Island Queen

"Island Queen" is a captivating historical novel by Vanessa Riley that chronicles the extraordinary life of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a free woman of color who overcame the confines of slavery to become a prominent landowner in the colonial West Indies. Born in Montserrat, Doll secures her freedom and that of her family, ultimately building an empire as an entrepreneur and hotelier across various Caribbean islands and into South America. Set against the backdrop of 18th-century societal norms, the novel illustrates her resilience and ambition as she navigates complex relationships and the challenges of her time, offering a vivid portrayal of a remarkable woman who defied expectations and shaped her own destiny.