Synopsis:
Elizabeth lifted her chin. After fifteen years, she was back in Bittersweep, Texas, intent on discovering the reason she and her family were forced to leave without her mother in the wagon. Her memories were that of a five-year-old child, but she still recalled blowing cinders and ash rising over the treetops behind the wagon. She needed to know if her memory was accurate or clouded with age.
Under the assumed name of Campbell, she had accepted a teaching position in the small township. Her first encounter with the chairman of the school board was a disaster. He jerked her out of the way of a team of runaway horses dragging a heavy wagon directly toward her. Drat! She was off to a great start.
Elizabeth returns to the small township of Bittersweep, Texas, after leaving with her family fifteen years prior. She has some memories of her family’s forced departure from Bittersweep, and even at the young age of five, she keenly remembers that her mother was not with them when they left, but she wonders why. Elizabeth is haunted and determined to discover the reason why they were forced to leave and why her mother didn’t leave Bittersweep with them.
In the small town of Bittersweep, Elizabeth takes on the position of the local teacher under the assumed name of Campbell. She is also on a mission to find her mother’s treasured box. Elizabeth has a lot going on, including protecting her heart from the good-looking and striking chairman of the school board. Then she is falsely accused of murder. There are many questions and mysteries to be solved, like who was involved in the bank robbery, for one?
Wareeze Woodson has woven a wonderful historical fiction novel filled with intrigue and drama. The story and plot is full and complete, lacking nothing. There are twists and turns around every corner and plenty of mystery to keep this reader fully engaged from start to finish. There are a lot of well written, unexpected surprises in this engrossing story.
The excellent descriptive writing had me visualizing the settings, smells and people while putting me right on the scene set back in Texas in 1897. The author has a way with words that draws the reader in and holds their attention from the very first chapter.
Bittersweep is a captivating book with a great storyline that is rich and meaningful. The fully developed characters are realistic and relatable and I loved the personalities of Elizabeth and JP.
Readers will be intrigued by the various mysteries that are the focus of this book. It had me guessing and trying to figure out the many secrets, puzzling circumstances and affairs. Woodson has developed several plot points that come together in a significant, exciting culmination and finale.
Wareeze Woodson has done a superb job in writing Bittersweep. She is an excellent writer and is noted as so. Thus, Bittersweep is one of the best historical fictions that I have read in a long time and I plan to read it again.
Chick Lit Cafe highly recommends Bittersweep to all avid historical fiction fans and those that love a good escape.
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