White (The Restoration Trilogy #1) by Denise Weimer

Title: White (The Restoration Trilogy: Book One)

Author: Denise Weimer

Pages: 224

Year: 2016

Genre: Contemporary/Historical Fiction

Publisher: Canterbury House

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

About the book:

     In Denise Weimer’s second Canterbury House series, a heart-warming cast of modern characters restoring three separate buildings, a doctor’s house, apothecary shop and log cabin, uncover the secrets of three women, victims of circumstance and unforgiving times, whose past injustices have affected future generations. As the buildings are restored in White, Widow, and Witch, so are the hearts of the main characters.

     In White: The Restoration Trilogy, Book One, as historic preservationist Jennifer and brooding bachelor Michael restore his ancestors’ historic doctor’s residence in a rural Georgia community, they uncover the 1920s-era prejudice and secrets that caused Michael’s branch to fall off the family tree. Jennifer is determined to fulfill her first professional position with integrity even if her employer lacks a proper appreciation of history. Far more challenging – and sinister – than the social landscape of Hermon are the strange accidents hinting that someone doesn’t want them on the Dunham property. Yet Michael’s and Jennifer’s own pasts pose the biggest obstacles to laying a fresh foundation of family and community.

My review:

     An exploration into restoring buildings and families.

     This is the first book that I’ve read by Denise Weimer. She did a marvelous job of developing the characters for this book. She must either know a lot about building restoration or she did a ton of research into the process.

     Early in the book when she is giving the description of the building that will be worked on during the story I did feel a little bogged down just because of all of the terms that I didn’t know. I believe that a glossary at the back of the book to help all of this make sense would have been helpful.

     This particular book in the series covers the period of 1904-1920. I really didn’t know much about this time period before reading this book. As the story progressed the history of Georgia Pearl and her life was presented. I was fascinated at the depth of history that was given as to how black people and especially mixed race people were viewed and treated during this time frame.

     I’m really looking forward to seeing where this series goes from here. The next two books should be just as interesting as this one.

     I’m going to give this book a rating of 5 stars. I considered taking off a star for the detailed descriptions of the buildings that bogged me down. I then decided that it was such a small portion of the book that it didn’t warrant the decrease. I am highly recommending this book.