Tina St. Clair Rice Reviews "Dogwood Plantation"

Dogwood Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Reviewed by Tina St. Clair Rice

Wow, what an intriguing story! Set in 1814 Charles City, Virginia at a local Dogwood Plantation with all its grandeur and beauty; giving the reader a glimpse of an era long past. With the vivid descriptions of the area, I felt as if I had been pulled into the very setting of this story: walking beside the river, strolling in the woods and riding along the Dogwood tree-lined plantation. The author’s extensive research is evident and the historical details are seamlessly woven within the fictional story-line bringing to life events of this era in our nation's history within the characters lives. I especially enjoyed the author’s notes regarding the historical aspects of the story-line. 

Cornelia Gill is not only a beautiful godly woman, but is strong, kind and the typical Southern lady, a bit feisty at times and not afraid to speak her mind. A favorite character. Her younger brother, Andy, is such a responsible young man in so many ways and another favorite character. Together they deal with the many challenges and heartaches they face with love and faith. Because of the deadly yellow fever outbreak, they face the loss of loved ones and neighbors. This ultimately impacts the dreams Cornelia had and changes her, and Andy’s, life in ways they had not envisioned. 

Injured veteran Carter Williams is handsome, dashing, brave and chivalrous. He too is impacted by the deadly yellow fever outbreak in surprising ways. Now the guardian of his five young nephews, his plans change as well. I enjoyed his nephews and their antics and the youngest one is adorable. The eldest nephew, Eddie, becomes a man overnight and bears the running of the plantation on his young shoulders. He too is a favorite character. I have lots of favorite characters in this story, a few characters I did not care for at first, however, I started to like them by the end of the story, and then there are the unscrupulous characters that have evil intents that I did not like at all. 

Cornelia and Carter often seem to be at odds with each other and I hoped that they would work out their differences and realize how they really feel about each other. Of course, there are some underlying elements that impact them together and apart. Emotions are high as they face seemingly insurmountable challenges and life-changing events.

This is a gripping, intriguing story filled with suspense, long held secrets revealed, horrors of slavery, sadness and grief, poverty, challenges and heartache, anger, forgiveness, multiple surprises, dog training, yellow fever epidemic, love and faith and learning to trust God and allow Him in every area of their lives. As a retired RN, I enjoy reading about the health practices of the era as in this story: injuries, illnesses, the deadly yellow fever epidemic and the treatments and medicinals utilized. There are some sensitive subjects of the time, but Carrie portrays them sensitively and without explicit descriptions; which I appreciate. 

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CFP: Thank you, Tina! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Early American story world in this novel!

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