Jenkins, Beverly. Midnight. New York: Avon, 2010.
ISBN-13: 978-0061547805 | $8.99 USD | 373 pages | Historical Romance–Revolutionary War
Blurb
In a time of peril, she fears nothing—except the forbidden passions of her heart.
In Boston, revolution is in the wind—yet none would ever suspect Faith Kingston of treason. But under cover of darkness, the beautiful daughter of a Tory tavern owner becomes the notorious spy “Lady Midnight,” passing valuable secrets to the rebels. Dedicated to fighting British tyranny, she’ll let nothing distract her— until a dark, mesmerizing stranger enters her life.
A reckless, worldly adventurer, Nicholas Grey has returned to troubled Massachusetts seeking revenge for the death of his rebel father. He suspects a local innkeeper, but it’s the man’s breathtaking, ebony-skinned daughter who has truly captured his interest. Nicholas burns for the sensuous, secretive lady—and Faith cannot mask her own blazing desires. But when destiny unites their causes, the passion that draws Midnight into Nicholas’s arms is as dangerous as it is glorious—and it could spell disaster for them both.
Review
5 stars
Beverly Jenkins has written so many wonderful books, it’s no wonder some don’t get as much attention as others, but Midnight intrigued me based on its Revolutionary War setting, a bit different for Jenkins, and I can’t recall having heard many people talk about it, which is a shame, as it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s embedded with her usual attention to historical detail, a swoony romance, and a dash of intrigue.
I knew about Black people being involved in the Revolutionary War, but it was great getting more historical context behind it, especially from the perspective of free Black people, as well as how this cause crossed over with abolition. It was also interesting to see how this led to conflict in-text, due to many of the prominent Founding Fathers, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, being slave owners.
The leads of the novel are a delight, as are most Jenkins couples. Faith is the daughter of a prominent loyalist, but is secretly doing her bit for the Revolutionary cause as the notorious Lady Midnight and passing secrets to the rebels. Nicholas, meanwhile, is also active in the Revolutionary cause, and is the son of a former friend of Faith’s father, believing that Faith’s father had a hand in his father’s death.
The romance grew in such a beautiful way, and I loved the development from friendship to something deeper and more passionate in the wake of such intense stakes, especially when things with Faith’s father come to a head.
This was a brilliant book, as all the Beverly Jenkins books I’ve read are, and I’d recommend it to readers interested in well-researched historical romance starring Black protagonists.
Author Bio
Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.
Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR.
You can find Beverly on the following social media networks:
Buy links
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