Note: I received a copy of the book SPEAKEASY, by Elyse Douglas, in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation.
SPEAKEASY is a delightful, creative journey through Prohibition-era New York City where the gin is ice cold, the music is red hot, the hemlines are sky high, and the threats to safety are ever-present—and added to this mix is the girl who is out of time. Literally.
For you see, in this novel about the flapper era and the aftermath of emancipation of women in America, our protagonist, Roxie Raines, is dropped into the middle of this exciting, bubbling moment of change from her own somewhat safe, somewhat dull, somewhat predictable times of 2019.
All it took for Roxie to wake up in 1925 New York City was the pursuit of a mysterious stranger who challenges Roxie to find out who he is. And in doing so Roxie transcends time—but not space!—to find herself interacting with a threatening mob boss, a handsome detective, an eccentric lady of the moment, and the jealous girlfriend of the man she thinks she’s falling in love with.
The author, Elyse Douglas, writes stories of romance and intrigue and time-travel, and each time I read one I find that it is new and different, with similar themes, written in a fast, accessible style that is easy to read. I read this book originally in an afternoon all at one sitting because it was, well, just so much fun! And in re-reading it I found it was just as fresh and exciting, with real, fleshed-out characters who are quirky or thoughtful or threatening or helpful or . . . just like the people you’d meet in real life!
Five stars for the development, the writing, the strength of the characters, the wonderful twists and turns of the plot, and the very satisfying end for a woman who found herself out of time and then found herself at last at exactly the right time.
Buy the book from your favorite bookseller. Links below are for Amazon. I do not receive any affiliate reimbursement.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RY2R8NQ (Kindle)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X1FXSTB (Paperback)
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a Rafflecopter giveawayThis giveaway is for 3 copies with the winner’s choice of print or ebook. Print is open to Canada and the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on July 1, 2022 midnight, Pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.
Many thanks for this, Stephen! I’m delighted you enjoyed the book!
It is a pleasure to read your work! I appreciate the care you take in the writing–the characters are believable and the story is well-laid-out, but it’s not formulaic. They always fit together so well.
Thanks again for letting me have an advance copy to read!
I am so glad you enjoyed ‘Speakeasy’! I love Elyse Douglas Time Travels!