Maggie Blackbird

Today, I’m hosting author J.A. Boulet’s latest release 1833 Brothers & Sisters, book two in The Eastman Saga, a western historical romance. Be sure to read my review. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

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Title: 1833 Brothers & Sisters
Series: The Eastman Saga, book two
Author: J.A. Boulet
Genre(s): Historical Western Romance
Length: 265 pages
Release Date: November 5, 2025

A peek into the Underground Railroad and the tumultuous period before the American Civil War.

Blurb: In 1833 Philadelphia, the northern states of America were changing, and not everyone was keen on altering the status quo. Black slaves were being freed, and new slaves were no longer allowed.

But the southern states didn’t always agree. Natives were being thrown out of their homes for living too close to gold, and escaped black slaves were being hunted down. Jesse Eastman controls the affluent Eastman Empire and frees a former slave, his half-sister Georgina. But some family members don’t like it.

When an estranged brother gets the idea to let a ruthless gang of property buyers initiate a takeover, all hell breaks loose.

1833 BROTHERS & SISTERS will pull you into an old western-style family saga, filled with greed, marital love, family conflict, and smoking gun shootouts.

Goodreads | Amazon

Check Out the YouTube Trailer

Jesse grasped the large oak front door. “You are no longer an Eastman,” Jesse stated angrily. “Get out.”

“I live here too,” Billy stated incredulously.

“Not any longer,” Jesse replied.

“I have my belongings here.”

“I will have the servants collect your belongings and deliver them to you by carriage.”

“You can’t do this!” Billy yelled, indignantly.

“I sure can!” Jesse shouted back, systematically rolling up his sleeves. “I noticed that you signed this agreement today, probably at Bartholomew’s office, and you came here right after. Big mistake, Billy. You are officially estranged from the Eastman Empire as of today. Get out and don’t come back. Your signature officially means nothing as of today.” Jesse straightened his shoulders and braced himself for the physical fight. “We have witnesses to attest to this.” Jesse waved his arms around the room.

Billy’s eyes darted toward the stairs where Zee was watching the entire event unfold, and to the hallway where several servants gathered from the kitchen. Almost ten people stared at Billy, waiting for his next move.

“You always were the one that Father hated,” Billy sneered, hoping that his brother would do something stupid.

Jesse leapt at Billy. The younger brother took a few steps back and narrowly escaped the range of Jesse’s arms.

Jesse came closer and growled in Billy’s face angrily. “If you don’t leave now, I will pick you up myself and throw you out.”

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Having already read and reviewed three novels by the author, and being such a lover of historical romance and historical fiction, when this book came up to read and review, I was in.

The story follows Jesse and Zee from Whichever Way the Road Leads, from the first book in the Eastman saga.  But instead of being in Canada, they are now in the USA.

First off, it was great meeting the rest of Jesse’s family.  His matriarchal mom, half-sister, bad brother Billy, and the many children Jesse and Zee had had since getting married in the first novel.  But the stress of living the rich life for a simple farm girl like Zee is taking its toll on her.  As for Jesse, he’s overwhelmed by the amount of responsibility he faces, especially after being in the backwoods of Canada for so long, living off the land.

There is also a great romance between Jesse’s half-sister, Georgina and a mystery man named Jeremiah.  I must say, I really enjoyed the romance between these two characters and the challenges they faced as African Americans during that time.

As always, the author brings together great historical accuracy, and she blends this seamlessly into the story, with plenty of action, family problems, and external conflicts from meddling outsiders.

The author always knows how to weave together high-stakes novels with drama and family at its centre.

There is even a hint of what is to follow at the end, telling the reader that we haven’t seen the last of the Eastmans.

If you enjoy historical romance/fiction that is very realistic and stays in keeping with the time period, you will not be disappointed in this novel or the Eastman saga.  If you are new to the author, it’s best to read the first book in the series.  Do yourself a favour and get a copy.  You won’t regret it.  The author wields a talented pen for telling great family sagas deep in history.

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J. A. Boulet is a passionate historical fiction novelist weaving tales with strong romantic themes. Raised in a Hungarian refugee family, J. A. was born and grew up in Canada with strong moral convictions, which she has stood behind all her life. Ms. Boulet began writing poetry at a very young age and progressed to short stories and novels easily. She quickly became a history geek and became fascinated with ancestry and the rough path of immigration. Her university studies ranged from photojournalism to accounting. After decades of working in accounting, J. A. published her first book in 2020 and has since published one to two books annually.

She lives in the Niagara region of Canada with her two sons, a crested gecko, a large Doberdor dog, and a small orchard of fruit trees.

Follow J.A.:  Website | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Goodreads

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