Saturday, January 23, 2021

Bookish Thoughts: Dreams of Savannah

 


"They are pauses we all need.  Those moments of beauty we can look back on,

take strength from, when we're in the valley of shadows again."

- Sidney Dunn

Description:

Savannah socialite Cordelia is an optimist. Although the Yankees have captured her sweetheart, Phineas, she touts his bravery and looks forward to his homecoming. But when Phineas returns, he's injured, changed, and not at all sure that the Confederate pro-slavery cause was just. Where will the new America take them---and will they go there together?


About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.


My Thoughts:

I've been racking my brain trying to think of what to say about this book. . . It definitely left me with a hangover! And a lot to think about. Ms. White always does, though. I found much of it very timely and I'm not sure why that surprised me, but it did. It shares perspective of the Civil War that I've not seen/read before, as well as revealing opinions and misconceptions that some held regarding skin color and slavery.  

"Though mankind did have a remarkable ability to be blind to what they didn't want to see."

Luther Bromley

As always, Ms. White's writing is both beautiful and at times, heart-wrenching. Her words drew me into the story from the first few sentences and I often found myself going about my day, wondering what was going to happen next! I loved that Cordelia is a storyteller with a colorful imagination! Her outlandish stories often made me laugh, while also revealing her heart and her desire for hope in a country at war. And though parts of it were painful for him, I greatly enjoyed following Phineas as his perception of the world changed, even so far as to how he viewed himself. In a time of great turmoil and unrest, he and Cordelia both had to decide if they would continue to fight for what they had been taught their entire lives, or if they would allow their change in perspective to also change their actions. I also really appreciated how the author showed that the conflict behind the Civil War wasn’t only in regards to slavery. That was something I remember being taught in history class, but didn't really understand as much until reading this story. 

If you're looking for a book that might very well challenge your understanding of history and the people who lived it, I would highly recommend this book!

 *My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book!  I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for in it any way.  All opinions expressed are my own. 


I hope everyone is having a good New Year so far, despite the turmoil in our lives right now . . . especially if you live in America.  We've been battling repeated sickness in my house, with my husband being sick, then as soon as he gets better, I'm sick, then when I'm almost well, the baby gets it. . . prayers are always much appreciated! 

Is there any way I can be praying for you right now?  If you don't feel comfortable leaving a request in a comment, please feel free to email me.  (or if you came across this blog from a social media link, you're welcome to send me a PM on there)

And back to the book - as always, links are below if you'd be interested in learning more!  Honestly, parts of this story are still lingering in my mind and it's been almost a month since I finished it.  I don't know about you, but I love stories that encourage me to see things in a new/different light! 

Have a ducky day! 

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Goodreads

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