near Dunlap, Tennessee. He loves his jobs of teaching at Belhaven University and editing for Barbour Publishing and Summerside Press. A member of ACFW, he is coauthor with Gilbert Morris of the bestselling series, The Spirit of Appalachia. He now coauthors with Diane Ashley on several historical series.
Publisher's Weekly
The authors (Tennessee Brides series) launch the new series, Song of the River, with a romance set in antebellum Mississippi. In a predictable and sometimes implausible plot, strong-willed 18-year-old Lily Anderson uses her inheritance to purchase a half-share in a riverboat. She, her two sisters, and her slave move on board so Lily can escape the unwanted attentions of a far older and unattractive suitor chosen by her guardians. She is excited to return to the river, even though it took her mothers life and reminds her of the father who abandoned her. Determined, she dreams of running a successful shipping and passenger line. Sparks fly, however, with Blake Matthews, the owner of the other half of the Hattie Belle, who wants to turn the riverboat into a floating gambling palace. Meanwhile, dashing and rich gambler Jean Luc Champney schemes to win Lilys trust and take back the boat that he believes is rightfully his. Thrown in with the romance are some themes about morals, slavery, and forgiveness with issues of faith for the underdeveloped characters to ponder. (June)2012 Reed Business Information