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St. Simons Trilogy #2
New Moon Rising
Horace Gould returns to St. Simons and wins the heart of lovely neighbor Deborah Abbott, who adores her Mr. Gould,"" despite the difference in their years. She is not concerned with his rumored past, but she is saddened by his lack of faith.""
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
154 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Eugenia Price
79 books228 followersEugenia Price was born in Charleston, WV, June 22, 1916, to Walter (a dentist) and Anna Price. At the age of ten, she decided she wanted to be a writer and entered a poem in her school's literary magazine. She was raised as a member of the Methodist Church, but had left the church behind by the time she graduated from high school, at the age of 15, in 1932. She decided to leave writing behind to follow in her father's footsteps and pursue a career in dentistry. She attended Ohio University for three years, declaring herself an atheist during this time. In 1935, she became a student at Northwestern Dental School, the only woman admitted that year. She studied dentistry for two years, but writing continued to draw her. In 1939, she was hired to work on the NBC radio serial In Care of Aggie Horn. She continued as one of the writers for the show until 1942. She left NBC, going to work for the Proctor and Gamble show Joyce Jordan, M.D. from 1944-1946. In 1945 she founded her own television and radio production company, Eugenia Price Productions, developing other serials for Proctor and Gamble.
In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.
Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.
Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.
Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.
Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.
In 1949 Eugenia Price underwent a profound life change, giving up her college atheism to embrace Christianity. She considered a career change, but accepted a position with WGN Radio as writer, producer, and director for Unshackled, another radio serial. The popularity of the show led her to a lecturing career throughout the United States and Canada for several years.
Price began yet another career in the early 1950s when she was approached by one of the owners of Zondervan publishing. The 1953 publication of Discoveries Made from Living My New Life, a chronicle of her newfound faith and the experiences that led her to it, launched Eugenia Price into a new career as an inspirational writer. Other inspirational books followed, addresses issues of importance to women and children and other self-help concerns and urging readers away from advances in psychology and analysis and toward a life based on Biblical tenants. Many of her inspirational books are still in print, a testimony to the comfort and empathy many readers found in her works.
Eugenia Price gained a much wider audience though when she began publishing historical romances set in the American South. These novels were praised as "compelling sagas that blend personal stories of love and tragedy. . . with the dramatic events of a region's history." Her first historical romance, The Beloved Invader, was inspired her visit to Saint Simons Island, Georgia and based on one of the island's nineteenth-century inhabitants. The Beloved Invader was published in 1965 and followed by two other romances, New Moon Rising (1969) and Lighthouse (1971), to form the St. Simons Trilogy.
Her historical romances made Price a frequent member of the best-seller lists and brought her millions of readers. Although she continued to write and to publish inspirational works, it was her romances that brought her the greatest attention.
Eugenia Price died May 28, 1996, in Brunswick, Georgia of congestive heart failure and is buried in the Christ Church cemetery, Frederica, GA. Many of her books remain in print and have translated into 17 languages, charming readers of all ages and nationalities. Her manuscripts are housed at Boston University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 21, 2021
This book started out a little slow, but turned into a page-turner pretty quickly! What I like most about Eugenia Price's books is that they're all about real people and real events. She's a great writer and always manages to pull a story together.
This book is the second book of her St. Simon's Island trilogy. But since I get my books second-hand, I rarely get to read them in order.
The very first book I ever read by this author happened because I visited St. Augustine, FL, in the 90s. We toured Maria's House while there, and I was so enthralled that I bought the book, "Maria," by Eugenia Price, in the gift shop after the tour. I loved that book along with all the other Eugenia Price books that I've found along the way.
Eugenia Price is a wonderful historical fiction writer especially about Georgia and Florida.
This book is the second book of her St. Simon's Island trilogy. But since I get my books second-hand, I rarely get to read them in order.
The very first book I ever read by this author happened because I visited St. Augustine, FL, in the 90s. We toured Maria's House while there, and I was so enthralled that I bought the book, "Maria," by Eugenia Price, in the gift shop after the tour. I loved that book along with all the other Eugenia Price books that I've found along the way.
Eugenia Price is a wonderful historical fiction writer especially about Georgia and Florida.
July 20, 2023
Audible credit 12 hours 58 min. Narrated by Tessa Richards (A)
This is second in the St. Simon's Island trilogy, but the first book published in 1969. Eugenia Price continues the history of the island through the story of the James Gould family. Horace Bunch Gould at age 18, the younger of James's two sons, has been dismissed from Yale. He returns to the family home but doesn't plan to stay where his family and other plantations have become too provincial. Horace has been infected by an uncomfortable awkwardness with the slaves who are like family even with July, his best friend since childhood. A few days later, Horace is off to a job in Savanah with his father's cotton factor. From there, he is off to New Orleans and ends up as purser of Mississippi ship and further separating himself with his family. Most of what is happening on the island the reader learns from the faithful letters Horace receives from his older sister, Mary Gould.
Horace returns to the island about 12 years later, ready to take on the responsibility of a cotton planter but still hesitant to be a man who owns slaves. Yet he caught in the system that requires the labor of slaves. He finds himself contentedly isolated at Black Banks, managing his older brother Jim's plantation. Jim is living up North because his wife hates everything about the island, especially the "darkies." Horrace falls in love with a beautiful, precocious young girl who is also captivated by him. They marry and in the ten years before the Civil War have a large family and are finally able to buy Black Banks from Jim.
As the cotton states approach 1860, Horace realizes that the country he loves is headed to war, and though he is now 46, he must make a choice between his country and his state. All white residents on St. SIimons are forced to leave the island and go to Savanah. Horace ends up enlisted under General Joseph Johnson. The reader shares the war years through the letters between "My dear Mr. Gould" and his wife Deborah. After the war ends, Horace makes the long walk back to see what remains of the island and its slaves. Life has drastically changed when an enterprising young black boy charges the once well-off planter, but now haggard, emaciated and unshaved man in what remains of a Conferate uniform a dime for a canoe ride to the island. Horace weakly offers him his only money a single, Conferate dollar. The boy agrees, and Horace's first glimpse is of what remains of the lighthouse built 40 years ago by his own father, James Gould. It was blown up by retreating Conferate soldiers. Can things be any better at Black Banks?
This is second in the St. Simon's Island trilogy, but the first book published in 1969. Eugenia Price continues the history of the island through the story of the James Gould family. Horace Bunch Gould at age 18, the younger of James's two sons, has been dismissed from Yale. He returns to the family home but doesn't plan to stay where his family and other plantations have become too provincial. Horace has been infected by an uncomfortable awkwardness with the slaves who are like family even with July, his best friend since childhood. A few days later, Horace is off to a job in Savanah with his father's cotton factor. From there, he is off to New Orleans and ends up as purser of Mississippi ship and further separating himself with his family. Most of what is happening on the island the reader learns from the faithful letters Horace receives from his older sister, Mary Gould.
Horace returns to the island about 12 years later, ready to take on the responsibility of a cotton planter but still hesitant to be a man who owns slaves. Yet he caught in the system that requires the labor of slaves. He finds himself contentedly isolated at Black Banks, managing his older brother Jim's plantation. Jim is living up North because his wife hates everything about the island, especially the "darkies." Horrace falls in love with a beautiful, precocious young girl who is also captivated by him. They marry and in the ten years before the Civil War have a large family and are finally able to buy Black Banks from Jim.
As the cotton states approach 1860, Horace realizes that the country he loves is headed to war, and though he is now 46, he must make a choice between his country and his state. All white residents on St. SIimons are forced to leave the island and go to Savanah. Horace ends up enlisted under General Joseph Johnson. The reader shares the war years through the letters between "My dear Mr. Gould" and his wife Deborah. After the war ends, Horace makes the long walk back to see what remains of the island and its slaves. Life has drastically changed when an enterprising young black boy charges the once well-off planter, but now haggard, emaciated and unshaved man in what remains of a Conferate uniform a dime for a canoe ride to the island. Horace weakly offers him his only money a single, Conferate dollar. The boy agrees, and Horace's first glimpse is of what remains of the lighthouse built 40 years ago by his own father, James Gould. It was blown up by retreating Conferate soldiers. Can things be any better at Black Banks?
March 11, 2008
This book has been on my shelf for years. I read it in 6 hours this weekend. It is a true,coming of age story about a young man from the South, Horace Gould, who attends Yale in mid 1800's and leaves prematurely because of a sense of injustice over a faculty decision. He feels a deep sense of shame over slavery and spends several decades coming to terms with his own immaturity and family "ghosts"(his Massachusetts-born father owns hundreds of well-treated slaves on their cotton plantation on St. Simon's Island, GA). It is a quick read with many good insights into the complex issue of freedom, loyalty, and war (what are you fighting for?). It is also a love story. A perfect beach/airplane read.
March 18, 2016
I just love these books by Eugenia Price. I look forward to reading the history of St. Simons Island and it's people, the coming of age of the characters, the hardships and joys they go through on the island.
This is the second book of the St. Simons trilogy and continues to follow the Gould family along with their neighbors. The book ends right after the Civil War has been fought and all slaves are freed. The homes on St. Simons have been destroyed and land divided among the former slaves. I look forward to reading the 3rd book.
An interesting side note: The book I was reading came from the library and it was a signed copy. I didn't know the library would lend out signed copies.
This is the second book of the St. Simons trilogy and continues to follow the Gould family along with their neighbors. The book ends right after the Civil War has been fought and all slaves are freed. The homes on St. Simons have been destroyed and land divided among the former slaves. I look forward to reading the 3rd book.
An interesting side note: The book I was reading came from the library and it was a signed copy. I didn't know the library would lend out signed copies.
December 2, 2007
Continuing the Lighthouse Trilogy, this book takes us through the Gould descendants and through the Civil War - heartbreaking reading at times, and an interesting exploration of the family ties throughout the Island. I read this first in August 1993 and revisit it regularly.
May 28, 2014
I didn't know this was a true story until I finished the book.
It's a wonderful, easy to read story about Horace, his family, cotton fields, black slaves and when the war comes.
It's a wonderful, easy to read story about Horace, his family, cotton fields, black slaves and when the war comes.
June 21, 2022
It has been ten years since I read this and it was such a joy to be with Eugenia Price again as she tells the true story of a family on St Simons and their journey through the civil war years.
November 9, 2023
Book two, of the St. Simons Trilogy was just as compelling as book one, Lighthouse. Whereas Lighthouse centered on the maturation of James Gould, in New Moon Rising the central character is Horace Gould, James’ son. Some of the supporting characters are: two strong, female characters that of Mary, the sister of Horace and Deborah, who become the wife of Horace. James Gould is also a supporting character, although a rather static type of character. James, Horace Gould’s older brother periodically appears throughout the end of part four. James is a sad, tragic character. At the very end of part four, James hits his lowest point, but with that is more than willing to sell Horace the Black Banks plantation, which he never love or was invested in. At first, Horace sees no way for him to purchase the plantation on his own terms, but with the prayers of Deborah, God’s work in Horace’s heart, and the inheritance bequeathed to Deborah, Black Banks is purchased. With the purchase, Jim leaves to start a new life in Texas and the book records nothing more of him. Part five details the struggles of the Gould family, and St. Simons island during the war years. Sorrow and struggles were noted throughout the book by individuals, but part five showed very starkly, the privations experienced by the Gould family, St. Simons Island, and the country during the war years. Price didn’t write a Hollywood tale, but gripping and gritty one.
Horace turns into such an interesting person, full of integrity, humbleness, and love for God, but at the beginning he is idealistic, immature, stuck on himself with buckets filled with pride. He just doesn’t know how to live in his own skin. So, he runs from his family, responsibility, and tries to find himself by checking out different personas, but just like the prodigal’s son, he finally returns home. He still has a long way to go, but between his father, his sister, and especially Deborah his wife, who keeps him in her prayers, he begins to blossom. What this family and all the islanders went through during the war was gripping. This was a Cinderella story in reverse, riches to poverty and rags. This family doesn’t wallow in despair, but continues to trust in the Lord. Horace after the war learned to live his life for His God and His Family. The Great “Yale man” learned to go fishing for the families dinner. He learned to be CONTENT. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure I would like the book because of Horace, but this was a good story based on real people.
Horace turns into such an interesting person, full of integrity, humbleness, and love for God, but at the beginning he is idealistic, immature, stuck on himself with buckets filled with pride. He just doesn’t know how to live in his own skin. So, he runs from his family, responsibility, and tries to find himself by checking out different personas, but just like the prodigal’s son, he finally returns home. He still has a long way to go, but between his father, his sister, and especially Deborah his wife, who keeps him in her prayers, he begins to blossom. What this family and all the islanders went through during the war was gripping. This was a Cinderella story in reverse, riches to poverty and rags. This family doesn’t wallow in despair, but continues to trust in the Lord. Horace after the war learned to live his life for His God and His Family. The Great “Yale man” learned to go fishing for the families dinner. He learned to be CONTENT. At the beginning, I wasn’t sure I would like the book because of Horace, but this was a good story based on real people.
September 1, 2024
What I love about Eugenia Price’s books is the historical aspect of them. Sometime ago I read about her research methods to place her based on real people characters in accurate settings. I love walking around cemeteries, reading tombstones and wondering about the people buried there. Some library records guided Price, and her writing fills in the gaps.
In the first book, Lighthouse, (actually the first in the trilogy, that she wrote last,) James Gould is the featured character. In New Moon Rising, James’s son Horace takes center stage. Price’s characters are deep, mostly flawed, but change and develop by the end of the story.
Horace Gould attended Yale pre-Civil War, to pursue a law degree at his father’s behest. However, the social conflict between the South and the Yankees compel a few students to be expelled. Horace returns to Georgia in disgrace to help his father on the cotton plantation. A theme throughout her books is the issue of slavery. James and Horace Gould both despise the concept of owning people, but the culture they live in makes it necessary to utilize them. Horace’s best friend is July, a young man his own age who has grown up with him, cared for the horses, and been his companion. Horace offers July his freedom, and I don’t want to spoil the story by explaining more. Price does a masterful service to the subject, from a southerner’s perspective. In fact, the Civil War from the Confederacy viewpoint is an interesting aspect.
Themes of familial relationships, conflict, romance, hard work, the human condition and coming of age are all strong. Excellent book, and well researched.
In the first book, Lighthouse, (actually the first in the trilogy, that she wrote last,) James Gould is the featured character. In New Moon Rising, James’s son Horace takes center stage. Price’s characters are deep, mostly flawed, but change and develop by the end of the story.
Horace Gould attended Yale pre-Civil War, to pursue a law degree at his father’s behest. However, the social conflict between the South and the Yankees compel a few students to be expelled. Horace returns to Georgia in disgrace to help his father on the cotton plantation. A theme throughout her books is the issue of slavery. James and Horace Gould both despise the concept of owning people, but the culture they live in makes it necessary to utilize them. Horace’s best friend is July, a young man his own age who has grown up with him, cared for the horses, and been his companion. Horace offers July his freedom, and I don’t want to spoil the story by explaining more. Price does a masterful service to the subject, from a southerner’s perspective. In fact, the Civil War from the Confederacy viewpoint is an interesting aspect.
Themes of familial relationships, conflict, romance, hard work, the human condition and coming of age are all strong. Excellent book, and well researched.
January 11, 2024
Mixed feelings. The beginning was developed more thoroughly. But I never did quite understand how Horace went from resentment and never wanting to go home, to happily becoming a planter on his father's land on St. Simons. And also, what was the purpose in his despising the young girl Tessie and even unkindly flirting with her? Other than saying that he met her children later on, that did not play into the plot at all.
And he goes from falling in love with a very young girl, Deborah, to her being a mature matron and mother, in about 30 pages. That's not exact, but the point is that she is not really adequately developed at all. And then all four years of the Civil War were covered quickly.
I did appreciate reading of how the planters on St. Simons were unfairly stripped of their land. That was not right no matter the slave issue.
I'm glad to have read this book once, and will read Beloved Invader also, just to say I've read Eugenia Price's work. But I probably won't keep it around.
And he goes from falling in love with a very young girl, Deborah, to her being a mature matron and mother, in about 30 pages. That's not exact, but the point is that she is not really adequately developed at all. And then all four years of the Civil War were covered quickly.
I did appreciate reading of how the planters on St. Simons were unfairly stripped of their land. That was not right no matter the slave issue.
I'm glad to have read this book once, and will read Beloved Invader also, just to say I've read Eugenia Price's work. But I probably won't keep it around.
August 14, 2020
On St. Simon's Island, Georgia, James and Janie Gould's son, Horace, tried to find a way to fit in during the pre-Civil War years. Horace went north to school in Connecticut, but left Yale in some disgrace. He "honorably" disagreed with school policy - which became a theme for the first part of his life. He spent time on a riverboat and the in New Orleans before returning to St Simons. He was strongly adverse to slavery and also held to the legal principles of unity between the states that he learned during his law school years. As Southern plantation owners began to chafe at the rules/laws of the federal government, he remained opposed to secession. However, he was a Southerner and eventually had to take part in fighting.
The book takes a hard look at the Confederate State's point of view leading up to, through and after the War. It also deals with Reconstruction (or occupation, as they saw it).
The book takes a hard look at the Confederate State's point of view leading up to, through and after the War. It also deals with Reconstruction (or occupation, as they saw it).
October 17, 2024
From the blurb at the end, it seems this is historical fiction and the story was developed from some historical accounts of the Gould family. I liked that the focus was on the hardships of the time and much of the story focused on the differences in the Northern states and the Southern states culturally and economically. It seems surprising that the fact of slavery was once debated, even though at the time the practice arose, it was seen as not a good practice (as noted in the book). And then again, it doesn't seem surprising at all, given the amount of racism still at work in the South today. Man has a tendency to lie, even to himself when it seems advantageous to do so.
