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The Rum Runners' Chronicles #1
Gathering Storm
She left criminal life behind. Will her new business venture send her to sleep with the fishes?
Florida Coast, 1932. Edith Duffy might be grieving her gangster husband’s death, but she’s no damsel in distress. Leaving the sordid world of Philadelphia bootlegging, she settles in a small town outside Miami and buys a speakeasy. But when she launches a lucrative rum-running operation, indignant locals conspire to destroy her.
Edith lands squarely back in gangland culture, with a Bible-thumping preacher campaigning to shut her down and smugglers resentful of her skill. And now she must forge alliances and make unlikely allies just to survive. Luckily, her mentor is none other than the wife of the notorious Al Capone…
Will Edith’s fondness for underworld profits lead her to a dead end?
Gathering Storm is the first book in the Rum Runners’ Chronicles, a fast-paced historical women’s fiction trilogy. If you like atmospheric settings, mob stories, and independent heroines, then you’ll love Sherilyn Decter’s Prohibition-era adventure.
Florida Coast, 1932. Edith Duffy might be grieving her gangster husband’s death, but she’s no damsel in distress. Leaving the sordid world of Philadelphia bootlegging, she settles in a small town outside Miami and buys a speakeasy. But when she launches a lucrative rum-running operation, indignant locals conspire to destroy her.
Edith lands squarely back in gangland culture, with a Bible-thumping preacher campaigning to shut her down and smugglers resentful of her skill. And now she must forge alliances and make unlikely allies just to survive. Luckily, her mentor is none other than the wife of the notorious Al Capone…
Will Edith’s fondness for underworld profits lead her to a dead end?
Gathering Storm is the first book in the Rum Runners’ Chronicles, a fast-paced historical women’s fiction trilogy. If you like atmospheric settings, mob stories, and independent heroines, then you’ll love Sherilyn Decter’s Prohibition-era adventure.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
433 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2020
210 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 22, 2020
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Gathering Storm
By: Sherilyn Decter
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
"Florida. The land of Eternal Youth...A sun-kissed ocean playground. Paradise. Florida. A state that floats in brackish water...A land ravaged by hurricanes...floods so deep they'll drown your soul. It's blast furnace heat sucks out the relentless drive...lethargy dulls...energy. The steamy part of America. Paradise, all right."
As a lifetime Floridian, I can attest to the truth and accuracy of this description. In Gathering Storm, Edith moves from Philadelphia to Miami after the death of her bootlegging gangster husband. From the start, it's evident she is not like other women. Edith has moxie and fortitude, and she'll need those qualities to survive in this place. The heavy, draining, miserable atmosphere of Florida almost seems to equate with Edith's life. She lost her husband nefariously, relocated to an unwelcoming place and must now build a new life. Edith meets with her friend and mentor, Mae Capone, wife of Al Capone, and I would imagine their are eyes and ears everywhere. Edith eventually lands in a little town just outside of Miami, and she buys a speakeasy. I guess the dangerous mobster style of living is in her blood. Edith's business becomes rum running, and business is good. Unfortunately, the locals are angered and want to shut her down by any means necessary. A heavy handed preacher rallies against Edith, and a lot of southerners do stupid things in the name of religion and forget how to think independently. Smugglers notice that Edith is skilled and savvy, so they, too, despise her. Edith is fighting an uphill battle, a sisyphean task, with no one to help her. Edith uses her intelligence and worldliness to gain allies and form bonds, plus Mae Capone is her mentor. Can Edith outwit her enemies, or is this the end for her? Edith is a remarkable heroine, a woman going against the laws of nature it seems, to carve a space for herself in this world. Despite the illegality of her actions, Edith is admirable and inspiring as one determined woman in a man's world. Gathering Storm is a unique story layered with subtle complexities and rich in atmospheric character; it's also the beginning of the Rum Runner Chronicles, a new series. It's the perfect choice for historical fiction readers of all kinds. I cannot recommend it enough!
Gathering Storm
By: Sherilyn Decter
REVIEW ☆☆☆☆☆
"Florida. The land of Eternal Youth...A sun-kissed ocean playground. Paradise. Florida. A state that floats in brackish water...A land ravaged by hurricanes...floods so deep they'll drown your soul. It's blast furnace heat sucks out the relentless drive...lethargy dulls...energy. The steamy part of America. Paradise, all right."
As a lifetime Floridian, I can attest to the truth and accuracy of this description. In Gathering Storm, Edith moves from Philadelphia to Miami after the death of her bootlegging gangster husband. From the start, it's evident she is not like other women. Edith has moxie and fortitude, and she'll need those qualities to survive in this place. The heavy, draining, miserable atmosphere of Florida almost seems to equate with Edith's life. She lost her husband nefariously, relocated to an unwelcoming place and must now build a new life. Edith meets with her friend and mentor, Mae Capone, wife of Al Capone, and I would imagine their are eyes and ears everywhere. Edith eventually lands in a little town just outside of Miami, and she buys a speakeasy. I guess the dangerous mobster style of living is in her blood. Edith's business becomes rum running, and business is good. Unfortunately, the locals are angered and want to shut her down by any means necessary. A heavy handed preacher rallies against Edith, and a lot of southerners do stupid things in the name of religion and forget how to think independently. Smugglers notice that Edith is skilled and savvy, so they, too, despise her. Edith is fighting an uphill battle, a sisyphean task, with no one to help her. Edith uses her intelligence and worldliness to gain allies and form bonds, plus Mae Capone is her mentor. Can Edith outwit her enemies, or is this the end for her? Edith is a remarkable heroine, a woman going against the laws of nature it seems, to carve a space for herself in this world. Despite the illegality of her actions, Edith is admirable and inspiring as one determined woman in a man's world. Gathering Storm is a unique story layered with subtle complexities and rich in atmospheric character; it's also the beginning of the Rum Runner Chronicles, a new series. It's the perfect choice for historical fiction readers of all kinds. I cannot recommend it enough!
