A Silent Ocean Away: Colette's Dominion

by: DeVa Gantt

Published by: Harper Collins

In the height of the middle 1800s, Charmaine Ryan is a teenage girl who has only known poverty and heartache in life. She is made to work for a wealthy family to help provide for her family. But living with an angry and abusive father, Charmaine seeks solace in the love of her mother and the people she works for.

But one day Charmaine’s life takes a tragic turn when she loses the one person she holds close to her heart. Outcast by her father she seeks refuge with her employers whose welcoming home and caring ways allow her to have a new life. Charmaine hopes to break free from her jagged past and create a new one with her new family.

In the employ of the Harrington’s, Charmaine is giving the opportunity to take a new job overseas with the wealthy Duvoisin family. The Duvoisin family carries its own mystery and secrets, giving Charmaine a new view on how the more fortunate live. From within the large wealthy shipping tycoon Duvoisin family, Charmaine befriends her employer’s young wife Colette. Paul, the husband’s only son out of wedlock,, entices Charmaine and charms her to open up her world to his–but he is confronted with challenges of other woman who is out for his heart.

A Silent Ocean Away is an enchanting historical novel that clearly sets the stage of that time period. The innocence of the young comes through by showing how life was dictated by placement in society and wealth.

I’m moved by the building relationships between Charmaine and the DuvoisinDuvoisin family and her need to be accepted and adapt to her new surroundings. Charmaine is repeatively confronted with the many hidden secrets this wealthy family carries. Even her own secrets from her past are put on front stage. Charmaine simply has to ask herself: Can coming across an ocean truly keep your past from you? And do your decisions always lead you to the right ones or self doubt?

Armchair Interviews says: An interesting historical fiction.