It is the 18th century. Emmeline’s mother dies after leaving her a clue about her possible future based on her biracial heritage. Emmeline abandons the wealthy estate in North Carolina. She stows away on a cargo brig set for England. A seaman, William escorts her to the shantytown of 18th century Liverpool. A rebellious aristocrat ventures to the unsavory neighborhood. He attempts to befriend her. She initially refuses. Emmeline seeks assistance from a benevolent society. After initial reluctance, Emmeline courts the marquis who eventually announces their engagement. His mother plots with Lady Edna to be rid of Emmeline. Emmeline still attempts to reveal the secret of her heritage while the marquis still seeks her hand in marriage.
Targeted Age Group:: 15+
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
I would say my previous research as an academic into the history of the slave trade and localized slavery within the American colonies. It is my first historical romance and since slavery was concentrated in the American South, I naturally chose North Carolina as a starting point. As an aside my own heritage is linked to this colony as well.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
I think I knew what her character and appearance would appear as before I even named her. I remember the character name Emma from a traditional romance author of yore (you can guess) and chose the name Emmeline for my own protagonist.
Book Sample
Emmeline was a determined and precarious young lady who possessed the wits of a merchant and the soul of a free-spirited butterfly. It was in the deep hollows of the night in the swampy outskirts of southern North Carolina. She concealed herself behind old burlap sacks of wheat, barley and cotton aligned like a garrison for storage during the off season. She was patient for years waiting for that moment, the one moment where she could summon the strength to leave the creature comforts of the mansion. Emmeline bided her time until she saw nearly all the candles blown out by all on the estate. She shivered and became discontent with her own hesitation to escape from the misery of plantation living she witnessed most of her life. The people of the manor tried to shelter her, so much so it was nearly impossible for her to leave the mansion. She always had to be escorted onto the grounds and watched over. They never allowed her to go beyond the confines of the estate, even as an adolescent. How she maneuvered herself from the manor and onto the grounds during this eerily dark and starry night was a secret she swore no one else could know. Emmeline slowly walked from behind the stacks and with fingerless cotton gloves, pressed her right ear towards the shack’s cool dampened wall. There was no sound, not even crickets chirping their mating calls. Servants had retired for the evening and slaves were incredulously exhausted from a day’s labour that no ordinary human could withstand. She adjusted her position where both knees met the dusty floor and leaned as close as she could and peered through the crack of the wall boards. She was alone; there was no one in the abandoned shack to confront her actions. No one to talk her out of her ploy and not a soul to encourage her.
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Author Bio:
Patricia M. Muhammad is an American fiction author of crossover contemporary romance/science fiction, science fiction/fantasy, and historical romance genres. She has currently written 19 novels.
Before penning fiction, Patricia emerged as an international legal history scholar and academic author, focusing on human rights, international law and restorative justice. She has currently written and published a combination of 21 research papers and academic book reviews in these subject areas. Her work has appeared in the American University International Law Review, Columbia Journal of Race and Law, the Willamette Journal of International Law and Public Policy as well as the New York History Journal. Her non-fiction writing has been cited dozens of times in various respectable academic journals.
She is currently working on her 20th book.
Her poem, 'Uncertainty' appeared in the April 2020 issue of WritersTalk.
Oh, I really enjoy coffee.