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April 17, 2020
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Gathering Storm by Sherilyn Decter, is the first installment in highly anticipated series, The Rum Runners Chronicles.
In 1932 Edith Duffy arrives in sunny Florida, all the way from Philadelphia, after excepting an invitation from Mae Capone, wife of the notorious mob gangster Al Capone. Just six months widowed, Edith was married to Philadelphia’s King of the Bootleggers. Mickey Duffy, a mobster who was heavily involved in the bootlegging industry.
Hoping to leave heartache behind, and feeling pensive and restless, the life of idleness is not something that appeals to her. By taking her destiny in her own hands, with incredible strength and determination she hopes to exceed in a male dominated business.
Opening a speakeasy is a dangerous business in the criminal world during prohibition. When all she wants is a good place to offer her customers a little bootleg liquor. Following her dreams, she makes up her mind to purchase one in the backwoods of the Florida marshes of Coconut Grove.
She settles on and purchases Gator Joe’s, and with some renovations it could be the perfect joint. But everything is not as simple and easy as Edith hopes it will be. What with the local boss and his cronies do everything to sabotage Edith attempts to get her place off the ground. The towns people are too excepting either, they don’t exactly roll out the the red carpet for Edith.
But, this one tough dame, and when she sets her mind to something, their is no one, or nothing she can’t accomplish.
Sherilyn Decter, delivers an intriguing, unique and enthralling story here that was so irresistibly written. I absolutely loved Edith’s voice and thought she was such a fantastic character. The novel is written in third person, with little passages of first person. Giving the reader an insightful opportunity to be more in tuned to the characters themselves. The author writing is vividly descriptive, bringing this iconic era in our history stunning to life in atmospheric imagery.
So if your into American historical times, and prohibition, along with a stellar strong woman. This fast paced historical read will be the perfect book for you.
Gathering Storm by Sherilyn Decter, is the first installment in highly anticipated series, The Rum Runners Chronicles.
In 1932 Edith Duffy arrives in sunny Florida, all the way from Philadelphia, after excepting an invitation from Mae Capone, wife of the notorious mob gangster Al Capone. Just six months widowed, Edith was married to Philadelphia’s King of the Bootleggers. Mickey Duffy, a mobster who was heavily involved in the bootlegging industry.
Hoping to leave heartache behind, and feeling pensive and restless, the life of idleness is not something that appeals to her. By taking her destiny in her own hands, with incredible strength and determination she hopes to exceed in a male dominated business.
Opening a speakeasy is a dangerous business in the criminal world during prohibition. When all she wants is a good place to offer her customers a little bootleg liquor. Following her dreams, she makes up her mind to purchase one in the backwoods of the Florida marshes of Coconut Grove.
She settles on and purchases Gator Joe’s, and with some renovations it could be the perfect joint. But everything is not as simple and easy as Edith hopes it will be. What with the local boss and his cronies do everything to sabotage Edith attempts to get her place off the ground. The towns people are too excepting either, they don’t exactly roll out the the red carpet for Edith.
But, this one tough dame, and when she sets her mind to something, their is no one, or nothing she can’t accomplish.
Sherilyn Decter, delivers an intriguing, unique and enthralling story here that was so irresistibly written. I absolutely loved Edith’s voice and thought she was such a fantastic character. The novel is written in third person, with little passages of first person. Giving the reader an insightful opportunity to be more in tuned to the characters themselves. The author writing is vividly descriptive, bringing this iconic era in our history stunning to life in atmospheric imagery.
So if your into American historical times, and prohibition, along with a stellar strong woman. This fast paced historical read will be the perfect book for you.
April 25, 2020
Edith is still grieving the death of her well known, mobster husband Mickey. She needs a break, a change of scene and heads from Philly, to the warmth of the Florida coast line. Her girlfriends meet up with her, and try to get her mind off of the last six months. But Edith is still restless, she needs something in her life.
Her first day there, there's commotion down on the waterfront. Boats, speed, guns, and illegal liquor. She is immediately sucked back into memories of what life was like with Mickey. But she also realizes, that she misses that thrill, the excitement. The girls take a day, and visit a well known restaurant, that attracts the most popular and Edith gets an idea. She was the brains behind a lot of Mickey's business, why couldn't see run a place down here? Start anew, fresh and make something of herself. Make Mickey proud.
With the help of Mae, Al Capone's wife, Edith and her find a small joint. It's in quite disrepair but Edith sees the possibility and her heart is set. No one is going to change her mind. Edith runs into issues right away. First, she's a woman. Second, people know what she has in mind with this place. Third, she's an outsider now creeping in on the other businesses in the area. Edith, resilient and not afraid to back down fights every step of the way, but soon the place is ready to be opened.
Even after proving she is a woman of her word, and will do what it takes to get things done. She still has a target on her back, and many are still not happy that she is still in town. With the help from a local boy, Leroy who shows up in her barn, and Darwin, a favor she called in from an old friend, Gator Joe's is open for business and she is not going anywhere.
Just when she thinks she has proven herself, and that maybe things can be normal, her hard work goes up in flames. Someone is still not happy that she is in town, and has made a name for herself and Gator Joe's. Has she really been defeated, finally. Is this the last straw?
This was an interesting read about bootlegging liquor on the coast. I've not read about this before and it was also interesting to read about the wives of these mobsters. Not much was ever said about them, and usually they were just seen, but it seems they may have been more brains behind the operations than what was thought. This was a good thriller of a novel and I am curious to see what happens next with Edith, Leroy, Darwin and Lucky Ling.
