Review: From New York to Savannah and back...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 3, 2012
This is the second book in Becky Lower's series on the Fitzpatrick family. This tale starts us in 1856 New York at an underground railroad location, Downing's Oyster Restaurant, and quickly pulls back the curtain on the dark times brewing before the official freeing of the slaves. We travel from New York to the heart of the Plantations in Savannah, Georgia. The story has you turning the page to see what can possibly happen next. As a bonus Ms. Lower is donating a portion of the proceeds to the Oberlin Underground Railroad Center Project in Oberlin, OH. A must read for a long winter trip to pass the time.The Fitzpatrick twins, Jasmine and Heather, are set to debut in days when we have a meeting between Heather, her parents and Lieutenant David Whitman. The sparks begin, but not only on a personal level but on a societal level as well. Lieutenant Whitman is heir to a Southern Plantation and is in the company of men looking for a runaway slave; his runaway slave. Heather and her mother are in the early stages of supporting the abolitionist movement to help the slaves that come through New York to freedom. To say more from here would ruin the beautiful history and tale that enfolds from here. Heather Fitzpatrick is the younger of the twins, but is more her own person than even she realizes at times.Ms. Lower once again leaves you with the reality of being dropped into New York and then the South in the late Spring. I could feel my hair curling while reading about the oppressive heat and humidity that's famous in the area. I very much enjoyed the actual history woven so intricately into the story. It brought me a new respect for a part of history that I have long since studied. Her characters are alive to the point that at times I caught myself wanting to yell at the characters myself. The chapters are set up for a steady pace that is a quick read. So if you have a long car ride this holiday season I recommend taking a copy with you. I'm looking forward to reading about the remainder of the Fitzpatrick children in her upcoming novels.