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About the author


Shirley Petro-Timura is a writer of fiction and poetry. Beyond a teaching career that spanned 30 years, she has devoted much time to exploring the U.S. Civil War period. In her youth, she won a beauty contest with her passionate portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara’s famous soliloquy. Having read voluminously about the era including hundreds of slaves’ stories, the author felt compelled to weave a tale of fiction against the background of those tumultuous years.

Tanglewood is her first novel.

Read more
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Tanglewood
by Shirley Petro-Timura

Overview


Tanglewood, a romantic historical novel, is the name of a pre-Civil War Kentucky plantation. Its main characters all rise from this uniquely mysterious land. The saga’s major theme is freedom. Readers may find their concepts of history challenged as the players seek this precious gift in their own ways. Throughout the pages, six pairs of lovers will rip through popular notions of black-white love against the backdrop of the reality of slavery.

This novel was inspired by the slaves’ narratives transcribed and compiled by writers during the Great Depression

Read more

Description


In 1858, Kentucky's slave trade was in its darkest days. But Cassius, a young virile black man, has enjoyed a protected existence at Tanglewood. His best friend is John Livingston, an enlightened individual who chose to set up his land as a haven for the enslaved until emancipation could free them.

Their connection is a driving force, a black and white brotherhood that challenges the prejudicial norms of the South. Livingston’s actions stir up the hatred and animosity of other plantation lords. Friend and helper Cassius is also an expert horse trainer, and he plans a victory for John in the annual county horse race. His alarming win reignites the vicious rivalry of neighboring landowners. 

Then one terrible night, the hidden secrets of John's greedy wife lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As his life shatters, Cassius plots vengeful murder. He flees rapidly with his pregnant wife, son and father to begin a perilous passage along the Underground Railroad. Having escaped the hangman’s rope he must now outrun bounty hunters as he races northward to freedom. All the way, his soul is screaming “You will not die as a slave. You are free!”

A safe house on the trail hides another traveler. It is his ex-lover, the mother of his son. Cassius is forced to consider now for whom he is willing to fight. His freedom is at stake, sharpened by the painful realization that they are very much alike. He remembers her kiss but forgets she can betray.

Read more

Overview


Tanglewood, a romantic historical novel, is the name of a pre-Civil War Kentucky plantation. Its main characters all rise from this uniquely mysterious land. The saga’s major theme is freedom. Readers may find their concepts of history challenged as the players seek this precious gift in their own ways. Throughout the pages, six pairs of lovers will rip through popular notions of black-white love against the backdrop of the reality of slavery.

This novel was inspired by the slaves’ narratives transcribed and compiled by writers during the Great Depression

Read more

Description


In 1858, Kentucky's slave trade was in its darkest days. But Cassius, a young virile black man, has enjoyed a protected existence at Tanglewood. His best friend is John Livingston, an enlightened individual who chose to set up his land as a haven for the enslaved until emancipation could free them.

Their connection is a driving force, a black and white brotherhood that challenges the prejudicial norms of the South. Livingston’s actions stir up the hatred and animosity of other plantation lords. Friend and helper Cassius is also an expert horse trainer, and he plans a victory for John in the annual county horse race. His alarming win reignites the vicious rivalry of neighboring landowners. 

Then one terrible night, the hidden secrets of John's greedy wife lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As his life shatters, Cassius plots vengeful murder. He flees rapidly with his pregnant wife, son and father to begin a perilous passage along the Underground Railroad. Having escaped the hangman’s rope he must now outrun bounty hunters as he races northward to freedom. All the way, his soul is screaming “You will not die as a slave. You are free!”

A safe house on the trail hides another traveler. It is his ex-lover, the mother of his son. Cassius is forced to consider now for whom he is willing to fight. His freedom is at stake, sharpened by the painful realization that they are very much alike. He remembers her kiss but forgets she can betray.

Read more

Book details

Genre:FICTION

Subgenre:African American & Black / Historical

Language:English

Pages:246

eBook ISBN:9781667858029

Paperback ISBN:9781667855158


Overview


Tanglewood, a romantic historical novel, is the name of a pre-Civil War Kentucky plantation. Its main characters all rise from this uniquely mysterious land. The saga’s major theme is freedom. Readers may find their concepts of history challenged as the players seek this precious gift in their own ways. Throughout the pages, six pairs of lovers will rip through popular notions of black-white love against the backdrop of the reality of slavery.

This novel was inspired by the slaves’ narratives transcribed and compiled by writers during the Great Depression

Read more

Description


In 1858, Kentucky's slave trade was in its darkest days. But Cassius, a young virile black man, has enjoyed a protected existence at Tanglewood. His best friend is John Livingston, an enlightened individual who chose to set up his land as a haven for the enslaved until emancipation could free them.

Their connection is a driving force, a black and white brotherhood that challenges the prejudicial norms of the South. Livingston’s actions stir up the hatred and animosity of other plantation lords. Friend and helper Cassius is also an expert horse trainer, and he plans a victory for John in the annual county horse race. His alarming win reignites the vicious rivalry of neighboring landowners. 

Then one terrible night, the hidden secrets of John's greedy wife lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As his life shatters, Cassius plots vengeful murder. He flees rapidly with his pregnant wife, son and father to begin a perilous passage along the Underground Railroad. Having escaped the hangman’s rope he must now outrun bounty hunters as he races northward to freedom. All the way, his soul is screaming “You will not die as a slave. You are free!”

A safe house on the trail hides another traveler. It is his ex-lover, the mother of his son. Cassius is forced to consider now for whom he is willing to fight. His freedom is at stake, sharpened by the painful realization that they are very much alike. He remembers her kiss but forgets she can betray.

Read more

About the author


Shirley Petro-Timura is a writer of fiction and poetry. Beyond a teaching career that spanned 30 years, she has devoted much time to exploring the U.S. Civil War period. In her youth, she won a beauty contest with her passionate portrayal of Scarlett O’Hara’s famous soliloquy. Having read voluminously about the era including hundreds of slaves’ stories, the author felt compelled to weave a tale of fiction against the background of those tumultuous years.

Tanglewood is her first novel.

Read more

Book Reviews

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Barbara
Tanglewood I truly enjoyed Tanglewood written by Shirley Petro -Timura. There was just enough murder, suspense and romance to make an interesting read. The years before the Civil War and history of slaves and the underground railroad was intriguing. Excerpts of poetry were poignant to the plot. Being a lifelong avid reader this book will stay on my bookshelf and be read again . Congratulations on your first book, Shirley. Read more
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