Jacquelyn Cook

I won this book several years ago but never received it in the mail. I wanted to read it so I purchased it later. This is the first book in a series of five written about Lily and her mysterious steamboat captain and their struggles in finding love only to see it torn from them. The pressure that Lily and young ladies her age were in to marry before they would be considered "old maids" was difficult to comprehend. I found the description of the steamboat and its travels along the river were fascinating. This book was an easy read and hard to put down. I look forward to reading the next four.… (more)

This story would have been extremely enjoyable for me had it not been the extremely Christian overtones running through it. Yes, I understand that it is a period novel, and religion was more of a prominent discussion then, but there is a point where religion becomes preaching. I don't like my books to preach to me. The characters were interesting, although I found the main character somewhat of a user, leading on the men she was involved with and then crying when something went wrong. It is only remotely historical, with snippets here and there mentioning the Civil War. It was an all right read, but it was very slow to get into, and I almost gave up, but kept reading. Read this novel carefully.… (more)

Author: Jacquelyn Cook
Published by: Bell Bridge Books
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Book Blog For: GMTA
Rating: 4

Review:

"Image in the Looking Glass" by Jacquelyn Cook was a very good 'Civil War'suspenseful mystery read. There will be a lots going on so keeping up will be was a bit of a challenge. Do expect to read of the horrible conditions that a war brings. Caroline Hannah father had her to leave her collage and go live with her relatives near Anderville, Georgia due to the danger of the war. It seems soon after her arriving with her relatives Caroline finds out that her father and fiance has been killed in the war. Later, Caroline finds out that strange things are going on and with no funds she had no where to go, but what was she to do since hearing her "cousins Sophronia, Penelope and even the cook saying it would be better if Caroline had not come to 'The Looking Glass Plantation' for her safety. Then there was the wedding plans being made Caroline that she wanted no part of. What was up with that? What was it about all of the accidents that kept happening to Caroline? So, we find Caroline, a protagonist where someone is trying to kill her...who was it? ..the cousins or aunts. Was there some romance going on between Caroline and Jeremy ? This will be one novel that you will simply have to read to get a understanding to what is going on. The author did a good job presenting the reader with a lot of information mainly all about three strong women. The ending however, did really surprised me!

If you are in for a good suspenseful thriller read with come civil war connections, you have come to the right place for "Image in the Looking Glass" would be recommended to you.… (more)