Winds of the Storm by Beverly Jenkins
- Brandan Wilburn-Herbert
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 5
Ms Bev is the queen at including the history of the times in her novels. It sets the scene for what’s going on in the world of the book and how our characters have a part in crafting their story.
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We meet Zahra in disguise in an attempt to get some information from a confederate general. While trying to do that, she has a side mission to save a black man who is hanging by his wrist in the general’s barn. They don’t exchange names, except for her code name Butterfly. They go their separate ways and it’s many many years down the line before they meet again when the Butterfly is tasked with going to New Orleans to find out if the white Republicans are appropriately supporting of the newly freed enslaved people.
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Archer is a rich man from a prominent New Orleans Creole family. He’s enjoyed his life as the owner of a successful hotel and all that having good fortune and looks afford.
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When Zahra comes to town, she wears a Domino and goes by that name as she is acting as the madame for the newest whorehouse in town. In the midst of her role, she and Archer get closer. There’s nothing more important to her than her mission and she put her feelings aside to focus on managing the disagreements with some of the patrons and staying safe.
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Of course there’s more nonsense and shenanigans, but to not give away some of the drama, let’s just say that she has to use all of the tricks in her toolbox to keep herself alive. She is not used to relying on anyone but Archer is making her rethink her plans to go back south to see about her parents who lost the land that the government promised them after the war. The main tension is not only with Zahra and Archer but also between the black leadership in New Orleans against the white people who are not over losing the war.
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Ms Bev is always going to have some sexy sexy times and this book is no exception. She crafts the encounters between Zahra and Archer with care and desire. And it’s great to have an older heroine/hero who lived life and know what they want.
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Definitely read this book and the others in this series.
4 out of 5/Highly recommend
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