Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: The Indigo Girl
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.natashaboyd.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: Danish
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: nb2015020149
Descriptive conventions:
rda
LC classification: PS3602.O93257
Personal name heading:
Boyd, Natasha
Beginning date: 20
Associated country:
United States
Field of activity: Authorship
Profession or occupation:
Authors
Found in: Deep blue eternity, 2015: title page (Natasha Boyd) about
the author page (US author)
The indigo girl, 2018: ECIP t.p. (Natasha Boyd)
Amazon website, viewed November 3, 2017: (Natasha Boyd; an
internationally bestselling and award-winning author of
historical fiction and contemporary romantic Southern
fiction; has a background in marketing and public
relations and her debut novel Eversea was a finalist in
the 2013 Winter Rose Contest for Contemporary Romance
and won the 2014 Digital Book Award for Adult Fiction;
her book "Deep Blue Eternity" won a "best book"
Chatelaine Award for Romantic Fiction; member of Romance
Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, Novelists
Inc., and Island Writer's Network in coastal South
Carolina; holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and
lives with her husband and two sons; books have been
translated into Italian, German, French, Turkish and
Indonesian)
Associated language:
eng
================================================================================
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AUTHORITIES
Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20540
Questions? Contact: ils@loc.gov
PERSONAL
Born in Denmark; married; children: two sons.
EDUCATION:Holds a B.S.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Previously, worked in marketing and public relations.
MEMBER:Romance Writers of America, Georgia Romance Writers, Novelists, Inc., Island Writer’s Network.
AWARDS:Digital Book Award for Adult Fiction, 2014, for Eversea.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Natasha Boyd is a Danish writer based in the United States. She earned a degree in psychology and has worked in marketing and public relations.
Eversea and Forever, Jack
Eversea is Boyd’s first novel. Its protagonists are a small-town girl named Keri Ann and a Hollywood celebrity named Jack Eversea. Keri Ann is working at her bar when she is shocked to notice Jack there. She has been following Jack’s career and has developed a crush on him. Keri Ann struggles to tamp down her nerves when she begins interacting with Jack. She eventually learns that Jack has chosen to spend time in her town to get away from the stress of Hollywood. The two become friends, and, eventually, a romance between them develops. Eversea received favorable reviews. “It was light and engaging with a dash of angst, a smattering of serious, and a swoon-worthy hero,” asserted a reviewer on the Aestas Book Blog website. A contributor to the SERIESous Book Reviews website commented: “It has great sexual tension, likeable leads and enough drama to keep the book interesting. While there are some love triangles to be had, they aren’t irritating ones and … they actually contribute to the story in a positive way.”
Jack and Keri Ann return in Forever, Jack. Jack has abandoned Keri Ann to return to Hollywood, and Keri Ann must find normalcy again. However, Jack realizes his love for Keri Ann and returns to her. She must decide if she can trust him again.
The Indigo Girl
In The Indigo Girl, Boyd tells a story based on the life of Eliza Lucas Pinckney. In the book, Eliza takes over her father’s cotton plantation in South Carolina while he serves in the military in the Caribbean. She treats the plantation’s slaves with respect and revolutionizes the family business by developing indigo dyeing techniques. Eliza also finds herself falling for a married man.
Critics offered favorable assessments of The Indigo Girl. Melissa Norstedt, contributor to Booklist, suggested: “Readers will love discovering the amazing story of a virtually unknown girl who changed the course of history.” A Publishers Weekly reviewer described the book as “excellent.” The same reviewer added: “Boyd has crafted a captivating novel of Southern colonial history.” Writing on the New York Journal of Books website, D.R. Meredith commented: “Boyd endows Eliza with a spirited personality and a gritty determination that brings her to life. Boyd’s descriptive narrative is remarkable in that it is both lush as the South Carolina flora, and concise enough to evoke the humid, but semi-tropical climate without resorting to overblown prose. The infrequent anachronistic phrase or word disappears into the overall language that evokes the 18th century without making for a slow pace or difficult reading. The Indigo Girl is an absolutely wonderful read that will even occasionally bring a tear to one’s eye.” A critic on the What Cathy Read Next website remarked: “It’s … an enthralling story full of action, intrigue—even a hint of romance—with an engaging central character. In The Indigo Girl, Eliza emerges as a much more lively individual than the rather formal style of her actual letters would suggest. However, the letters give a hint of the determination and independence of spirit exhibited by the Eliza of the novel.” The same critic described the volume as “engaging, fascinating, well-crafted.” A contributor to the Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews website commented: “This is not a typical romance, so don’t go into this book expecting that. But The Indigo Girl was filled with passion; passion for life, for love and humanity. It was a story filled with guarded intimacy, and forbidden love, a story that reminds you what it is to be human. And this piece of fiction is based on a true story. It was incredibly inspiring.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, September 1, 2017, Melissa Norstedt, review of The Indigo Girl, p. 55.
