The Waltz of Devil’s Creek
by Justine Carver
Publication Date: October 20, 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction/Coming of Age
Judith Campbell is dying, and she cannot take the painful truth about where her son came from to the grave with her. While on her deathbed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1994, Judith tells him the tragic story of his conception, and which of two men his birth father could be: the young man who professed his love to her, or the pastor who assaulted her.
Set in the Deep South in 1947, The Waltz of Devil’s Creek digs into the dark crevices of racism and women’s rights during a heated political climate in an era of segregation. Combined with Judith’s lack of social stature, and at a time when reporting sexual assault was unheard of, every injustice is stacked against her from the very beginning.
But there is a light in Judith’s young life: her best friend, Joseph Bird, who has loved her since childhood. Joseph stands up for Judith when no one else will and proves that even in the darkest of times, a light is always burning.
“The Waltz of Devil’s Creek is a poignant and memorable tale that outshines the standard conventions of its genre.” – The Booklife Prize
This book has been amazing so far, I am around halfway through and I can’t wait to finish it. Judith takes care of herself and helps her father since her mother passed away, but she is in love with a rich boy named William whose parents don’t accept her. She had never gone against her father before but she would go against her father to try to be with William by attending the white church in the town rather than the black church that she and her dad attended. This would prove to be one act she regrets for the rest of her life, and that she keeps a secret from most people until her last days. Now, she is ready to tell her son the true story about her childhood, hoping that he can forgive her from keeping such a huge secret for all of her life.
This is the second book I’ve read recently about a woman telling her secrets during her last days, and I have found that I love this historical fiction trope. Thinking about someone who has lived through some important time in history recalling their lives to loved ones is such an amazing thing, even if the events they recall are horrible. Those stories should not be forgotten, and Judith is one character who definitely wants her story to be heard. Even though her story is fictional, it feels real, and I know some women may have similar stories to hers. I can’t wait to find out how Judith, Joseph, and William deal with all the things thrown at them as they grow in this small town.
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About the Author
Justine Carver was born and raised in the Southern United States on a heavy dose of creek-wading, lightning-bug-catching, and Saturday morning cartoons. She is a full-time writer, all-the-time reader, and every now and then, she pulls her head out of the clouds long enough to remember how much better it is up there.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Saturday, November 28 Review at Amy’s Booket List Sunday, November 29 Excerpt at Coffee and Ink Monday, November 30 Review & Excerpt at Novels Alive Tuesday, December 1 Excerpt at I’m Into Books Review at Books, Cooks, Looks Wednesday, December 2 Review at Bri’s Book Nook Thursday, December 3 Excerpt at Bookworlder Review at Rajiv’s Reviews Friday, December 4 Excerpt at Gwendalyn’s Books Saturday, December 5 Review at Reading is My Remedy Monday, December 7 Review at The Review Crew Tuesday, December 8 Review at Books and Zebras Wednesday, December 9 Feature at Passages to the Past Thursday, December 10 Review & Excerpt at Older & SmarterGiveaway
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card! The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on December 10th. You must be 18 or older to enter. The Waltz of Devil’s Creek