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The Plantation #1
Always & Forever
Since they were children running barefoot about Toulouse Plantation, Josie and Cleo have been as close as sisters, forging an unbreakable bond that defies their roles as mistress and slave. Together, the two have shared secrets and protected each other through happiness and heartbreak. They never dream they could also share an intense passion for the same man, the elegant, charming, and irresistibly seductive Bertrand Chamard. His love will change their friendship forever and set in motion a series of events from which there can be no turning back. Set among the bayous of Old Louisiana and the grand avenues of New Orleans, ALWAYS & FOREVER is the stirring saga of a Creole family and of two women, bound by blood and friendship, who are tested by prejudice, betrayal, and the tragedies of slavery. Book I of THE PLANTATION SERIES. Includes Book Group discussion questions.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 15, 2015
Excellent story!
I love to read about the old south and particularly about New Orleans. Always and forever is a well written thoroughly researched novel. Congratulations to Gretchen Craig. She has won another avid reader of historical fiction. Thank you so much!
I love to read about the old south and particularly about New Orleans. Always and forever is a well written thoroughly researched novel. Congratulations to Gretchen Craig. She has won another avid reader of historical fiction. Thank you so much!
December 14, 2025
"Always and Forever" explores the relationship between a mistress and slave who have grown up together. This story is heartbreaking as the reader will relive some of the horrors of slavery. It is set in Louisiana with a Creole Family. The story starts out while Josie, the future mistress of the house, and Cleo, her slave are still young. As the story unfolds we learn just how close they are and the intricate details of their family. As they grow up, they go through hard times as they have to fulfill their roles laid out for them in the late 18oos as mistress to a struggling plantation and a slave. At times the book was a little slow and I was definitely frustrated with both of them and their choices. I ultimately did like how Josie grew into herself and her role but I was not always the biggest fan of Cleo's choices. Overall, this was an interesting look at life for two young women of very different stations in the late 1800s in Louisiana.
June 8, 2018
Excellent reading
April 8, 2018
Very Smooth read! There wasn't as much violence as most of the other slave era books I've recently read, which was refreshing. Always & Forever was an interesting, almost soap opera like story line, that had you guessing what was to become of the characters and left you with a sweet feeling!
January 9, 2025
Not being a history scholar, I expect to learn something I didn't know in the historical fiction genre. This author did not disappoint. The story is well written and filled with the deepest of contrasts of pain to joy, rich to poor, male to female. There is a distinct message of hope and strength that pulls the reader through every page. On to the second in the series.
September 7, 2015
Always & Forever: A Saga about Slavery and Deliverance is book one of the Plantation series by Gretchen Craig. It is a fantastic depiction of family life of the Tassin family from 1823-1840. The setting is the Toulouse Plantation on the bayous of Old Louisiana and New Orleans. Two girls grow up as close as sisters but with the bonds of mistress and slave fall in love with the same man. It is the story of secrets and betrayals.
Things began to change the day Bibi and Cleo were sold to pay Papa’s gambling debts. Josie Tassin cried and tried to physically pull them out of the wagon. She begged for Maman and Grand-mere to help. At six, she did not understand why her nurse and playmate were in the wagon to be sold. Papa rode up just as the wagon was starting off; but he was unable to get them out of the wagon as they had already been sold. In a rage, he ran to Maman’s room and rummaged for her jewelry box. Unable to open it, he broke it open spilling jewels across the floor. He took the pearls he had given Maman on their wedding and left. Later, he returned with Bibi and Cleo. Josie was happy, her nurse and playmate were back. Maman was not happy. She grew quieter and meaner towards Bibi and Cleo. Papa, seeing the situation was getting worse, gave Cleo to Josie. He told her it was her responsibility now to always protect Cleo. Later when she was seven, this promise grew to include Thibault, Cleo’s little brother. Although life continued on the plantation, things were never the same.
At nine, Josie was to receive lessons on deportment, playing the piano, dancing, and conversations as well as math and reading. As her best friend, Cleo sat in on all of these lessons as befitted a slave. After the lessons, Josie and Cleo would practice together. However, Josie never taught Cleo to read as that was against the law. Cleo, however, picked it up along with Josie. The girls remained as close as circumstances allowed.
Will they remain close? What secrets are hidden on the plantation that could cause a rift between them? Will Josie be able to keep her promise to Papa and Cleo?
Things began to change the day Bibi and Cleo were sold to pay Papa’s gambling debts. Josie Tassin cried and tried to physically pull them out of the wagon. She begged for Maman and Grand-mere to help. At six, she did not understand why her nurse and playmate were in the wagon to be sold. Papa rode up just as the wagon was starting off; but he was unable to get them out of the wagon as they had already been sold. In a rage, he ran to Maman’s room and rummaged for her jewelry box. Unable to open it, he broke it open spilling jewels across the floor. He took the pearls he had given Maman on their wedding and left. Later, he returned with Bibi and Cleo. Josie was happy, her nurse and playmate were back. Maman was not happy. She grew quieter and meaner towards Bibi and Cleo. Papa, seeing the situation was getting worse, gave Cleo to Josie. He told her it was her responsibility now to always protect Cleo. Later when she was seven, this promise grew to include Thibault, Cleo’s little brother. Although life continued on the plantation, things were never the same.
At nine, Josie was to receive lessons on deportment, playing the piano, dancing, and conversations as well as math and reading. As her best friend, Cleo sat in on all of these lessons as befitted a slave. After the lessons, Josie and Cleo would practice together. However, Josie never taught Cleo to read as that was against the law. Cleo, however, picked it up along with Josie. The girls remained as close as circumstances allowed.
Will they remain close? What secrets are hidden on the plantation that could cause a rift between them? Will Josie be able to keep her promise to Papa and Cleo?
March 8, 2019
This was a good book! As a Louisiana native and history lover I enjoyed this book. The author was accurate about life in Louisiana. Her description of living through a flood and the horrors that follow was amazing. The antebellum era is one of my favorite areas of study so I was immediately invested in the story. Josie and Cleo are half-sisters. Cleo's mother is the woman that takes care of Josie. I don't think it was believable that Josie was unaware of the relationship between her father and Bibi. I liked all of the characters and the story flowed well. It was a bit predictable but enjoyable. This was my first book by this author and I will read more of her work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 3, 2015
I really loved this historical novel. It was amazing how well the author was able to take me back into the deep south during the pre Civil War era. Her characters wove such an intricate story, that I felt like they were part of my own family! My hopes for Josie and Cleo broke my heart in this novel. It's hard not to find anger rising at the ways of the past, and I just wanted my little Josie to have a Happy Ever After. Although this book is a part of a series, each novel in the series can be considered a stand alone... so no cliffhangers. Great Book. Great Series
July 1, 2017
I was a little worried this would be a new version of Gone with the Wind. But the author tries to depict relationships between owners and slaves in a more historically accurate way. I enjoyed the book and felt like the plot and characters were believable and interesting.
September 9, 2016
Loved it!
February 23, 2025
A good story, moves along a touch slow but the quirks make it interesting.Excited to continue in this series 😀
July 22, 2020
I really enjoyed this novel set in Louisiana before the Civil War. Although I have read multiple novels that dealth with the antebellum South and slavery, this one was different in that it also introduced the Cajun and Creole ethnicities into the plot. The storyline focuses on Josie, the Creole daughter of a plantation owner and Cleo, the mulatoo slave girl who is half-sister to Josie---sharing a father. The story starts out with them growing up together in childhood while Josie is still ignorant of Cleo's true relationship to her. Eventually Josie finds out the truth and the closeness of their relationship is forever changed. As Josie approaches adulthood, she is pressed to marry the son of a wealthy American plantation owner but finds him terribly dull and cannot bring herself to agree to marry him no matter how much their proposed union could benefit her plantation financially. Cleo loves a field slave who is determined to be free. Eventually, both Josie and Cleo become involved with the same man, Bertrand, a Creole who is a distant relative to Josie. I won't go any further to avoid spoiling the plot for others.