Thank you to HFVBT and the author for the book to read and review. I will be looking forward to getting and reading the other Rum Runners' Chronicles, I have to know what happens next, as this book did leave off at a bit of a cliff hanger! :)
Her first day there, there's commotion down on the waterfront. Boats, speed, guns, and illegal liquor. She is immediately sucked back into memories of what life was like with Mickey. But she also realizes, that she misses that thrill, the excitement. The girls take a day, and visit a well known restaurant, that attracts the most popular and Edith gets an idea. She was the brains behind a lot of Mickey's business, why couldn't see run a place down here? Start anew, fresh and make something of herself. Make Mickey proud.
With the help of Mae, Al Capone's wife, Edith and her find a small joint. It's in quite disrepair but Edith sees the possibility and her heart is set. No one is going to change her mind. Edith runs into issues right away. First, she's a woman. Second, people know what she has in mind with this place. Third, she's an outsider now creeping in on the other businesses in the area. Edith, resilient and not afraid to back down fights every step of the way, but soon the place is ready to be opened.
Even after proving she is a woman of her word, and will do what it takes to get things done. She still has a target on her back, and many are still not happy that she is still in town. With the help from a local boy, Leroy who shows up in her barn, and Darwin, a favor she called in from an old friend, Gator Joe's is open for business and she is not going anywhere.
Just when she thinks she has proven herself, and that maybe things can be normal, her hard work goes up in flames. Someone is still not happy that she is in town, and has made a name for herself and Gator Joe's. Has she really been defeated, finally. Is this the last straw?
This was an interesting read about bootlegging liquor on the coast. I've not read about this before and it was also interesting to read about the wives of these mobsters. Not much was ever said about them, and usually they were just seen, but it seems they may have been more brains behind the operations than what was thought. This was a good thriller of a novel and I am curious to see what happens next with Edith, Leroy, Darwin and Lucky Ling.
Thank you to HFVBT and the author for the book to read and review. I will be looking forward to getting and reading the other Rum Runners' Chronicles, I have to know what happens next, as this book did leave off at a bit of a cliff hanger! :)
April 22, 2020
There is nothing that I love more than reading about a strong-willed woman that never stands down from a challenge, one that defies the status quo and claws her way to get what she wants, so Gathering Storm was the perfect read for me! Add in mobsters and bootleggers and you can see why I literally inhaled this book!
Edith Duffy is newly widowed for four months from her late husband, who was known as Philidelphia's King of Bootleggers. She travels down to Miami to figure out what to do next and meet up with her friend and mentor, Mae Capone. Yep, wife to Al Capone! When she finds an old club she decides to open up her own speakeasy. When her husband was still alive she was the brains of their operation so she knows what do to, but it's not easy. The local rum runners and a hardnosed preacher all try to run her out of town, but nevertheless, she persisted. I don't want to give too much away, so you're just going to have to read it and find out what happens!
The other thing I loved about the book was that it featured the wives of known mobsters. When I was a teen I was obsessed with the movie Mobsters with Christian Slater as Lucky Luciano and Patrick Dempsey as Meyer Lansky, so this book brought my fascination back for sure!
There are three books in this series and the next one is due out on May 11th. I already have it pre-ordered and cannot wait to see what is next for Edith!
Cover love! Can we just take a moment to oohhhh and aahhhh over the covers for this series? I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd pick them up just for the covers to be on my shelves, but now that I know how amazing the books are I definitely have to have them! Kudos to the cover artist! They managed to capture the books perfectly!
I absolutely loved Gathering Storm and will be counting the days for the next installment. Kudos to Sherilyn Decter for bringing this thrilling time in history to life for us! It was brilliant!
Edith Duffy is newly widowed for four months from her late husband, who was known as Philidelphia's King of Bootleggers. She travels down to Miami to figure out what to do next and meet up with her friend and mentor, Mae Capone. Yep, wife to Al Capone! When she finds an old club she decides to open up her own speakeasy. When her husband was still alive she was the brains of their operation so she knows what do to, but it's not easy. The local rum runners and a hardnosed preacher all try to run her out of town, but nevertheless, she persisted. I don't want to give too much away, so you're just going to have to read it and find out what happens!
The other thing I loved about the book was that it featured the wives of known mobsters. When I was a teen I was obsessed with the movie Mobsters with Christian Slater as Lucky Luciano and Patrick Dempsey as Meyer Lansky, so this book brought my fascination back for sure!
There are three books in this series and the next one is due out on May 11th. I already have it pre-ordered and cannot wait to see what is next for Edith!
Cover love! Can we just take a moment to oohhhh and aahhhh over the covers for this series? I'm not ashamed to admit that I'd pick them up just for the covers to be on my shelves, but now that I know how amazing the books are I definitely have to have them! Kudos to the cover artist! They managed to capture the books perfectly!
I absolutely loved Gathering Storm and will be counting the days for the next installment. Kudos to Sherilyn Decter for bringing this thrilling time in history to life for us! It was brilliant!
April 24, 2020
Hello My Fellow Book Dragons! This evening’s Gem was brought to me from sunny Florida by way of Philly. A beautiful gold wedding band. It is glows from afar, but will dim the eye and weigh down the heart when worn. It belonged in the era of Bootleggers and Speakeasies and it’s aura still weigh’s heavily on anyone who dares to don it. This is Gem Maker Sherilyn Decter’s “Gathering Storm”. It is Book I of the Rum Runners’ Chronicles.
Within these pages you will meet no ordinary set of women or men for that matter. These are the wives of the elite of Prohibition. Esta Seigel, Anna Lansky, Mae Capone and more. These women sported the rings the and names of the biggest men in Organized Crime. They are the Royalty of Rum Running. And this is the tale of one who chose to strike out on her own after her husband was gunned down. Edith Duffy, widow of Mickey Duffy, the King of Philly.