Publishers Weekly, June 30, 2014, Rachel Deahl, “Indie Author Expands to Germany,” article about author, p. 9; September 4, 2017, review of The Indigo Girl, p. 62.
ONLINE
Aestas Book Blog, http://aestasbookblog.com/ (July 1, 2013), review of Eversea.
Feeding My Addiction Book Reviews, https://feedingmyaddictionbookreviews.com/ (October 3, 2017), review of The Indigo Girl.
Maryse’s Book Blog, https://www.maryse.net/ (March 17, 2016), review of Eversea.
Natasha Boyd Website, http://www.natashaboyd.com (March 19, 2018).
New York Journal of Books, https://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/ (March 6, 2018), D.R. Meredith, review of The Indigo Girl.
SERIESous Book Reviews, http://seriesousbookreviews.com/ (May 1, 2014), review of Eversea.
What Cathy Read Next, https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/ (September 21, 2017), review of The Indigo Girl.
Natasha Boyd is an internationally bestselling and award-winning fiction author. Eversea, her debut novel, was a finalist for Contemporary Romance in the 2013 Winter Rose Contest, won the 2014 Digital Book Award for Adult Fiction and is a LIBRARY JOURNAL self-e selection 2015. She was born in Denmark, and currently lives and writes full-time in the USA. She lives with her husband, two sons and the cast of characters in her head.
Her work is available in English, Italian, Turkish, German, French, and Indonesian.
About
Suggest Edits
CONTACT INFO
http://www.natashaboyd.com
MORE INFO
About
Author.
WINTER ROSE 2013 Finalist, 2014 Digital Book Award Winner. Follow me on BOOKBUB: http://bit.ly/1SGm4gD
My books: http://amzn.to/1KDv570
Awards
2015 Chatelaine Awards Finalist ~ Romantic Fiction (Deep Blue Eternity)
2014 Winner Digital Book Award ~ Adult Fiction (Eversea)
2013 Finalist Winter Rose Contest ~ Contemporary Romance (Eversea)
QUOTED: "Readers will love discovering the amazing story of a virtually unknown girl who changed the course of history."
The Indigo Girl
Melissa Norstedt
Booklist. 114.1 (Sept. 1, 2017): p55.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
* The Indigo Girl. By Natasha Boyd. Oct. 2017.350p. Blackstone, $26.99 (9781455137114).
Based on a true story, The Indigo Girl is an outstanding example of historical fiction. In 1739, 16-year-old Eliza Lucas is left in charge of her family's South Carolina plantations when her father must return abroad. Facing societal pressures and the strict gender roles of colonial times, Eliza tries to live up to expectations while still holding true to herself. She is a unique girl, who speaks her mind and constantly educates herself. Beyond these qualities, Eliza defied the law to teach her family's slaves to read. A young visionary, Eliza resolves to grow indigo: a rare and lucrative crop that she hopes will save her family from debt, if only its unusual growing process can be replicated. Difficulties arise, however, as Eliza deals with her ailing mother's pressure to marry and the unexpected return of her childhood love, who happens to now also be her slave. Through Eliza's strong internal voice and excerpts from actual letters, Boyd effortlessly brings this character to life. Readers will love discovering the amazing story of a virtually unknown girl who changed the course of history. --Melissa Norstedt
YA: Eliza's defiance of the expectations and societal pressures of her era might resonate with teen readers, especially those studying the history of the southern colonies. MN.
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Norstedt, Melissa. "The Indigo Girl." Booklist, 1 Sept. 2017, p. 55. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A509161611/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=7dc0f3f5. Accessed 5 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A509161611
Indie author expands to Germany
Rachel Deahl
Publishers Weekly. 261.26 (June 30, 2014): p9.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2014 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Natasha Boyd, a self-published author who has not signed with a legacy house in the U.S., closed another major international sale. In Germany, Alexandra Panz at Egmont LYX took German translation rights, for six figures at auction, to Boyd's new adult titles, Eversea and Forever Jack, as well as a third, currently untitled, book. Boyd was represented by Elaine Spencer at the Knight Agency, who said she has recently closed another big deal for the author in the U.K. with Headline. Spencer said Eversea is about a "gorgeous but jaded young Hollywood megastar" who, while hiding out in a small coastal town, falls for "an innocent, orphaned waitress."
Deahl, Rachel
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
Deahl, Rachel. "Indie author expands to Germany." Publishers Weekly, 30 June 2014, p. 9. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A373579638/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=dc3cf8c5. Accessed 5 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A373579638
QUOTED: "excellent."
"Boyd has crafted a captivating novel of Southern colonial history."