When I first started reading the novel, I felt it moved along a bit slowly but the action and drama picked up and I was totally caught up in it. I didn't even like Josie at first because she seemed like a spoiled superficial person. However, she changed greatly in the novel and became an admirable character--showing much more depth. She is definitely the star of the novel.
Although the author definitely portrays the horrors of slavery, it doesn't include a lot of scenes of violence. The novel includes a wide range of people among its characters---from plantation owerns, Creoles who are both plantation owners and city dwellers in New Orleans, Cajuns who live in the bayous, and the slaves. Craig also depicts life in New Orleans during that time, including the clubs and quadroon mistresses.
This novel was the first in a series and I look forward to going on to the next novel in the series.
When I first started reading the novel, I felt it moved along a bit slowly but the action and drama picked up and I was totally caught up in it. I didn't even like Josie at first because she seemed like a spoiled superficial person. However, she changed greatly in the novel and became an admirable character--showing much more depth. She is definitely the star of the novel.
Although the author definitely portrays the horrors of slavery, it doesn't include a lot of scenes of violence. The novel includes a wide range of people among its characters---from plantation owerns, Creoles who are both plantation owners and city dwellers in New Orleans, Cajuns who live in the bayous, and the slaves. Craig also depicts life in New Orleans during that time, including the clubs and quadroon mistresses.
This novel was the first in a series and I look forward to going on to the next novel in the series.
February 6, 2021
An in-depth look at slavery on the old plantations, Always & Forever exposes two sides of the issue.
On the one hand we have Emil Tassin, the good-hearted owner of Toulouse Plantation. He has fathered not only a beautiful young daughter with his wife Celine but also an equally lovely daughter with one of the slave women, Bibi. As was often the case, the wife produced and heir but his love lies with Bibi. This story centers around the two daughters – Josie the heir and Cleo, the slave child.
Both girls are brought up together and at an early age Emil makes Cleo a gift to his daughter. He is highly aware that his wife resents not only Bibi but the child Cloe; when Celine (the wife) attempts to sell both Bibi and Cleo along with baby Thibault (another master/slave child), Emil arrives home just in time to save for Bibi and her children. Celine goes into a decline when she realizes that Emil truly loves the slave woman.
Josie and Cleo share many things as they grow, but not until they are in their teens do they both fall for the same man, Bertrand Chamard, who happens to be a distant cousin of Josie’s on her mother’s side. All seems to be going along well but in the end all their lives take unexpected turns.
As insightful as Gone With The Wind was, it only glossed over the true nature of slavery. Always & Forever exposes the dirty side, the cruel side. Author Gretchen Craig gives the reader wonderfully complex characters as well as a look at the lush bayous along the Louisiana shores of the Mississippi. We meet characters from every corner – the Creoles, the Cajun, and les Americains.
I was charmed by the boyish outlook of Phanor; impressed by the worldliness of Bertrand; loving the fierce independence of Cleo; and rooting for Josie to find her way. A wonderful group of secondary characters helps to fill the pages and round out the story. The story line is full of twists and I simply couldn’t put the book down.
Always & Forever is the first of a four-book series and this reader looks forward to reading them all.
On the one hand we have Emil Tassin, the good-hearted owner of Toulouse Plantation. He has fathered not only a beautiful young daughter with his wife Celine but also an equally lovely daughter with one of the slave women, Bibi. As was often the case, the wife produced and heir but his love lies with Bibi. This story centers around the two daughters – Josie the heir and Cleo, the slave child.
Both girls are brought up together and at an early age Emil makes Cleo a gift to his daughter. He is highly aware that his wife resents not only Bibi but the child Cloe; when Celine (the wife) attempts to sell both Bibi and Cleo along with baby Thibault (another master/slave child), Emil arrives home just in time to save for Bibi and her children. Celine goes into a decline when she realizes that Emil truly loves the slave woman.
Josie and Cleo share many things as they grow, but not until they are in their teens do they both fall for the same man, Bertrand Chamard, who happens to be a distant cousin of Josie’s on her mother’s side. All seems to be going along well but in the end all their lives take unexpected turns.
