“Taylor’s powerful historical romance is filled with passion and heart, spiced with mystery and a keen understanding of the human condition.” ~ Publishers Weekly In the years following World War II, a town too proud of its virtues has to deal with its first murder. Despite the implication of the crime, the town of Beneficent, Mississippi, population 479, tries to hold onto its vain image. The … hold onto its vain image. The young veteran Jack Davis wholeheartedly believes the town’s idyllic vision. He tries to share it with newcomer Lisa Kemper, but she is repelled by everything in the community. While the sheriff tries to find the murderer, Jack and Lisa’s contentious courtship reveals the town’s astute perceptions and surprising blind spots. But unexpectedly, the couple finds a kind of evil danger seething beneath the town’s placid surface.
When pride blinds us to the truth we accept our lies.
Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language. May also contain some content of an inspirational/religious nature. Similar suspense novels in this genre may be categorized as: suspense, thrillers, suspense thrillers, Christian suspense and Mystery & Suspense.more
In Lightning on a Quiet Night, we travel to a tiny Mississippi town. Here we find people who think they are the best of the best, the cream on top. But what they really are is maybe a little too proud of themselves and how they appear.
This book is set in the mid to late ’40s and early ’50s as we follow the main characters through discovering their blindspots and love. Oh and the solving of murder but that’s not significant or is it?!
The little Mississippi town is so perfect that there has never been a murder so this rocks the town to its core and really brings out somethings and aspects of the town that have been hidden from view or maybe just no one wanted to see.
I grew up in a tiny town in a very rural area of the state where I live. I can say without any doubt that I see aspects of our small town in this one. The people who think of themselves above all else, the way people turn a blind eye and pretend things don’t happen.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. The cover definitely drew me in and made me want to crack it open. The back cover kept up that curiosity and I was soon engrossed in the story. You’ll love this one if you like romance or suspense. Add in some historical aspects and it really reaches across several genres.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
The town of Beneficent is full of good people. Especially when all but one of their boys return from World War 2. They are also a town filled with heroes. But something isn’t right and it manifests itself in the murder of one of their own.
Lisa Kemper is new in town and has put her life on hold to help her father. She is bitter about this and sees no good in this town at all. She even has pre-judged and thinks she may know who the killer is.
Jack Davis has come back to the town he loves so much and sees nothing but good. This town and his memories is what got him through the injustices and inhumanity he saw while fighting. He likes Lisa and would like to show her how great the town is, but she is a bit closed off to that.
This was a good and at times scary mystery with a touch of romance. I liked reading how people were trying to pick up their lives after the war, start families, and move forward. Unfortunately, darkness can seep in anywhere and can upend lives- especially when everyone is blaming someone else or when they just think they can’t fall.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
As I began reading this book, I was not sure what I was going to think about it. However, the more I read, the more I wanted to continue reading. Told from the view of various characters, I wanted to read the book from only one perspective. However, I understand the need in this work of historical fiction to read from several perspectives.
Lisa Kemper, the female protagonist, was a character I found myself slow to warm up to, while Jack Daniels seemed more likable. This suspense novel eventually grabbed my attention and would not let me stop until I finished it.
The story does a realistic job of portraying small-town life while capturing the feelings of the characters. So check out this book for yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.
From the very first page , I knew this was going to be a book I couldn’t put down. The author writes about a small town much like that of Mayberry from the fifties. It’s a quiet friendly town, where everyone knows each other. They are neighborly and watch out for each other. One of the main focus of the town is the sports team at the school. It seems like the whole town rallies around the promising team that almost makes it to the state tournament.
One stormy night a tragedy occurs that rocks the small quiet town. Their secure little quaint town will be tested and no on seems immune from the backlash of this unforgettable act of violence. The author demonstrates his ability to write a fast pace book with many twists and turns. The town has been so rigid in their belief that nothing bad could ever happen in their town, that when the unthinkable happens, they all believe it was an act of violence from an outsider. How could they believe one of their own would harm another?
The characters are well written with each one having to deal with their own acceptance of life in a small town , where violence steps in and takes their security away. I loved the history of an era almost forgotten and how the author writes with a flair of familiarity that gives readers a picture of that time period. The book has mystery, a little romance and people who you come to know by the words that gracefully glide across the pages. I could not put the book down and when I finished, I felt a sense of time traveling to an era that was an important part of history.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my opinion.