Memphis in our Hearts

Rating:
Summary: Memphis iin our Hearts
Review: Jackie Griffey's MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS is set at the onset of the yellow fever epidemic in the still painful and unsettled aftermath of the civil war and begins with a puzzling murder. In bringing us up to the solution of the crime it chronicles the lives of three families trying to put their lives back together,care for their loved ones, and run their businesses. The Allens buy a river boat line; the Suttons run a weekly newspaper; and the LeMares have the only gourmet restaurant in town. When the Allen's daughter, Jamai, returns home from school in England she is determined to use her education to work, love and live as she sees fit. In addition to the other hardships facing these three families Jamai must add the problems of being female in a society deaf to women; falling for the most handsome, arrogant and fleet footed bachelor in town and keeping him at arm's length as she protects her reputation; and a dear friend of them both being accused of murder. MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS is well researched with well drawn characters worth cheering or fearing for as the plot and sub-plots deep us turning pages. If you are fan

s of Mary Stewart's historical mysteries or GONE WITH THE WIND, you will enjoy MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS. Step back in time as Jamai Allen accepts the challenges of the era and takes our hearts along with her.

North Shelby Times
M. L. Holland

Rating:
Summary: Memphis iin our Hearts
Review: Jackie Griffey's MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS is set at the onset of the yellow fever epidemic in the still painful and unsettled aftermath of the civil war and begins with a puzzling murder. In bringing us up to the solution of the crime it chronicles the lives of three families trying to put their lives back together,care for their loved ones, and run their businesses. The Allens buy a river boat line; the Suttons run a weekly newspaper; and the LeMares have the only gourmet restaurant in town. When the Allen's daughter, Jamai, returns home from school in England she is determined to use her education to work, love and live as she sees fit. In addition to the other hardships facing these three families Jamai must add the problems of being female in a society deaf to women; falling for the most handsome, arrogant and fleet footed bachelor in town and keeping him at arm's length as she protects her reputation; and a dear friend of them both being accused of murder. MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS is well researched with well drawn characters worth cheering or fearing for as the plot and sub-plots deep us turning pages. If you are fan

s of Mary Stewart's historical mysteries or GONE WITH THE WIND, you will enjoy MEMPHIS IN OUR HEARTS. Step back in time as Jamai Allen accepts the challenges of the era and takes our hearts along with her.

North Shelby Times
M. L. Holland

Rating:
Summary: Memphis of long ago...
Review: Jamai Allen and her best friend, Susanna, are leaving school in England and heading home to the American South after the Civil War has ended. Their trip on the riverboat, Delta Queen, will take Jamai to Memphis where she knows her life is changed, even though her family has not been devastated as so many have been.
When she gets home, Jamai must deal with political upheavals and a serious epidemic. She is determined to use her education to work and make a change despite the social climate and attitudes toward women. She finds a job, but also finds herself attracted to Lou Sutton, who is as arrogant as he is handsome. The reader goes on adventures with Lou and Jamai that include a pirate attack while fleeing the fever epidemic and having to defend a friend who has been accused of murder.

Memphis In Our Hearts is written in an engaging old-fashioned style that is comforting in this time of fast-paced page turners. We are given a peek into a critical time in US history in a carefully researched and charming story. The multi-dimensional character, especially the heroine, Jamai, will stay in the reader's heart long after the last page is read. Ms. Griffey is the author of two other books: Welcome to Lazarus (horror) and Recycling Humanity (contemporary). This reviewer and other readers will want to add them to their to be read pile, as I am sure they will be a pleasure to read.

-Roberta Austin