The Master's Wife

The West Indies of the 1700s is a place fraught with danger at every turn. With slave uprisings, violent storms, and tropical diseases threatening life and property, it is a wonder anyone can survive that dark place. The entire known world is at war against the backdrop of the American Revolutionary War. Food shortages and natural disasters leave planters on the brink of disaster, and they must do what is necessary to ensure their survival. With her marriage to John McDowell, the mulatto Felice Henderson is somewhat insulated from some of the dangers that surround her. But things are about to change, and her world turned upside down as the wife of the master. While not a historical novel, The Master's Wife brings to light some of the harsh realities of historical events that shaped the lives of all players. It gives a voice to the voiceless slaves whose futures were shaped even more by these events than were their masters.