A Saga of Slavery and Deliverance (The Plantation Series Book 1)

I honestly almost didn't continue reading this novel because I had a hard time understanding the Cajun way of speaking. I am now glad I hung in there because the story was amazing. Highly recommend.

Always & Forever: A Saga about Slavery and Deliverance is book one of the Plantation series by Gretchen Craig. It is a fantastic depiction of family life of the Tassin family from 1823-1840. The setting is the Toulouse Plantation on the bayous of Old Louisiana and New Orleans. Two girls grow up as close as sisters but with the bonds of mistress and slave fall in love with the same man. It is the story of secrets and betrayals.
Things began to change the day Bibi and Cleo were sold to pay Papa’s gambling debts. Josie Tassin cried and tried to physically pull them out of the wagon. She begged for Maman and Grand-mere to help. At six, she did not understand why her nurse and playmate were in the wagon to be sold. Papa rode up just as the wagon was starting off; but he was unable to get them out of the wagon as they had already been sold. In a rage, he ran to Maman’s room and rummaged for her jewelry box. Unable to open it, he broke it open spilling jewels across the floor. He took the pearls he had given Maman on their wedding and left. Later, he returned with Bibi and Cleo. Josie was happy, her nurse and playmate were back. Maman was not happy. She grew quieter and meaner towards Bibi and Cleo. Papa, seeing the situation was getting worse, gave Cleo to Josie. He told her it was her responsibility now to always protect Cleo. Later when she was seven, this promise grew to include Thibault, Cleo’s little brother. Although life continued on the plantation, things were never the same.
At nine, Josie was to receive lessons on deportment, playing the piano, dancing, and conversations as well as math and reading. As her best friend, Cleo sat in on all of these lessons as befitted a slave. After the lessons, Josie and Cleo would practice together. However, Josie never taught Cleo to read as that was against the law. Cleo, however, picked it up along with Josie. The girls remained as close as circumstances allowed.
Will they remain close? What secrets are hidden on the plantation that could cause a rift between them? Will Josie be able to keep her promise to Papa and Cleo?

Always and Forever shows the complex relationships between slaves and owners before the Civil War. Although it is known that many slave owners had relations with their slaves, this is the first book where the relationship was based on love and not on the sexual cravings of the owners. I liked that fact that the description of the book on Amanzon said that a slave and her owner loved the same man, but I didn't know for sure which man that was until it was actually described. I like that because knowing from the beginning often ruins the plot.
The only criticism I have is that on certain parts, Craig went into a bit too much detail. (This does not mean it got too graphic, but the details were either repeated or over-done.)
However, over all this is an excellent novel. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

This is a touching story about the love between siblings whose father is a plantation owner but whose mothers are the plantation owners wife and his slave mistress. Life is okay when they are children but when they get to their late teenage years many tragedies happen and they are left unprotected. The sisters struggle to find husbands but their search is interrupted after the realization that the plantation is about to go bankrupt. The free daughter who has become the mistress of the plantation, searches for ways to pay off the huge debts. In the process, she is forced to go to New Orleans and make and sell pies on the water front. Her experiences there open her eyes to the true meaning of life and love. I couldn't put this book down.

I really loved this historical novel. It was amazing how well the author was able to take me back into the deep south during the pre Civil War era. Her characters wove such an intricate story, that I felt like they were part of my own family! My hopes for Josie and Cleo broke my heart in this novel. It's hard not to find anger rising at the ways of the past, and I just wanted my little Josie to have a Happy Ever After. Although this book is a part of a series, each novel in the series can be considered a stand alone... so no cliffhangers. Great Book. Great Series

I listened to the audiobook. I enjoyed the story and the characters. It was kinda hard to understand some words because of the accent used. But I did like Cleo and Josie's relationship. Not sure what the 2nd book is supposed to be about though. Might try it anyway.

