About this book
Mary Johnston's sweeping epic To Have And To Hold was the bestselling novel of 1900, blending historical romance, adventure, and intrigue into an unforgettable tale set in colonial Jamestown. Captain Ralph Percy, an English soldier turned Virginian explorer, purchases a wife at auction—unaware she is Jocelyn, the escaped ward of King James I fleeing a forced marriage to the sinister Lord Carnal. When her unwanted suitor arrives in the struggling colony demanding his bride, the couple finds themselves entangled in a web of deception, kidnapping, and perilous adventure that threatens both their love and the fragile peace between the colonists and Native Americans.
Johnston masterfully weaves together elements of historical fiction with mounting tension as shipwrecks, pirates, and political intrigue test Captain Percy and Jocelyn's bond. The narrative captures the raw energy of early colonial Virginia—a frontier where danger lurks around every corner and survival depends on cunning as much as courage. As conflict engulfs Jamestown, Captain Percy faces his darkest fear when Jocelyn vanishes during the hostilities, leaving him to grapple with uncertainty and loss.
Perfect for readers who crave richly detailed historical fiction with romantic undertones and genuine stakes, this timeless adventure offers escape into a transformative period of American history while exploring themes of love, loyalty, and redemption.
