Blackmon, Susan Diane Black. Emma. Graham, TX: Whispers from the Past, 2022. 

Heritage Series – volume I

Guide to Categories: Adult Review – review of books for adults – may or may not be appropriate for a school library

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Summary

It wasn’t age or distance that mattered. Love was all that mattered.

With a strong historical foundation, this fiction flows like a traditional fairy tale with both dark and light elements, providing listeners with an early 1900s Texas narrative, sweet romance, and an evil stepmother.

Thirteen years have passed since the death of her mother. The youngest of 18 children, Emma Jackson is now 16, and loves her papa and younger half-sister, but not her stepmother, Matilda.

Jane was the love of Ben Jackson’s life, but when he lost her and their 19th baby during childbirth, he became neglectful of the family who still needed him. Evil stepmother personified, Matilda set her villainous plan in motion even before Ben married her. While his children never trusted Matilda—and for good reason—Ben simply succumbed to caring for his family the only way he knew how: without his precious Jane by his side.

In Emma, there are two stories in one, with Emma visiting her older sisters and falling in love with Charley, and with her father finally deciding to rid himself of the malicious woman he never should have married. But did Ben wait too long to set his household to rights? Will Matilda finally strike that final blow and declare her carefully plotted plan a success?

Tension and drama build by presenting the main characters and their backstories. The introduction of tragedy and antagonism leads listeners down that age old path of grief, greed, heartache, and redemption, yet keeping the overall plot rooted in both familial and romantic love. Emma can be likened to Cinderella. However, this story resembles Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder as well, with the very act of survival in a harsh land during a harsh time providing more than enough turmoil, hardship, and even celebrations. Add a woman who chooses to destroy others to satisfy her avarice, and Emma quickly becomes a modest yet powerful parable and cautionary tale. Based on a true story!

Purchase Emma on Amazon – https://amzn.to/3JqKBVw

My Adult Review

Susan Blackmon based Emma on her family history. The plot centers on Emma who was just three when her father brought a “new mother” (Matilda) home to raise his children after his first wife died in childbirth. The story contains the loss of a loved one as well as an “evil stepmother.” There is also the story of young love. 

Emma sees her Papa change before her eyes. One by one her older siblings marry and move away. Emma is mistreated by her step mother but her Papa doesn’t seem to see it. There are rumors about what happened in Matilda’s two previous marriages that don’t surface until after they had been married for a while. There is quite a bit of sadness in the story, but it does have a happy ending. 

The book is set in Texas in the late 1800’s. Those interested in Texas history or in that time period will enjoy this story. The copy I  received was a large print copy which is probably appropriate since I think that most of the people who would be interested in this book are probably older adults. 

Emma is adult historical fiction. While there is nothing that would keep it from being added to a K-12 Christian school library, I don’t think many of that age would be interested in it. 

I received a complimentary copy of Emma. This is my honest review.

Read more Adult Review posts.

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