Historical Fiction/split-time Review: Free to Love by Bettie Boswell

What It’s About:

This is a prequel to Bettie’s book, ON CUE

As Ginny writes her musical, inspiration comes from journal entries, letters and poems, telling the story of a mistress and her maid, bound together by slavery and blood, journeying toward freedom and love.

Early and Missy Hollings, her mistress, have always been together. Missy keeps a journal of the dangers both young women face while living with her nefarious stepbrother. Her father seems oblivious to their safety until the stepbrother's threatening advances increase. When Missy's father realizes both young women are in danger, he allows them to leave on a journey north with an aunt. He also reveals the shameful secret behind the young women's true relationship. The aunt insists that George, another slave, must be part of their journey, to keep Early safe. When Missy's family forces Early into marriage with George, will their relationship be forever changed?

They encounter dangers and help on their journey north. Will Early and George's forced marriage survive the dangers along the way when their path separates them from Missy?

My Thoughts:
I read On Cue and enjoyed the story, so I wanted to check out this prequel. I love this story of these two strong women as they navigate the horrors of slavery in the south. Early and Missy grew up like sisters, but as adults they face trials that may break them apart. Boswell does a beautiful job showing the turmoil and dedication these two share through decisions they must make. One of my favorite characters is their aunt who takes them north to find freedom and the promise of a new life. Throughout the story, Ginny, from On Cue, reflects on the journal and other ephemera she finds as she writes her musical. If you enjoy stories set in the south, historical accounts of that time period, or simply a great story, you’ll want to read Free to Love. I purchased a copy from Amazon. Opinions are my own.

My review for On Cue