Editorial Content for At What Cost, Silence?: The Texian Trilogy, Book 1
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Barbara Bamberger Scott
Set in pre-Civil War Texas and featuring a large cast of dynamic characters, AT WHAT COST, SILENCE? is the first entry in Karen Lynne Klink’s Texian Trilogy. History and mystery pervade this fascinating saga, leading to the division of a nation and the separation of friends and lovers. Read More
Teaser
Adrien Villere suspects he is not like other boys. For years, he desperately locks away his feelings and fears --- but eventually, tragedy and loss drive him to seek solace from his mentor, young neighbor Jacob Hart. However, Jacob’s betrayal of Adrien’s trust results in secret abuse, setting off a chain of actions from which neither Adrien’s wise sister, Bernadette, nor his closest friend, Isaac, can turn him. AT WHAT COST, SILENCE? presents two contrasting plantation families in a society where strict rules of belief and behavior are clear, and public opinion can shape an entire life.
Promo
Adrien Villere suspects he is not like other boys. For years, he desperately locks away his feelings and fears --- but eventually, tragedy and loss drive him to seek solace from his mentor, young neighbor Jacob Hart. However, Jacob’s betrayal of Adrien’s trust results in secret abuse, setting off a chain of actions from which neither Adrien’s wise sister, Bernadette, nor his closest friend, Isaac, can turn him. AT WHAT COST, SILENCE? presents two contrasting plantation families in a society where strict rules of belief and behavior are clear, and public opinion can shape an entire life.
About the Book
Adrien Villere suspects he is not like other boys. For years, he desperately locks away his feelings and fears --- but eventually, tragedy and loss drive him to seek solace from his mentor, young neighbor Jacob Hart. However, Jacob’s betrayal of Adrien’s trust results in secret abuse, setting off a chain of actions from which neither Adrien’s wise sister, Bernadette, nor his closest friend, Isaac, can turn him.
AT WHAT COST, SILENCE? presents two contrasting plantation families in a society where strict rules of belief and behavior are clear, and public opinion can shape an entire life. Centerstage are the Villeres, a family less brutal than the Harts, but no less divisive. Often-absent Papa Paien Villere guards several secrets he has kept from everyone --- including one that could destroy his entire family. Years after Jacob’s betrayal, Adrien falls hopelessly in love with his former mentor’s erotically precocious and beautiful young sister, Lily --- whose father has affianced her to a wealthy older man.
What will happen if Lily’s violent brother learns of Adrien and Lily’s clandestine affair? Will Adrien aid in freeing Isaac --- an enslaved Black man --- as promised? Will Bernadette find the unconventional life she seeks? Or will their entire world end as states secede and war creeps ever closer?
Which of the following recently released or soon-to-be-released nonfiction titles have you read or are you planning to read? Please check all that apply.
October 20, 2023, 528 voters
On October 13th, readers from all over New England descended upon Brattleboro, Vermont, for the 22nd annual Brattleboro Literary Festival. Nestled between the West and Connecticut rivers, Brattleboro was the perfect setting, boasting not just the festival itself but many delicious restaurants, plentiful shopping and tons of recreational activities.
October 17, 2023
In this newsletter, you will find books releasing the weeks of October 16th and October 23rd that we think will be of interest to Bookreporter.com readers, along with Bonus News, where we call out a contest, feature or review that we want to let you know about so you have it on your radar.
This week, we are calling attention to Carol Fitzgerald's two latest Bookreporter.com Bets On picks: BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN by Jessica Knoll, in which two women from opposite sides of the country are brought together by violent acts of the same man, and THE MUSEUM OF FAILURES by Thrity Umrigar, an immersive story about family secrets and the power of forgiveness.
October 17, 2023
Earlier this month, my book group had our last outdoor meeting on my deck, unless the weather warms up again. As we met, we also selected our next two books. For November, it’s THE PARIS DAUGHTER by Kristin Harmel; for December, it's THE SPECTACULAR by Fiona Davis. The latter was selected as a holiday homage to the Rockettes.
We also would like to do something festive for December. If you have any great holiday tie-in ideas, send them my way, and we will share them in the next newsletter. Please use the subject line “Holiday” in your email so I am sure to see it.
