No one in this working-class London neighborhood has ever seen a black person, but when the American Embassy worker and his family move in, their next-door neighbors soon embrace them as fast friends. The friendship proves priceless to both families during the Blitz of WWII. Rowena Cooper imparts sensitive and well-thought-out voices to the many British characters in this expansive story. From children to elderly Jewish refugees, her characters sound authentic and full of life. She should have refrained, however, from attempting an American accent, particularly that of Southern-born Beulah Poston. All her Americans suffer from inconsistent speech patterns, almost painful to hear. Still, the story manages to carry a tone of authenticity overall. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine--
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Review
The twenty-third novel from Emma Blair is another romantic fiction in which she once again she writes about love overshadowing war. The delightful Postons move from New York to Islington in the 1930s. They face contempt from some of the locals as they are both American and black. Pee Wee Poston is a talented saxophonist and comes to London to play in the jazz clubs, whilst his wife Beulah has her renovated house full of mod-cons to occupy her time, all thanks to their successful diplomat son Julius. Their neighbours the Sykes are intrigued by the Postons' American ways, and the families become close. World War II breaks out, Pee Wee plays on and despite the difficult times ahead, romance soon blossoms between Julius and the Sykes' daughter Ellie.