A Week Review with Siri Mitchell – She Walks in Beauty

by | May 18, 2011 | Fiction Book Reviews | 6 comments

Without a doubt, this is the BEST historical novel Siri Mitchell has written to date. And the hero? Completely adorable. What’s even better, is that there is fantastic repartee, dancing, and…humor. Oh my, Siri – this novel is second only to your contemporary novel Kissing Adrien.

So, what’s this story all about?

The novel twirls you away, lost in the middle of pretense, expectations in New York’s Guilded Era, truth, lies, and what a ‘living’ faith looks like. Harry De Vrie sweeps the reader’s heart away with his humor, sincerity, and faith. In the middle of the whirlwind of money, status, and deception, Harry stands out with his honesty and endearingly confused reaction to the social ‘expectations’ of the Age. It goes without saying, that poor Clara Carter’s innocent heart is pulled between two desires: the belief that she MUST marry for status over love & and the realization that God can be personal instead of a distant deity.

Clara is lovable, and sweetly unaware of this ‘game of life’. We experience the expectations, heartbreak, and confusion along with her. We learn the steps of an affective snub, how to wave a fan, and spin across the dancefloor with our eyes closed. It’s a brilliant, glamorous, and perplexing journey.

There are so many lovely scenes, I will not recount them, but leave curious minds to uncover the treasures in She Walks In Beauty. Be prepared for elegance, extravagance, romance, and enough humorous snubbing to make you fall in love with Harry along with Clara.

The question is – what will Clara choose? A woman in 1891? Does she have a  choice?

Siri has a unique way of weaving faith into her novels like a gentle whisper instead of a clanging gong. Hints, faded hues woven throughout scenes, and tiny sprinkles of well-placed dialogue speak to the characters as well as the reader. Wonderfully done. I’m still glowing from the aftermath of the book J

If you enjoyed Siri’s novel A Constant Heart, you will adore She Walks In Beauty. Visit Siri’s website to learn more about her books – www.sirimitchell.com

REMEMBER to leave your name and a comment about which book/character you like best of Siri’s – your name will be placed in the drawing for Siri’s newest novel, A Heart Most Worthy

6 Comments

  1. Ruth Logan Herne

    Oh, what a lovely review. Now I must read this. And that’s a huge must! Great job, Pepper! Love it.

    And you, of course, you multi-finalist, you!

    Siri has a way of turning the simplest phrase into an evocative picture.

    Brat.

    Great job, kiddo!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Hey Ruthy!!! Siri is such a fabulous writer – but then, so are you 😉

      Reply
  2. karenk

    doesn’t this book have a beautiful cover…front and back!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      I know, Karen
      It’s gorgeous!

      Reply
  3. Pam Kellogg

    I really liked She Walks in Beauty. It was a fascinating, and yes at times humorous, look at the Gilded Age. I felt sorry for Clara at times because she really felt she had no choice but to wear the corset and be a debutante even though she didn’t want to. She was obedient to her father and aunt’s wishes. Harry was so much more loveable than his brother, who was “the heir.” I was so glad things worked out for the best in the end!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Didn’t you ADORE Harry?
      Oh my…
      but just wait until you meet the guys in A Heart Most Worthy.
      Whew!!

      Reply

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