By the Light of Embers

By: Shaylin Gandhi

Narrated by: Kimberly M. Wetherell

Length: 12 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

It's 1954, and 22-year-old Lucia Lafleur has always dreamed of following in her father’s footsteps. While sock hops and poodle skirts occupy her classmates, she dreams of bacteria and broken bones and the day she’ll finally fix them.  

After graduation, a letter arrives, and Lucia reads the words she’s labored a lifetime to earn: "We are pleased to offer you a position at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine." But in the midst of her triumph, her fiancé delivers a crushing ultimatum: forego medical school or forego marriage.  

With fractured hopes, she returns home to Louisiana, expecting nothing of the summer of '54 but sweet tea and gumbo while she agonizes over her impending choice. There, she unexpectedly befriends Nicholas, a dark-skinned poet whose dignity and intellect are a salve to her aching heart. Their bond, initially forged from a shared love of literature, soon blossoms into something as bewitching as it is forbidden.  

Yet, her predicament deepens when a trivial misunderstanding between a local white woman and a black man results in a brutal lynching, and the peril of love across the color lines becomes chillingly real. Now, fulfilling her lifelong dream means relinquishing her heart...and escaping Louisiana alive.

©2019 Shaylin Gandhi (P)2019 Shaylin Gandhi

great

I received a free review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. I totally enjoyed reading this book. It’s well written and the characters were fantastic. I would suggest this book to my friends that like this sort of genera. this was a good book.

Fantastic, thought provoking novel!!

I absolutely loved this novel! I was captivated by Lucia and her life travels from the very first chapter and was so captivated that I couldn't turn it off. The book is set back in the 50's where women and people of color are not treated with respect or compassion, especially in the deep south. Lucia's dream is to become a Doctor, as her father is. Her best friend comes home with her to Louisiana, where drama ensues and she falls for a black man, which is unheard of in the 1950's. Although the ending was rather sad, it was so emotion and thought provoking, I would recommend this book for anyone who would like to take a step back in time and have a feel for the way things really were. 5 BIG STARS for this awesome book! The narrator was great as well, she was able to get the accents right and it was easy to distinguish between male and female characters.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."

Brilliant, Heart-wrenching Debut.

I read about this title and requested and received a promotional copy of the audiobook from the author. I told her I was intrigued, as the book Five Smooth Stones, which I first read decades ago, has lived in my heart as one of the most memorable books I have ever encountered. The description of By the Light of Embers reminded me of that earlier treasure. This book does not have quite the heft of Fairbairn's work, but it is beautiful and memorable in its own right. An inter-racial love affair based in Louisiana in 1954 would never warrant good odds from a bookie, so don't start this tale expected a Disney-type ending. What you get instead is a well-paced, sensitive, beautifully written story that concludes the way any wild bonfire might: its dying embers nonetheless continuing to emit reassuring warmth and comfort. As a hardened northerner, I found the descriptions of the bayou--with its tangled swamps, its heat, and its unyielding culture, to be evocative and engrossing, but the inflections of the narration were a bit grating to my ear (though no-doubt authentically delivered). Had I been reading the text, I think I would have absorbed the atmospherics without that added, ever-so-slight, irritation. All of Ms. Gandhi's secondary characters are well crafted, interesting, and often heroic in their own right, but a secondary plot involving a cynical, world-weary WWII combatant provided a brilliant counterbalance to the main story, showing that redemption can come in all sizes and colors.

EXCELLENT READ!

I absolutely loved it! This story is a true heartbreaker, I was an emotional wreck! The narration was superb and gave the story that extra flair! This author does an amazing job with the character builds and plot. I look forward to reading more books from this author! I was given a free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A natural love

Some books or better on audio and some are better as print books. I first read this book on my Kindle and loved it. When I saw it for review I knew I had to get it. I love her relationship with the doctor, her relationship with Nicholas and her overall general attitude. All she wants is happiness and she knows she won’t get it from her betrothedNor will she get it following the social constraints of her southern Louisiana society. What is a girl to do when she is in love with the wrong man and the right man just isn’t for her. What do you choose to be happy I wish you choose to make others happy. This is a great book I can’t tell you how it ends because it would ruin the surprise and boy is there a surprise. I loved it I loved it I loved it! I love this author I can’t wait to read her other books and I’m sure there will be plenty. The narrator did a wonderful job. I’d recommend this book to those who are in love with love and no it comes in all forms shapes and fashions.

A Powerful Novel

By the Light of Embers (A Powerful Novel) is a complex story with a climactic plot. The world building settings and descriptions are detailed and vivid. The writing style is compelling and the characters are fleshed out and maturity builds. The author captures the Era and history of the time and intricately weaved moments based on history.

Kimberly M. Wetherell narration vocally expressed the characters emotions and thoughts. Her inflection was smooth and easy listening. Her voice changed per character. Overall well done.

Audiobook Obsession 🎧

Beautiful book with beautiful narration

For me, audio books are about the narrator, and this one is beautifully read by Ms. Wetherell. Luckily, she had a moving and gorgeous book to bring her talents to. Looking forward to more by this narrator and author!

🎧 Review for Audiobook Obsession 🎧

This story was captivating in so many ways. Lucia’s strength drew me to her, her fearlessness in that day and age was a marvel, her love and compassion was a beautiful thing. I could go on and on about this emotionally charged story.
Kimberly Wetherell did this story proud in her narration.

Difference To Come!

This author "Shaylin Gandhi" has never failed at her books for me! This book was a little bit different for me. Instead of reading,I received a audio of the story. It really made the characters come to life! You hear the different voices,the impressions, it's so much better than just reading the story,hearing your own voice! This takes you to 1950's when women were suppose to know they're place,get married have children and be happy! Not for these two women,they want a career in a man's world! Racial discrimination you also have during this time and it has you see that side of the story! Very well researched and written! It is a must read or audio,it just makes the story come alive!Kimberley does a fantastic job in the narration,you will not be disappointed in the narration or in the story!

"Love......What a wonderful word."

I've been putting off writing this review. I just hope I can give it the praise it deserves. This book is haunting me. Twelve hours since I finished it and I just broke out in tears again. Whew! The story takes place in 1954 in the south. A white girl falls for a black man and so much more. The author's descriptive and emotional writing is spot on. The narrator deserves much praise, too. She did such an awesome job bringing out the emotions of the characters and the times. I was right there scared for the lives of the good people. I now have a new favorite book to tell my friends to read! I will be looking for more from both this author and narrator.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from story Origin.