Sweetsmoke - David Fuller

~A Novel of the Civil War~

I've been anticipating reading David Fuller's first novel Sweetsmoke since it was released by Hyperion Books at the end of August.

I was captured by the cover image - work worn, lined, loosely clasped hands and I wondered the story behind them.

Fuller spent eight years researching this amazing novel. It tells the tale of Cassius, a slave and carpenter who lives on a tobacco plantation in Virginia. It is 1862 and the Civil War is in full swing. Interestingly Fuller found family connections to both sides of the War during his research.

After suffering a brutal punishment at the hands of his master Hoke Howard, Cassius is allowed to heal at the home of Emoline, a free black woman. Emoline secretly teaches Cassius to read and write. It is these secret lessons that ignite a need for knowledge, a want to know the world beyond the plantation.

"Cassius drove himself toward his journey in a step-by-step fashion, willing to risk everything, to know. To know."

When Emoline is murdered and it appears that no one cares to find the killer, Cassius vows he will find the killer and seek justice for Emoline.

This is a story with many threads, all of then engrossing. Life on the plantation, attitudes and the War are all portrayed with accuracy and detail, bringing to life this period in history. Fuller has also brought to life the lot of a slave, humanizing historical fact, in all it's shame. Although all the characters evoke strong emotions, it is the character of Cassius that kept me reading non stop. His journey towards knowledge and justice, combined with the mystery of Emoline's death is a gripping tale.

Sweetsmoke will be joining another similar book - "Rush Home Road" by Canadian Lori Lansens on my favourites list.

Many thanks to Mini Book Expo for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic book!

Mega Picture Puzzles- by What!Design

--Challenge Yourself to Spot the Differences--

Okay I admit it - I love puzzles, jumbles, crosswords, sudoku, spot the differences, any game that keeps your mind active. Does anyone else remember the hidden picture puzzle in Highlights Magazine from their younger years?

This new release from Ulysses Press features 148 different puzzles. There are two of every photograph, all in full colour with up to twelve differences between the two images. They range in difficulty from starter to advanced, something for all ages. And if you're really stuck - the answers are in the back. There are a series of boxes to check off the differences as you spot them. I was a bit loath to mark up the book, as it is so nice.

I was thinking that this would be a good book to have on hand to give as a gift - birthday or Christmas.

Thanks to Mini Book Expo for the opportunity to review this book!