Historical Romance Book Club discussion

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole

As the Civil War rages between the states, a courageous pair of spies plunge fearlessly into a maelstrom of ignorance, deceit, and danger, combining their unique skills to alter the course of history and break the chains of the past . . .

Elle Burns is a former slave with a passion for justice and an eidetic memory. Trading in her life of freedom in Massachusetts, she returns to the indignity of slavery in the South—to spy for the Union Army.

Malcolm McCall is a detective for Pinkerton's Secret Service. Subterfuge is his calling, but he’s facing his deadliest mission yet—risking his life to infiltrate a Rebel enclave in Virginia.

Two undercover agents who share a common cause—and an undeniable attraction—Malcolm and Elle join forces when they discover a plot that could turn the tide of the war in the Confederacy's favor. Caught in a tightening web of wartime intrigue, and fighting a fiery and forbidden love, Malcolm and Elle must make their boldest move to preserve the Union at any cost—even if it means losing each other . . .

Anyone is welcome to join! It looks like a lot of people want to use this as their Civil War book for the Romance Across the Ages for February. Does anybody have any ideas of when they want to start?

I’d BR this, I have it checked out and was planning to start soon...

Have fun! I don't think I'll have time for this, but I do want to read it. If I can find on audio, I may join in.

I'd be down to Br this depending on start date :)

WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker wrote: "I'd be down to Br this depending on start date :)"

What works for you? I have 3ish weeks!

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker wrote: "I'd be down to Br this depending on start date :)"

What works for you? I have 3ish weeks!"

I forgot I already bought this, so it is already on my Kindle. Give me a date and I'll smash it in with my other reads.

WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker wrote: "Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker wrote: "I'd be down to Br this depending on start date :)"

What works for you? I have 3ish weeks!"

I forgot I already bought this, so it is alrea..."

Sometime after next weekend? I'd like to finish a couple I've been taking my sweet time on. What do you think @Giselle? I'm thinking I might be able to renew this one too, just in case but my dates are through Feb 25th.

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Sometime after next weekend? I'd like to finish a couple I've been taking my sweet time on. What do you think @Giselle? I'm thinking I might be able to renew this one too, just in case but my dates are through Feb 25th. "

I'm good with anything. I don't have a limit on it since I'm buying it. So whenever y'all want to start. For this week I'm trying to smash through all of my library books though.

Put it at tentatively Feb 9th? Would that give everyone time to finish up what they need to?

WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker wrote: "Put it at tentatively Feb 9th? Would that give everyone time to finish up what they need to?"

I was going to suggest right around that as well! Perfect for me.

Sounds perfect to me too!!

I'm in for February 9th as well!

Hello!!! I plan to start tomorrow if not tonight still. Happy reading everyone.

I’m going to fork over $7.49 for the audio edition and join you.

Presently, I’m at approx 59% of a KU audio edition HR, but when I finish, I’ll start listening to this.

Communal reading seems to be my downfall in terms of making progress with my tbr pile!

Awesome, glad to read with you, Andrea! And I hear you....but it’s also very rewarding, so I’m fine with it!

I'm already reading this for the challenge. Its pretty good so far.

Picked up my copy today but won't start reading until tomorrow. I hope this is better than the book I'm currently reading.

Hey all, I'm 3 chapters in. I am already fond of both MCs and find the plot very intriguing.

How's everyone else doing?

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Hey all, I'm 3 chapters in. I am already fond of both MCs and find the plot very intriguing.

How's everyone else doing?"

I read the prologue and chapter 1 yesterday. I also like the leading characters and the plot. I will read a couple more chapters tomorrow.

Just finished chapter 12 and (view spoiler)[he's just snuck into her room. I'm a little mixed about this.
(hide spoiler)]

I’m going to have to bail.

I was mistaken in the cost of the audio edition. I don’t have time to read this right now.

Bummer, and totally understand Andrea! I’m going so much slower than normal.

I'll share some thoughts tonight. I just haven't had a chance to get on my computer :)

I just found out that my hold at the library just came free. Mind if join in late?

I’m going sooo slow, works fine for me.

(I’m only on ch 5. I can’t explain it: it’s not her writing but this time period coupled with these characters definitely make this more painful to read than I expected? Again...her writing is sweet and funny though she doesn’t pull punches. Perhaps she’s done so well with Elle that I didn’t expect how much I’d identify with her?)

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I’m going sooo slow, works fine for me."

That’s good. :) I feel like I have been reading too fast lately and need to slow down, get more done IRL *glances at laundry and dishes, rethinking that statement*

I read the prologue last night, and I like the premise, the writing seems strong but not necessarily fast paced. Like what I am seeing.

That’s a good way to describe it. And oh, I’m liking it quite a bit.

I think I’m back in.

I still have some audible credits.

You all are liking this, so I’ll go ahead and get the audio.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I think I’m back in.

I still have some audible credits.

You all are liking this, so I’ll go ahead and get the audio."

Welcome back! ;)

Chapter 6:
(view spoiler)[ "You're incredible," he said.
"I know," she responded in a tone that indicated she was only half listening. (hide spoiler)] #ownit.

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "Chapter 6:
#ownit."

Yes! haha I'm on chapter 7. I knew that this would be a hard book to listen to because of the subject matter but man! This is going to be such an emotionally draining book. I'm already really liking it though!

Joanna Loves Reading wrote: "I just found out that my hold at the library just came free. Mind if join in late?"

Yeah, definitely join! You will catch up with some of us in no time. I am only on chapter 4.

Sam (AMNReader) wrote: "I’m going sooo slow, works fine for me."

Me too!

I have one detractor from the hero. I do not know why, but it does not bother me for a spy to flirt to obtain Secrets. However, the idea that he seduces and beds women just to gain information disturbs me.

I just finished listening to Ch 7. Now I’m going to listen to another book for restvof evening. I don’t want to get to far ahead of you all.

This is a really good book.

Interesting and compelling premise and characters.

(view spoiler)[Malcolm has just been told by that lout Rufus to keep away from Susie. I think this is a premonition that Rufus is going to be threat to the entire spying endeavor bec of HIS spying watching Malcolm bec of Susie. (hide spoiler)]

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I think I’m back in.

I still have some audible credits.

You all are liking this, so I’ll go ahead and get the audio."

I love having audio as an option! Glad you can join in :)

Through Chapter 2

A prologue and two chapters in, and Cole has already shown two complex and interesting main characters better than many HRs do throughout an entire novel. I am very impressed with the characterization thus far.

Elle- she’s battling her desire to speak up and be herself with the need to play her part now for a better future. I loved her confused reaction at meeting Malcom. She liked him but all the signs said this was a dangerous situation for her, and she listened to the signs. Smart girl. I also liked how she has to catch herself from falling into a rhythm, an acceptance for the why of life — stopping herself from think Cafferty’s are not that bad because they treat their slaves OK. Honest portrayal of the situation.

Malcom- I enjoyed the fact that he is an immigrant and his experiences from Scotland shape his position in the present. The means justify the ends, as long as the ends means the end of slavery. I love Reading about characters that will go shady if the need arises.

Overall, just many nuances in plot and character development. I may return this and just get my own copy. The lack of highlighting ability in the Libby app is frustrating.

Joanna,
Can you read in another app? I use my Kobo app and sometimes you can do Kindle I thought?? I'm never forced to read in Libby. But if you don't have a compatible e-reader or way to sideload that might not work..DM if you aren't sure what I'm talking about! ;)

Those are great comments. I also really loved how she reasoned it out and how the elements of accepting things for not as bad as they could be is a timeless concept still applicable today.

I'll be able to concentrate more once we're not all sick in my house!! I hope very soon.

ETA: I have highlights a plenty. I meant to share a bunch here but then my household exploded in snot.

Joanna,

You can use the original Overdrive app as well if Libby doesn’t suit.

Great comments on what you’ve read so far.

I read on iPad, so I should be able to do any of them, will check it out and see. Thanks for the tips!

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[ Love the backstory (heartbreaking though it is) using the flashback for Malcolm, "he'd seen love take a good man and hollow him out," Complicated, yet true concept on how loving someone can hurt after that kind of trauma. (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 5

My only criticism thus far would be that I think the attraction is being a little over sold. It’s a very minor critic, though. I have enjoyed their interactions thus far, and like how they challenge each other.

Re Joanna comment mess #39 up to ch 2

(view spoiler)[

Joanna: ... two complex and interesting main characters better than many HRs do throughout an entire novel. I am very impressed with the characterization thus far.

And then, More Joanna:

Joanna: ...Elle- she’s battling her desire to speak up and be herself with the need to play her part now for a better future.

Me:

I agree that these are interesting and complex characters, but I was aghast when Elle elbowed that white man and called him a fool. Even if Elle was not a spy and even as a free woman, she can’t do that! I’m always ranting about Regency, Medieval , Victorian heroine behaving as if they are 21 C women. I think Elle elbowing that man and her struggles not to tell off Susie Cafferty is the author giving is as 21 C people what we’d wish or fantasize about an awesome and superior woman like Elle would do. Believe me, I had living relatives who were one or two generations from slavery. Even in the 1950s mouthing off to white people down South was at your peril. You could be killed!

Joanna: I also liked how she has to catch herself from falling into a rhythm, an acceptance for the why of life — stopping herself from think Cafferty’s are not that bad because they treat their slaves OK. Honest portrayal of the situation.

This is anti GWtW where people are lulled into thinking slavery was less horrendous than it was. The author handled this very well.

Joanna: Malcom- I enjoyed the fact that he is an immigrant and his experiences from Scotland shape his position in the present. The means justify the ends, as long as the ends means the end of slavery. I love Reading about characters that will go shady if the need arises

Me:

I think including Malcolm brutal treatment by English in Scotland is very clever. This establushes concrete experience for his abolitionist belief rather than being abolitionist because it’s in-can or just wrong or cruel. He has really strong abolitionist “street cred.”

High five for characters who go shady! It adds more delicious complexity! (hide spoiler)]

Re Sam mess #43

(view spoiler)[I think spy profession is very lonely business to be in. Probably don’t want to form attachment. I’m in the middle of ch 9, so I think in either ch 8 or ch 9 Malcolm is thinking of a colleague at Pinkerton who say he’s kind of old (at 32) to still be in that business. I wonder if we can glean that Pinkerton men do it for a couple of years, then leave bec they want wife and children/family life. If so, perhaps Malcolm backstory/views on love is why he is “old” to still be at Pinkerton?” Or stays at Pinkerton to avoid pressure/expectation to get married and have a family? (hide spoiler)]

re Andrea comments; overall:

(view spoiler)[ I totally agree re ch 2; although if I am not mistaken didn't she feel some level of fear upon elbowing? Also, love what the author did re Scottish/English as well.

I think Cole is doing a great job of setting up Elle's misgivings. IF I have one complaint-it's a variant on Joanna's, I don't mind oversold attraction-Malcolm already seems all in already. Or maybe I'm just not reading hesitation.

(hide spoiler)]

High five Andrea!

As to the 21st century sensibilities projected on the character, Good point. I didn’t see it that way. I do wonder if at this point in time there would not be more defiance in thoughts and deeds than perhaps 50 years later, after the reality of “freedom” was with plenty of ways for that freedom could be denied and a separate but equal world. At this point, would there not be an expectation that freedom meant free? I don’t know, just conjecturing. I had to look up the elbowing incident, didn’t grab me the first time. I also think a former slave turned free would have issues with acting the slave.

As Elle had been free for many years before she became a spy I can see her being less likely to take that treatment, but I think you're right Andrea, she feels very 21st to me. But some of her reactions seemed to much for me, because of the the dangerous situation she was in to begin with. I'm just starting chapter 20 and I'm still waiting for her anger to blow her cover.

As for the elbow thing, it struck me more as a panic move, but I didn't go back and reread it.

The insta-attraction is fine with me too. Not sure why it's working for me here, when it doesn't in other books. Maybe because it seems less about how attractive the other is and more about how they are mentally attracted as well. Like Malcolm is turned on by how smart she is.

I got a lot of reading in yesterday--I'm on chapter 21. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to debrief due to aforementioned snot explosion, but here's a couple of things that have stuck with me
Chapter 10:
(view spoiler)[ "But I know one thing that'll stay the same-these men think they are entitle to not only the sweat off our back but every other part of our bodies to boot. Be careful, no matter how that one sweet talks you. Just because he don't hold you down, don't mean he's not forcing you." I enjoy how good writing can be timeless and completely true out of context, and I love it for in context as well. Side note, I'm loving Mary. LOVING. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[ I liked this chapter quite a bit, This book is best when the characters are interacting and circumspect yet completely connected to one another.
Malcolm walked over to her and took the rag from her hands. She'd done enough scrubbing that day. I love that tiny bit of consideration; these are the acts I tend to find most romantic.
(hide spoiler)]

chapter 16 I struggled with a bit:
(view spoiler)[ I felt the choices made were slightly out of character for both characters, especially since it seems they have a connections but one is feeling a level of impossibility. They are both uncompromising in their missions; till this?

Anyone have thoughts on that. (hide spoiler)]

I am at chapter 21, now. (view spoiler)[ I thought the scene in the end of chapter 20 pretty painful from a romance perspective, and therein lies my feelings on the book. I love the plot and characters but I feel a little something lacking with the romance. Not the admiration or fact the they even care about or like each other...just something feels missing for me. (hide spoiler)]