#paranormal #paranormalromance #historicalromance
Book Blurb
There is something rotting in Harrisville.
It’s 1944 and Veronica works so she can afford to eat. Maybe one day she will save enough to own the home her family is living in, but for now, she doesn’t have time for fanciful thoughts, or much else. She doesn’t have time for the fire whispering to her, the ghosts trying to talk to her and the son of her boss, who can’t stop staring at her. She definitely doesn’t have time to think about Lazlo, the handsome black soldier that she processed at the draft office, but she can’t seem to stop herself. As her ability to ignore Lazlo evaporates, so does her self-imposed ignorance about her hometown. There is, and always has been, something rotten in Harrisville. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. After all, Veronica works in the cigarette factory, where corpses hide in the tobacco with the roaches.
My Review
What a beautiful and heartfelt read! – 5 stars
Fanning Fireflies, set in a small town in America towards the latter part of the second world war, is a beautiful and heartfelt read. It has a memorable heroine in Veronica, a young woman who works all hours to help support her mother and brother. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but the themes it dealt with and the emotions it evoked will certainly stay in my mind for a long time. The author effortlessly weaves themes of family, good versus evil and the enduring power of love. There are a number of unexpected twists and turns and the read, which contains a number of well drawn characters, held my attention throughout.
I was drawn to Veronica, a strong, honest, and fearless individual, who is devoted to her family, particularly her brother. Her encounter with Lazlo, a black soldier with whom she forges a strong mutual connection, intrigued me no end. The shocking events which follow, pit her against others who do not share her values, putting her and those she cares about in danger and I loved how she grows ever stronger and how despite the dangers she stays true to her beliefs.
I really enjoyed how the paranormal elements of the story became ever more pronounced as the plot progressed, the evil within the town growing exponentially as the various threads come together. I found that the read reflects this time period really well in terms of its language, content, and characters. It acknowledges the deep rooted prejudices that existed against women, the poverty stricken and particularly against people of colour, and as I read I could still see parallels with society today.
The book is part of the author’s Limerent series, but works perfectly well as a standalone and I will be checking out other books in the series.
Recommended to readers who enjoy strong heroines, tales of good versus evil and reads which combine elements of thriller, mystery and romance with the paranormal.
Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note, this book was given to me by the author and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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