This is another review I did for the May edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society.
BOOK REVIEW
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1984. Ashlyn Greer, a rare book dealer, has a special talent. She can sometimes feel the emotional echoes of a book’s previous owners. When she discovers a pair of volumes that have never been published, the echoes she receives from them hint of a tragic romance between the two respective authors. As Ashlyn begins to read each volume, she discovers two authors using the nicknames of “Hemi” and “Belle,” each telling a different version of their tragic 1941 love story, which took place in New York City. As Ashlyn explores their story, the more she longs to give the tragic pair some closure. She begins to investigate and learns some lessons about her own life along the way.
What a beautifully written novel! Barbara Davis combines a bit of the paranormal with a tragic love story and two “books within a book.” The author’s ability to present two different, but related, heartbreaking stories inside her own novel and keep all the voices distinct is so impressive. The fascinating characters and the beauty of the writing pull the reader in. I felt completely transported to 1941 New York. The anti-Semitism of the time is confronted, as well as the sympathy some influential Americans at that time had towards the Nazi party. The plot is unique and well-thought-out. Ashlyn’s ability to experience the feelings of previous book owners is such a compelling twist to the story. The author shows an ability, too—she can transport those feelings to her readers, and we experience joy, heartbreak, anger, devastation, love, loss, and sorrow along with Ashlyn, Hemi, and Belle. This is an intriguing historical novel that will sweep you away with emotion. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Lake Union Publishing via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
(Barbara Davis, in her own words)
After twelve years in the jewelry business, I finally surrendered to the muse, leaving the corporate world in order to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a writer. I was born in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, but grew up and attended school in Florida. Eventually, work led me north, where I lived in Charleston for two years, and in Raleigh for fourteen, before eventually making my home in Dover, New Hampshire, which makes me a Yankee, turned southerner, turned Yankee. (I think.)
When I’m not writing I’m an avid reader, foodie, and lover of music, a rabid football fan, and a devoted Florida Gator. I also enjoy travel with my husband/sweetheart, (same guy, I promise) who over the years has learned much more about publishing and the craft of writing than he ever wanted to know
BUY LINKS
*Kindle Unlimited Subscribers can currently read AND listen to this for free.
I love the sound of this book! It makes me think of The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron.
I have not read that so I checked it out on Amazon. It sounds good!
One of my favourite books!
This sounds really intriguing, Bonnie. Great review and introduction to the author!
[…] Week I reviewed A Shadow in Moscow, The Echo of Old Books, and The Good, The Bad, and The History. I also participated in Book Blogger, Top Ten Tuesday, and […]