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The Livingston Legacy #2.4
The Fair Magnolia: Jimmy's Story
A thirst for death. His master's desire to save him. A young girl's mission to heal his shattered spirit.
Years have passed since Jimmy and his daughter Magnolia were sold to owners in different states. Broken and beyond hope, a last attempt to end his suffering earned him a night in the pit. Now his owner is eager to be rid of this troublesome slave before he loses the money he paid. He takes Jimmy to town to be sold and they meet slave owner and reformed abolitionist Charles Hendricks along the road. Charles can see Jimmy is a lost soul—a mere reflection of the man he once was because of his painful existence, so he asks to purchase the slave and offers Jimmy a special proposition.
Once Jimmy is at Livingston Plantation, his new masa's daughter stirs up memories of the past he wants to forget. Will Jimmy finally give in to his growing anguish and end it all? Or will the gentle soul of this child give him enough purpose to persevere?
Reading Order for Series:
Novels:
A Slave of the Shadows: Book One
A Guardian of Slaves: Book Two
Novellas:
The Black Knight’s Tune: Novella One
The Master of Ships: Novella Two
The Promise Between Us: Novella Three
The Fair Magnolia: Novella Four
A Whisper of War: Book Three (Coming Soon)
Novels can be read alone or with the novella series. Novellas should be read following suggested reading order of the novels.
Years have passed since Jimmy and his daughter Magnolia were sold to owners in different states. Broken and beyond hope, a last attempt to end his suffering earned him a night in the pit. Now his owner is eager to be rid of this troublesome slave before he loses the money he paid. He takes Jimmy to town to be sold and they meet slave owner and reformed abolitionist Charles Hendricks along the road. Charles can see Jimmy is a lost soul—a mere reflection of the man he once was because of his painful existence, so he asks to purchase the slave and offers Jimmy a special proposition.
Once Jimmy is at Livingston Plantation, his new masa's daughter stirs up memories of the past he wants to forget. Will Jimmy finally give in to his growing anguish and end it all? Or will the gentle soul of this child give him enough purpose to persevere?
Reading Order for Series:
Novels:
A Slave of the Shadows: Book One
A Guardian of Slaves: Book Two
Novellas:
The Black Knight’s Tune: Novella One
The Master of Ships: Novella Two
The Promise Between Us: Novella Three
The Fair Magnolia: Novella Four
A Whisper of War: Book Three (Coming Soon)
Novels can be read alone or with the novella series. Novellas should be read following suggested reading order of the novels.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
83 pages, ebook
Published September 1, 2019
About the author
Naomi Finley
14 books155 followersNaomi is a writer guided by a deep devotion to humanity and the stories that shape us across time. Drawn to the lives lived before us, she finds inspiration in the shared memory, resilience, and wisdom carried forward through generations.
Through her historical fiction, Naomi creates characters who feel real, tender, and unmistakably human. She is devoted to portraying people as they are, flawed, resilient, searching, and capable of profound love. In their struggles and survival, she believes we come to understand ourselves more fully.
For Naomi, storytelling is an act of remembrance and connection. A place where we meet our own humanity through story, learn from lives not our own, and return to what binds us together across generations and time.
Through her historical fiction, Naomi creates characters who feel real, tender, and unmistakably human. She is devoted to portraying people as they are, flawed, resilient, searching, and capable of profound love. In their struggles and survival, she believes we come to understand ourselves more fully.
For Naomi, storytelling is an act of remembrance and connection. A place where we meet our own humanity through story, learn from lives not our own, and return to what binds us together across generations and time.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 10, 2023
Traveling through memories
I find myself back in time. It's almost like your living that era. I was born in 1951, and still remember some of the trials that black people endured. As a white child i was raised a lot like willow.
I find myself back in time. It's almost like your living that era. I was born in 1951, and still remember some of the trials that black people endured. As a white child i was raised a lot like willow.
May 25, 2026
Short and sweet novella featuring tender moments from the blacksmith at Livingston Plantation, James. It's quite interesting how the enslaved seem gain happiness and a new perspective on life once arriving there. The late mistress, Olivia Hendricks, made a huge impact on the entire family (Charles, Willow, Ben). This goes back to my main theory on why Olivia's POV is needed to show how progress takes effect on the plantation.
But nonetheless, another nice origin story.
But nonetheless, another nice origin story.
January 30, 2021
Who is approving this?!!! No this is wrong on soooo many levels
February 25, 2026
Jimmy's on me of my favorite characters in the series l. Excellent series.
March 18, 2026
Jimmy comes to Livingston plantation. (The child) Willow helps to mend his broken heart.
September 14, 2019
The Fair Magnolia
Another outstanding title from Naomi Finley! As a fan of Jimmy's since Book One, I was grateful to have the opportunity to venture closer to him and the fate that delivered him to Livingston Plantation in Charleston. Of course, when Jimmy's path crossed Charles Hendricks, Jimmy could not have guessed how life would begin to change. Losing his own sweet Magnolia, Jimmy shuts himself off to a world filled with cruelty. One fierce and determined little girl may very well have the ability to unlock the sadness he carries deep within. But as a slave, Jimmy knows the dangers that lie in befriending the young daughter of his master. Change has come to Livingston Plantation.
How I love this series and the author! Finley's stories come to life and fill your emotions. Her characters don't always have happy endings. In fact, my heart often breaks for the enslaved souls of the South. Life isn't free at Livingston, but it does offer hope.
Finley's novels can be read as stand alones, but I do recommend the novellas in written order.
* Thanks once again to Naomi for sharing not only her books, but her thoughts, as I devour every title in A SLAVE OF THE SHADOWS Series. I highly recommend ALL of her titles. Don't ask me to choose a favorite. Each book finds its way to my heart and soul. Many thanks, Naomi!
Another outstanding title from Naomi Finley! As a fan of Jimmy's since Book One, I was grateful to have the opportunity to venture closer to him and the fate that delivered him to Livingston Plantation in Charleston. Of course, when Jimmy's path crossed Charles Hendricks, Jimmy could not have guessed how life would begin to change. Losing his own sweet Magnolia, Jimmy shuts himself off to a world filled with cruelty. One fierce and determined little girl may very well have the ability to unlock the sadness he carries deep within. But as a slave, Jimmy knows the dangers that lie in befriending the young daughter of his master. Change has come to Livingston Plantation.
How I love this series and the author! Finley's stories come to life and fill your emotions. Her characters don't always have happy endings. In fact, my heart often breaks for the enslaved souls of the South. Life isn't free at Livingston, but it does offer hope.
Finley's novels can be read as stand alones, but I do recommend the novellas in written order.
* Thanks once again to Naomi for sharing not only her books, but her thoughts, as I devour every title in A SLAVE OF THE SHADOWS Series. I highly recommend ALL of her titles. Don't ask me to choose a favorite. Each book finds its way to my heart and soul. Many thanks, Naomi!
September 8, 2019
The Fair Magnolia is another outstanding novella from Naomi Finley. The accuracy of the Antebellum South is incredible. She brings you history from a different slant that shows how life was at that time. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and highly recommend it to one and all!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews