WATERCOLOR WHISPERS - Suzette Harrison
Generations (Book #3)
On Purpose Publishing
BUY
Brenda Larnell (A+)
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
REVIEW: It is such a treat to be back in Colemanville, North Carolina, and delving deeper into the lives of some of the denizens of the historic town that was founded by Blacks. This story is dedicated to the “artists... the crafters & makers who brush the world with beauty.” Mrs. Ilona Robertson-Brinks is the artist of this story who has managed to hold on to her artistic talents by teaching art to the children of Colemanville despite the opinions of her husband of three years, and some family members. Ilona is a talented artist who is not happy, fulfilled or supported by her husband. Let me be perfectly clear, Willard Brinks, Ilona’s husband, is a pompous little man whose hypocrisy rises to a level of ridiculous. Don’t take my word for it. Read the story.
Ilona finds support and comfort with the DOLLS, Colemanville women’s auxiliary, her dear friend and confidant, Greenie, and the love of her life, Gabriel “Gator” Thurman. Yes, I said, “the love of her life.” It’s complicated. I will not attempt to explain their relationship here, but let me tell you, it was meant to be.
Nobody tells a story like Suzette D. Harrison. Her words flow across the pages with a rhythm and structure that transform into pictures where you can visualize the person or their actions. Pamela Sue Minkins, Ilona’s nemesis, is described as an “eyelash-batting, man trap with a backside the size of a mattress.” Can’t you see her? Ilona, after asking her husband if he was happy, Ms. Harrison, writes, he looked at her “as if I’d called his hero, Booker T. Washington, a one-eyed, three-legged, bucktoothed communist.” Those are just a couple of examples of the poetic renditions of Ms. Harrison’s prose.
This historical fiction story takes place in 1949, after the end of World War II, and we get a brief history lesson in how the Black soldiers were treated during that war. It is significant to the storyline because Gabriel Thurman was one of those soldiers. As I said earlier, “Gator” is the love of Ilona’s life, and she is his “Sweet Rivers.” You will get that when you read the story. Even though Ilona is married to the intolerable Willard Brinks, through a series of life changes, there is still a beautiful HFN in brilliant watercolor for Ilona and Gabriel.
I love this story, along with the two that preceded it: FOREVER BEAUTIFUL and WANDERING BEAUTY. I cannot wait to read Book 4, GRACEFUL WATERCOLORS by Suzette Riddick, the other half of this dynamic duo writing team. It’s next on my list. Do not sleep on this series. You do not want to miss out on some elegantly crafted historical fiction narratives.
20th November 2024 | romcol@gmail.com
Ilona finds support and comfort with the DOLLS, Colemanville women’s auxiliary, her dear friend and confidant, Greenie, and the love of her life, Gabriel “Gator” Thurman. Yes, I said, “the love of her life.” It’s complicated. I will not attempt to explain their relationship here, but let me tell you, it was meant to be.
Nobody tells a story like Suzette D. Harrison. Her words flow across the pages with a rhythm and structure that transform into pictures where you can visualize the person or their actions. Pamela Sue Minkins, Ilona’s nemesis, is described as an “eyelash-batting, man trap with a backside the size of a mattress.” Can’t you see her? Ilona, after asking her husband if he was happy, Ms. Harrison, writes, he looked at her “as if I’d called his hero, Booker T. Washington, a one-eyed, three-legged, bucktoothed communist.” Those are just a couple of examples of the poetic renditions of Ms. Harrison’s prose.
This historical fiction story takes place in 1949, after the end of World War II, and we get a brief history lesson in how the Black soldiers were treated during that war. It is significant to the storyline because Gabriel Thurman was one of those soldiers. As I said earlier, “Gator” is the love of Ilona’s life, and she is his “Sweet Rivers.” You will get that when you read the story. Even though Ilona is married to the intolerable Willard Brinks, through a series of life changes, there is still a beautiful HFN in brilliant watercolor for Ilona and Gabriel.
I love this story, along with the two that preceded it: FOREVER BEAUTIFUL and WANDERING BEAUTY. I cannot wait to read Book 4, GRACEFUL WATERCOLORS by Suzette Riddick, the other half of this dynamic duo writing team. It’s next on my list. Do not sleep on this series. You do not want to miss out on some elegantly crafted historical fiction narratives.
20th November 2024 | romcol@gmail.com
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