Book # 1 in Ms. Craig's, ALWAYS & FOREVER series, is a very good representation of life as it was in Louisiana pre-Civial War. Creoles, Arcadian's, Cajan (there is a difference between them), Free-Colored, and American and Slavery and plantation life - all different walks of life in Louisiana play apart in these characters lives. The characters and the time period came to life for me and since I have visited a lot of the plantations on Plantation Row along the Mississippi, it helped this book come alive for me!

Always and Forever is about two sisters: one whose mother is a slave and the other whose mother is the plantation owner's wife. The book starts in 1823 Louisiana and travels through a generation of family life.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book. The author remains true to the period's language and is rich in detail. Always and Forever is a story about America and the history that shaped us.

The characters are flawed, some of them with major deficiencies, which make them real. The heroines' character arcs are believable and I loved them for being true to their core values.

If you enjoy historical novels, you will enjoy Always and Forever. I give it my highest ranking. The best book I've read this year.

Sarah Gross

New England reader

I loved reading about the New Orleans south and slave culture; made me realize America's history is so diverse, as I had been reading about Appalachia, another different part of America's diversity.

I loved all the characters and story so much that I went on to read the next 2 books, with one more to go. Just read it! You'll see what I mean.

I do believe Gretchen Craig was a Louisiana southern belle in a previous life.
As a born and bred Louisianian I'm telling you she has truly captured our magic and transferred it straight to the pages of this novel.
I am so excited by a writer doing our state so proud.
On to the next novel in this series. I can't wait to continue this saga.
Excellent...excellent...excellent!

This novel introduces you to the plantations in Louisiana, it's a great read, with well defined characters, their surroundings, life for the masters and their slaves. Some good times and when bad things happen, what happens to the wealthy when hard times come along. How did they survive? It's a wonderful novel ,fast pace with lot of detail. I enjoyed it

This is our history,

I found Always and Forever an engrossing read, one that skillfully portrays the things - race, money, love -- that connect and divide the characters in this vivid era and locale. We see how two women with the same father but different mothers and skin colors can grow up in the same home, yet are separated by the inequality of their birth. Yet neither finds the path to true love easy. The setting, 1830s Louisiana, is seamlessly interwoven so that it doesn't shout "research!" but rather the flavor and color of that time and place. This is the first story I've read in the antebellum Louisiana setting, and I found Craig's descriptions and plotting made me want to read more stories in this period.

The two main characters, Josie and Cleo, are subtly held in contrast to each other. Cleo's story of her struggle to survive the life forced upon her and still find love is especially gripping, and Josie's journey to overcome her privileged birth to become a mature and responsible woman keeps you interested throughout. Both have their own compelling love stories which are separate and yet interwoven. I found myself rooting not only for each in their individual stories, but for the two women to eventually find their friendship again, just as when they were young girls.

This is Ms. Craig's debut novel, and I'll be eagerly looking for more from her in the future.

Powerful, beautiful, well written southern historical romance! Each character is so unique and easy to love or despise. Although fictionalized, these trials and severe hardships are part of our early civilization and this book took me there and allowed me to get involved with each person and situation, good or bad. It was such a magnificent journey. Thank you Ms. Craig.

I found Always and Forever an engrossing read, one that skillfully portrays the things - race, money, love -- that connect and divide the characters in this vivid era and locale. We see how two women with the same father but different mothers and skin colors can grow up in the same home, yet are separated by the inequality of their birth. Yet neither finds the path to true love easy. The setting, 1830s Louisiana, is seamlessly interwoven so that it doesn't shout "research!" but rather the flavor and color of that time and place. This is the first story I've read in the antebellum Louisiana setting, and I found Craig's descriptions and plotting made me want to read more stories in this period.

The two main characters, Josie and Cleo, are subtly held in contrast to each other. Cleo's story of her struggle to survive the life forced upon her and still find love is especially gripping, and Josie's journey to overcome her privileged birth to become a mature and responsible woman keeps you interested throughout. Both have their own compelling love stories which are separate and yet interwoven. I found myself rooting not only for each in their individual stories, but for the two women to eventually find their friendship again, just as when they were young girls.

This is Ms. Craig's debut novel, and I'll be eagerly looking for more from her in the future.

