Customer Reviews

A Silent Ocean Away: Colette's Dominion

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Feel the need to escape to a tropical paradise about right now? A Silent Ocean Away did just that for me! This novel tells the story of Charmaine, a young girl who is hoping to leave her troubled past behind for a promising future. The couple she is working for in Richmond, VA encourages her to apply for the job of governess for the Duvoisin family. She gets the job, and moves to a tropical paradise, Charmantes, which is owned by the Duvoisins. She quickly becomes close to Colette, the children's mother, and learns that being wealthy doesn't necessarily guarantee you freedom. She also realizes that there are many secrets residing in her new home.

This is a lovely historical romantic novel, and I can't wait until the next installment comes out! Will Charmaine remain enamored with Paul, or will she fall for John. Why did John return to the island? What really happened between John and his father?

Set in the 1830's, Charmaine Ryan takes employment as a governess to the three youngest children of Frederic Duvoisin on his private Island in the West Indies. Charmaine bonds quickly with the children, as well as their mother Collette, Frederic's second and much younger wife. The innocent Charmaine feels something entirely different for Frederic's illegitimate son Paul, who has quite a reputation as a ladies man but does he truly care for her or is she just another conquest? Of course the Duvoisin family has plenty of deep dark secrets - what was the cause of the argument between Frederic and his legitimate son John that lead to Frederic's stroke? What is the cause of the enmity between the two elder sons? Why does John seem hell-bent on stymieing the goods shipments to the Island? Is there something sinister at work behind Collette's weakening health?

Inquiring minds want to know, but I am not telling - read it for yourself. Despite a bit of a rocky start that might be improved with some serious editing (I understand that the book was originally self-published), Charmaine's story was compelling enough to keep me turning the pages wanting to know what was going to happen next. This is the first in a trilogy; the next in the series is Decision and Destiny: Colette's Legacy which I just started. The last book, Forever Waiting: Colette's Appeal, is due out in November '09. These books might be a bit too slow paced for some readers as the author(s) cover a great deal of the day-to-day activities of the family along with Charmaine's interaction with the children, but I enjoyed it a great deal, especially the Island setting. 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4.

An intriguing story that moves along at a nice clip, with very memorable characters. The historical and geographic settings are fascinating and add to the story. A "must read" not only for romance readers, but for anyone interested in historical fiction.

I'm so glad Deva Gantt has brought back a novel with substance, a novel where the reader is truly swept up in a timeless adventure. A lush tropical setting, complex and flawed characters and a plot that will keep the reader longing for more time in La Charmantes.

Laura K.

Chester, NY

I was in a book store and I just stumbled across this book, literally!!! (a child accidently knocked it off the table and I picked it up to put it back) After I read the back, I was interested. After I read the first chapter, I was hooked. A Silent Ocean Away is absolutely one of the most captivating books I have read in a long time. From the way the authors describe the locations to the dynamic characters, these two sisters (the authors) have done an amazing job of placing you on Charmantes with Charmaine and the Duvoisins wishing to be apart of their world.

I promise you, you will not be let down by this book. I cried and laughed and was angry and the whole time I couldn't tear myself away. I read it ~ 3 weeks ago and I still can't get it out of my head. The only bad part was not realizing it was only part 1 of a trilogy until I got to end, now I have to wait until the 2nd book comes out in April 2009!! So readers be warned, but it is worth the wait.

When I first picked up this book and read the blurb it got me hooked! I read it for hours on end, reading it in my spare time. The thing I enjoyed most in A Silent Ocean Away is how each important character has their own little secret to hide. This is what I think makes the novel most appealing. It feels as if you are watching each scene. I cannot wait for the 2nd in april '09. I hope it is just as good!

In the height of the middle 1800s, Charmaine Ryan is a teenage girl who has only known poverty and heartache in life. She is made to work for a wealthy family to help provide for her family. But living with an angry and abusive father, Charmaine seeks solace in the love of her mother and the people she works for.

But one day Charmaine's life takes a tragic turn when she loses the one person she holds close to her heart. Outcast by her father she seeks refuge with her employers whose welcoming home and caring ways allow her to have a new life. Charmaine hopes to break free from her jagged past and create a new one with her new family.

In the employ of the Harrington's, Charmaine is giving the opportunity to take a new job overseas with the wealthy Duvoisin family. The Duvoisin family carries its own mystery and secrets, giving Charmaine a new view on how the more fortunate live. From within the large wealthy shipping tycoon Duvoisin family, Charmaine befriends her employer's young wife Colette. Paul, the husband's only son out of wedlock,, entices Charmaine and charms her to open up her world to his-but he is confronted with challenges of other woman who is out for his heart.

A Silent Ocean Away is an enchanting historical novel that clearly sets the stage of that time period. The innocence of the young comes through by showing how life was dictated by placement in society and wealth.

I'm moved by the building relationships between Charmaine and the DuvoisinDuvoisin family and her need to be accepted and adapt to her new surroundings. Charmaine is repeatively confronted with the many hidden secrets this wealthy family carries. Even her own secrets from her past are put on front stage. Charmaine simply has to ask herself: Can coming across an ocean truly keep your past from you? And do your decisions always lead you to the right ones or self doubt?

Armchair Interviews says: An interesting historical fiction.

this novel is absolutely one of the very best i have ever read. charmaine is a young girl when she comes to charmante and drawn into the familys tangled past. this is definately not a book you want to pass up i read this book in one day. it is one of those nailbiting page turners. when the series end you will be begging for more.

What can I say. . . A fantastic triology! You become very involved with all of the characters in this first book and you are left wanting more, lots more! One of the best books I've read in awhile, very unpredictable plost twists w/ mystery, love, intrigue, and a beautiful setting. Simply wonderful, I can't wait until the new books to come out, it feels like I am forever waiting! I'm so excited to read about the Duvoisin family during the Civil War, please publish more soon!

This book is very well written. It's romantic, intriguing and mysterious. It's historic and educates in the sense that it takes place in the 1800's and artfully shows the life of a wealthy family, the Duvoisins. The Duvoisins are shipping magnates who lead tumultuos lives due to their money and power. There's Colette, Frederic Duvoisin's second wife who is kind hearted and very beautiful and who loves her husband dearly although he is old enough to be her father; he also loves her but there seems to be a lot of misgivings in their relationship. The Duvoisins live in the Caribean and one feels being transported to that beautiful island. This is a wonderful book that everyone should read, luckily this is trilogy and the fun continues in the other two books. This is definitely a "must read".