As insightful as Gone With The Wind was, it only glossed over the true nature of slavery. Always & Forever exposes the dirty side, the cruel side. Author Gretchen Craig gives the reader wonderfully complex characters as well as a look at the lush bayous along the Louisiana shores of the Mississippi. We meet characters from every corner – the Creoles, the Cajun, and les Americains.
I was charmed by the boyish outlook of Phanor; impressed by the worldliness of Bertrand; loving the fierce independence of Cleo; and rooting for Josie to find her way. A wonderful group of secondary characters helps to fill the pages and round out the story. The story line is full of twists and I simply couldn’t put the book down.
Always & Forever is the first of a four-book series and this reader looks forward to reading them all.
January 28, 2008
I was quite impressed by this book. It is set in Louisiana in the 1800s when there were slaves, and I'm not one to enjoy reading books like that, but I liked Always and Forever. While I was reading I was afraid it was going to be like a Harlequinn romance novel, and that wasn't what I wanted to read, but it wasn't like that. . .thank goodness. Josephine (Josie) Tassin goes through so much that I can't imagine having to endure, but she survives the many trials and even ends up happy. I wasn't sure who she was going to end up with in the end. I had hoped it would be Phanor, but didn't know how that could happen since he wasn't wealthy. However, I was relieved when they did end up together. I also couldn't believe that Cleo slept with Chamard, and even had a child with him, but I guess that could be expected. She was from a slave family, her mother did the same, and she enjoyed the flirting with Chamard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2020
Though labeled aromance, this is really a family saga in the grand old style, told by a masterstoryteller. The setting is vividly described, from the sugar cane cropsand wild honeysuckle on the Tassins' plantation to the nightclubs, velvet eveninggowns, and deadly yellow fever in antebellum New Orleans. Racial issues,always at the forefront, are handled realistically and perceptively. Ican't say how much I enjoyed visiting with Craig's fascinating and believablecharacters; while I was reading, the hours flew by
This is an excellent book that tells it like it was as far as relationships on plantations, and how those relationships touched the lives of all involved, white and black. The story line is believable and could easily taken place over and over again throughout the South prior to the Civil War. The characters are well defined and show great development. Their actions and reactions held true to the time period and also to human nature. The story is beautifully written and edited.
This is an excellent book that tells it like it was as far as relationships on plantations, and how those relationships touched the lives of all involved, white and black. The story line is believable and could easily taken place over and over again throughout the South prior to the Civil War. The characters are well defined and show great development. Their actions and reactions held true to the time period and also to human nature. The story is beautifully written and edited.
November 22, 2024
I very much enjoy period pieces and this one didn't disappoint. I also love when I read a book that is so richly researched that the author brings you, the reader into the minds of what is going on and doesn’t allow you to forget it. I felt a true part of this story, in the sense that with the authors stunning descriptions, you can imagine oneself there. I love this times period, somewhat like a. “Gone with the wind”vibe to it. I am also glad this is a series, this being the 1st book in the series of 4. I look forward to absorbing myself in another installment of Gretchen's The Plantation Series.
March 25, 2016
Always & Forever #1
Book # 1 in Ms. Craig's, ALWAYS & FOREVER series, is a very good representation of life as it was in Louisiana pre-Civial War. Creoles, Arcadian's, Cajan (there is a difference between them), Free-Colored, and American and Slavery and plantation life - all different walks of life in Louisiana play apart in these characters lives. The characters and the time period came to life for me and since I have visited a lot of the plantations on Plantation Row along the Mississippi, it helped this book come alive for me!
Book # 1 in Ms. Craig's, ALWAYS & FOREVER series, is a very good representation of life as it was in Louisiana pre-Civial War. Creoles, Arcadian's, Cajan (there is a difference between them), Free-Colored, and American and Slavery and plantation life - all different walks of life in Louisiana play apart in these characters lives. The characters and the time period came to life for me and since I have visited a lot of the plantations on Plantation Row along the Mississippi, it helped this book come alive for me!
January 4, 2022
Always and Forever is an engaging historical fiction set in Louisiana with Creoles, slaves, and the American culture. The main characters are sisters, one white and the other born to a slave mother. For most of the story, the free sister is unaware that her servant is her 1/2 sister.
