A split time novel, and first in a series.
Present day:
Genealogist and coffee purist (there is a lot of food talk in this book, in fact) Jillian lives with her father Nolan in the small mountain town of Canyon Mines. Her mother died when she was a teenager, and she works from home at her thriving business creating family trees, among other things. Her lawyer father is a skilled negotiator and mediator. Her best friend Nia owns a local Inn/B&B, and Nia has just spontaneously hired the clearly-in-crisis-but-they-don't-know-from-what-yet, Meri Davies.
1878 Memphis:
When yellow fever attacks the city, people are dying left and right -and at the cost of all good sense, Eliza is determined to help in any way she can. She partners with the Sisters and pitches in, taking food and providing aid to numerous ill and dying families around the city. When her close friend and housekeeper Callie leaves to help her sister's family, Eliza is alarmed when she doesn't hear any word.
I did find the 'quick' connection of Nia and Nolan to Meri somewhat unusual; I won't go quite as far as to say it was unbelievable, but their deep emotional investment in helping Meri was unusual. Perhaps that was the point.
Also, I found Meri to be a little too abrasive for my personal preference. I found her slightly off putting rather than sympathetic. I loved the 'small town' friendships, and overall I enjoyed this book. I am looking forward to the second one in the series (teaser chapter at end that was intriguing!) But just how are these two timelines and stories connected? You'll have to read all the way to the end to find out!
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Barbour Publishers in exchange for my honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment