This was a beautiful written story with great characters and feelings.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Mamie Garrison by Teresa McRae, BooksGoSocial, 2015.

This story, set in Ogden, North Carolina, is one of “slavery, abolition, history and romance” told from the perspectives of two women who lived in their family home at different times. Mamie Garrison and her husband John were both active in the 1800’s underground railroad. Several generations later in present day, Bella, a young lawyer, has inherited the house from her grandmother. Mamie records history in a series of journals. Bella’s story revolves around her discovery of these, help from a local historian and her decision to keep or sell the house.

Mamie’s story is a compelling one, so rich with historical detail and complex, well developed characters that it could stand on its own. Even with some supernatural elements, Bella’s story is not quite as engaging, the writing not quite so smooth and the characters not quite so captivating as in Mamie’s but I am not sure how it could be.

Yet, the two stories blend well for an enjoyable experience. At times this book with its two related story lines reminded me of Susanna Kearsley’s work.

The book kept my interest; I found it enlightening and readable, recommend it, and look forward to the next in The Garrisons series.


Disclosure: I received a review copy of Mamie Garrison free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The cover initially drew my attention to this book, but can only say that the story didn't quite live up to my expectations. I am not going to write what the story is about, as i prefer one to read for themselves. Despite not quite making 5 stars, it would not stop me from reading another book by Teresa McRae.

My thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for my copy. This is my honest review, which i have freely given.

The characters are, for the most part, one-dimensional, particularly Helms, the next-door neighbor is all villain with no redeeming qualities. There is a lot of "telling" rather than "showing. The story is also repetitious, with what is told in one time-period being repeated in the other (for example, the making love in the bower was told in both past and present). I had a hard time staying with it to the end. The editing was of poor quality with many places where the wrong homophone is used, misspelled words, and other errors.

A very good book about slavery and several generations who were affected by it. Also has a little romance in it to make it enjoyable.