Edith isn’t like the others. She didn’t start out sitting around waiting for Mickey to buy her or steal her furs and diamonds. She went on gigs with Mickey. She was shot at and shot back. She helped drive the trucks and hide the hooch. She took the same risks as Mickey and his men. Edith is daring, brave and a little crazy. I loved her.
If you love nonstop action, intrigue and a woman who goes after what she wants and strikes out on her own in a period piece where there is a bullet, a mobster or a cop around every corner, this is for you. Decter has done her homework. Nothing is wasted. I have studied the Prohibition years and this is spot on. Three cheers for Decter and Edith. In her author’s note, Decter takes time to explain how she did her research and why. She also explains where to follow her for the next books in the saga.
Get Book I now and be prepared for Book II! I can’t wait, and you shouldn’t either! Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a review copy of this book from #GatheringStorm #SherilynDecter through #HFVBTBlogTours.
Within these pages you will meet no ordinary set of women or men for that matter. These are the wives of the elite of Prohibition. Esta Seigel, Anna Lansky, Mae Capone and more. These women sported the rings the and names of the biggest men in Organized Crime. They are the Royalty of Rum Running. And this is the tale of one who chose to strike out on her own after her husband was gunned down. Edith Duffy, widow of Mickey Duffy, the King of Philly.
Edith isn’t like the others. She didn’t start out sitting around waiting for Mickey to buy her or steal her furs and diamonds. She went on gigs with Mickey. She was shot at and shot back. She helped drive the trucks and hide the hooch. She took the same risks as Mickey and his men. Edith is daring, brave and a little crazy. I loved her.
If you love nonstop action, intrigue and a woman who goes after what she wants and strikes out on her own in a period piece where there is a bullet, a mobster or a cop around every corner, this is for you. Decter has done her homework. Nothing is wasted. I have studied the Prohibition years and this is spot on. Three cheers for Decter and Edith. In her author’s note, Decter takes time to explain how she did her research and why. She also explains where to follow her for the next books in the saga.
Get Book I now and be prepared for Book II! I can’t wait, and you shouldn’t either! Until tomorrow, I remain, your humble Book Dragon,
Drakon T. Longwitten
I received a review copy of this book from #GatheringStorm #SherilynDecter through #HFVBTBlogTours.
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April 17, 2020I have to admit I wasn’t sure just how much I would like this story, but I’m glad I gave it a shot! I really like Westerns so I figured a bootlegging story would intrigue me. And by golly it did! It was just such a wild adventure from the start. Plus it’s women centric, so I am obviously here for that!
Gathering Storm is the first book in the Rum Runners’ Chronicles and it is an amazing start to what I’m going to assume will be an amazing series. I haven’t really read many… if any… gangster themed books so this was a really exciting story for me to check out! I think I was extra in love with the story because it was the women calling the shots and running the show. I liked the idea behind the bootlegging/smuggling operations, it was perfect for a book set in this time period and actually made me realize that while I’ve read a bunch of books set in the 20s I haven’t really read many set in the 30s. And they were an equally interesting time period, even if the flapper craze wasn’t in full swing.
I really enjoyed all of the characters and all of their little quirks. This was a time of being cold-hearted and ruthless yet still being able to have fun. It’s such a weird combination of personality and I find it really interesting. I think what I liked best about this book is that I actually don’t know a lot about the time period, so it served as a mini history lesson for me as well. Overall this was a highly enjoyable read that I am glad I took a chance on. I mean, what isn’t more enjoyable than gangsters and smugglers?
You can view my full review and giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
Gathering Storm is the first book in the Rum Runners’ Chronicles and it is an amazing start to what I’m going to assume will be an amazing series. I haven’t really read many… if any… gangster themed books so this was a really exciting story for me to check out! I think I was extra in love with the story because it was the women calling the shots and running the show. I liked the idea behind the bootlegging/smuggling operations, it was perfect for a book set in this time period and actually made me realize that while I’ve read a bunch of books set in the 20s I haven’t really read many set in the 30s. And they were an equally interesting time period, even if the flapper craze wasn’t in full swing.
I really enjoyed all of the characters and all of their little quirks. This was a time of being cold-hearted and ruthless yet still being able to have fun. It’s such a weird combination of personality and I find it really interesting. I think what I liked best about this book is that I actually don’t know a lot about the time period, so it served as a mini history lesson for me as well. Overall this was a highly enjoyable read that I am glad I took a chance on. I mean, what isn’t more enjoyable than gangsters and smugglers?
You can view my full review and giveaway on my blog! I also post about a lot of different types of books!
Reader | Bookstagrammer | Blogger | Reviewer
@ya.its.lit - https://www.instagram.com/ya.its.lit/
Blog - https://yaitslitblog.wordpress.com/
May 1, 2020
Speakeasy
Mobster wives
Rum Runners
I enjoyed this first book in the Rum Runners' Chronicles about a recently widowed woman named Edith Duffy who runs a speakeasy in Miami. Right from the first chapter this book really knew how to portray the excitement and danger of the lives of the rum runners in Miami with speed boat chases and political intrigue with a cast of characters you are going to love reading about like Mrs Mae Capone, wife of the infamous Al Capone from Chicago.
Edith is unlike any strong woman you will be reading about in any historical fiction novels. She has a fearless flair about her and would not flinch or faint at the sight of blood or seeing a gun. As a matter of fact, the adrenaline rush brings her to life. The writing is just brilliant. The atmospheric setting of Miami immersed me into the sophisticated and mob style of living large and always in the shadows of danger and risking your life and livelihood.
I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series as I bide my breath for the next installation because historical fiction friends, it is just that good.