September 12, 2018
Real, heart felt...
Even with the veey irritating distractions of misused commas and awkward sentence structures, I enjoyed this book very much. War hurts everyone, everyone looses. One side is said to "win" but the cost is great. The Gould family is the main focus, their struggles, losses, heartbreaks, and joys. The issue of owning slaves is a heavy burden for the younger son of Mr. Gould who owns a plantation. The store mostly takes place on St. Simon's Island, GA, one of my favorite places. I recommend is historical story!!
Even with the veey irritating distractions of misused commas and awkward sentence structures, I enjoyed this book very much. War hurts everyone, everyone looses. One side is said to "win" but the cost is great. The Gould family is the main focus, their struggles, losses, heartbreaks, and joys. The issue of owning slaves is a heavy burden for the younger son of Mr. Gould who owns a plantation. The store mostly takes place on St. Simon's Island, GA, one of my favorite places. I recommend is historical story!!
May 8, 2018
This was the 2nd book in this series. It was pretty good, I did read it quickly but it wasn't a book that I just had to read to see what happened. It just happened to be a shorter book. I wasn't sure if I liked Horace that much. I felt bad for him getting kicked out of school, but didn't quite understand what it was that was so bad that he was kicked out for. I felt he worked hard for what he had and to find himself. Looking forward to the last one in this trilogy.
August 15, 2022
I listened to this as an audio book. Every evening when I went for my walk I would listen to it. Eugenia Price is an awesome author writing about the southern states! The narration was also very easy to listen to. Horaces' wife Deborah seemed far too perfect especially with 10 children!! I loved the black people and the history behind it all. It was long, but it made me look forward to my walk. I got it for 2.99 and that was a great deal.
December 10, 2022
I am continuing my reading of the St. Simons trilogy with New Moon Rising. Finding the plot just so-so as we follow Horace Bunch Gould through his life as a young man, expelled from Yale, sent back to St. Simons in ignominy, and onward to adulthood. Well researched, the reader learns much about historical St. Simons, but, written in a different time, I can't get past the treatment of slavery. It is all just a little too easy in Ms. Price's stories.
December 9, 2024
The second volume in the St. Simons Island trilogy. This is a continuation of the story of the Gould family. Horace Gould, the son of James Gould, now the patriarch of the family, has a hard time finding his place in the world. He eventually finds it by coming home to St Simons Island, taking a very young wife and moving into Black Banks plantation.
July 29, 2025
Riveting view of the south just before the (Un)Civil war. Main character is Horace Bunch Gould, the son of James Gould who was main character in first book of the series, Lighthouse. Story was relatable in the challenges presented by adult children. Included a very realistic view of the War Between the States in the South and differing views of slavery.
July 12, 2017
Krista, Village patron, July 2017, 5 stars:
The author did a fantastic job of portraying both sides of the warring/conflicting ideas and emotions prior to the Civil War. Her characters were carefully crafted and well done.
The author did a fantastic job of portraying both sides of the warring/conflicting ideas and emotions prior to the Civil War. Her characters were carefully crafted and well done.
January 23, 2018
second of the trilogy. Found this one to be somewhat better than the first book. It really helps in reading these books that my wife and I have been to St. Simons several times and to many of the places that Eugenia references.
January 4, 2019
2nd book in St. Simons Trilogy following the Gould family into the Civil War and its aftermath. I found this saga as thrilling and fascinating as the first book. I liked its historical back ground and intimate look into the feelings and emotions of its characters.
October 18, 2024
I loved the history in this book and how it continued with the Gould family from Lighthouse. Some of the accounts about the South mentioned in this book, I had not known. I’m sure Price had done her research.
October 28, 2018
Picked this book up from the sale table. Enjoyed it very much. Good story.
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July 9, 20191832-1865 Gould family on St. Simons island
July 11, 2019
This is the second of Eugenia's books set on ST. Simon's Island.
September 28, 2019
Read while on vacation in St Simons. Very interesting historical perspectives.
June 24, 2020
Picked this up before our St Simon’s Island trip got cancelled. Interesting aspect of American history I hadn’t heard about. More interesting when I thought I was going to visit the area!
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September 26, 2020Well written, excellent fictionalised account of a historical figure in St Simons, USA
June 29, 2021
I probably was more interested in this second book in the trilogy than the first and can't wait to read the third.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews