Stunning prequel to Leila Meacham's bestselling family epic Roses. "From birth, Jessica had eschewed the role to which she'd been born. Was it because she sensed that her father's indulgence was compensation for his disappointment in her? Jessica thought too much, questioned, challenged, rebelled. Sometimes Eunice thought her daughter should have been born a male." Born into the wealthiest and most influential family in 1830s South Carolina, Jessica Wyndham was expected to look appealing, act with decorum, and marry a suitably prominent and respectable man. However, her outspoken opinions and unflagging sense of justice make her a difficult-and dangerous-firebrand, especially for slavery-dependent Carson Wyndham. Jessica's testing of her powerful father's love is only the beginning of the pain, passion, and triumph she will experience on a journey with the indomitable, land-obsessed Silas Toliver and headstrong Jeremy Warwick to a wild new land called Texas. ( )

Prequel to Roses.

Born into the wealthiest and most influential family in 1830s South Carolina, Jessica Wyndham was expected to look appealing, act with decorum, and marry a suitably prominent and respectable man. However, her outspoken opinions and unflagging sense of justice make her a difficult-and dangerous-firebrand, especially for slavery-dependent Carson Wyndham. Jessica's testing of her powerful father's love is only the beginning of the pain, passion, and triumph she will experience on a journey with the indomitable, land-obsessed Silas Toliver and headstrong Jeremy Warwick to a wild new land called Texas. ( )

An epic family saga as big as the state of Texas! I loved it!!! ( )

Loved this. Prequel to Roses. I read Roses first a long time ago. I'm going to read Roses again after enjoying Somerset. ( )

Somerset is the prequel to Roses by Leila Meacham. Her Roses and Tumbleweeds are two of the best books I have ever read. I devoured Somerset which is a fabulous account of the Tolivers, Warwiciks and DuMonts in the early history of Texas and the beginnings of the family sagas. The beginnings of these families is so well written--a joy to read. I highly recommend this book and the others by Leila Meacham. ( )