Mobster wives
Rum Runners
I enjoyed this first book in the Rum Runners' Chronicles about a recently widowed woman named Edith Duffy who runs a speakeasy in Miami. Right from the first chapter this book really knew how to portray the excitement and danger of the lives of the rum runners in Miami with speed boat chases and political intrigue with a cast of characters you are going to love reading about like Mrs Mae Capone, wife of the infamous Al Capone from Chicago.
Edith is unlike any strong woman you will be reading about in any historical fiction novels. She has a fearless flair about her and would not flinch or faint at the sight of blood or seeing a gun. As a matter of fact, the adrenaline rush brings her to life. The writing is just brilliant. The atmospheric setting of Miami immersed me into the sophisticated and mob style of living large and always in the shadows of danger and risking your life and livelihood.
I highly recommend this book and I will definitely be picking up the rest of the series as I bide my breath for the next installation because historical fiction friends, it is just that good.
April 23, 2020
I have to admit that the cover of this book grabbed my attention quickly ~ it's intriguing and gorgeous! ~ and just a taste of what was on the pages. It's a story focused on one independent & strong woman in a time when men - and the mob - dominated. But that woman, Edith Duffy, doesn't back down from anything. She is full of confidence and determined in her thoughts & actions in a time when women took a backseat to men.
With the help of her best friends (you know, the wives of the other mob bosses so no big deal), she sets herself up running a speakeasy in the small town of Coconut Grove, Florida. We all know small towns are a world of their own and Edith, as the newcomer, is not as welcome as she hopes. The pages turn quickly showing that Edith doesn't back down from any one.
This is only the first book in a trilogy from Sherilyn Decter. The next installment, Storm Surge, is coming out soon and will no doubt be just as intriguing.
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions expressed are my own.
With the help of her best friends (you know, the wives of the other mob bosses so no big deal), she sets herself up running a speakeasy in the small town of Coconut Grove, Florida. We all know small towns are a world of their own and Edith, as the newcomer, is not as welcome as she hopes. The pages turn quickly showing that Edith doesn't back down from any one.
This is only the first book in a trilogy from Sherilyn Decter. The next installment, Storm Surge, is coming out soon and will no doubt be just as intriguing.
Thank you HFVBT and the author for a copy of this book. I voluntarily reviewed this book and all opinions expressed are my own.
August 2, 2025
Edith Duffy longs to start afresh after the death of her husband. A move to Florida, home of their mobster associates, seems like a chance for a new beginning, and the purchase of a rundown bar makes sense even as Prohibition curtails its legitimacy. However, despite facing opposition from local leaders, Edith is also joined by loyal companions. Will they be enough to stand firm against town disapproval and the hoodlums who are dead set against a woman running a lucrative business?
This story took a while to read through due to its slow pacing and generous length. I must confess that while I didn't like the main character, I did find her tenacity admirable.
This story is self-contained, but has a series arc which will be continued in the second book.
This story took a while to read through due to its slow pacing and generous length. I must confess that while I didn't like the main character, I did find her tenacity admirable.
This story is self-contained, but has a series arc which will be continued in the second book.
September 6, 2021
After the violent death of her husband, Mickey Duffy, Edith Duffy leaves Philadelphia for the sunny shores of Miami, Florida. Edith’s dream is to start a new life where she can become an independent woman who is not resigned to living the life of a gangster’s wife. With the help and encouragement of Mae Capone, Edith sets out to start her new life. She discovers, and then buys, a run-down place called Gator Joe’s in the small town of Coconut Grove. However, as Edith soon discovers, redefining herself and becoming her own woman, away from the mob life, will not be easy.
Writing in the present tense, Sherilyn Decter does an excellent job weaving the history of the period into the story she tells in Gathering Storm. Although the story is fiction, Decter skillfully captures her readers’ attention by using real names of people who lived during this time and providing just enough background information about the characters and the events to bring the novel to life. Decter’s research about the Miami area and the characters is extensive, and this is what works as we live Edith’s life after Mickey’s death.
Edith is a strong woman, but not a perfectly strong woman. Even though she is smart and can find ways around most of the obstacles that appear on her path to independence, Edith still finds it challenging to walk away from the gangster life. This challenge is mostly because her redefined life involves running a speakeasy, as a woman, during Prohibition. As you follow Edith’s journey, you feel the ups and downs of her life; you feel her triumphs and failures.
As a reader I found this novel a page turner. The only pause I initially had was the purpose of introducing Cassie, Leroy, and the tarot into the story but after reading the author’s notes, and then going back for further reflection, I realized that the tarot and young Leroy were intended to help Edith make wiser choices.
My fascination with this time in history started in 1967 when I watched Bonnie & Clyde in the theatre. Then, in 1969, The Godfather by Mario Puzo was published. In 1970, I found a copy of the book under my dad’s recliner. Of course, as a 15-year-old rebel, I had to read this book, which I later discovered was on a banned book list in our community. Between the movie, the book, and then, eventually, learning of my dad’s connections to law enforcement during this time, I was fascinated with the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and the lifestyles of the people made famous from this period.
When my dad realized the extent of my fascination, he was quick to point out that even though fictional film and literature often depict this era as glorious and exciting, the reality was that “it was not,” especially for women.
Decter addresses this point early on in Gathering Storm when she shares Edith’s reflection after she removes her wedding ring:
A final tug and the ring slips off and rattles against the porcelain. Edith stares at her naked finger. That gold band has ridden there for almost a dozen years. A golden noose.
“And now it’s off.” She flexes her fingers. It doesn’t feel any lighter, any looser.
It is this one passage at the beginning of the novel that reflects the main idea of the story and foreshadows the reality of Edith’s journey.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
Writing in the present tense, Sherilyn Decter does an excellent job weaving the history of the period into the story she tells in Gathering Storm. Although the story is fiction, Decter skillfully captures her readers’ attention by using real names of people who lived during this time and providing just enough background information about the characters and the events to bring the novel to life. Decter’s research about the Miami area and the characters is extensive, and this is what works as we live Edith’s life after Mickey’s death.
