Jake Wilkes has ownership of his best friend’s bank account and winery and is engaged to the woman of their dreams. But he doesn’t have the highly coveted proof of North Carolina’s Lumbee Indians’ true origins. It was stolen it from his best friend, Bruce Black. His death made headlines. So Jake bravely directs his first presentation, ‘Lumbee Indians and America’s First Christians,’ which seems like a fiasco, and receives death threats and a proposition by an unassuming wordsmith. When Jake shares his true life tale of growing up with a Lum as his best friend he reveals a secret subculture and life on the swamp becomes a jubious ride to live to tell the tale. While a world away a second chance at love rides in on a turbulent tide.
Set in rural North Carolina where moonshine, conjuring, church and fifty-five thousand Lumbee Indians truly are as much a part of the beloved culture as America’s largest ongoing mystery, The Lost Colony.
The Gamecocks by Stephanie M. Sellers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am always a fan of history, and this book certainly met that need. Whenever I pick up a Stephanie Sellers book, I know I will learn something historical, and it will be accurate. How do I know? She always lists the references she uses in the back of her books. And the history she enlightens us about is not your normal, average, every-day history. It is often little-known and incredibly interesting. I have to say that I wish she would write a history book! She makes the study of history entertaining and involving.
Since this is a review, I do have a few minor criticisms. I love the fact that she mentions the Bible and Christianity in a positive light, but I could have done without the profanity. This is not a Christian book per se, so I can overlook that. I am grateful there are no sex scenes. She was very smart to put a glossary of terms in the front of the book, but sometimes the vernacular still got in the way of my connecting with the story and the characters. And that was my most major complaint–connection. I yearn to become emotionally involved with the characters and the story I am reading. I’m not certain why I don’t relate to the characters, but that is just my opinion. For me, her books are worth the read just for the unusual history!
While this may not be the time nor the place to mention this, but I feel I have to. This author is one of the sweetest, kindest, and truly supportive authors I have ever worked with. Don’t get me wrong. Authors are amazing, for the most part, and I love to work with them. But Stephanie is one of those people who will drop what she is doing and come to the aid of anyone who needs help and/or asks for it. To be perfectly honest, that is what keeps me coming back for more from her books. Her personality does shine though even when I don’t connect with her story that I desire.
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
Find out more about the author and connect with her:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4559737.Stephanie_M_Sellers