The Indigo Girl
Publishers Weekly. 264.36 (Sept. 4, 2017): p62.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Indigo Girl
Natasha Boyd. Blackstone, $26.99 (344p)
ISBN 978-1-4551-3711-4
Set on South Carolina's plantations beginning in 1739, this excellent historical novel by Boyd (Eversea) is based on the true story of Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722-1793). Sixteen-year-old Eliza Lucas is charged with running her father's three heavily-mortgaged plantations while he pursues a military career in the Caribbean. He has trained Eliza well in business, agriculture, and plantation management, and she is bright, considerate, and ambitious. Eliza sees the production of indigo dye as the family's financial salvation, but indigo is risky to grow, and dye-making is a valuable but well-kept secret so she must approach her new assignment with caution. Kindhearted Eliza is independent and forward-thinking. She defies the Negro Act of 1740 and teaches her slaves to read, seeks their advice, and banishes the lash. As a marriageable young woman she rejects all suitors and expects to be a spinster, but as the plantation booms and her public stature grows, so does her affection for a married gentleman friend. Add threats of war with Spain and the strict social and cultural codes for Southern women, and Boyd has crafted a captivating novel of Southern colonial history. (Oct.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th Edition)
"The Indigo Girl." Publishers Weekly, 4 Sept. 2017, p. 62. General OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A505468045/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=ITOF&xid=2a5420d7. Accessed 5 Mar. 2018.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A505468045
QUOTED: "It was light and engaging with a dash of angst, a smattering of serious, and a swoon-worthy hero."
Book Review – Eversea (Eversea #1) by Natasha Boyd
July 1, 2013 by Aestas · 5 Comments
Buy EVERSEA (Kindle)
Buy EVERSEA (Paperback)
Total escapism! A fun romance between a Hollywood heartthrob mega-star and a feisty small-town girl.
In her small town of nine thousand people, the last person Keri Ann ever expected to meet was Jack Eversea. THE Jack Eversea. But there he was, in person, the world most famous Hollywood mega-star actor sitting in her bar.
Turns out he was escaping his life, so to speak. Between the drama of a bad public break up and the non-stop spotlight on his life, he just needed a break. An escape.
“Suddenly, my heart started going a mile a minute and I was breathing hard. Jack Eversea was in my house! I willed myself to calm down and catch my breath. He was just a person. A human being. Right? I bent down for a moment and stuck my head between my knees, hoping my blood would circulate normally again.”
I loved that despite the fact that Keri Ann was actually a big fan of his movies, she was able to separate them from him as a person and realize that underneath the whole Hollywood persona was really just this sweet, charming (and maybe even a little lonely) guy.
They hit it off and despite wanting to keep his presence in the town a secret, he trusted her and proposed a trade — he’d help her fix up her house if she’d agree to do things like getting him groceries and supplies (which he couldn’t do without being recognized)… and so began their flirtation-filled friendship.
Meanwhile though, quite literally the whole world was wondering where on earth their top favorite movie star had gone!
But things weren’t that simple. Jack was literally bound by contract to be in a relationship with a high profile movie actress (who he had actually dated in the past).. this was a signed deal, set in stone, no way out. Needless to say, that put more than a little hitch in any potential relationship between him and Keri Ann. There were so many questions that popped up — I mean, it was wonderful that he was in her town now, but he couldn’t stay forever so… what would happen when he went back? Would he get back together with his ex? Would he have to leave soon? Could the spark between them realistically go anywhere?
I think there’s just something thrilling about the idea of a romance with a Hollywood star. But despite that there was a definite undertone of angst because throughout the whole book, you just KNEW that at the end of it, he would have to return to Hollywood and would have to go back to at least pretending to be with another woman.
“What do you want me to say? I’m sorry I’m so fucked up I sold my life, my soul and my future to the devil?”
His hand left mine, and he pressed it palm down in the centre of my chest.
“If I’d know you were in my future, I would have chosen differently.”
Despite this having some more serious elements to it (including Jack’s backstory), there were still some really cute funny moments scattered throughout that kept me smiling for a lot of the book.
“Jack tensed, and puling away from me, turned to the edge of the pool. After several moments of mumbling something that sounded suspiciously like “dead puppies, dead puppies, dead puppies”, he lifted himself out.”
I have to say I really loved that Keri Ann was mostly very up front about her feelings and I really felt for her. I mean, how would YOU feel if the person you were crushing on slash falling for “had” to be in a public relationship with someone else?
But I liked that even though she was a small town girl and he was a big shot movie star, they really went toe-to-toe on everything.
“Did anyone ever tell you how arrogant you are?”
“Not arrogant. Confident. There’s a difference.”
I enjoyed watching them fall for each other despite their situation. The progression of drama felt very natural – nothing that made me ill with worry but at the same time, I did really want everything to get sorted out.
“Do you think it’s normal for people to feel like this,” he motioned between us, “whatever this is that happens when we are in the same room with each other? Maybe you have no idea, but I do. It. Doesn’t. Happen. At least not to me.”
