by BJ Robinson
About the Covers for the Series
Beautiful Houmas House Plantation was used for the cover in all three books in the Azalea Plantation Series. We have Kevin Kelly to thank for fulfilling his lifelong dream by acquiring the property in the spring of 2003 and opening it for tours. The lovely home sits in a big bend of the Mississippi River. Houmas Indians were the first owners through a land grant, and they later sold the property. In 1963, Betty Davis stared in “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte,” filmed on the property. Part of today’s Houmas House tour showcases the room where she stayed. It is a Greek revival plantation.
Houmas House Plantation and Gardens is the lovely home used for the cover. It is the Crown Jewel of Louisiana’s River Road, refurbished with twenty-one rooms on thirty-six acres on the Mississippi River not far from New Orleans, Louisiana. It offers visitors a unique, historical glimpse into the world of the Civil War era through what was once Louisiana’s largest sugar cane plantation. Tours are available in Louisiana’s Plantation Country on historic River Road.
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Proverbs 21:31
The American Civil War ended over one hundred and fifty years ago and took six hundred thousand lives. It was the bloodiest war and divided the nation as well as the South. Yet, it still matters today for the lessons learned, history, and most importantly, the freedom of slaves. I titled my third and last book in the Azalea Plantation Series Plantation Restored. Just as a home may be restored, I hope and pray our country will be as well. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in peace. It was his dream. His famous speech was only seventeen minutes long, but was one of the greatest speeches in history and continues to reach out to unite just as it did all those years ago. I wish it were in the public domain so I could have used it here, but it is not, so I will have to settle for just mentioning it. He made such an impact on American and will never be forgotten, a true hero.
The third book concludes with a recipe for heavenly hash candy that makes a wonderful treat for Valentine’s Day or other holidays.
New Release Book 3 in Bestselling Azalea Plantation Trilogy. Included Siege of Azalea Plantation, Azalea Plantation, and Plantation Restored.
Lexie and Reese’s story continues in the third and last book of the Azalea Plantation Series. The war ends, and Lexie awaits his return. Other soldiers are making it home, but Reese is missing. She leaves New Orleans and travels back to Azalea Plantation in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to await his return, busying herself with restoring the plantation after the war. Lexie clings to faith and hope and refuses to give up on Reese even though she’s heard the stories about prisoners-of-war and the explosion of the Sultana. The family decides to visit Azalea Plantation, but Reese is still missing. https://www.amazon.com/Plantation-Restored-Azalea-Book-ebook/dp/B01N7RAWUY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484226293&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=plantation+restored+b+j+robinson
Book I
Reese never thought he’d fall for a Southern belle or any other woman after what happened to him, but he can’t deny the attraction he feels each time Alexis’s haunted eyes show passion for the home she loves. He can’t help but envy the love and regard she held for her husband and longs for love like it.
Alexis never thought she could love again when her husband died in the war. How could she fall for a Yankee when Union soldiers killed him? Can she let go of the past and find trust and faith to move on?
http://www.amazon.com/Siege-Azalea-Plantation-Book-ebook/dp/B018JOIFRI
Book 2
Lexie’s heart breaks when she has to leave her beloved home. She’s sent to Reese’s uncle’s plantation near New Orleans where Reese thinks she’ll be safer. Warned on The Natchez trouble strikes soon afterward. She’s left to wonder if she’s made the right decision and if she’ll ever see her beloved home, little Reese, or her husband again. Her deep love for Reese keeps her going. http://www.amazon.com/Azalea-Plantation-Siege-Book-ebook/dp/B01CSOTHQS/
Book 3 in Bestselling Azalea Plantation Trilogy. Lexie and Reese’s story continues in the third and final book of the Azalea Plantation Series. The Civil War ends, and Lexie awaits his return. Other soldiers are making it home, but Reese is missing. She leaves New Orleans and travels back to Azalea Plantation in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to await his return, busying herself with restoring the plantation after the war. Lexie clings to faith and hope and refuses to give up on Reese even though she’s heard the stories about prisoners-of-war and the explosion of the Sultana. The family decides to visit Azalea Plantation. Reese remains missing once the family is gathered. Andersonville Prison releases its prisoners, but the Sultana explodes bringing them home. Lexie tells herself Reese couldn’t have been in another boat explosion. He had no reason to be aboard that boat. She’s lost one husband to the war. God forbid she lose another. Historical Civil War. Trilogy includes: Siege of Azalea Plantation, Azalea Plantation, and Plantation Restored. All three novels use beautiful Houmas House near New Orleans, Louisiana, for the covers. https://www.amazon.com/Plantation-Restored-Azalea-Book-ebook/dp/B01N7RAWUY/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1484226293&sr=1-1-fkmr0&keywords=plantation+restored+b+j+robinson
Excerpt to Book 3 in Azalea Plantation Series
Lexie stood at the balcony railing with Mary in her arms watching a trail of smoke curl into the cloudless blue sky. Her heart thudded. She wanted to scream, but the sound didn’t come.
The explosion shook the ground so hard that it rattled windows in the southern mansion. She hoped and prayed it hadn’t been Reese’s paddle wheeler.
Her heart hammered. She had to know, yet she didn’t want to discover her fears were right. In a few minutes, she stood beside Julius. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’ve sent men up the river to see if it was his boat.” His voice shook. “I can’t believe he’s come through years of war to be blown to bits in a steamer explosion.
Tears trickled down Lexie’s face. “I pray it wasn’t his boat.”
Julius sighed. “Me too, but I didn’t see any others pass this morning.
“Maybe it was one headed this way.”
“Let’s hope.”
“Let’s pray.” She clutched his hand as Molly and Essie came running and joined them. Julius bowed his head and prayed that it if it was Reese’s boat, he had somehow survived and asked God to help the victims and their families.
The small group made their way to the dock and stood watching the river and the gray-black smoke funnel through the air, darkening the clear, blue sky.
After what seemed like hours of holding her breath, Lexie spied the small boat Julius had sent with some of his men. It pulled into the dock, and Jess Cunnings, the overseer, jumped out onto the wooden deck. He strode to Julius and patted his shoulder. “It was his boat. People are trying to help by fishing survivors from the water. I came to let you know, and I’m headed back.”
Julius said, “I’m coming with you.”
Lexie’s world swirled around her, and she felt Molly take Mary from her arms as her knees began to tremble. Essie held her and whispered, “Take it easy. He may be in the water. They’ll find him.”
“Wait! I want to go with you.” Lexie shrugged from Essie’s arms and wobbled to the boat on shaky legs. “I have to be there.”
Julius helped her climb into the small vessel. “Are you sure you’re up to this?”
“I have to see for myself.” She sank onto a seat and whispered, “I have to be there for him.” Lexie sat motionless and stared at the muddy Mississippi as the boat headed back to the wreckage.
Bio: B. J. Robinson loves reading and writing, family, and pets. She’s authored over twenty books, available for the Amazon Kindle and previously had four paperbacks published with a small independent publisher. BJ loves writing in various genres to provide choice for her readers. Her latest work is a Christian Civil War Plantation Series, The Azalea Plantation Series, readers are saying is her best. It begins with Siege of Azalea Plantation, continues with Azalea Plantation, which takes the reader from Vicksburg, Mississippi, to a plantation near New Orleans, and concludes with Plantation Restored. It makes the sixth Civil War historical romance she’s authored. You will also find inspirational, contemporary, short stories, and novellas available as well as Christmas titles. Check out her Amazon Author page for a larger selection. http://www.amazon.com/B.-J.-Robinson/e/B007DNJIKU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1449417151&sr=1-2-ent