Historical Fiction Author Jessica James Brings the Civil War in Virginia Alive with Shades of Gray

I don't often speak of a book I'm reading before posting my review, but I must do so in this case because I have been so captured by this book that I must share it with you.

I contacted author Jessica James when I heard about her novel, Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virgina. My fascination with the War between the States, the many fiction and non-fiction titles I've read set around and about the Civil War, and the courses and research I have performed about this time in America's history, led me to believe I would enjoy James's novel.

What I could not have known, was that this book would draw me in so fully that I want to spend every waking moment reading it. I will not share the details of the scene that prompted me to write this post, but as you can imagine, during a war where loyalties were decided that split apart families and friends, there is a tremendous amount of tragedy involved.

As I sat in the tub last night reading, as I always do, the pages became blurry and I was brought to tears over this particular scene. A tragedy of great proportions that has long-reaching effects, literally left me bawling, as if the incident occured to someone I knew.

While I do not know what direction James took Shades of Gray, or how it will end, I certainly hope that her writing remains powerful and touches me deeply.