The ending was a cliffhanger. Buuuuut, I knew that going into the book. At least it was more of a “positive” cliffhanger though – the kind where you’re left with the knowledge like it’s all going to work out in the end as opposed to one where everything is blown to hell but still… I need book #2. Like now. Right now. Dammit.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was light and engaging with a dash of angst, a smattering of serious, and a swoon-worthy hero. I liked the characters and the story and while it didn’t pull any huge range of emotions from me, I’m really glad I read it and I’m definitely looking forward to the next one, FOREVER JACK, which will be out on November 30, 2013 🙂
4+ stars
QUOTED: "It has great sexual tension, likeable leads and enough drama to keep the book interesting. While there are some love triangles to be had, they aren’t irritating ones and ... they actually contribute to the story in a positive way."
Series Review: Eversea by Natasha Boyd
May 1, 2014Series ReviewsComments: 2
Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Series: Eversea
There is a spin-off series called Butler Cove.
Author: Natasha Boyd
# of Books: 3 (Eversea; Forever, Jack)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Drama
Heat Rating: getting hot
Point of View: First Person
Thoughts:
I can’t remember how I came across Eversea, but as soon as I read the synopsis I couldn’t get it out of my head. Eventually, I got copies of Eversea and Forever, Jack at the same time so I decided to read them between my library books.
Eversea has everything I like in a good romance novel. It has great sexual tension, likeable leads and enough drama to keep the book interesting. While there are some love triangles to be had, they aren’t irritating ones and I feel like they actually contribute to the story in a positive way–meaning they aren’t there simply for the sake of throwing them in for some unnecessary drama.
Like most books set in the South, Eversea can move slowly at times. But I found that there are some interesting plotlines going on with secondary characters that we get little hints of as we read and they managed to capture my attention so I was never bored per say. It’s ironic that the book seems to move so slowly because everything takes place within a few weeks at the start so it doesn’t feel like a rushed romance even though it is. I think a few more days of them getting to know each other more would help smooth things over all round.
Forever, Jack is book two and the end of Jack and Kari Ann’s story. I really wasn’t sure how this book was going to go but I was expecting a lot of back and forth. Near the end, the constant back and forth got to be a little annoying but I found it hard to be angry because I completely understood Kari Ann’s thoughts and reasons. I would probably be the same way if I was ever in her shoes (ha! I wish) but I wish she was more confident in herself!
Although Goodreads doesn’t show it, on the author’s website she has posted that there will be a third book in the story that will be about Joey and Jazz which is super exciting. I really hope that there are some other companion novels in this series because I really liked all the potential relationships we were introduced to in these two books and would love to see how they play out.
UPDATED: There is a spin-off series called Butler Cove that will feature Jazz and Joey’s story. There novel is called All That Jazz.
Conclusion:
For those readers who have always wanted to read a realistic fiction novel about an everyday girl falling in love with a major celebrity without BDSM and other kinky tastes, this is a great series to pick it up. Those who like mature, New Adult contemporary reads set in the South with a strong heroine and nice-guy hero will really enjoy this series.
Rating: 4/5
Similar Reads: Rumor Has It by Elizabeth Grace (Limelight Series #1)
Book Review – Eversea by Natasha Boyd
by Maryse on March 17, 2016 · 10 comments
in My Book Reviews
Eversea (Eversea #1): A Butler Cove Novel
I backtracked to one of my old TBR lists and finally read this one!! YAY ME!!
It came HIGHLY recommended a few years ago,
Ana: Eversea is lovely, not much steam but just enough and I love the Actor/Famous Rockstars with “normal girl” romances!!
Leene: I really enjoyed Eversea and the sequel. Sweet story, likable characters and the author writes very well!
Michelle: yes I loved Eversea…checked my rating and I gave it 4 stars. The ending is CHish so you kinda need to get the second book to figure out where the story goes.
Cheryl: I loved Eversea and Forever, Jack. Not the level of angst of Thoughtless, but definitely some angst. …Eversea #2 is Forever, Jack and there is also a novella, Mistletoe & Hollywood: An Eversea Series Novella & A Desire Resort Series Novella. Both are good.
Lisa: EVERSEA!!!! One of my absolute favorites!!! Perfect for summer!!!
Julie: OMG you have to read Eversea and Forever,Jack!!!
Jean: Eversea…..I’ve had it on my TBR forever! Sigh….
