Book Review of Weep of the Willow by Iris Fambro-Carter

If you like historical romances, this is a must read....

Blurb:

Atlanta, Georgia 1983––Eva has been keeping a secret from her sister Annie. On her deathbed, Eva has to clear her conscience. It is time to right old wrongs. 

Crabtree, Georgia 1921––Luella Mae Jameson has found herself in the last place she ever expected to be…living life as the town whore. Luella Mae’s husband has run off with the first “river-hipped thang” that crossed his path, leaving her to take care of herself and their young daughter, Eva, the only way she knows how. After visiting the voodoo priestess, who cast two spells to give Luella Mae her heart’s desire, her life changes in ways she never expected.

Jimmy Thompson is everything society expects him to be…a successful businessman, married to a well-bred southern woman, and above all, a staunch racist and member of the Ku Klux Klan. The only problem is he’s been in love with a colored woman for most of his life and then he’s given the opportunity to have her.

In the midst of such violent times, where the lines have been drawn between segregated whites and the colored folk of Crabtree, Georgia, Weep Of The Willow dares to share their story of forbidden love and secrets. 

Review:

I have always love books set in the old days of slavery and prior to 1960, and this one did not disappoint. Interracial dating has and probably will always be taboo...even today, in 2015. 

Throughout the book, I had my reservations about Jimmy's love for Luella and a part of me just wanted to see him as the bad guy because of his ties with the KKK; but I also knew that Benjamin Ray's ego and disrespectful attitude towards women in general would be the end of him in some way or another. 

This story was the perfect example of how some people can't handle rejection, and the extreme lengths people go to if they feel defeated. I love how the story came together in the end. Excellent storytelling from the author. I don't want to give too much of the plot away, but the story was full of twists and turns, and just when you think you have everything figured out, you find out you're wrong. I literally felt as if I was there...back in the 1920's as I read the story. Some scenes were hard to read, and had me pissed off- especially since things haven't changed much these days. But do yourself a favor and read it. 

Rating: