Title: Captive Bride
Author: Marjorie Hersom
Published by: ReadersMagnet LLC
ISBN: 9781947765429
Pages: 122
Genre: Historical Fiction
Reviewed by: Aaron Washington
Pacific Book Review Star
Awarded to Books of Excellent Merit
A fifteen-year-old girl triumphed over hurdle after hurdle in life to become the pride of her newfound family of villagers. Maria del los Santos y Castro is roped into a plot orchestrated by her beloved aunt, her fiancée, and a man who turns out to be the worst person she has and will ever meet. After repeatedly surviving rape and physical abuse, Maria has her first child. She also successfully manages to tame her ‘husband’. Mazarro loves his children. He is a lucky man, not that he deserves any of it. He dies in pain but peacefully. Maria is widowed at seventeen with two children, a mere child herself. She must learn how to survive and take care of her children. She does all that and so much to the surprise of everyone around her. All the strength and pain that she had to endure has led her to the love of her life. The man who would cross the sea on his knees for a smile on her face. Is there a happy ending for this severely scarred young woman?
Author Marjorie Hersom tells this story from the depths of her heart in Captive Bride. She tells it with a passion and pride that could only be mustered by a person descendant from Maria’s heritage. This much is evident in her writing. Her narration of the story sounds ominously like it would at the dinner table. Her writing is impeccable with the perfect tone and expert handling of turn of events. The sentences are short and sweet carrying an appropriate depth. The pictures do not hurt but the reader would probably picture the views just fine from her vivid descriptions.
Captive Bride possesses a rare quality; the ability to appeal to demographics across the age spectrum. The rape scenes are not graphic as to make the story a little too much for the younger people. The language is simple but will not bore an older more sophisticated reader. The real gem is the depth of the story and how intensely one will be engrossed that they will not notice trivialities. If pirate talk entertains you, you will enjoy Mama Henrietta a lot.
An iconic moment is when Mazarro dies. Maria does not mope around wondering what to do without a father figure for her children or a provider. She hunkers down and mothers her children. She is a strong character. She does not let her history with men get in the way of her life with the new man. That is an admirable trait one which would be of great value to anyone regardless of age as it is never too late to muster some strength and grit.
This story is an emotional roller coaster. You will live through Maria’s pain and suffering. Her pleading prayers will break your heart every time. Her strength however, will bring a fresh revelation to the whole situation. Do not gloss over this book; read every word. Savor every moment. Enjoy your time with Maria and her friends. Learn from Maria’s journey.
Captive Bride is well written. The scenes unfold in a sort of surreal fashion. It is a beautiful story. A family gem shared with the world, well appreciated.
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