Diana Flowers Reviews Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall

Veil of Pearls 
by MaryLu Tyndall
Barbour Publishing (July, 2012)

A Gem Of A Novel!

From the pen of MaryLu Tyndall comes a sweeping saga set in the early 1800s in Charleston, South Carolina; a bustling seaport city, plenteous in ships, beautiful, lush plantations, aristocrats in their gorgeous silk gowns, lavish soirees, and the sweet smell of yellow jessamine permeating the air. But underneath the social season and affluence, and the guise of gaiety, laughter, and parties, lies another world...the dark world of slavery, malice, and deceit.

At the passing of Adalia Winston's parents at the age of twelve, she becomes a slave to Sir Walter Miles at his sugar plantation in Barbados. Adalia soon realizes she has not only lost her parents, but her innocence as well. Although Adalia is only one quarter black, she is still considered a slave, and Sir Walter uses and abuses her as such. After many years of careful planning, Adalia escapes to Charleston, South Carolina, with nothing much--save her mother's black pearls, and another item that ends up becoming a terrible mistake to have brought with her. She secures a position with a kindly doctor, and since she appears white, she captures the eye of the heir of Rutledge Plantation, Morgan, who loves her for her beauty, honesty, and plucky spirit.

Morgan Rutledge, in spite of his vast wealth, is discontented and bored with his life; the soirees, the shallow women, and doing what society expects of him. His longing is to sail the wild seas into faraway lands. He realizes Adalia is more than just a passing fancy, but is also aware of the fact that his father will never approve of him marrying a commoner.

Adalia, in spite of herself, loves the attention of this handsome man and slave owner; the parties, the plays, etc., and feeling a part of the social crowd for the first time in her life. There are those, however, who are jealous of her, and will stop at nothing to bring her down. Will Morgan find out the truth...that she is naught but a runaway slave? If so, will he still want to marry her? What did she bring along with her from Barbados, that could be her total undoing, and who wants to see her destroyed and why? Will Morgan and Adalia learn to commit their ways to the Lord?...and find healing for their wounded hearts?

In my opinion, this book shows MaryLu's versatility as an author, and is her best book to date! This is a lovely, haunting, romantic story, and I ran the whole gamut of emotions while reading it; joy, fear, heartbreak---you name it. 


I'm proud at how far America has come since those horrible days of slavery, and saddened for those who had to endure it. With a strong spiritual thread throughout, many twists and turns (and wondering how things could EVER work out), this is a book I will not soon forget. What a masterpiece, MaryLu Tyndall!

I received this ARC from Barbour Publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.


Here is the link to the CBD page for more info about this book and for ordering: Click here.  Here is the Amazon order page for VoP Click here.


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