SEEN BY MOONLIGHT
Kathleen Eschenburg
Avon
ISBN 0-380-81568-0
January 2004
Historical
Kathleen Eschenburg's debut novel, THE NIGHTINGALE'S SONG, was embraced by readers and critics alike, as evidenced by its nomination for and receipt of several awards from the romance industry. With her follow-up book, SEEN BY MOONLIGHT, Miss Eschenburg proves that her talent is not a flash in the pan but has staying power. Readers will not be disappointed by her sophomore effort.
SEEN BY MOONLIGHT is another story of the Kincaids of Virginia, but in an earlier setting, the years of the Civil War. Royce Kincaid and Annabelle Hallston find themselves forced into marriage by events beyond their control, but they agree that theirs will be a marriage in name only, and will be dissolved in five years or one year after the war ends, whichever comes first. Despite the terms of their union, Royce and Annabelle are deeply attracted to one another, but Royce is determined not to yield to his longing for Annabelle.
Spanning the years of the Civil War, SEEN BY MOONLIGHT has the sweeping plot of a saga, but the small cast of characters lends it an intimacy that most sagas lack. Ms. Eschenburg is skilled at revealing just enough information about her characters to move the plot along without bogging it down in backstory. Royce and Annabelle have an easy banter which endears them to readers, but Royce's tortured childhood and Annabelle's independence add depth and realism to their interaction.
Readers will be equally interested in the secondary love story in SEEN BY MOONLIGHT, between the slave woman Patsy and Clarence, the blacksmith. Ms. Eschenburg does not shy away from the terrible reality of slavery, and Patsy's reactions to the people she finds at Riverbend, the Kincaid estate. History is used to great effect, without being heavy-handed. When Ms. Eschenburg describes the soldiers having a game of baseball, she's incorporating historical fact that lends authenticity to her story. Her judicious use of real people such as Generals Grant and Lee is also well done without going over the top. Every scene is beautifully written and essential to the plot.
Kathleen Eschenburg is currently hard at work on the third book in this series, which features John DeShields and Olivia Sherwood as its protagonists. Readers will no doubt be hungry for updates on the characters from the first two books, as several plot points were left unresolved. Will Patsy find her son who was sold away from her? What kind of man will Bo Hallston turn out to be? How will these characters cope with the aftermath of the war? It takes a skilled writer to satisfy readers in her current book while at the same time cultivating their curiosity for future books. Kathleen Eschenburg has that skill in abundance. SEEN BY MOONLIGHT is a wonderful follow-up to a terrific first novel.
