Customer Reviews

Natchez: An Historical Romance

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Natchez, by Deb Crockett, Historical romance, 1998, by Domhan Books, 180 pps., ISBN 1583450084

Glimpses of the early South and voices from the past seem to pull you into Natchez, a new historical romance by Deb Crockett. It is easy to picture the fateful steamboat trip from Savannah to Natchez, Mississippi, as Rebecca Bennett travels with her father to purchase a cotton plantation and begin a new life. Crockett has an easy style of writing that makes you "pull up a chair" to sit and immerse yourself in her story of love, death and treachery.

At first, you think the story line is somewhat predictable, but the slight twists and turns provide sufficient diversion to keep you reading. Rebecca Bennett is a 20-year-old unmarried daughter whose father has sold his mercantile store so that he can invest and become rich in the thriving cotton business. Not trusting in banks, Mr. Bennett places approximately $30,000 in gold in a small chest, planning to guard the chest himself. Needless to say, the drinking and gambling to be found on the riverboats draws Mr. Bennett in, and before the trip is over, he has been killed and his gold stolen.

Rebecca, in her own way, has been busy as well. Upon meeting the men with whom her father begins to gamble, she immediately begins to receive unwanted attentions of one of those men. Then, via a late but exciting route the man from whom they plan to purchase the plantation boards the ship and Rebecca finds herself strongly attracted to him and becoming intimately involved with him very quickly.

Lack of communication, even in these "good old days," results in a personal crisis for Rebecca. For Oliver Sebastian assumes Rebecca knows all about him and his reasons for selling the plantation and returning to England, yet when he has the chance, he quickly accepts and enjoys her love. The arrival in Natchez and Mr. Sebastian's home results in his introduction of Rebecca to...his wife. Dare we consider that dear Oliver has taken advantage of the fair damsel? Rebecca's devastation of this news does not stop her loving Oliver. Being in the Sebastian's home is both a haven and a horror, as they handle details for her father's funeral and, as Rebecca and Oliver's wife, Charlotte, become friends, Charlotte proposes that Rebecca accept the position of her companion. Oliver and Rebecca consider this; Oliver wanting her to go with them. Then a young boy finds the two lovers kissing and innocently tells Charlotte, who quickly asks Rebecca to leave the house.

Once again alone, Rebecca remembers that she also met another woman on her trip to Natchez. Mary, who is known as "Red" owns Elysian Fields, a bar in a place referred to as "Natchez-Under-the-Hill--the wrong side of the tracks, in other words. Turning to this one other person seems to be the only choice available and, by helping as a waitress in somewhat of an emergency, Rebecca finds herself quickly involved with gambling, drinking, and receiving the personal attentions of a professional gambler. Seeing a way to acquire money to buy a home, she "uses" Jim to learn how to play to win, deciding that she will cheat only other professional gamblers.

Having succeeded in her efforts as a gambler, outwitting professional gamblers, Rebecca quickly earns sufficient money to buy her home--the one of her dreams--the plantation that was to be purchased by her father and which had belonged to her lover, Sebastian. But all to soon, Jim finds Rebecca and, without knowing it, brings into her home the man who killed her father--the two of them having committed the robbery and subsequent murder.

Deb Crockett, in Natchez, has successfully merged an historical story of the old south with action, suspense and a leading lady that risks everything to make it on her own...and to keep her true love. Rebecca grows up quickly, using the resources she has available, but yet brings to the reader an innocence and honesty that carries through even her sexual interludes.

Here's hoping that Crockett carries this leading lady into further adventures in the future. Until then, get a copy of Natchez for a delightful fast-paced trip down to Natchez, Mississippi!

by TT reviewer Nancy Arant Williams

Rebecca Bennett is stunned to learn that her father is forcing her to move from the only home she's ever known. She would do anything to stay in Savannah where, at age twenty, she'd have a better chance of finding a suitable husband. But with dreams of making it big, he has sold his mercantile, and is planning to purchase a cotton plantation in Natchez, Mississippi.

Rebecca realizes, aboard the riverboat, that she is easy prey for men when she is accosted repeatedly, only to be protected by a handsome and mysterious stranger. She can't believe her father could be foolish enough to cart a trunk full of gold aboard the boat, but he refuses to trust in banks, and she's no help at all when she accidentally lets his secret slip in front of a room full of strangers. When the riverboat collides with another, and sinks, the same stranger selflessly risks his life to dive into the water to retrieve her father and his gold. When, as a result of his heroic rescue, the man becomes terribly ill, she climbs into his bed to keep him warm, where eventually . . .

When her father is killed and his gold stolen, she not only feels responsible, but also can't imagine how she'll manage alone. As it turns out the handsome stranger is Oliver Sebastian, the man whose cotton plantation her father planned to buy. The chemistry between them is immediate, and Rebecca falls desperately in love, but there's just one small hitch. He's a married man, and he's moving back to England, which is the reason he sold his plantation in the first place.

The reader might lose hope of these two star-crossed lovers ever getting together, with twists and turns that will keep you guessing, but hold on, because Deb Crockett's characters will have you rooting them on.
Though NATCHEZ has several unlikely scenarios, and some dialogue that doesn't fit the era, it's still a good read, and definitely worth your time. Rated R.

Deb Crockett is a writter that knows her stuff. NATCHEZ was a terrific read and really can heat up a room. I couldn't put it done nor did I want to. Her writting makes you feel as if you are the main heroine, a woman that took a horrid situation and turned it to her advantage. It is a wonderful love story with intricate twists and turns to keep your attention and wanting more. Hope more are coming from this new wonderful writer!

Ms. Crockett's debut novel, NATCHEZ. an historical romance, establishes her ability to spin a captivating tale. With historical accuracy and vivid character detail she transports you to the squalor of 'Natchez-Under-The-Hill'. Cutthroats lurk in alleyways, pickpockets swarm the muddy streets like locusts. Smoke-shrouded saloons vibrate with loud, gaudy laughter of prostitutes plying their ancient trade in the shadow of nimble-fingered gamblers. Murderers find sanctuary in this lawless community tucked beneath the hill, and pimps squabble among themselves for prime territory. The stench of the waterfront hangs heavy in the air but doesn't mask the rancid odors of unwashed bodies, or the unmistakable scent of sexual musk. In this arena of corrupt humanity genteel and sheltered, Rebecca Bennett must find a way to not only survive but to succeed on her own while she deals with the death, and possible murder, of her father, the total lose of her financial funds, and the apparent betrayal of the man she loves. Rebecca and Oliver are a warm, sensual couple who struggle to overcome the obstacles in the path to their love and happiness. With incomparable skill, Ms. Crockett delivers a fast-paced, character-rich love story in her own strong, refreshing voice. Add NATCHEZ to your "must read" list.

Glimpses of the early South and voices from the past seem to pull you into Natchez, a historical romance by Deb Crockett. It is easy to picture the fateful steamboat trip from Savannah to Natchez, Mississippi, as Rebecca Bennett travels with her father to purchase a cotton plantation and begin a new life. Crockett has an easy style of writing that makes you "pull up a chair" to sit and immerse yourself in her story of love, death and treachery.

Rebecca is just twenty when her father makes his decision to sell his mercantile store and buy a cotton plantation. In many ways she is unsophisticated, her mother having died when she was just ten. Her father has been wonderfully supportive and spoiling-giving in to his daughter when she decides she doesn't want the normal debut at which most young girls are presented to eligible bachelors.

However, she had at one time become engaged; only to surrender her love before marriage, and then have the man disappear. She had never shared this with her father and thus it was with great concern she learned he wanted to make this move and look forward to making a match for her. Would anyone want her when she was not as pure as she should be?

And so the fateful trip came about-Rebecca and her father were traveling by boat to see the plantation that was for sale. Robbery, Death, and meeting a man, who evoked her desire, all faced her. What would happen when she left the trip alone and penniless?

At first, you think the story line is somewhat predictable, but the slight twists and turns provide sufficient diversion to keep you reading. Deb Crockett, in Natchez has successfully merged a historical story of the old south with action, suspense and a leading lady that risks everything to make it on her own...and to keep her true love. Rebecca grows up quickly, using the resources she has available, but yet brings to the reader innocence and honesty that carries through even her sexual interludes.

"Here's hoping that Crockett carries this leading lady into further adventures in the future. Until then, get a copy of Natchez for a delightful fast-paced trip down to Natchez, Mississippi!"

I really enjoyed this book. It is not like the other historical romances that are usually on the shelves that you get tired of reading over and over the same story. This one is different and in a good way. Very interesting story that kept you guessing all the way to the last page. I would reccomend to anyone looking for a little something different.

Whoa!!! This is one heck of a read! If you like steamy, this is it! Great setting, characters, suspense, a winner! More like this, please!