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Saving Eva
Eva Burnette has been helping people her entire life. Always when they asked but often when they didn't. She follows her heart to where the needs are greatest and does what she can to set things right. She lives simply and honestly on her small farmstead in Mooresville, Alabama enjoying the fruits of her labors and communion with her God.
In the summer of 1966, when she and her granddaughter, Lora, discover a neighbor's son hiding in the garden shed, afraid he may have killed a man, life gets complicated for everyone involved. The young man, Leon, is black and the dead man is white. Ethelred Bumpus was a drunken, violent, community nuisance that no one will miss or mourn but nevertheless, Leon is in trouble. For Eva, the choice is clear. Leon must be protected.
Eva trusts that Bumpus's death will be written off as an accident and turns her mind to more important matters. After all, it is peak garden season and she has weeds to battle. Bumpus continues to upheave lives when Eva is arrested for his death. The community of Mooresville is rocked by this turn of events and the tendrils of gossip grow faster than kudzu. For the first time in her life, Eva must rely on the love and loyalty of friends and family as they rally to save her from spending the rest of her life in prison.
In the summer of 1966, when she and her granddaughter, Lora, discover a neighbor's son hiding in the garden shed, afraid he may have killed a man, life gets complicated for everyone involved. The young man, Leon, is black and the dead man is white. Ethelred Bumpus was a drunken, violent, community nuisance that no one will miss or mourn but nevertheless, Leon is in trouble. For Eva, the choice is clear. Leon must be protected.
Eva trusts that Bumpus's death will be written off as an accident and turns her mind to more important matters. After all, it is peak garden season and she has weeds to battle. Bumpus continues to upheave lives when Eva is arrested for his death. The community of Mooresville is rocked by this turn of events and the tendrils of gossip grow faster than kudzu. For the first time in her life, Eva must rely on the love and loyalty of friends and family as they rally to save her from spending the rest of her life in prison.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 30, 2024
Watch my interview with the author on my YouTube channel, and hear my thoughts on the book, via the link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdN-8...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdN-8...
January 10, 2024
What a phenomenal debut!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Saving Eva,” the debut novel by Whitney Reinhart! Ms. Reinhart has a gift for narrative that will instantly transport you to a place that she is intimately familiar with—rustic Alabama. The time of the story is set in the 1960s, smack in the middle of the civil rights era.
The protagonist and titular character of Eva is a whip smart and kindly grandmother, who would do anything for anyone. Eva has friends, neighbors, and acquaintances across all color lines in a time and place when segregation was still in the living memory of their culture. Eva’s precocious granddaughter Lora, who is staying with her for the summer, soon find themselves embroiled in the death of a local ne’er-do-well, and a murder case that will put Eva on trial for her life!
I absolutely adore the depiction and deep development that Ms. Reinhart instills within all the rich characters you will encounter in this well thought out story. Her ability to weave a tale that is heartfelt, humorous, serious, and introspective is something that will serve her well in future stories!
One bit of “Saving Eva” that I couldn’t get enough of: the descriptions of all the delicious food! Folks that live in the South, as a customary part of their hospitality, will always make sure you’re well fed—no matter the occasion—happy or sad. Ms. Reinhart dug deep with her charming descriptions of all manner of southern cuisine. Mouth-watering images of the cooking prepared for breakfast, luncheon, dinners, and snacks will more than feed your soul! I definitely would go for seconds!
I urge you to go and read “Saving Eva” as soon as possible, and I cannot wait to see future works by Ms. Reinhart!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Saving Eva,” the debut novel by Whitney Reinhart! Ms. Reinhart has a gift for narrative that will instantly transport you to a place that she is intimately familiar with—rustic Alabama. The time of the story is set in the 1960s, smack in the middle of the civil rights era.
The protagonist and titular character of Eva is a whip smart and kindly grandmother, who would do anything for anyone. Eva has friends, neighbors, and acquaintances across all color lines in a time and place when segregation was still in the living memory of their culture. Eva’s precocious granddaughter Lora, who is staying with her for the summer, soon find themselves embroiled in the death of a local ne’er-do-well, and a murder case that will put Eva on trial for her life!
I absolutely adore the depiction and deep development that Ms. Reinhart instills within all the rich characters you will encounter in this well thought out story. Her ability to weave a tale that is heartfelt, humorous, serious, and introspective is something that will serve her well in future stories!
One bit of “Saving Eva” that I couldn’t get enough of: the descriptions of all the delicious food! Folks that live in the South, as a customary part of their hospitality, will always make sure you’re well fed—no matter the occasion—happy or sad. Ms. Reinhart dug deep with her charming descriptions of all manner of southern cuisine. Mouth-watering images of the cooking prepared for breakfast, luncheon, dinners, and snacks will more than feed your soul! I definitely would go for seconds!
I urge you to go and read “Saving Eva” as soon as possible, and I cannot wait to see future works by Ms. Reinhart!
March 6, 2024
The story was very interesting and kept me turning pages. I was expecting there to be a little more magic realism from the opening chapters, but I was not disappointed with the way the magic was utilized in the story. I think it would have expanded the scope of the story some if the magic was included more throughout the story.
I enjoyed all the characters, and I enjoyed the setting. I felt that the characters were realistic and believable, and the settings were well-described and immersive. There was a little head-hopping, and a few grammar mistakes, but nothing that took me out of the story.
Overall, I recommend this book!
I enjoyed all the characters, and I enjoyed the setting. I felt that the characters were realistic and believable, and the settings were well-described and immersive. There was a little head-hopping, and a few grammar mistakes, but nothing that took me out of the story.
Overall, I recommend this book!
October 1, 2023
Sass, charm, and "bless your heart" humor infuse this read as a laugh-out-loud Southern family saga that brings a tumultuous time in history to vivid life.
It remains a fun read, even with its heavy topics--great balance.
It remains a fun read, even with its heavy topics--great balance.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews