In the fields by Willow Aster Book Review

1971 — In the tiny, backward town of Tulma, Tennessee, optimistic, bookish Caroline Carson unwittingly finds herself in the middle of a forbidden romance. Severely neglected by her family and forced to flee Tulma to protect her secrets, Caroline’s young life comes crashing down around her. She finds refuge in a new town, but the past always has a way of stretching around time and stirring up trouble.

When a new love comes into her life, she has to decide if she can give her heart to someone else, or if she will always be tied to someone she can’t have.

Willow Aster loves nothing more than writing the day away--anywhere will do. Coffee or Coke are the only requirements. Willow Aster is the author of True L̶o̶v̶e̶ Story and In the Fields, two standalone books published in 2013. When she’s not writing, you can find her staring out into space, dreaming about new characters. She also enjoys sliding across the hardwood floor in her socks and twirling in the sand.

 www.willowaster.com

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This was my first read by mrs. Aster and it was an unforgettable one at that. One of my blogger friends Bianca from Brittany and Bianca blab books put this author on my radar. Her book true love story is on my TBR list but when I read the synopsis for this one I knew I had to tackle it first.  Mrs. Aster touched on a very sensitive subject matter here in the south, Interracial dating/marriage. I love reading forbidden love stories of the Deep South. After reading this book it ranked up there with some of my favorites in this particular love category like cane river by L. Tademy.  The reason books similar to this are a favorite of mine to read is because they hit close to home.  My boyfriend (BD) likes to sometimes say people from back home (louisiana) are like GUMBO, if you search deep enough everyone is mixed with a little of everything. 
My Great great great  grandmother fell in love with a Caucasian man in the small town of lismore, Louisiana needless to say her love story isn't your typical happy ending but it was one based on the times. 

Anyway getting back on track.... Mrs. Aster gets down to the nuts and bolts of segregation, the klan, child abuse and even rape in this book. This is the story of Caroline Carson a young girl (between 14-15 years old) that fell in love with Isaiah, a young man who had the wrong color skin by societies rules. Caroline and Isaiah's story is one of trials and tribulations you read in history books.  How can you be with the one Person in life you live and breath for when not black nor white society accepts you? 

Caroline's life was far from pretty. Her father was a alcoholic and her mother an ex beauty queen.  There are know words for her mother and the actions of this woman. Some of the  things she got away with made me wonder if social services even existed back then.  Despite all she endured Isaiah was the one person that always had her back until one day... The day all the secrets got to be to much and darkness fell over them. 

Caroline's rape changed everything. It changed her, a town, and even her relationship with Isaiah. Let me stop to say Isaiah is a man of great character a wise beyond his years.  Despite everything his love and vow to Caroline never shifted. He is an amazing man!  Have you ever heard the saying "one night of passion can change everything" well in their case it did.  Lets just say you don't run from Isaiah because he will fight for what's his and he did just that not once but twice. However keep in mind sometimes you have to want to be found. 

Caroline's life was full of darkness for so long she had almost given up on any hope.  Out of darkness comes light...  LIGHT in the form of great/unexpected friends/pseudo family/creation of new life and LOVE.  I loved Caroline/Isaiah's characters and majority of all  secondary characters involved. This was a great read and unforgettable love story. 

Great job mrs. Aster. I look  forward to reading more of your work. 

Cheers, 
Dr. Books

Book rating: 4.5 stars/A

** this review is dedicated in loving memory of my great great great  grandmother Josephine wilson. below you can find pics of my family tree.**