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booksuperpower 's review for:
A Spear of Summer Grass
by Deanna Raybourn
Wow! What a great story!
We start out in Paris in 1923. Delilah Drummond is informed by her family that she has been involved in one too many scandals. Her grandfather has threatened to cut her off financially if she doesn't agree to lay low for a while. Her step father owns property in Africa and it is decided that would be the perfect place for Delilah to spend on a little vacation.
Delilah has been married three times and has had numerous lovers. He first marriage though, broke her heart and she has never again let herself be open to that sort of love and pain again.
So, when she and her prim and dowdy cousin arrive in Africa, Deliliah's introduction to a man named Ryder, has her putting up all kinds of defenses and she is in deep denial of her feelings for him.
As Deliliah begins to meet people in her area, she realizes there is a great deal of political unease. The threat of wild animals, the ways of the natives and the separation between white and black , the dirt blowing into her food,and terrible insects at every turn is too harsh of an environement for Deliliah. She makes the best of her exile by keeping company with others of her class, and promtly begins a casual affair with Kit, an old friend . She also befriends an African boy and his brother. However, Deliliah still yearns for her old life and longs to return to Paris.
But, tensions reach an all time high when a murder is committed within their little community and an innocent person is about to be held responsible. For the the first time in her life Deliliah makes an adult, self sacrificing choice.
Will Deliliah finally let go of the monster hurt that keeps her from really falling in love? Will she find out who the real murderer is? Will Deliliah finally grow up and will she admit that Africa has gotten under skin?
I have read Deanna Raybourn's historical romances in the past. They are great mysteries and the author has a real talent. I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. This is unlike anything I have read from this author previously.
The descriptions of Africa are startling clear and vivid. All the beauty and harshness combined gave up a true life vision of the setting. The characters were also sharply drawn, the dialogue real and deep. This story was so absorbing I couldn't put it down.
This is part romance, part drama, part mystery. It is the most unique novel I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved it. I can not recommend highly enough. An A+ all the way.
Thanks to edelwiess for the advance copy!
We start out in Paris in 1923. Delilah Drummond is informed by her family that she has been involved in one too many scandals. Her grandfather has threatened to cut her off financially if she doesn't agree to lay low for a while. Her step father owns property in Africa and it is decided that would be the perfect place for Delilah to spend on a little vacation.
Delilah has been married three times and has had numerous lovers. He first marriage though, broke her heart and she has never again let herself be open to that sort of love and pain again.
So, when she and her prim and dowdy cousin arrive in Africa, Deliliah's introduction to a man named Ryder, has her putting up all kinds of defenses and she is in deep denial of her feelings for him.
As Deliliah begins to meet people in her area, she realizes there is a great deal of political unease. The threat of wild animals, the ways of the natives and the separation between white and black , the dirt blowing into her food,and terrible insects at every turn is too harsh of an environement for Deliliah. She makes the best of her exile by keeping company with others of her class, and promtly begins a casual affair with Kit, an old friend . She also befriends an African boy and his brother. However, Deliliah still yearns for her old life and longs to return to Paris.
But, tensions reach an all time high when a murder is committed within their little community and an innocent person is about to be held responsible. For the the first time in her life Deliliah makes an adult, self sacrificing choice.
Will Deliliah finally let go of the monster hurt that keeps her from really falling in love? Will she find out who the real murderer is? Will Deliliah finally grow up and will she admit that Africa has gotten under skin?
I have read Deanna Raybourn's historical romances in the past. They are great mysteries and the author has a real talent. I had no idea what to expect when I started this book. This is unlike anything I have read from this author previously.
The descriptions of Africa are startling clear and vivid. All the beauty and harshness combined gave up a true life vision of the setting. The characters were also sharply drawn, the dialogue real and deep. This story was so absorbing I couldn't put it down.
This is part romance, part drama, part mystery. It is the most unique novel I have read in a long time. I absolutely loved it. I can not recommend highly enough. An A+ all the way.
Thanks to edelwiess for the advance copy!