Customer Reviews

After The Lies

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Callie Payne impersonates a young male in order to receive land promised to Black-Seminoles for acting as scouts in the U.S. Cavalry. Of course, she knows the dangers of lying but Callie feels the land will help her family establish roots, so they will never be forced to move again.

Lieutenant Lucien "Luc" Delacroix knows all too well about keeping secrets. In the 1800s, being the product of a wealthy Southern white man and his black mistress is one thing, to exist among everyday people and hold a high ranking government position under the guise of a white man is another. With wars brewing on the horizon, Callie and Luc must come together in order to survive against rivals, but with their growing attraction will they be able to keep their deception and lies secrets?

After the Lies by Mandessa Selby offers an enticing glimpse into the past. This book is packed full of several different elements but most center around the different values of family and being accepted amongst them. The most enjoyable aspect of this book is the relationship between Callie and Luc, two people from two different worlds who share a connection, albeit, one of deception but a connection nonetheless. Reading about how Callie's and Luc's relationship evolves makes After the Lies a recommendable book for romance lovers who are into history.

Reviewed by Chantay W.
APOOO BookClub

The Civil War and slavery are over, but the prejudice lingers. Callie Payne, of the Black Seminoles, who were forced out of Florida and into the West, learns the US Government has promised anyone who will scout for their soldiers a large parcel of land. She dresses like a man and immediately volunteers. Lucien Delacroix tells her she's too young, but she doesn't give up. Eventually, he lets her become a scout, thinking she is just a young boy. He learns she is a very good scout and he takes her under his wing. He wonders why he feels such an attraction to a boy; Callie feels the same way about him. Lucien knows he must stay on the straight and narrow because someone might find out his secret and that would definitely get him thrown out of the US Army or worse. Callie knows, living and working among so many men, she must keep up her male façade. Will these two ever get it together?

Lucien's twin sister, Esme, comes to visit him at the fort and immediately recognizes Callie as a woman. She arranges for Lucien to go to New Orleans to make amends with their father and fixes it so Callie must accompany him. There the romance blossoms. Callie wonders why a White man would be interested in her and Lucien knows he must let her know he is passing for White.

AFTER THE LIES by Mandessa Selby is an exceptionally interesting romance. It covers history, racism, the terrible plight of Indians, whether they were Black Seminoles or the hunted Comanche. It delves deeply into a possible interracial love affair, as well as the problems that surface because of it. It is well-written, the characters are believable and it was an all around good book.

Reviewed by Alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

I came across "after the lies" while searching for another book, and the plot summary caught my attention. This is a first time effort from Ms. Selby and it shows in the, sometimes, choppy flow of the story, but it held my attention all the same. I look foward to Ms.Selby's future works.