Never Too Late

Seffie has had a hard life as a slave. Ripped from her mother’s arms as a punishment for another runaway slave, Seffie has suffered loss after loss during her life, many times due to fire. Because she has become an excellent cook, Seffie manages to make her way even in the face of adversity, but she harbors one dream still: to be free. Seemingly, her dream finally comes true following the close of the Civil War and she is miraculously reunited with the young girl whose mother she promised that she would protect all of her life. Henry Paterson, a free man of color, has seen his dreams shattered by fire as well, but he is determined to persevere, even in the face of the greatest adversary of his race, the Ku Klux Klan. Will this pair, whom life seemingly has taken everything away from, be able to discover that it is NEVER TOO LATE to discover the good things God has prepared for his children, including love?

NEVER TOO LATE is the third entry in Michael Phillips’ Carolina Cousins series. The bulk of the tale is set on Rosewood, the North Carolina plantation which is featured in all the books in the series. Rosewood is a special place where all people, both black and white, work together for the common good, despite the disapproval of most people who live nearby. This particular premise did seem somewhat unrealistic to this reviewer, but was so well written that it became totally believable. Characters from the previous tales are prominently featured in this story as well, but the reader will be able to easily follow the story line without having read the other entries. Mr. Phillips has done a wonderful job of portraying the fears of a slave woman who has been bereft of everything, but who is still standing even in the midst of her terror. Seffie, even with all of her flaws, is a compelling heroine whom this reader truly admired for her strength and ability to pick herself back up after being knocked down by tragedy again and again. This is a remarkable story of the ultimate grace and healing power of God, who like a potter, takes all the shards of Seffie’s and Henry’s life and puts them back together in a stronger vessel. This reviewer highly recommends this tale to all readers who enjoy inspirational historical fiction.

June 2007