Diva of the Savannah

This was so different from everything else that Deanna Raybourn has written, and I believe it is by far her best work. She took a step away from Victorian England and Lady Julia for the time being and brought her fans to the sun-kissed savannah of Kenya during the politically and emotionally chaotic 1920s. There she introduced to us a woman whose life is a parade of contradictions and uncertain motivations, leading to endless trouble with men, rivals, and the ever faithful media - and she likes it that way! Deliliah is very cold and devil-may-care on the surface, but right from the beginning we catch glimpses of warmer depths. By her own admittance Delilah breaks hearts and commandments without remorse, leading a fast life of infamy until the piper comes knocking at the door for his due. As the story progresses and her narrative reveals more of the inner heart of someone who has experienced loss, grief, and disillusionment we come to truly like and admire this scandalous exile. Apart from the fascinating and sometimes heartbreaking character study that she is, our leading lady is just downright fun and gutsy.

To complement the tempestuous diva Raybourn crossed her path with that of J. Ryder White, safari guide to only those who can afford him ... and the only one with enough backbone and stubbornness to go toe-to-toe with her cynical wit and leave her feeling that she got as good as she gave. Their one-upmanship is humorous, but also revealing on both sides. Everyone has a past, and Africa tends to lay it all bare, leaving behind broken hearts and shattered souls - or lancing the poison and allowing old hurts to mend. And it is during this life-shaking process that Delilah finds herself within the beating heart of Africa itself - the home she'd never known, the people who come to see her as their best hope, a friend whose freedom and life she would to anything to protect, and a man who recognizes the missing part of his soul in the one he knows he shouldn't bet his heart on.

This was an extraordinary book that I flew right through. I wanted more when I was done, but the ending really is just about perfect. I can't wait to see what Raybourn comes up with next. Bravo!
 

http://www.polyvore.com/spear_summer_grass/set?id=98333206