Review: Vanishing Glory

Publisher: Pentland Press, Inc.

ISBN: 1-57197-327-3

The following review was contributed by: Lily Azerad-Goldman: CLICK TO VIEW Lily Azerad-Goldman's Reviews

Set in the eve of the American Civil War, J.E. Edwards romantic Southern saga,Vanishing Glory, portrays the story of Desiree D'Evereux and her two sisters, the sweet Angelique and the shameless Eve Simone.

Recently widowed and very much financially impoverished, Desiree agrees to a marriage of convenience with a family friend, Dr. Prevost, in order to maintain her social status and protect her two sisters. However, to add a little spice to our novel, Desiree falls in love and commits adultery with Angelique’s new husband, Doss Yancy, resulting in the birth of her only son, Philip.

Suspecting that Philip is not his son, Dr.Prevost, continually berates his wife and demands that she give into his sexual desires, although he still continues to look after her, the family plantation and her sisters.

Edwards throws a further curve into the plot by movingly exploring the issue of family identity during the time of the Civil War, wherein Desiree's brother turns out to be a Yankee supporter-making for some very interesting bantering among family and friends.

Edwards writing is in fine form, with her smooth plot control coupled with her keen observations about the Civil War, wherein she effortlessly embeds historical facts with rich intrigue.

The dialogues effectively capture the southern and African American dialects with a great deal of zest and realism. Characters are very believable and fully developed. The only one that is sort of inexistent is Desiree's son, Philip, who we presume is left to the care of Desiree’s Nanny.

Edward’s narrative rattles across some of the most eventful and tragic years in the war of secession. The noise and energy of combat, the raw power of weapons, the heady thrill of violence, sordid war stories, spy stories, are all included in this breathtaking saga. Moreover, with its heavy serving of passion it is difficult to put down the book once you get started.

Vanishing Glory is reminiscent of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone with the Wind. The atmosphere is familiar but here ends the similarity. Vanishing Glory's pace is much faster than Gone with the Wind and more in tune with our modern lives.

Lily Azerad-Goldman is an artist and book reviewer for the book reviewing and author interviewing site, bookpleasures.com.

Bookpleasures.com comprises over 25 international reviewers who come from all walks of life and who review all genre.

In addition, Lily, contributes her water colors to her travel site sketchandtravel.com, wherein her husband Norm's words are melded with her art focusing on romantic destinations.