Always & Forever: A Saga of Slavery and Deliverance

Plantation Series, Book 1

By: Gretchen Craig

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

Since they were children running barefoot about Toulouse Plantation, Josie and Cleo have been as close as sisters, forging an unbreakable bond that defies their roles as mistress and slave. Together, the two have shared secrets and protected each other through happiness and heartbreak. They never dream they could also share an intense passion for the same man, the elegant, charming, and irresistibly seductive Bertrand Chamard. His love will change their friendship forever and set in motion a series of events from which there can be no turning back.

Set among the bayous of Old Louisiana and the grand avenues of New Orleans, Always & Forever is the stirring saga of a Creole family and of two women, bound by blood and friendship, who are tested by prejudice, betrayal, and the tragedies of slavery.

©2014 Gretchen Craig (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A powerful saga...Craig's sweeping debut brings you straight into her characters' lives, and her vivid descriptions and historical details allow you to see, hear, smell and fully experience the story of two remarkable women." ( RT Book Reviews)

Nope. Nope. Nope. And nope!

As someone who grew up in Louisiana and is very familiar with its history, I hated these four books so much I can scarcely put it into words. Let's begin with the narrator whose Black character voices were so tone-deaf and offensive I could scream. As a Cajun, I can assure you her Cajun accent was pathetically off-key. The two middle books were bodice-rippers, not "A Saga of Slavery and Deliverance." Taken as a whole, with slight exceptions in the fourth book (the portrayal of the terrorism of the Knights of the White Camelia), this paints the same picture as "Gone With the Wind" but without the epic grandeur. To make a long story short, this series portrayal of the happy, contented slaves and the benevolent masters is pure hogwash. Again, tone-deaf and highly offensive. I wish I could trade these in and at least get my money/credits back because heaven knows I'll never get my time back I wasted on these egregiously offensive tomes. Next time try getting an African American voice actor for something like this and it might not be as crappy. I nominate Bahni Turpin.

Very juicy!

I never knew 1835 could be so deceitful, trifling, and downright off the chain. Do yourself a favor, read this one!

Food For Thought

I enjoyed the book from beginning to end. I listened to the entire book in 2 days! I actually felt like I was observing what was happening in person. I felt the pain and heart ache they felt. The descriptive conversations and adjectives did a wonderful job in allowing the readers/listeners to take part in the lives of so many innocent people caught up in a unjust, cruel and hateful world. I could not... experienced the lives of the enslaved and those who loved them without thinking of my Great Great Grandparents from the mid 1800s.
iThe book was an excellent read, which I highly recommend to anyone and everyone.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK

This book is filled with so many emotions that it’s hard to put it down. I feared the French dialect would be hard but it wasn’t. Although a story centered around slavery this story is filled with so much kindness and good people. PLEASE DONT LET THE FACT THAT ITS CENTERED AROUND SLAVERY STOP YOU FROM BUYING THIS BOOK. YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED. IM ALREADY READY TO BUY HER NEXT IN THIS SERIES. The narrator is WONDERFUL TOO!

Unbreakable bonds

Thie main two characters in this book will take you on a captivating journey. You feel the characters struggle to mataining family and friendship, while finding one's own self and love. Can't wait to read the next book in the saga.

it was an okay read

Narration was above average. I found it a bit difficult to keep the French names in proper order. Story line was nothing memorable.
Very predictable ending. Bordered on being too mushy and "happy everafter"!

Excellent Book

The narrative was so good, played into characters well. It was a book I could not stop listening to, will read the next book in the series. Great Author.

Love on the plantion.

loved it! Could listen to it over and over again. Can't wait to hear the next book.

Exceptional

Loved it. The narration is excellent. Story line intriguing. I enjoy historical fiction. want to purchase next in series.
Bonnie

Pleasant, enjoyable could have been a little more.

Enjoyable, could have had more events involving the love relationships and cleos interaction with her mom and dad.

Had potential

The story was slow in the beginning. Flat in the middle and end. Was expecting more.
Don’t think I will be continuing with the series.