The two girls grow up as best friends. In time they become attracted to the same gentlemen. Tragedy strikes, and their lives quickly change. There are fresh storylines with unusual characters that combine to make this a memorable read. The story is beautifully written with wit, charm, and drama.
The two girls grow up as best friends. In time they become attracted to the same gentlemen. Tragedy strikes, and their lives quickly change. There are fresh storylines with unusual characters that combine to make this a memorable read. The story is beautifully written with wit, charm, and drama.
April 1, 2015
A great book, don't miss this one, This is the first book of plantation series. A wonderful book set in lower Louisiana before the Civil War. There are many characters but the author describes each one for the readers. This is about the plantations, the masters, the big house, and their families also its about the slaves and their families. An excellent book. it has many twist and turns, some mystery, romance and love for the families. A goods author and storyteller.
January 7, 2020
Wonderful book about two woman in the pre civil war era in the south who grow up like sisters and fall in love with the same man. One is with, the other is her slave who is mulatto and very beautiful. First in the Plantation series, I’d love to hear the others in this series. This was so nicely written.
I own the audible version and it is nicely read.
I own the audible version and it is nicely read.
May 28, 2023
excellent historical fiction
I really enjoyed this book about the South and way of life during the period of slavery and big plantations. The relationships are complicated and well drawn. I got involved with all the characters. It is a very good and accessible read. I would recommend it if this phase of history interests you.
I really enjoyed this book about the South and way of life during the period of slavery and big plantations. The relationships are complicated and well drawn. I got involved with all the characters. It is a very good and accessible read. I would recommend it if this phase of history interests you.
February 2, 2022
Kept Me Reading
I really enjoyed this story of plantation life as it must have been- without the Gone With the Wind gloss over. Real, and gritty at times. But unlike other stories I have read set in this setting and era, it had a great story line that kept me intrigued.
I really enjoyed this story of plantation life as it must have been- without the Gone With the Wind gloss over. Real, and gritty at times. But unlike other stories I have read set in this setting and era, it had a great story line that kept me intrigued.
April 4, 2023
Such a wonderful read! This genre and era are one of my favorites to read. It definitely is deserving of 5 stars! I fell in love with most of the characters. The story made me feel like I was right there with them.
June 11, 2023
I Recommend this book
Set in the days of slavery with the horrors of that time but the resilience of two women one black one white. Sisters by birth each with their struggles. The other characters are well developed and add to this story of heartbreak and joy.
Set in the days of slavery with the horrors of that time but the resilience of two women one black one white. Sisters by birth each with their struggles. The other characters are well developed and add to this story of heartbreak and joy.
November 5, 2024
Read Me
Fiction or no, an amazing novel about the south and slavery pre civil war. Gretchen Craig had my heart and mind captivated. I felt like I was there. I am eager to read the next book in the series.
Fiction or no, an amazing novel about the south and slavery pre civil war. Gretchen Craig had my heart and mind captivated. I felt like I was there. I am eager to read the next book in the series.
February 16, 2015
I loved this book. I have read this author and just happened across her while browsing in the kindle book shop. I will read more of her!
March 9, 2015
Slavery the cursed era
Well written and clear passages from the era in the south as we know it. This period in our past is hard to consider.
Well written and clear passages from the era in the south as we know it. This period in our past is hard to consider.
July 14, 2015
Moving story
This book was a tribute to sisters and their love for each other regardless of color. Very sad in parts but happy at the end
This book was a tribute to sisters and their love for each other regardless of color. Very sad in parts but happy at the end
July 17, 2015
Great book
I enjoyed this book about the relationship between these two sisters and the bond they shared that others in that situation at that time would not have formed.
I enjoyed this book about the relationship between these two sisters and the bond they shared that others in that situation at that time would not have formed.
January 9, 2020
I loved it
The first book that didn’t bore me in a very long time. It’s worth the read. I can’t wait to read book 2.
The first book that didn’t bore me in a very long time. It’s worth the read. I can’t wait to read book 2.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews