Review: Mystery, chemistry, and a bit of unsavory Southern history make for a compelling read
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 12, 2012
I only thought I was hooked after Book 1.Book 2 ups the ante (not to mention the body count) for struggling real estate agent and amateur sleuth Savannah Martin.  Once more, a murder within her circle of realtors puts Savannah on the hunt for the killer, and her unlikely ally and much denied object of affection Rafe Collier as prime suspect numero uno.Bad timing, since she seems on the verge of (finally!) making her first sale.Though she may argue this point from time to time, Jenna works in a good bit of depth through her compelling characters.  Savannah and Sweetwater society's hangups regarding Rafe's background speak volumes in terms of race/class structures within the South.  It may be cleverly disguised in Savannah's over-the-top simpering and Mama issues, but it still shines through.  Savannah is a 'nice girl' Southern Belle who is forbidden (by family, small town convention, and her own ingrained prejudice) to associate with a poor, mixed race man from the Bog - no matter his charisma, raw sex appeal, and her ease in his company.  For example, one conversation in which Rafe sets joking aside and tells Savannah that 'he can't change who and what he is' regardless of her/Mama's problems with it, and Savannah's sorry for more than she can admit - that's deep.That she is able to question these prejudices, acknowledge how ugly they are, and work through them makes Savannah a wonderful, three dimensional character.  Rafe seems to take these conventions for granted, as he has experienced them his entire life as LaDonna Collier's 'good for nothing colored boy.'  He uses easy humor and flirtation as a defense with Savannah's prejudices and cold, silent contempt in the face of the those doled out by the police and Sweetwater society.  He is a criminal to be sure, but Savannah (and we readers) sense that there is more to him beneath the surface.Perhaps Savannah will make more progress in uncovering the mystery behind Rafael Collier as the series progresses.  Here's hoping as I snag a copy of Book 3.