In 1881, Jacci Reed is only five years old when a man attempts to kidnap her from the steamboat her mother, Irena, works on. Badly wounded during the confrontation, Irena takes Jacci aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, a showboat tied up beside them. There, Jacci’s actor grandfather tends to her mother and Jacci gets a first taste of the life she will come to lead.
Fifteen years later, Jacci is an actress aboard the Kingston Floating Palace, and largely contented with her adopted family of actors, singers, and dancers. Especially Gabe, who has always supported her, and the gruff grandfather she has come to know and love. Jacci’s mother has been gone for years, but the memory of the altercation that ultimately took her life–and the cryptic things Jacci has overheard about her past–is always there, lurking in the back of her mind.
When someone on the showboat tries to kill Jacci, it’s clear her questions demand answers. But secrets have a way of staying in the shadows, and the answers she craves will not come easily. Gabe only hopes they come in time for him and Jacci to have a future together.
My Review:
Whoa! Not sure what to say about Ann H. Gabhart’s latest release except that it excelled all my expectations — and I’ve read most of her books so that’s saying something.
First off, I love the way she created a community on the showboat — well, a found family really. The setting was just as captivating as the plot for me. And the characters — as eclectic a bunch as you’d expect to find under those circumstances. But, who can be trusted? Because…Jacci has a secret past even she doesn’t know about. Eeeep — loved the mystery, but I’m getting ahead of myself.
The first 100 pages or so are all about Jacci’s childhood and how she comes to live on the Kingston Floating Palace. It’s full of drama and mystique and the innocent outlook of a very young child. And them the story jumps ahead fifteen years when all that mystery swirling in the background comes to a seething boil.
There’s intrigue, danger, and a lot of secrets that need to be brought into the light before a reader can finally sigh in relief and bask in the glow of a hard won happily-ever-after. And not before a few unexpected twists come into play. I was spellbound to the very last word.
I listened to the audible edition narrated by Leah Horowitz who did a fabulous job of creating a memorable listening experience.
Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications Inc.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
Paperback copy available internationally — so, yay, everybody’s included in this giveaway no matter where you live.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of In the Shadow of the River, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday May 27, 2023. Offer open to International Readers.
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