Powerful, beautiful, well written southern historical romance! Each character is so unique and easy to love or despise. Although fictionalized, these trials and severe hardships are part of our early civilization and this book took me there and allowed me to get involved with each person and situation, good or bad. It was such a magnificent journey. Thank you Ms. Craig.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER is an ambitious novel by author Grethen Craig that touches on all of the sensitive issues that avid readers love: history, romance, betrayal and emotions that make the characters real. Both Josie and Cleo jump from the page, take your hand and lead you into the lives they live that bring love and all of the trappings that accompany it.

Having met Gretchen Craig at a book signing in Jackson, MS, I can say that she is a warm individual that gives her all to her audience through her characters. What more can you ask for in a talented author?

Always and Forever reminds me of Gone With the Wind because of the depth of the story's characters and its trueness to the time period. The people in the story are believable, with enough imperfections to make me relate to their humanness. The heroine begins as a shallow and selfish girl, and I watched her develop into a woman I both loved and admired.

I've read so many disappointing historical romances lately that I was about to give up the whole genre, but Grechen Craig has restored my faith.

Tops marks for this one, it's a MUST READ!

I bought this book at a booksigning that Ms. Craig was at awhile back. I loved this book! I'm kicking myself for not reading it sooner. It is a wonderful tale that encompasses the lives of Josie and Cleo and their life on the plantation. I felt as if I was right there with them as they matured into women. Great job! I'm off to read the next book which I also picked up at the booksigning. Keep them coming, Ms. Craig!

Having lived in New Orleans, I really enjoyed this story. I was very aware of the horrible was some of the slaves were treated, but also of the kind of most of the plantation owners. Many of the Cajun and Creole peoples mixed and hence gave us our wonderful and varied history.

I loved it although the storyline seemed to drag on a bit longer than I think it should have once I got into it I couldn't stop reading it. Love truly does conquer all barriers of race, gender or social status & this story was a great example of that. I'm off to read part 2....

This book had my attention from the start and never let go; I read it every chance I got and missed a bit of sleep as a result! The storyline was both sweet and heartbreaking, with cultural insight packed in every nook and cranny.

This book rivaled my favorite book, The Kitchen House, plus it is a series. I highly recommend, and have a few friends who already purchased it. Will definitely recommend to a book club. I cannot wait to finish the second book in the series!

Always & Forever kept my attention, and I'm not a fan of romance literature. I appreciated the energy and time spent authenticating the Louisiana bayou, plantation and city environments through dialect, dialogue, background (character development) and scenery. As soon as I read the last line of A&F, I immediately launched into book two, needing to know what was happening with my characters. Incidentally, I wanted to know about ALL the characters...black and white, each character lived a convincing existence in the book. Each character appeared well thought out, each one was particularly dense, some even complicated. I'm looking forward to more experiences with these people.

Well written historical fiction. If you love the South you can feel the emotion of the characters which are heightened by the humidity,floods. Life in New Orleans is tied to the storms. Ms.
Craig captured the intensity of the times,the people,the culture when combined with the love of the land and Creole culture. An entertaining read!

Gretchen Craig's debut novel ALWAYS AND FOREVER receives a standing ovation from me! I absolutely loved it. It's a novel rich in compelling characters, beautifully described landscapes and enough drama to keep you reading until the end.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER tells the unforgettable story of Josie and Cleo. Josie is the plantation owner's daughter, and Cleo is her slave. However, as Josie finds out later, Cleo is really her sister and the life that she has known is going to take a very tragic turn. Despite the hardship and losses in Josie's life, Cleo also has obstacles to overcome, as well. In the end, it's the bond of family that helps them to survive.

Miss Craig pulls you into the lives of Josie and Cleo and the people all around them. She writes each character with great detail until you feel like you know them personally. I felt like crying with Cleo when the flood hit and giddy when Josie was falling in love. There's nothing better than having an author transport you to another place and time. That time would be 1830's Louisiana. For Josie and Cleo, it was a time of growing up and trying to survive whatever life threw at them. Neither of them could ever imagine that it would be the love of one man that would turn their lives upside down.

I would definitely recommend reading Gretchen Craig's ALWAYS AND FOREVER.

This book has great detail and wonderfully believable characters. I am so glad this is one book in a trilogy because I can't wait to read the next one. If you enjoy historical fiction don't miss this one.

ALWAYS AND FOREVER PORTRAYED A REALISTIC SCENARIOS OF HOW ETHNIC FAMILY TIES AND FRIENDSHIPS COULD BECOME BREACHED, TORN, AND FORGED THROUGH THE RAW NEED TO SURVIVE AND FIND LOVE THROUGH IT ALL...THE GOOD AND BAD. EVEN DURING THE ILLS OF SLAVERY A LOVE SONG IS INSPIRED...

I got caught up in the humidity of 1800s Louisiana, the tensions of Cleo's life split between the big house and slave quarters, and Josie's struggles to become an adult with the difficult models of her mother and grandmother looming around her.

Craig's use of language let me discover the distinctions between Creole, Cajun, Yankee, and Southern slave. Each character's voice is as unique as her/his personality.

The plot kept me reading--up late to finish it--because I wanted to know what would become of Josie, Cleo, and the men in their lives. I like that the ending is not a universally happy one: the time period, the constraints of lives in a society bounded by rules and served by slavery, and the choices of the characters made for a satisfying ending. My satisfaction comes from Craig's ability to leave some of the social and personal issues of the novel unresolved enough to feel the tension between historical romance genre expectations and my own experiences of life.

I enjoyed this book so much I've passed it on to friends and family to read!

A very powerful novel about New Orleans' struggle with slavery before the Civil War. I could not put the book down. I am now on the third book in the series. I will definitely read all four books in the series.

Set against the backdrop of mid-1800s Louisiana plantation life, Always and Forever tells the story of two very different sisters. One, Josephine 'Josie,' is the legitimate child and heir to her Creole family's estate. The other, Cleo, is a slave. Playmates and constant companions from a young age, the two are extremely close. Yet for all the strength of this connection, their respective positions in society form a barrier between the two that may never be truly breached. As Josie grows older and more aware of the situation, their relationship becomes more complex and strained. Josie and Cleo must each learn to deal with love, jealousy, betrayal, death, and the harsh realities of their lives. Can either sister find happiness despite the many tragedies and hardships?

Always and Forever is a lush and sweeping tale. Ms. Craig truly captures the feel of southern Louisiana in the 1800s. With its very rich and grand style, I was quickly engrossed with the story and its numerous bold and well-developed characters. However, I was ultimately disappointed. For such an epic tale, there was little I considered romantic. I never felt like either sister found true love, rather they found the best they could given their circumstances. Where was the grand passion? Where was the love? Cleo's story especially upset me. Although it was likely historically accurate, it felt stereotypical, sad, and almost insulting given the strength of her character. Cleo deserved more. How she ended up really left a bad taste in my mouth. If you are looking for a powerful, but tragic historical story, Always and Forever might be for you. For me, it didn't quite hit the note I look for in a romance.

Cheryl

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Very interesting and fast-pased. Romance, a rememberance of another period in time remembered, and the horror of loss of loved ones in war. Very interesting and believeable characters. The story bounces beween current time New York to England during WWII. I like this author. I have read several of her books.

"Always and Forever" captured me from the very beginning, transporting me to another place and time. I could almost feel the heavy humid air of Southern Louisiana and smell the odors so familiar to that river region. The characters were distinct and believable. They became real to me as I read and I found myself emotionally involved with Josie and Cleo and intrigued by a wonderful array of supporting characters. The action and tension kept me turning pages late into the wee hours. The love story was thick with both heartbreak and elation. I highly recommend this book and look forward with great anticipation to this author's next book.

I love to read about the old south and particularly about New Orleans. Always and forever is a well written thoroughly researched novel. Congratulations to Gretchen Craig. She has won another avid reader of historical fiction. Thank you so much!