Edith is a strong woman, but not a perfectly strong woman. Even though she is smart and can find ways around most of the obstacles that appear on her path to independence, Edith still finds it challenging to walk away from the gangster life. This challenge is mostly because her redefined life involves running a speakeasy, as a woman, during Prohibition. As you follow Edith’s journey, you feel the ups and downs of her life; you feel her triumphs and failures.
As a reader I found this novel a page turner. The only pause I initially had was the purpose of introducing Cassie, Leroy, and the tarot into the story but after reading the author’s notes, and then going back for further reflection, I realized that the tarot and young Leroy were intended to help Edith make wiser choices.
My fascination with this time in history started in 1967 when I watched Bonnie & Clyde in the theatre. Then, in 1969, The Godfather by Mario Puzo was published. In 1970, I found a copy of the book under my dad’s recliner. Of course, as a 15-year-old rebel, I had to read this book, which I later discovered was on a banned book list in our community. Between the movie, the book, and then, eventually, learning of my dad’s connections to law enforcement during this time, I was fascinated with the Roaring 20s, the Great Depression, Prohibition, and the lifestyles of the people made famous from this period.
When my dad realized the extent of my fascination, he was quick to point out that even though fictional film and literature often depict this era as glorious and exciting, the reality was that “it was not,” especially for women.
Decter addresses this point early on in Gathering Storm when she shares Edith’s reflection after she removes her wedding ring:
A final tug and the ring slips off and rattles against the porcelain. Edith stares at her naked finger. That gold band has ridden there for almost a dozen years. A golden noose.
“And now it’s off.” She flexes her fingers. It doesn’t feel any lighter, any looser.
It is this one passage at the beginning of the novel that reflects the main idea of the story and foreshadows the reality of Edith’s journey.
Reviewed for Discovering Diamonds
August 6, 2020
This is the story of Edith Duffy, a feminist before the word even existed, taking place during Prohibition. She's the widow of a famous Philadelphia gangster, and she heads to Miami to vacation with the wives of other real-life gangsters. Her friend, Mae Capone, is the first one she encounters at an upscale Miami hotel. Mae's husband, Al, has been convicted of tax evasion and is in a federal prison.
Edith decides that she wants to become her "own woman." She doesn't really know what that means. After going to a speakeasy that's being closed because it's not making money (Tobacco Road) in Miami, she begins thinking about starting and managing her own speakeasy--something women simply didn't do at the time. It was a man's world, and Edith doesn't seem to realize the challenges she's going to face. The fact that she has money from her late husband empowers her, and she finds a rundown place the decides to buy and renovate in the small town of Coconut Grove called Gator Joe's.
She has no idea what she's getting into, vis-a-vis small town southern male culture. She also doesn't realize the power of the local preacher, who seems to call all the shots, and who lives with an intrinsic hatred of women--all women, not just her--and uses biblical passages to justify his hatred.
This book is fast-paced and well-written for the most part. The author develops her characters well and includes interesting incidents that keeps the story moving. Every character has a specific role, and their interactions make sense. Some of the dialogue between Edith and Darwin, who comes to help her toward the end of the novel, seemed stilted to me.
The descriptions of rum-running and human trafficking are realistic and provide a true demonstration of what was happening during the days of Prohibition. Many people might not know that people all over the United States were dying from drinking home-made liquor and pure wood alcohol while Prohibition existed. While most wealthy people had no problems getting drinkable alcohol, poor people did. The rum runners in Florida came from Cuba and the Bahamas (as this book demonstrates), and more northern rum runners normally came from Canada. The Coast Guard (as is also mentioned in this book) played a role in stopping these shipments and often discovered shipments of humans--mainly Chinese nationals--along with banned alcohol.
The reason I didn't give this book five stars is that right from the beginning, the author's incorrect use of semi-colons drove me crazy. The book also contains a number of proofreading errors--not huge ones, but things such as misuse of apostrophes, the word "criteria" when it should have been "criterion," etc. If it had been possible, I would have given it a 4.5.
I would recommend that fans of historical fiction read this book. I will be interested in reading the next book in the series. I'm interested in learning what happens next to Edith Duffy.
Edith decides that she wants to become her "own woman." She doesn't really know what that means. After going to a speakeasy that's being closed because it's not making money (Tobacco Road) in Miami, she begins thinking about starting and managing her own speakeasy--something women simply didn't do at the time. It was a man's world, and Edith doesn't seem to realize the challenges she's going to face. The fact that she has money from her late husband empowers her, and she finds a rundown place the decides to buy and renovate in the small town of Coconut Grove called Gator Joe's.
She has no idea what she's getting into, vis-a-vis small town southern male culture. She also doesn't realize the power of the local preacher, who seems to call all the shots, and who lives with an intrinsic hatred of women--all women, not just her--and uses biblical passages to justify his hatred.
This book is fast-paced and well-written for the most part. The author develops her characters well and includes interesting incidents that keeps the story moving. Every character has a specific role, and their interactions make sense. Some of the dialogue between Edith and Darwin, who comes to help her toward the end of the novel, seemed stilted to me.
The descriptions of rum-running and human trafficking are realistic and provide a true demonstration of what was happening during the days of Prohibition. Many people might not know that people all over the United States were dying from drinking home-made liquor and pure wood alcohol while Prohibition existed. While most wealthy people had no problems getting drinkable alcohol, poor people did. The rum runners in Florida came from Cuba and the Bahamas (as this book demonstrates), and more northern rum runners normally came from Canada. The Coast Guard (as is also mentioned in this book) played a role in stopping these shipments and often discovered shipments of humans--mainly Chinese nationals--along with banned alcohol.
