Like an Evening Gone

Strong #1

by Jeannie Johnson

The Strong family are wealthy, arrogant, decadent, and ruthless, with a string of sugar plantations in Barbados, a stately home near Bristol, and ambitions to control the refining of sugar in that city. But in a single night, the actions of one generation alter the family's legacy for ever. The three Strong brothers are overseeing their inheritance in the West Indies. In this balmy, tropical setting, an ugly situation is fuelled by Barbados rum, a murder is committed, and a child conceived. And the repercussions of this fatal night have a violent domino effect which reaches down through generations.

Genres: Historical, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

571 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.

aka J.G. Goodhind.

Jeannie Johnson was born and brought up in South Bristol and has worked in law, the probation service, tourism and as a supporting actress in CASUALTY and HOLBY CITY. She recently won the BBC New Writers Initiative at Radio Bristol for a script entitled 'Second Time Around'. She is married with one daughter and lives in the Wye Valley with her husband.

Reviews

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have rewritten this review three times so just bear with me a servant is raped by the three strong brothers in during the Tristeza murder because she witnesses it they promise to keep her in her own home for the rest of her life. She winds up pregnant and gives birth to a daughter named Blanche. When the boys grow up Jebediah becomes a Reverend and does what he can to make amends for the unfortunate murder of the Butler in keeping with his religious beliefs him and his wife helped to feed and clothed homeless children near their England home they even educate the boys and give them a home aboard the ship Miriam that is also the school. When Jeb‘s son goes missing and assume dead he starts having dreams about another blonde hair blue-eyed boy that comes in the form of Tom. They take him in and eventually love him like this Sunday lost he grows up to be smart strong virol and handsome Edwin‘s oldest daughter who is a righteous B, is in love with him but he doesn’t feel the same. After viola passes away her daughter is sent to Bristol but it isn’t as a long lost family member but to be the nanny of Edwin‘s younger children she is excited about this prospect because she is in love with Nelson Edwin‘s oldest son and thinks they are to be married. When she arrives she she is taken aback to be treated like a servant but she is even more determined to find out which brother is her father. Tom seems to be the only Strong family member that is nice to her she makes friends with another servant name Edith and her new friend is amazed at how strong minded and determined blanches and how she doesn’t take disrespect from anyone. Needless to say the women in her new family dislike her immensely and insist Edwin send her away but knowing what he knows and she knows he does not. When Tom helps the chimney sweep get his son who is stuck in the chimney down he also brings down the dead body of Jeb’s long dead son but he doesn’t tell anyone what he’s found after all Jeb is on the verge of dying and he takes it upon himself to find out what happened to him. Blanch despises her new home and wants to go back where she came from but she has to see Nelson first the longer she is there however the closer her and Captain Tom become but he won’t be her only romantic interest. There is so much more to the story and I mean way more and OMG is this story good I am not really a person who likes Siri‘s but I cannot wait to read the next book I have a feeling Edwin‘s daughter is going to cause trouble and that there is way more to come with Captain Tom, Blanche and the rest of the Strong family I hope you have made it to this point in my review and just know there are many keep plot points I have left out only because I don’t like long reviews and don’t want to write something no one will read I hope this gives you a good idea of how great the story is it has mystery romance twist murders ET see everything you want in a great book is in this book Lizzie Lane has definitely outdone herself by far I totally am obsessed with this series and can’t wait to get to the next book. I’ve received this book from NetGalley and Boldwood books but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book starts with several stories that seem incredibly unrelated and confusing, but come back near the end to connect. The family histories interweave (as family history is wont to do) and get complicated at times as you forget who people are, but eventually you figure things out.

I loved Lizzie Lane's language and her write style to not shirk away from the grittier topics (slavery, sex work) and talk about them in a realistic way. I appreciated that she didn't have the reception of a Black woman be brushed away as if it wouldn't be a racist greeting; things weren't so rosey as so many books make them out to be just for a happy story.

Ultimately, I thought the story had too many threads that took away from the main storyline, making it much longer than it needed to be. I did appreciate that not everyone had a happy ending, but wow, what an abrupt ending it was.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a twisted web some people weave! The first chapter is dark and disturbing and sets the scene for the rest of the novel. The catalyst of what happens to one woman shows how society treats all women at that time and it’s very sad and tragic to read. I can’t say I liked any of the Strong family at this point.

But then the story takes us to Bristol ....some dark and unsettling themes here....

The themes in this novel are quite dark and unsettling but this first novel is the first of a trilogy so there’s going to be some unraveling and more twists. Going to be back for parts two and three? Oh yes. I need to know what happens!

