A Reluctant Belle (Daughttry House #2) by Beth white

Book Description

Impoverished Southern belle Joelle Daughtry has a secret. By day she has been helping her sisters in their quest to turn the run-down family plantation into a resort hotel after the close of the Civil War. But by night and under a male pseudonym, she has been penning articles for the local paper in support of the construction of a Negro school. With the Mississippi arm of the Ku Klux Klan gaining power and prestige, Joelle knows she is playing a dangerous game.

When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father's candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect--and even love--if you're already engaged to someone else?Impoverished Southern belle Joelle Daughtry has a secret. By day she has been helping her sisters in their quest to turn the run-down family plantation into a resort hotel after the close of the Civil War. But by night and under a male pseudonym, she has been penning articles for the local paper in support of the construction of a Negro school. With the Mississippi arm of the Ku Klux Klan gaining power and prestige, Joelle knows she is playing a dangerous game.

When childhood enemy and current investor in the Daughtry house renovation Schuyler Beaumont takes over his assassinated father's candidacy for state office, Joelle finds that in order to protect her family and her home, she and Schuyler will have to put aside their longstanding personal conflict and develop a united public front. The trouble is, what do you do when animosity becomes respect--and even love--if you're already engaged to someone else?

My thoughts:

I'm always unsure if a second book in a series will live up to the first one but this one absolutely did! It you haven't read the first book,A Rebel Heart there is enough of the back story that you'll have no problem with what's been happening. 

Joelle is determined to do what she thinks it right and fair even though others may not agree with her and  it is dangerous.  You have to love a lady who is no shrinking violet and one who will go the extra mile to treat all human beings with respect and dignity.  As a fan of historical fiction, I think Ms. White has captured the aftermath of the Civil War in this realistic and well written story. She blends adventure and danger with a touch of faith and a bit of romance.

I am eager to read the third book in the series to find out what adventure the author has in store for her readers.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to write a review.  All opinions are my own.