Daughters of a Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology by Lena Hart, Piper Huguley, Kianna Alexander, Alyssa Cole on November 1, 2016
Genres: Historical Romance
Pages: 370
Source: Self
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The fight for suffrage was long, hard, and carried out on many fronts.In Daughters of a Nation, a black suffragette historical romance anthology, Kianna Alexander, Alyssa Cole, Lena Hart, and Piper Huguley bring you four novellas full of spirit, hope, and, most importantly: LOVE.
IN THE MORNING SUN by Lena Hart
With the election of 1868 underway, Madeline Asher's mission is clear: educate and enlist the freedmen of Nebraska to vote. But when Union veteran James Blakemore comes back into her life, Madeline must choose either him and the future they've always wanted--or the chance to shape a greater nation.THE WASHERWOMAN'S WAR by Piper Huguley
1881: Mamie Harper, a new teacher at Atlanta Female Baptist Seminary, hears of mistreatment from her washerwomen students and tells them to strike. She re-encounters summer pastor Gabriel Harmon, who has other ideas to help the washerwomen. Will these combatants be able to win in the war of love?A RADIANT SOUL by Kianna Alexander
In 1881, Sarah Webster returns home to Fayetteville, NC for her mother's milestone birthday. Her suffrage work is unknown to her family. Carpenter Owen Markham is intrigued by Sarah, and her father is playing matchmaker. When Owen discovers Sarah's suffrage work, he's not sure a love match can be made.LET US DREAM by Alyssa Cole
Harlem - 1917. Cabaret owner Bertha Hines is focused on women winning the vote, but when ornery chef Amir Chowdhury shows up in her kitchen, he proves to be a delicious distraction. Sparks fly, but between the vice squad and unfair immigration laws, can they hold on to their growing love?
Well after the painful election, I needed a break from nonfiction and what better way than jumping back into romance with some historical romance and a reminder that as bad as you think you have it, times have been worse and people have preserved, so yes this is a romance but I loved how the authors weaved in actual historical figures, events and current attitudes at the time involving women suffrage and women of color suffrage…
I am just saying Susan B Anthony only cared about certain women voting, fact.
The anthology starts off with In The Morning Sun, Lena Hart, one of the two explicit romances in the set. This one may trigger some readers. Both the hero and heroine will have to overcome their PTSD. Contrary to the books description I did not really get the focus on women voters as the heroine’s mission, although the author did tie it to the anthologies theme through the countries politics. The hero was seen primarily as a white male which made it inresting for a black woman during this time.
The Washerwoman’s War, Piper Huguley, I was a little surprised this was one of my favorites. The story focused on a particular blockage to women voting and made for an interesting read truly kept me engaged. We get to see some resolution with this story for the women impacted. One of the sweeter reads, which I enjoyed. The hero and heroine complimented each other, it was funny seeing Mamie fight her not dating a minster rule. A rule I know many women have today…it ain’t easy being a first lady.
A Radiant Soul, Kianna Alexander, This story gives us an intimate look at two couples working towards voting rights, one for women and the other for men. It was interesting seeing the strong heroine Sarah check Owen on why women needed the right to vote now. This was a cute read. Very southern.
Let Us Dream, Alyssa Cole my other favorite. The author touched on history very rarely featured in romance books or historical books about women of color. We see heroine Cabaret owner Bertha standing up for women on the outskirts, those not protected by the law fighting to help them get the right to vote. I just loved her with Amir who faced some of the same issues in his own county being Muslim. But my favorite character was Miss Q! She was in charge of the number runners, oh I would love to see a book featuring her crew.
If you enjoy history, this is a good read with different takes on black women suffrage. I liked how the authors approached their stories from different angles. We have heroines from so called good backgrounds, two parent homes, single mother families, basically raised themselves, who end up in the city, territories or the south and with black or non black heroes. All based around suffrage, the authors also include a bibliography which was cool. There were a few books on the list I had already read and some I will be adding to my nonfiction tbr list.