April's Book of the Month - Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton

[Beth]

April's BOTM is Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton!

Summary:
North Carolina, 1793
Ian Cameron, a Boston cabinetmaker turned frontier trapper, has come to Mountain Laurel hoping to remake himself yet again--into his planter uncle's heir. No matter how uneasily the role of slave owner rests upon his shoulders. Then he meets Seona--beautiful, artistic, and enslaved to his kin.

Seona has a secret: she's been drawing for years, ever since that day she picked up a broken slate to sketch a portrait. When Ian catches her at it, he offers her opportunity to let her talent flourish, still secretly, in his cabinetmaking shop. Taking a frightening leap of faith, Seona puts her trust in Ian. A trust that leads to a deeper, more complicated bond.

As fascination with Seona turns to love, Ian can no longer be the man others have wished him to be. Though his own heart might prove just as untrustworthy a guide, he cannot simply walk away from those his kin enslaves. With more lives than his and Seona's in the balance, the path Ian chooses now will set the course for generations of Camerons to come.

A story of choice and consequence, of bondage and freedom, of faith and family.

[Sarita]

Hoping to join in this.

[Ashley]

Just the kick start I need to read this book that has been in my TBR pile. Looking forward to it.

[Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor]

I started this earlier in the week, and I'm very intrigued so far! Looking forward to the discussion in a few weeks.

[Beth]

I'm about 80 pages in, and I'm definitely into the story now. Benton's stories always tend to start slowly then end up to where I can hardly put the book down. I'm glad this was chosen for the group read.

[Katherine]

Just got it from the library

[Frances]

Hi! I'm new to this group. Been meaning to join for awhile, and decided to start with Mountain Laurel. I just started it last night and am about two chapters in.

[Lauri]

Hi! Just joined this group and eager to interact with fellow readers. I have this book on my TBR shelf. Perhaps I should start reading it next week.

[Beth]

Welcome, Frances and Lauri! Glad to have you in the group and joining in on the group read. :D

[Naomi]

Read it as an ARC. Wonderful story. Can't wait to hear what you all think.

[Katherine]

Not going to lie. I finished the book and was disappointed in the extreme turn of events!

[Beth]

That’s too bad, Katherine. I’m not halfway through yet so I’ll reserve judgement but I also trust that Lori will have a worthy continuation in the next book, Shiloh.

[Lauri]

Starting this book tonight.

[Christine]

I started this today and am enjoying it. I have loved the books by Lori Benton that I have read!

[Beth]

Christine, that brings to mind a question of pure curiosity - for those of you that have read books by Lori Benton before this one - which have you read and what has been your favorite?

I loved this one and it's one I want to re-read soon:


But The King's Mercy was also very good. Honestly I have loved all of her books thus far. :D

[Christine]

I have read all of her books except .


I loved The Pathfinder's series , with being my favorite of the two and a close second.

[Frances]

I admit I'm having trouble getting into this one; it's difficult for me to tell the characters apart (especially the uncle? he is staying with, the father, and the man for whom he apprenticed.)

Also - did he have a history with Thomas or just meet him after his injury?

[Sarita]

remains my favourite, but was also very good.

I think I only still to read

[Beth]

Hi, everyone! I had family come in town so I haven’t been on in a little bit, but please feel free to discuss the story as you’d like. I hope to hop on tomorrow and post questions, but feel free to share your own thoughts!

[Beth]

Frances wrote: "I admit I'm having trouble getting into this one; it's difficult for me to tell the characters apart (especially the uncle? he is staying with, the father, and the man for whom he apprenticed.)

Al..."

As far as I can tell, the man he was apprenticed to was no relation - he was with another uncle though before he came to be with Uncle Hugh at Mountain Laurel.

He definitely has a history with Thomas, and you learn more about that as the story continues.

[Beth]

Hi, all! Here are the discussion questions - feel free to address any you'd like. I'm actually still working on finishing the book, but these questions aren't too spoiler-y. Just remember that spoilers are allowed at this point. :)

1. Ian tells his neighbor John Reynold that he hopes to settle to a life that will atone (for past mistakes and failures, particularly in his father's eyes). In what ways does he try to do that? At what point in the story do his choices begin to lead him down a different path? Do you think he ever could atone? Does he even need to? Why or why not?

2. Seona's and Ian's artistic outlets are an early point of connection. Ian even unwittingly plays a part in Seona's childhood choice to pick up a slate and draw a picture. Is is a kind or thoughtless impulse when he provides Seona a new outlet for her creativity? How does this choice complicate Seona's life? Does it enrich it as well? How so?

3. Hugh Cameron's choice to suppress the truth of Seona's parentage and "leave things as they be" (in Naomi's words) is typical of eighteenth-century slaveholders in such circumstances. How does this choice shape him as a man? What effect does it have on Lucinda, Rosalyn, and Judith? In what ways might his choices contribute to his physical and mental decline? Does Hugh make any good choices in this story?

4. Judith often finds herself caught in the middle: between her mother and Seona, between Ian and Seona, between Ian and her mother and sister. Does she navigate those relationships well? HOw does she respond to situations of injustice, to others and to herself? Did you sympathize with her choices? Did she surprise you in any way?

5. Perhaps the most difficult choices in this story are Ian's. First, the choice to remain at Mountain Laurel as his uncle's heir or leave and go back north. Second, the choice between Seona and Judith. What makes those decisions so difficult? Do you believe he makes the right choice each time? Why or why not?

6. Thomas Ross risks not only his friendship with Ian but his very life in order to aid slaves to freedom. Is he ever needlessly reckless? How do his choices clash with Ian's? Did you agree with his assessment of the man Ian becomes at Mountain Laurel? At what point might Thomas's perception of Ian have changed for the better?

7. Malcolm's words "Every man makes himself a slave to someone or something? leave a strong impression on Ian. Are they true? How does this idea play out for different characters?

8. An imbalance of power and agency exists between Ian and Seona as an eighteenth-century man and woman, even more so as free and enslaved. Does Ian misuse his greater power and agency, even without meaning to? In what ways? Who helps him understand that Seona's perception of their relationship and his own might very well be different?

9. As the story begins, Ian views himself as a prodigal, a misfit, and an outcast--from family and from God. Did you see him in that light? In Ian's search for belonging and redemption, Malcolm, John Reynold, and Lily are examples of steadfast faith in God. What specific truths does each character speak into his life? What truth does Seona speak?

10. As an enslaved person, Seoan's choices are limited, but she has the freedom to choose what she thinks and believes. How is her faith in God's sovereignty challenged? Who models trust in God for her? Who sows seeds of doubt? What is Seona's most difficult choice to make? In what ways does her faith grow because of it?

11. Mountain Laurel's past is still alive in many ways. What reminders do we witness of Hugh's long-dead son, Aidan? How did that death affect various characters? What other characters, either dead or gone, have bearing on Mountain Laurel's present?

12. Mountain Laurel and its upcoming sequel are joined under the series title Kindred-a word that can refer to family relationship or to similarity in character and nature. How do you see the themes of kinship and of kindred spirits woven throughout this story? What do you imagine is ahead for Ian? For Seona? For Moutain Laurel itself?

[Sarita]

2. Seona's and Ian's artistic outlets are an early point of connection. Ian even unwittingly plays a part in Seona's childhood choice to pick up a slate and draw a picture. Is is a kind or thoughtless impulse when he provides Seona a new outlet for her creativity? How does this choice complicate Seona's life? Does it enrich it as well? How so?

I think this was a clear example of where Ian acted without thinking everything through - he acted out of kindness, but did not think of all the consequences for Seona as a slave.

4. Judith often finds herself caught in the middle: between her mother and Seona, between Ian and Seona, between Ian and her mother and sister. Does she navigate those relationships well? HOw does she respond to situations of injustice, to others and to herself? Did you sympathize with her choices? Did she surprise you in any way?

Judith was my favourite - she was a great example of showing unconditional, sacrificial love to others. Even though she knew what was going on, she still decided to love and bring peace. She started out quiet but her courage surprised me at the end.

7. Malcolm's words "Every man makes himself a slave to someone or something? leave a strong impression on Ian. Are they true? How does this idea play out for different characters?

This is so true and my favourite quote of this story. I know for myself, when I choose to allow negative thoughts etc take over, my freedom is taken over my discourage and negativity. Also, if you hold on to fears and worries, you don't have that daily freedom and peace which you can have when you trust fully in God (though sometimes this is very difficult).

[Kate, Challenge Fun Distributor]

I loved both Judith and Malcolm . . . both such wise people . . . Judith with her selfless actions, and Malcom with his words. I loved how they both played a part in Ian's decision to follow God and trust Him to let Seona and their son go to Boston.
I think for far too much of the story, Ian just was . . . not exactly bumbling . . . but maybe 'bull in a china shoppe' is more the phrase I'm looking for. He just went through life, not paying attention to what his actions would mean for anyone other than himself . . . and sometimes not even then. I'm glad he finally wised-up.
I feel like there's so much unfinished business with this story, and am so excited about 'Shiloh' coming in October.

[Beth]

I have to agree with you ladies about Ian. He wasn't necessarily a bad person for much of the story, but he was often thoughtless and selfish in many ways. Despite all that he had already been through prior to this story (you'd think brushes with death would wise him up?), he seemed very hard-headed and wanting to do things his way. I don't think he meant to take advantage of Seona, but he never thought about what their actions could mean for her, only what he wanted. I did wonder at his belief that Seona would willingly leave with Thomas, and it made me feel like he really didn't know her at all. He only believed of her what he wanted, but didn't really think of her as her own person.

I think that all of these things made his character arc very poignant, but phew was it hard to read about his choices throughout the story.

Judith was a surprise to me as well! She turned out to be much more than her mousy-like demeanor at the beginning. I think that she is one of the true heroes of the story.

Lori's writing was beautiful as usual, and I'm really looking forward to Shiloh to see what happens with Seona and Lily as they start their new life as free women.