Book Title: Enigma (Road to the Breaking Book 2) by Chris Bennett
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +) , 514 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: CPB Publishing, LLC
Release date: February 2021
Content Rating: PG-13. Cursing, violence and war scenes, etc.

Book Description

“How can I call myself a man of good conscience, when I myself am no better than a slaver?”

It’s summer 1860, and former army Captain Nathan Chambers has returned home to Virginia to claim his inheritance: a large plantation with more than one hundred slaves.  Nathan wants no part of slavery and intends to sell the farm and all its slaves.  But even as he arrives home, enduring fearful and downcast stares from despondent black faces, he knows what he must do … and the price he must pay for doing it.

And then Evelyn arrives … strikingly beautiful, spirited, and intriguing, she is the daughter of an old family friend.  But the more Nathan is drawn in by her charms, the harder she pushes him away …

The Road to the Breaking Series is an epic tale of a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of a deadly precipice: the American Civil War.  In Book 2 of the series, Nathan Chambers has returned from the violent army life out West, only to face a heart wrenching Enigma at home.

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My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I read the first book, Road to the Breaking, and was glad I had Enigma to continue the story because there wasn’t a resolution.

There are two main plots in this book. The first is about the horrid practice of slavery in America and Nathan’s fight to help the slaves he inherited from his father along with his plantation. He wants to do what is right but is having trouble not only with neighbors, but the slaves understandably don’t trust him.

The second plot begins about halfway through the book when Evelyn and her mother arrive at the plantation. Most of the second half of the book is about their budding romance.

The characters are well developed, and I like Nathan and his men as well as his mom and Megs, the slave who took care of him as a child. I still don’t know how I feel about Evelyn.

The author’s writing flows well. This book doesn’t have as much action as the first book but a lot more romance and politics. There is quite a lot of description – a little more than I like, but that’s a personal preference.

Like the first book, Enigma leaves some things unresolved. I recommend having all 5 books in the series before you start reading them.

About the Author

Chris A. Bennett grew up on the shores of Klamath Lake in southeastern Oregon. For a young boy it was a dream world of water, hills, forests, and abundant wildlife. His love for action and adventure morphed into a lifelong love for books when his Mom read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings to the family on a long road trip.

Chris’s thirst for adventure never faded and he began to live out his love of history onto the pages of his first book, Road to the Breaking. Once he started writing he just couldn’t stop and the result is The Road to the Breaking series; an epic journey across a young nation seething with debauchery, brutality, corruption, and political intrigue, unwittingly on the brink of an unimaginable disaster: the American Civil War.

Chris currently lives near Seattle with his wife Patricia. His three adult children Nick, Rachel, and Josh also live in the Puget Sound area.​

Connect with the Author:   website  ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Giveaway

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Chris Bennett, author of the A ROAD TO BREAKING book series! (one winner/USA only) (ends Aug 2)

Gleam

Follow the Tour

July 6 – Cover Lover Book Review – books spotlight / giveaway
July 6 – Working Mommy journal – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 7 – The Momma Spot – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 8 – Books for Books – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1)
July 12 – Books for Books – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2)
July 13 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 13 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 15 – Jazzy Book Reviews – books spotlight / guest post / giveaway
July 16 – The Momma Spot – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 19 – Splashes of Joy – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / author interview / giveaway
July 19 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / giveaway
July 20 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 – Bound 4 Escape – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING,  Book 2) / giveaway
July 20 – fundinmental – books spotlight / giveaway
July 21 – @twilight_reader – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1)
July 21 – Literary Flits – books spotlight / giveaway
July 22 – @twilight_reader – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2)
July 22 – Character Madness and Musings – book review of ROAD TO THE BREAKING (Book 1) / guest post / giveaway  
July 23 – Splashes of Joy – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 23 – Character Madness and Musings – book review of ENIGMA (ROAD TO THE BREAKING, Book 2) / giveaway
July 26 – Sadie’s Spotlight – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway