Civil War Era Romance Series by Suellen Ocean

In an act of kindness (and to alleviate guilt over her family’s role in slavery) Amanda Roberts became the benefactor of Promise Land, a school and orphanage for black children. Not afraid to confront Klansmen who fight against the school, and engaged to a local plantation owner, she finds herself falling in love with the school’s administrator, a black man from the East, Noah Jackson. Faced with condemnation from the start, their steamy liaison is more than she’d bargained for... moreIn an act of kindness (and to alleviate guilt over her family’s role in slavery) Amanda Roberts became the benefactor of Promise Land, a school and orphanage for black children. Not afraid to confront Klansmen who fight against the school, and engaged to a local plantation owner, she finds herself falling in love with the school’s administrator, a black man from the East, Noah Jackson. Faced with condemnation from the start, their steamy liaison is more than she’d bargained for. Why should she, a white heiress from a prominent Southern family, risk so much? That kind of love was too painful. And then there was Rita, the demented former slave of the Roberts, who pointed to Amanda and her sister Ginger and told them… "Don’t tell master I told you but you are the blood of a slave." less

Two brothers, Isaac and Levi, fighting for opposite sides during the Civil War, and their sister Sarah, have contrary views about how Kentucky's post-war days should take shape. Levi wants to send for his nurse Prudence, a beautiful fair-skinned mulatto who saved his life and captured his heart. Isaac is opposed, believing that it’s wrong for a white man to marry a black woman. He fought a war to prevent that. Sarah, comfortable with tradition, would rather her brother not get involved... moreTwo brothers, Isaac and Levi, fighting for opposite sides during the Civil War, and their sister Sarah, have contrary views about how Kentucky's post-war days should take shape. Levi wants to send for his nurse Prudence, a beautiful fair-skinned mulatto who saved his life and captured his heart. Isaac is opposed, believing that it’s wrong for a white man to marry a black woman. He fought a war to prevent that. Sarah, comfortable with tradition, would rather her brother not get involved. It feels terribly wrong, until she meets Pru's handsome almost-white brother Thomas, who moves into the house across the street. Sarah’s distraction inflames her beau Ben. She must navigate the era's Victorian rules and adjust to her newly discovered feelings while she ponders whether her love is impropriety or something disguised like it. Changing morals pose questions for the small town of Darrington, Kentucky and for the lively young residents who live along the peaceful tree-lined street known as Dandelion Lane. less

After a war injury, Andre Talouse reunites with his estranged father, whose unorthodox tastes leaves him battling his own inner demons. When Hope, the daughter of a neighboring plantation owner and widow of a rebel soldier, pays Talouse plantation a visit, Andre cannot resist pursuing her. As she grows to know Andre, she finds that, like all men, he has weaknesses. One is Ruby, whose beauty is unmatched by the rose garden she tends to at Talouse... moreAfter a war injury, Andre Talouse reunites with his estranged father, whose unorthodox tastes leaves him battling his own inner demons. When Hope, the daughter of a neighboring plantation owner and widow of a rebel soldier, pays Talouse plantation a visit, Andre cannot resist pursuing her. As she grows to know Andre, she finds that, like all men, he has weaknesses. One is Ruby, whose beauty is unmatched by the rose garden she tends to at Talouse. With the war over and Reconstruction begun, all of Montclair parish struggles to make new lives for themselves. Slaves are now servants. Masters are now employers. Negros are supposed to be free. Does that include free to love anyone who captures their heart? Southern customs are important but Hope Wakefield is tired of grieving. But really… is the red dress too suggestive? less

Carolina surveyed her life from the sanctity of her home. Everywhere she looked, the world had changed and now that she was twenty-four, humanity beckoned for her to participate. The war was over and Reconstruction had begun. But she could not step foot into adult society as she was. Nor could she present her true self, for fear that she would be ostracized. Her family’s Negro heritage was generations ago but bigotry still thrived, dangerously, even in the abolitionist city of Philadelphia... moreCarolina surveyed her life from the sanctity of her home. Everywhere she looked, the world had changed and now that she was twenty-four, humanity beckoned for her to participate. The war was over and Reconstruction had begun. But she could not step foot into adult society as she was. Nor could she present her true self, for fear that she would be ostracized. Her family’s Negro heritage was generations ago but bigotry still thrived, dangerously, even in the abolitionist city of Philadelphia. Was her nanny right that she should embrace life and live with her secret? Was it honorable to not tell? When a letter arrived, these questions demanded an answer. She had to either bury the truth or set the world straight and reveal who she truly was. Little did she know that love would play such an important role in her decision. less