Review: The Last Lord of Paradise Generation 6 by Vivian LeMay

The Last Lord of Paradise Generation 6 - Julie by Vivian LeMay

Description:
Anton Gauchere would have been proud of his habitants. They kept their vow to remain isolated peaceful and French as long as they could. After the railroad shattered their seclusion, it brought a thousand strangers. Workers for the Fredriks factory trampled their French language. And on April 6, 1917 a bold headline in the Paradis Weekly News destroyed their peace. It read, 'WAR WITH GERMANY'.

My Thoughts:
A fitting end to the series. This book really shows how far things have come since Generation 1. It was an emotional roller-coaster. I admit, I had tears. Just like with any great series, I'm a little sad to see it end. I cannot recommend this series enough.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon

Where to find the author:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads

Review: Last Lord of Paradise Generation Four by Vivian LeMay

Last Lord of Paradise Generation 4- Isidore and Josette by Vivian LeMay

Description:
Their fields were fertile, their animals multiplied. With muskrat and fish from the Rivière Secrète, and wild grapes for wine, the habitants of Paradis lived oblivious to the world beyond the Marais Foncé. Marry, have babes, eat and drink well, and dance before a bonfire--These were the goals of Paradis.

But every generation has a dream and Isidore Reno, fourth Seigneur of Paradis, dreamed of escaping Paradis.

My Thoughts:
This is a wonderful series of novellas. Heartbreak, tragedy, and drama. Nothing is ever easy in Paradis. In this volume, the outside world finally intrudes, leading to more heartbreak. Every installment leaves me wanting more and this one is no exception. 
My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon

Where to find the author:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads

Review: The Last Lord of Paradise (#2) by Vivian LeMay

The Last Lord of Paradise Generation Two: Jean Baptiste and Louise by Vivian LeMay

Description:

"Jean Baptiste smiled. "I'm a foundling, Thomas, penniless, landless, no family. I will always be grateful to Maman for taking me in as one of her own, but in Paradis, blood is everything.

Thomas took a deep breath and tried to smile ... hoping to hide the look of guilt on his face, he turned back to his bellows. The great lie his mother had told Jean Baptiste was still a well kept secret of Paradis. His mother's power over the habitants was amazing. After all these years, they still feared her. Even Uncle Joseph went along with her great lie.

It had certainly succeeded. The boy with Jeanne's red hair, with Anton's gleam of energy in his blue eyes, was willing to work, and humble-too humble. The boy tolerated disrespect from younger habitants who had no idea who he was, and torment from his brothers.

My Thoughts:
Having read generation one, I knew Jean Baptiste's background and was curious how he would end up. I found myself rooting for him and hoping he would survive all the hardships he had to endure. I was so pulled into the story and the writing. It was a quick read and that was good because I couldn't put it down. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.

My Rating: *****
Steam Factor: !

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon

Where to find the author:
Blog
Amazon page
Twitter

Review: The Last Lord of Paradise (#1) by Vivian LeMay

The Last Lord of Paradise- Generation One: Jeanne and Anton by Vivian LeMay

Description:
It is 1766, the Marquise Jeanne Reneau takes one last look at the outside world––at the gleaming jade current of a river called Le Détroit, before a stroke of the canoe’s paddle pulls her into a curtain of roiling dark fog. She is terrified of this vast swamp called the Marais Foncé, but her Anton lives somewhere beyond the fog.

Since the moment she met Anton Gauchere nine years ago––even as he remained thousands of leagues away––-his presence dominated Jeanne’s mind and heart. Now, after nine years of waiting for him to return from the war in New France, she has thrown off family, title and the comfortable life of a noblewoman in France, to join him in the wilderness called North America.

Jeanne is joyous when she meets Anton again and happy to accept life in the French Canadian village he founded. Anton has named it Paradis (Heaven) and she thinks it a fitting name. Hidden from the outside by the Marais Foncé and a ridge of gray rock, Paradis is lush with wheat and pea fields, and soon the white sails of Anton’s windmill will fill the sky. Her life is perfect.

On the day she arrives the inhabitants of Paradis get down on one knee and take an Oath of Fealty to the founder of their community. Pronouncing Anton Seigneur (Lord) of Paradis, they all vow, “To remain forever isolated, peaceful and French.”

Their adoration of her husband does not surprise Jeanne. Everyone adored Anton…except for Papa…and…

My Thoughts:
This was a quick read. I was immediately pulled into Jeanne's story as she moves from her comfortable home in France to the settlement that her husband has founded. It is a tough life and a tragic story. This is the beginning of a family saga that follows six generations and I was left wondering if there is hope in the future generations, or if they will follow the same pattern. The story had a bit of a supernatural edge and I wonder if it was due to the superstitious nature of the people or if there was something more to it. This was a complete story on its own, though there are plenty of questions to explore in future books. I recommend this, especially if you are a fan of historical fiction.


My Rating: ****
Steam Factor: !

My Source: author

Where to get it:
Amazon

Where to find the author:
Blog
Amazon Page
Twitter