Storm Clouds Rolling In
1860 – 1861
Paperback, 505 pages
Publisher: A Voice in the World Publishing
Copyright – 2010
ISBN 0982717105
Storm Clouds Rolling In, is the first book in a series called The Bregdan Chronicles. Bregdan is a Gaelic term used for weaving or braiding. Ginny Dye writes her book on what she calls The Bregdan Principal. The Principal reads as follows – “Every life that has been lived until today is a part of the woven braid of life. It takes every person’s story to create history. Your life will help determine the course of history. You may think you don’t have much of an impact. You do. Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life, someone else’s decisions and someone else’s future, both good and bad.”
Storm Clouds Rolling In, is a sweeping historical saga that begins in the dark and destructive days before the Civil War. Carrie Cromwell is the main character of the book. She is at the time of her life when she is coming of age. She has a very fiery spirit about her and a strong mind. Carrie’s best friend, Rose, is a black girl belonging to her Father, as one of his slaves. Rose has been Carrie’s servant for as long as she remembers. Carrie taught Rose how to read and write secretly as it was against the laws of the south for the blacks to have this knowledge. Watching how Rose and her family are treated on the plantation cause a lot of upheaval in Carrie’s heart.
Carrie has strong views on the treatment of slaves and the buying and selling of the slaves with no regards to their family members. Yet, she also understands her Father’s side of this way of life. To keep his plantation running and live the wealthy life style they live he needs the slaves. Their life as it is, would be impossible without them.
The historical novel comes to life with Carrie discovering the Underground Railroad of that time period. Carrie has many close friends with the Cromwell Plantation slaves. As a result of these friendships, she has to make many difficult decisions.
Storm Clouds Rolling In, is an amazing historical novel. You began caring about the characters in the book almost immediately. My understanding of history and slavery has been truly enlarged as a result of this novel. Ginny Dye’s style of writing brings you into this period of history with caring and emotion. She definitely has done her homework well with the historical facts and story line.
Storm Clouds Rolling In, is quite possibly one of my favorite books I have read. I could not put the book down. I had to immediately purchase the next chronicle of the Bregdan Series. Great read!
Book Review by Carole Walsh-Scott – 4/24/2015