It’s been on my TBR list forever too, Jean and I had every intention to read it. But you know… rolleyes *squirrel*!! :P
I finally just got to it, ’cause of my sister and my mom! Yep. I posted the series reading order a week or so ago (’cause the spinoff is coming out on Tuesday), and my sister was intrigued. She read it, and flipped out over Jack (although she says in real life she’d still choose Outlander’s “Jamie”)… but Jack did it for her. ;)
Johanne: I’m definitely under Jack Eversea’s spell right now ! …from someone who loves Nathasha Boyd’s books (which I just discovered and enjoy sooo much)…
Johanne: Just finished book 2 of Lori Ann and Jack Eversea… just love it !!! Boy are they ever hot !!! he he he
Maryse: YAY Johanne!!! I MUST read this ASAP. My own sister is hooked!!!
Susan: Which books are these???
Johanne: The books by Natasha Boyd : Eversea & Forever, Jack. Also bought My Star, My Love which is a short story. It’s worth it too to stay with characters.
Susan: Johanne thanks!!
…so my mom saw my sister freaking and snuck-read it without even letting me know!
And then, two days ago, my mom tells me:
Mom: I can’t wait until Jazz comes out!
Me: Jaaaaazzzzzzzzz….??? *I know she doesn’t listen to “jazz” so what Jazz is she speaking of?*
Mom: Jack Eversea… Jazz! Keri’s best friend.
Me: Er… you read that series?? I haven’t even read that series! I didn’t even know who Jazz was. It’s her friend??
Mom: Yeah! Your sister was going on about it, so I had to know what all the fuss was about. So I read all three. They were gooood! You should read ‘em.
Me: confused emoticon Well I will!
Sheeeeeeesh. Thanks for the buddy-read, guys! *snort* :P
So I did. And they were right. Actually… y’all were right! I mean, they weren’t necessarily unputdownable (my mom agrees) but they were so darn fun to read. Lots of heart, and lots of my OWN emotions mixed right in with the bunch of ‘em. It wasn’t that there was anything all that different in this “famous actor falls for normal girl” journey.
It started with the typical surprise “meet-cute” shocker (OMG is that… ?? eekeek), and then the impromptu hangout session:
I had zero excuses to continue hanging out with Jack Eversea. I had to head home. I also had to figure out how to stop referring to him by his full name in my head.
*giggle*
…and then indulged us in the sweetest serenade.
A tentative “trust” between a famous actor trying to stay on the down-low, and the one girl that doesn’t react like his fans do. She’s cool as a cucumber (although she’s shaking inside). But he feels he can trust her, and slowly lets her into why he’s hiding out in her small town.
…you don’t see me as a famous person, but just as a person.”
Surprised, I said quietly, “You are just a person.”
She helps him with his public needs (so he’s not discovered) and he helps her with her home renovation needs (’cause he’s a guy, after all, and he’s done this kind of work before he became a Hollywood heartthrob). It was just two AWESOME people, perfectly matched, becoming friends. And so much more.
The author went everywhere I wanted her to go with this. Excitement at the prospect of meeting a star, right there before your very own eyes! Every girl’s ultimate fantasy. Not just meeting the guy that played the character of your daydreams, but also becoming close to the one that everyone wants to be close to.
If I was honest with myself, it was all I could think about. I just couldn’t work out whether my feelings were about Jack the man or Jack the hot Hollywood actor or more specifically his character Max. I knew in part it wasn’t about Jack the man because, and I couldn’t kid myself about this, I hardly knew him. Part of me had to be projecting my feelings for a nonexistent perfect hero onto him.
Impending drama and angst, due to his own obligations and entourage, (I mean… come on. You totally know where that’s gonna go, once their bubble has to burst… but I LOVED it). Cuddling and steam <— YES YES YES!!! ‘Cause, in their own personal and peaceful bubble, they are just two people, with pasts, and futures and fears, hopes and dreams, after all. And attraction beyond compare. And best of all… hilariousness! As in, her own friend’s reactions to OMG is that…??? eekeek. I turned around. Jazz was standing there, her mouth hanging open wide enough to catch a Frisbee. Sh!t. Tee hee!!! And so many more giggles!! Maryse: OMG I’m giggling so hard at Jazz’s reaction to Keri Ann’s drunk-dial phone rant… here’s a bit of it *snort*: Jazz was staring at me with her mouth open. “My God, I hope you dialed a wrong number.” I looked at her, probably with a similar look of dawning horror on my face. “Oh sh!t,” I managed. “Oh sh!t is right. You just pulled a major psycho stunt.” Yep! I can see why y’all are excited for Jazz’s book. She. Is. AWESOME. She totally was! In fact, it is the character interactions, the dialogue, and the realistic scenes and reactions as the story unfolded that, even though this one was similar to others in the genre, made it its own. Made it one that as soon as I finished this one (what an ending!!) I absolutely wanted to start book #2. And I will. The minute I post this review, I’m one-clicking and starting it. Me: Well I just finished it mom, and it was exactly what you said. Not OMG CRAZY unputdownable, but I always wanted to pick it right back up. It’s similar to others, nothing tooooo crazy, or too different but I really liked it. Mom: Oh? Just wait until you start #2. ;) Me: Oh yeah??!!! Mom: *smirk* Start it now. Then she pursed her lips and stared at me with this intent DO IT AND DON’T ASK ME ANYMORE stare. Okay mom, I know… no spoilers. :P And best of all? All of the released books in this series are on super-sale right now, in anticipation for Jazz. YAY ME!!!! DG: Question: the Eversea series….is it a 2 book and a novella series? Not a fan of waiting for the next one to come out…. Maryse: DG The Eversea series is complete (2 books plus a novella). The next book coming out is a spinoff for another character. :D Stephanie: Just read the Eversea series after I saw you mention it on your blog. It had some good angst and a few far fetched moments but overall I really liked it. Really looking forward to Jazz’ story. 4 stars (EASILY) P.S. Here is the Eversea Series Reading Order P.P.S. Thank you to the author for sending me a review copy!! Wayyyyyyy back when. ;)
QUOTED: "Boyd endows Eliza with a spirited personality and a gritty determination that brings her to life. Boyd’s descriptive narrative is remarkable in that it is both lush as the South Carolina flora, and concise enough to evoke the humid, but semi-tropical climate without resorting to overblown prose. The infrequent anachronistic phrase or word disappears into the overall language that evokes the 18th century without making for a slow pace or difficult reading. The Indigo Girl is an absolutely wonderful read that will even occasionally bring a tear to one’s eye."
