Everlasting by Angie Frazier – Miniview

Synopsis via goodreads:

Sailing aboard her father’s trade ship is all seventeen-year-old Camille Rowen has ever wanted. But as a girl of society in 1855 San Francisco, her future is set: marry a man she doesn’t love, or condemn herself and her father to poverty.

On her final voyage before the wedding, the stormy arms of the Tasman Sea claim her father, and a terrible family secret is revealed. A secret intertwined with a fabled map, the mother Camille has long believed dead, and an ancient stone that wields a dangerous—and alluring—magic.

The only person Camille can depend on is Oscar, a handsome young sailor whom she is undeniably drawn to. Torn between trusting her instincts and keeping her promises to her father, Camille embarks on a perilous quest into the Australian wilderness to find the enchanted stone. As she and Oscar elude murderous bushrangers and unravel Camille’s father’s lies, they come closer to making the ultimate decision of who—and what—matters most.

Beautifully written and feverishly paced, Everlasting is an unforgettable journey of passion, secrecy, and adventure.

As someone whose love of historical literature is pretty much nonexistent, Everlasting, though a historical piece, worked for me – it's a beautifully crafted story, full of high adventure, love and truth.

While reading, I thought – Indiana Jones meets Little Woman, on a boat! It sounds silly doesn't it? But honestly those were my thoughts.

In this story Camille has been betrothed to William, a fine man, to be sure – but one Camille would never choose for herself, he's a man of the earth, while Camille has always made her home on the sea, with her father.

On there finial voyage together Camille stumbles onto a secret life her father has led, filled with secrets he's kept from her; angry and hurt Camille lashes out at him, and with out meaning to sets off a group of events that she can't stop or change, a group of events that will change her life and the lives of those around her forever.

Can Camille ever stop trying to live up to what her father wanted her to be, and become the person she's longs to become, while trying to overcome the obstacles in her way and save those she loves most?

Bottom Line – action packed, historical fiction, and while I don't read much historical fiction, this one had me turning pages to find out what happened next. While the setting, especially while on the boats was hard to grasp, the story flowed well, and I fell in love with young Oscar, not only does his name hold special meaning to me (it was also my granddaddy's name) but he was a special man, full of love, yet his honor prevailed. The story, though wrapped up in a nice little bow, does leave room for a sequel, I just wonder if we can expect one from Angie Frazier, I hope so – I am excited to see what's next in this wonderful story! I give Everlasting 3 mushrooms, and can't wait for more from Angie Frazier!

Happy Release Day Angie!

Everlasting
By: Angie Frazier
336 Pages
Published: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Received via an ARC Tour, for my honest review.