[Elizabeth Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm always happy to discover a new family saga, especially one with Caribbean roots and a beautiful cover. Unfortunately, this left me underwhelmed. It pings around between so many characters, I found it difficult to follow in audio, and I only mildly cared about a couple of those characters. I was also confused by the fact that the big secret, which changes multiple characters' lives forever, is that one of the Strongs killed an enslaved man. Granted, I don't know about Barbados law in particular, but a slave was property, and killing your family's own property--particularly when you thought a White life was in danger--shouldn't have been surrounded by this level of fear/consequences. So to me, the plot was built on bad research and carried no weight. If you're familiar with 1800s Barbadian law, tell me I'm wrong!

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Liked this story very much and looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy I would recommend it to everyone.

[Norma Escobedo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

What you want your whole life, you find and it turns your life upside down. Sad but true in the case of Blanche

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle book

[Peter Stedman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found it different from previous books. Quite hard to carry on reading in some parts.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is the first book in a series of three:
1/ Like an evening gone
2/ Just before dawn
3/ Forgotten faces.

The story begins in Barbados where the three Strong brothers Emmanuel, Otis and Jebediah spend part of their time running their family business. They own sugar plantations and exploit many of the locals as slaves. The women are also used for their pleasure. The eldest brother Emmanuel is the most ruthless. His actions together with those of his youngest brother Jebediah one evening in Barbados, lead to consequences which will affect their lives and those of their children.

From Barbados to Bristol where the Strong brothers hail from, we are introduced to their wives, children, friends and enemies. Some of the themes in this book made me uncomfortable (incest and the degrading way women were treated) to the point that I found myself squirming at times. I personally would not classify this novel as a "romance". It is a historical fiction novel with many adult themes. The story reads like watching a movie - it changes from scene to scene within each chapter. I found myself immersed in the world of the Strong family and by the end of the book I was looking forward to starting the second in the series. I rate this book 3 stars.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were certain elements of this book that I did enjoy, which was why I decided to give it a read. I love historical fiction therefore, when I noticed what era this book was focused on, I knew that I had to give it a try. I enjoyed reading about the different generations, and how they dealt with class and race divisions given the era at hand. I did find it difficult to read how certain individuals were treated, which made me cringe, glad that we live in a time where race is not as prevalent as it was. I loved the romance that began to bloom between Tom and Blanche, despite her initial attraction to Nelson. The Strong family were difficult to digest, which made me want to continue reading to see what would happen to each of them. I felt that Tom was the only genuine character, as he showed his true colours when faced with a situation that he felt was unjust. I would have loved to read more about what happened with some of the other characters however, since there is a sequel, I may take some time to delve into that at one point in time. Overall, this book did peak my interest, as I would be intrigued to see what happens in the end with Tom and other prominent members of the Strong family.

[Candy Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gritty and complicated plot, so much is going on. It is a good story but there are one or two instances that are a little disappointing. Poor Tom Strong seems to be kept running. His father is dying, his school on a ship is set fire to, he loves Blanche, etc. Blanche is also having a hard time. She is the nurse for four children, part-time governess and she is in love with him. His, sort of stepsister, is in love with him. but because of where he is from they don't feel he is good enough and he feels the same way. She really likes Conrad but does not love him. Of course they both asked for hand in marriage. The characters are fleshed out nicely. You can tell their love, hate, and anger, to name a few.. Jed lost his wife and three children to the plague, he was devastated. He kept going, as we all must do. It was very emotional in some spots. But was also very happy in others. Walls are climbed, bare-knuckle fighting, all kinds of things they are forced to go thru to come out on just some of their families secrets.
I received this ARC and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Gail Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book really hard to get back to. Eventually I began to warm to the characters and they finally came to life. This book initially covers the slave trade in Barbados then we jump to a part of history where the slave trade is a thing of the past and former slaves are living as free prople. Then to the the start of steam powered ships and different trades coming out of Bristol.
I now need to read the further two books to see where the lies, secrets and destroyed lives of the characters end up.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The strong family is arrogant and rich on sugar, rum and the backs of others in Barbados. The spoiled strong boys commit a despicable act that results in a murder and a young women being impregnated. This one act reverberates in sad events and the story moves from Barbados to the dirty, sordid city of Bristol. Good story that had me repulsed in many chapters for the disgusting way of life and how desperate many were.

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this easy read.

[Debbie Austick · Rating 2 out of 5]

Slow. Don't think I'll be reading the next 2 in the trilogy

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ireally enjoyed this and look forward to reading more of this author.

[Hilary Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gripping right from the start
The characters are alive and you soon feel like you are in the story with them .
Highly recommended