The Indigo Girl
Image of The Indigo Girl
Author(s):
Natasha Boyd
Release Date:
October 3, 2017
Publisher/Imprint:
Blackstone Publishing
Pages:
345
Buy on Amazon
Reviewed by:
D. R. Meredith
“an absolutely wonderful read . . .”
An outstanding work of fiction that introduces a historical figure with whom few will have heard of, but who played a vital role in the economic history of the colony of South Carolina.
As a 16-year-old girl, Eliza Lucas is placed in charge of the family’s three plantations by her father while he pursues his military ambitions. Giving a female, much less a female so young, such a large responsibility is unheard of in 1739 in rural South Carolina.
“Back in England, the idea that my father would leave his sixteen-year-old daughter in charge of his estates was absurd. Would anyone even take direction from me?”
Eliza is apprehensive, but her dream to be thought of as something more than “. . . chattel by a father or one day by a husband,” fuels her ambition. To manage three plantations so that they produce a profit that will fund her father’s ambitions, ensure the family’s future wealth, and provide her a dowry for a marriage someday, although she will do almost anything to avoid marrying anyone.
Immediately after informing Eliza of her new responsibilities, her father tells her that he has had to mortgage some of their property. “. . . I couldn’t think that he’d accrue more debt to our properties in order to continue his position in the military.”
In spite of Eliza’s affection and respect for her father, his continual mortgaging of their property leaves her in a precarious position. The plantation must produce in order to make mortgage payments, as well as provide for her mother, Ann, and her little sister, Polly. Then there were the slaves that must be fed, housed, and cared for. Her only advisor is her father’s friend, Charles Pinckney and his wife.
Eliza is correct to worry about men taking direction from her. The overseer of her plantation of Waccamaw, Mr. Starrat, is contemptuous of her. “Does Miss Lucas have other male assistance at Wappoo? An overseer to help with the business side of things?”
Since Eliza handles all the accounts as well as dealing with her father’s correspondence, she is incensed by Starrat’s words.
While at Waccamaw Eliza sees the slave women wearing blue dresses. The color blue is attained by the use of indigo, an extremely valuable commodity made from a plant. Eliza immediately decides to plant indigo. If she can grow it, process it into cakes of blue dye, and sell it, the profit will pay off the mortgages and provide wealth for her family.
Starrat dismisses the idea of growing indigo. “Many have tried and failed. It’s just not the right soil here.”
Eliza is determined, however, and her father sends her seeds from the West Indies where he is now serving with the British Army. Her first crop is killed by a late frost, but she tries again. Her second crop is ruined by an insect with a taste for indigo. She tries again, but realizes she needs the help of a slave named Sarah at the Waccamaw plantation. She also needs a consultant from the West Indies with experience refining the indigo plant into dye.
Starrat is not the only one who believes Eliza will fail; her mother, Ann, fervently hopes Eliza fails. If there is no successful indigo crop, the family will lose the plantations, and be forced to go to Antigua to join Eliza’s father, and eventually return to England.
In addition to hoping Eliza will fail, Ann Lucas also pushes her daughter toward choosing a husband before Eliza’s reputation is so ruined by her unfeminine ambitions and indulging in managing the plantations.
Eliza thwarts her mother’s attempts by literally kicking an elderly suitor for hitting the slave, Sarah. Even though Ann Lucas finds the suitor odious, she is appalled by Eliza’s actions both then and later at the King’s Birthday Ball. “I’d think after your utter lack of effort in attracting a suitor last night, you’d be a little more shamefaced today . . . It’s like a slap in the face to me and your father for you to behave thus.”
Ann Lucas goes on to chastise Eliza for “consorting with slaves. Treating them as equals.”
While Eliza doesn’t exactly treat the slaves as equals, she does believe that intelligence has nothing to do with color. And she is teaching her slaves at Wappoo to read. While teaching a slave to write is forbidden, the law says nothing about teaching them to read.
When the indigo consultant sent by her father arrives, he is accompanied by Eliza’s childhood friend, a slave named Ben. She is overjoyed. Ben was her very best friend in Antigua, such a close friend that her parents sold him to sever the two apart. Eliza knows that there is no hope in her world for any feelings for Ben except friendship, but she also knows friendship doesn’t begin to define how she feels for Ben.
Natasha Boyd incorporates the social issues of racial inequality, lack of women’s rights, and class distinctions into a story of one of America’s most remarkable women. Based on historical documents and interspersed with excerpts of Eliza’s letters, Boyd endows Eliza with a spirited personality and a gritty determination that brings her to life.
Boyd’s descriptive narrative is remarkable in that it is both lush as the South Carolina flora, and concise enough to evoke the humid, but semi-tropical climate without resorting to overblown prose.
The infrequent anachronistic phrase or word disappears into the overall language that evokes the 18th century without making for a slow pace or difficult reading. The Indigo Girl is an absolutely wonderful read that will even occasionally bring a tear to one’s eye. Recommended for anyone’s reading list.
QUOTED: "It’s ... an enthralling story full of action, intrigue—even a hint of romance—with an engaging central character. In The Indigo Girl, Eliza emerges as a much more lively individual than the rather formal style of her actual letters would suggest. However, the letters give a hint of the determination and independence of spirit exhibited by the Eliza of the novel."
"engaging, fascinating, well-crafted."
Book Review: The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd
Posted on September 21, 2017 by whatcathyreadnext
TheIndigoGirlAbout the Book
Format: Hardcover (346 pp.), ebook (pp.) Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Published: 3rd October 2017 Genre: Historical Fiction
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My Review
In her afterword, the author explains how a snippet of conversation overheard whilst visiting an exhibition about indigo became the inspiration for The Indigo Girl. I was reminded of a quote I read recently by Bernie McGill, author of The Watch House: ‘As a fiction writer, I am always looking for the gaps between recorded events, the spaces in between’. In this case, the author has taken the true story of Eliza Lucas and using historical documents, including Eliza’s own letters, filled the spaces in between to produce a fascinating book about life in 18th century America. The book includes excerpts from Eliza’s letters at relevant points in the narrative.
In case this is making it sound like The Indigo Girl is a dry treatise on the process of producing indigo dye, I can reassure potential readers that it’s much more than this. It’s also an enthralling story full of action, intrigue – even a hint of romance – with an engaging central character. In The Indigo Girl, Eliza emerges as a much more lively individual than the rather formal style of her actual letters would suggest. However, the letters give a hint of the determination and independence of spirit exhibited by the Eliza of the novel.
Given charge of running the family estate in South Carolina when her father is forced to return to their holdings in Antigua, Eliza sets out to transform the family’s fortunes by growing indigo, fuelled by her interest in botany. The only trouble is the cultivation of indigo and its transformation into high quality dye seems akin to a mystical process, the knowledge of which is held only by some of the slaves on the plantation: ‘The secret has been passed down through generations, perhaps even from ancient times.’
Gaining access to this knowledge brings Eliza into conflict with one of her father’s overseers because of his cruel treatment of the estate’s slaves. And her involvement in running the estate is looked at askance by Eliza’s mother, who is worried that it will ruin Eliza’s marriage prospects by going against the norms of polite society. Much to her mother’s horror, Eliza is more interested in the accounts and researching cultivation techniques than in tea drinking and embroidery.
In her heart, Eliza knows that she has only been placed in charge because both her brothers are at school in England. Her appointment is one of necessity not a sign of female emancipation. However, she clings to the vain hope that if she can make a success of it she can escape the inevitability of marriage.
‘Three crop seasons to get it right. If I didn’t succeed by then, marriage was my only option. A marriage not to save the family or our land – a wealthy man could buy himself a more biddable wife than I – but marriage so my family would not have to support me any longer.’
After several unsuccessful attempts to grow indigo, Eliza eventually persuades her father to hire a consultant. However, this sets off a chain of events that will ultimately end in tragedy for some, their just desserts for others and happiness for the people who matter.
I knew nothing about the growing of indigo or the production of indigo dye and its economic and political importance before reading this book so I found this aspect of the book particularly fascinating. As a keen gardener, I could also appreciate the challenges of experimenting with different sowing times, growing conditions and aftercare in an effort to achieve success.
