Just Imagine

August 3, 2001
This rewritten, retitled version of Phillips's 1984 Risen Glory is a classic tale of the Reconstruction Era, featuring a young Southern hellion who will do anything to reclaim her plantation, a Northern war hero who finds himself in possession of said plantation and guardian of the girl, and an abundance of well-defined secondary characters. It goes without saying that Baron Cain is definitely a hero of the first tier; but while he has some trust issues that he eventually overcomes with the help of the heroine it is Kit Weston's transformation from a fiery, reckless teenager into a strong, determined, courageous woman that is truly memorable. Skillfully weaving issues of politics, power, slavery, poverty, and social class into the plot, this historical may not be what readers expect from Phillips, but her strong characters, lively humor, and excellent pacing are all there. Phillips is a best-selling, RITA Award-winning writer and lives in the Chicago area.

Copyright 2001 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.