The massacre at Little Rock’s which included the murder of her Chinese father was a catalyst for Celia to do something to get justice. Highlighting the case and bringing publicity was not going to do any good as the Chinese miners were considered by the whites to be subversive and dangerous. That they were murdered in cold blood for no reason other than the fact that they were hard working was not a plus in their favor. Celia was then kidnapped and put on a boat to get her out of the way. Her escape and return to Portland is a story in itself. Her uncovering of the high connections to the brothel trade was another.
The story of immense courage and a search for identity, a search for justice is the focus of the story. The romance and the happily ever after is secondary.
Descriptive in every aspect from the hypocrisy of the establishment, to the poverty and the brothels of Portland the story was an intense one. I did not find this an easy or comfortable read, just grateful to be born in present times with no strictures or unfair boundaries.
Sent by Sourcebooks Landmark for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.
On my list to be read. The author covers so many interesting periods of history in her books.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound like an intense story...and a sad one at times, too.
ReplyDeleteLots going on, I hope she gets a good ending
ReplyDelete