I now know that the export of indigo dye from South Carolina laid the foundation for the wealth of many Southern families meaning Eliza’s accomplishments influenced the course of US history. Indeed, the author notes that, when Eliza died in 1793, President George Washington served as a pallbearer at her funeral. I’m so glad the author was able to celebrate the achievements of this remarkable woman and, at the same time, craft such an enjoyable novel. If it were needed, this reminds me why I enjoy reading historical fiction so much: entertainment and education in one lovely package.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of NetGalley and publishers, Blackstone, in return for an honest review.
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In three words: Engaging, fascinating, well-crafted
QUOTED: "This is not a typical romance, so don’t go into this book expecting that. But The Indigo Girl was filled with passion; passion for life, for love and humanity. It was a story filled with guarded intimacy, and forbidden love, a story that reminds you what it is to be human. And this piece of fiction is based on a true story. It was incredibly inspiring."
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd — Review
Posted October 3, 2017 by FMA in 5 Stars - It fed my addiction!
The Indigo Girl by Natasha Boyd — ReviewThe Indigo Girl five-stars
by Natasha Boyd
on October 03, 2017
Published by Blackstone Publishing
Genres: Fiction, Historical
OMG YOU GUYSSSSS!!! Have you ever read a book out of your normal comfort zone? Like one that isn’t remotely what you would normally read but you ended up LOVING IT all the same???
❝It was so unlike me, but yet, it was me. Something was unfurling within me from behind the fear of societal expectations. Something true and deep. A part of my soul I’d always known was there but never acknowledged. I knew I’d never completely stop playing the role assigned to me in this life, but I would never ever let it compromise me.❞
‘The Indigo Girl’ by Author Natasha Boyd was PHENOMENAL! There was so much passion within the pages of this book that my heart ached! ACHED!
This is not a typical romance, so don’t go into this book expecting that. But ‘The Indigo Girl’ was filled with passion; passion for life, for love and humanity. It was a story filled with guarded intimacy, and forbidden love, a story that reminds you what it is to be human! And this piece of fiction is BASED ON A TRUE STORY!!! It was incredibly inspiring.
Based on true life, ‘The Indigo Girl’ tells the story of Eliza Pickney. At 16, her father leaves her in charge of his plantations in the Carolinas. Her two brothers (the rightful heirs at that time) were away at school in England. So when her father had to return to Antigua, it was just Eliza, her mother, and younger sister. The family needed a Hail Mary to survive while her father was gone. They could not sustain all of the plantations they owned and her father’s commission. It was up to 16-year-old Eliza to find a way to financially sustain her family.
Indigo.
One day while touring one of her families plantations, Eliza sees clothing on the women that reminds her of the Indigo her beloved Ben used to make. Having grown to love horticulture, she wondered if she could grow Indigo, there, in South Carolina. And if she could, would this be what saved her family?
Not having seen her friend in many years, Eliza petitions her father to send Ben to teach her how to grow Indigo. Her father denies her request. Both for Eliza’s reputation and the safety of her friend. Ben is the first friend Eliza made as a young girl and grew to be her best friend. He was also a slave. So Eliza presses on, she studies and asks questions. She befriends people and slaves who have experience growing seeds similar to Indigo as well as those who have knowledge of Indigo.
Eliza was put in a precarious position. On the one hand, her father left her in charge of plantations and slaves. Her father wanted her to save the family of financial ruin or at the very least, keep the family afloat until her brother came of age and could take over in her father’s place.
On the other, her mother was dead set on marrying her off. Women weren’t celebrated for their knowledge, this was a time when women didn’t have power or a voice. Her mother didn’t understand Eliza’s exuberance, her independence, nor her strong sense of self. Eliza wanted to work. She was strong willed and had opinions. As a 16-year-old female, men were more interested in patting her on the head or dismissing her entirely than they were with accepting that she might be intelligent enough to make good decisions. Her value and worth were only what she could bring to a marriage and how she could provide for her husband.
❝This was perhaps my only chance to show my father I was destined for more than being some man’s wife. Perhaps one day. But not yet. What was wrong with being a spinster anyway?❞
I so admire Eliza Pickney. She had a strong sense of right and wrong. Her fortitude was admirable. She was strong before her time. Had she been born today, she would have been celebrated for her ideas and her intelligence.
This story evoked a myriad of emotions in me. I cried from sadness and I cried from anger. But also a sense of appreciation for how far our gender has come!
I first read this author when she penned ‘Eversea’, and the follow-up book, ‘Forever, Jack’. I liked those well enough. But ‘The Indigo Girl’ was a superb! I am so happy that Natasha Boyd felt compelled to tell the story of such an amazing woman. While parts may be fiction, it is clear that Ms. Boyd did her research.
Phenomenal! Exquisite! Passionate! I didn’t want it to end!