The reason I didn't give this book five stars is that right from the beginning, the author's incorrect use of semi-colons drove me crazy. The book also contains a number of proofreading errors--not huge ones, but things such as misuse of apostrophes, the word "criteria" when it should have been "criterion," etc. If it had been possible, I would have given it a 4.5.
I would recommend that fans of historical fiction read this book. I will be interested in reading the next book in the series. I'm interested in learning what happens next to Edith Duffy.
May 5, 2020
GATHERING STORM
By Sherilyn Decter
This is Book I of The Run Runners’ Chronicles. It immediately drew me in with the main character, Edith Duffy narrating and telling us the happenings of life after the death of her husband, who just so happens to be known as the former Philadelphia King of Bootleggers. Edith is one strong woman and I love to see that portrayed in a female character. She also is business minded and focused which ends up leading to her relocating in a little town called Coconut Grove, just outside in Miami.
In Miami she has her allies, her friends I call them. Mobster wives such as Mae Capone, the wife of Chicago Gangster Al Capone who becomes a mentor as well. Edith has a Drive in her that ignite to reestablish what her and Mickey used to have when smuggling liquor during this prohibition period. She decides to buy an old club and does all she needs to in order to reopen the old place.
Along the way, there are many not content with a woman opening a club, especially one that will be involving what local rum runners view as competition. And a local pastor hell bent on getting her to go back to where she came from.
This woman like steel fights and against all destruction that comes; doesn’t back down or give up. Her resilience is awe inspiring. It’s beautiful to see a woman portrayed with power ; not weakness in this brilliant historical fiction.
I will definitely be reading book #2 which will be releasing May 11th and the 3rd book as well. Mrs. Decter wrote a strong, bold & realistic novel as it would happen in that time period. Finely detailed and so much personality, I feel this will be one book I will definitely be recommending!
By Sherilyn Decter
This is Book I of The Run Runners’ Chronicles. It immediately drew me in with the main character, Edith Duffy narrating and telling us the happenings of life after the death of her husband, who just so happens to be known as the former Philadelphia King of Bootleggers. Edith is one strong woman and I love to see that portrayed in a female character. She also is business minded and focused which ends up leading to her relocating in a little town called Coconut Grove, just outside in Miami.
In Miami she has her allies, her friends I call them. Mobster wives such as Mae Capone, the wife of Chicago Gangster Al Capone who becomes a mentor as well. Edith has a Drive in her that ignite to reestablish what her and Mickey used to have when smuggling liquor during this prohibition period. She decides to buy an old club and does all she needs to in order to reopen the old place.
Along the way, there are many not content with a woman opening a club, especially one that will be involving what local rum runners view as competition. And a local pastor hell bent on getting her to go back to where she came from.
This woman like steel fights and against all destruction that comes; doesn’t back down or give up. Her resilience is awe inspiring. It’s beautiful to see a woman portrayed with power ; not weakness in this brilliant historical fiction.
I will definitely be reading book #2 which will be releasing May 11th and the 3rd book as well. Mrs. Decter wrote a strong, bold & realistic novel as it would happen in that time period. Finely detailed and so much personality, I feel this will be one book I will definitely be recommending!
July 1, 2020
BOOK REVIEW~ Gathering Storm: The Rum Runners' Chronicles Book 1 by author, Sherilyn Decter
The 1920's Prohibition Era has a new player, and a force to be reckoned with. Her name, Edith Duffy.
She's a widow, she's bold, and fears nothing as she decides to move ahead with her plan to leave the Bootlegger world of Philadelphia behind and shake up Miami, all the while grieving the loss of her gangster husband, Mickey Duffy.
With long-time friend and mentor Mae Capone at her side, Edith, an outsider, and an unwelcome one at that, takes a fast and furious approach into the rum-running and Speakeasy gamut, and doesn't take no for an answer. Her strength and courage outweighs all that's thrown her way by the strong arm of a man's world lurking around the corner, one that's ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Through it all, Gator Joe's speakeasy is born, and Edith's life soon becomes one of intrigue, skill, excitement, mystery and danger.
Gathering Storm is an atmospheric journey through a time in history when that of the illegal is golden. A time of unique sophistication, determination and and one woman's need to be seen, heard, and taken seriously.
This is Book 1 in a series of three that you will not want to miss.
I thank the author for my ARC copy of Gathering Storm ~ a story that shines in the historical fiction genre and will have the reader emotionally invested from beginning to end.
5 Stars
#Gathering Storm
#SherilynDecter
Wild Sage Book Blog
The 1920's Prohibition Era has a new player, and a force to be reckoned with. Her name, Edith Duffy.
She's a widow, she's bold, and fears nothing as she decides to move ahead with her plan to leave the Bootlegger world of Philadelphia behind and shake up Miami, all the while grieving the loss of her gangster husband, Mickey Duffy.
With long-time friend and mentor Mae Capone at her side, Edith, an outsider, and an unwelcome one at that, takes a fast and furious approach into the rum-running and Speakeasy gamut, and doesn't take no for an answer. Her strength and courage outweighs all that's thrown her way by the strong arm of a man's world lurking around the corner, one that's ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Through it all, Gator Joe's speakeasy is born, and Edith's life soon becomes one of intrigue, skill, excitement, mystery and danger.
Gathering Storm is an atmospheric journey through a time in history when that of the illegal is golden. A time of unique sophistication, determination and and one woman's need to be seen, heard, and taken seriously.
This is Book 1 in a series of three that you will not want to miss.
I thank the author for my ARC copy of Gathering Storm ~ a story that shines in the historical fiction genre and will have the reader emotionally invested from beginning to end.
5 Stars
#Gathering Storm
#SherilynDecter
Wild Sage Book Blog
June 24, 2021
2021 Book Hoarders Challenge #14 (Read in Summer)
Edith Duffy is a 1920s woman, widow of a prominent gangster in Philadelphia. When she visits her friend Mae (Capone) in Miami, she realizes she wants to create something for herself. As she ponders what to do she realizes she could open one of the "blind tigers," a speakeasy during the Prohibition. After all, she helped her husband and his partner Harry set up business in Philly. So she sets out looking for a place to buy.
Edith has her supporters and her detractors. But does she have what it takes to make this dream a reality?
This is the beginning of a series; that being said, the story ended in a logical place. There are no strings left hanging. I plan to read the second and probably the third in this series.
Edith Duffy is a 1920s woman, widow of a prominent gangster in Philadelphia. When she visits her friend Mae (Capone) in Miami, she realizes she wants to create something for herself. As she ponders what to do she realizes she could open one of the "blind tigers," a speakeasy during the Prohibition. After all, she helped her husband and his partner Harry set up business in Philly. So she sets out looking for a place to buy.
Edith has her supporters and her detractors. But does she have what it takes to make this dream a reality?
This is the beginning of a series; that being said, the story ended in a logical place. There are no strings left hanging. I plan to read the second and probably the third in this series.
December 13, 2020
Despite the fact I kept looking to see how far I had read -- the novel seemed very very slow -- I'm prepared to obtain at least the next book in the series. I do so want to know how it works out.
I'm disappointed at Cassie's stand-off behaviors; there must be a reason.
Does anyone *not* know who The Boss is?
The central question -- where is the dividing line between independence and reliance on friends and reliance on those-who-are-probably-not-friends -- is one of the things I'm hoping to see answered in subsequent volumes.
I'm also extremely interested in strong, independent women who take on the status quo. Edith epitomizes that.
I'm disappointed at Cassie's stand-off behaviors; there must be a reason.
Does anyone *not* know who The Boss is?
The central question -- where is the dividing line between independence and reliance on friends and reliance on those-who-are-probably-not-friends -- is one of the things I'm hoping to see answered in subsequent volumes.
I'm also extremely interested in strong, independent women who take on the status quo. Edith epitomizes that.
August 22, 2020
Historical fiction at its best in my opinion. I did not expect to be bold over with this book, but what a surprise I received. I was hooked on Edith's story from the get-go. I wanted her to succeed and found myself pulling for her every moment. Her spirit and desire to make a go of a blind tiger and selling illegal booze during Prohibition on her own, albeit her deceased bootlegger husband's fortune was fascinating. The ending was a cliffhanger and I immediately bought the series. Looking forward to seeing what is next in Edith Duffy's pursuits.
April 29, 2020
Great strength
Not of muscle but if character, a woman recently widowed is searching for a new challenge, something that she can sink her teeth into and give the second or third chapter of her life meaning.
When she finds a run down club in Coconut Grove, Florida, she can see herself building something special there. Little can she imagine what is ahead. Amazing and page turning; just what I've come to expect from Sherilyn Decker!
Not of muscle but if character, a woman recently widowed is searching for a new challenge, something that she can sink her teeth into and give the second or third chapter of her life meaning.
When she finds a run down club in Coconut Grove, Florida, she can see herself building something special there. Little can she imagine what is ahead. Amazing and page turning; just what I've come to expect from Sherilyn Decker!
January 22, 2024
Her husband was a gangster but now he has died she leaves it all behind to try to live a much gets life. What will she do? Will Her husband last come to claim her as a dead body? What will she do if they come for her? We if she can keep the last where it belongs in the past
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and I want to review
May 6, 2020
Totally Awesome Reading!!!!
This book is fast and furious! Loved the characters and storyline of prohibition times. Highly recommend it to everyone. Can’t wait to read book 2 Storm Surge
This book is fast and furious! Loved the characters and storyline of prohibition times. Highly recommend it to everyone. Can’t wait to read book 2 Storm Surge
September 28, 2021
Strong women
The women in this book are strong and stubborn. They don't take insults or put downs from men. The story is interesting and exciting. My only complaint is the cliff hanger ending. I prefer a complete story in one book. Then continue in sequels.
The women in this book are strong and stubborn. They don't take insults or put downs from men. The story is interesting and exciting. My only complaint is the cliff hanger ending. I prefer a complete story in one book. Then continue in sequels.
July 3, 2023
A fun, enjoyable and fast-paced read.
Historical women’s fiction trilogy. If you like atmospheric settings, mob stories, and independent heroines, then you’ll love Sherilyn Decter’s Prohibition-era adventure.
Historical women’s fiction trilogy. If you like atmospheric settings, mob stories, and independent heroines, then you’ll love Sherilyn Decter’s Prohibition-era adventure.
February 13, 2024
Very interesting book! Set in Miami during the prohibition era, Edith is looking for something new after the death of her bootlegger husband. Edith is no damsel in distress that is for sure! I love her character and enjoyed her story so much! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!!
August 12, 2020
Certainly, an intriguing and entertaining look into the early days of Coconut Grove ...enjoyed the book and looking forward to find out more of Edith's story !
August 25, 2020
Great well written story!
Liked everything about it. Would definitely recommend this for the content as well as the page turning urgency it commands
Liked everything about it. Would definitely recommend this for the content as well as the page turning urgency it commands
March 12, 2021
Page Turner
One of these books I have ever read in the historical fiction genre, it is entertaining , thought provoking and an absolute “must” read.
One of these books I have ever read in the historical fiction genre, it is entertaining , thought provoking and an absolute “must” read.
July 20, 2021
Recommended read
I have enjoyed the first book of this series, looking forward to finding out more with the second. Great work SD x
I have enjoyed the first book of this series, looking forward to finding out more with the second. Great work SD x
April 6, 2023
Not interested and didn’t finish.
April 7, 2024
Just not for me. The storyline caught my attention but the style of writing didn’t work for me.
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