Publisher:
Limerent Publishing

Publication Date:
04/19/2024

Copyright Date:
N/A

ISBN:
979-8987488041

Binding:
eBook Only

U.S. SRP:
4.99

Get the best author info and savings on services when you subscribe!

IndieReader is the ultimate resource for indie authors! We have years of great content and how-tos, services geared for self-published authors that help you promote your work, and much more. Subscribe today, and you’ll always be ahead of the curve.

FANNING FIREFLIES

By LS Delorme

IR_Star-black
IR Rating:
4.8
With FANNING FIREFLIES, L.S. Delorme masterfully combines forbidden love with supernatural abilities and the insidious undercurrents of racism, resulting in an emotionally charged, thought-provoking read that will linger long after the final page.
IR Approved
A genre-bending, thought-provoking novel that weaves together elements of romance, mystery, historical fiction, and the paranormal.

L.S. Delorme’s FANNING FIREFLIES is a rare example of a book that refuses to adhere to expectations or genre conventions, and it’s all the more satisfying for it. Set in 1940s Harrisville, North Carolina, the novel follows Veronica Crane, a hardworking woman with the ability to communicate with ghosts. While processing army recruits at the local gym, Veronica meets a black soldier named Lazlo. The attraction is intense and immediate, but, as their forbidden love blossoms, Veronica begins to see her small town in a whole new light. From hidden corpses to rampant racism, the secrets lurking beneath the surface are starting to tear her hometown apart. Threats are mounting on all fronts, but Veronica isn’t in the fight alone, thanks to a paranormal ability inherited from her mother.

FANNING FIREFLIES is a shining example of truly genre-bending fiction. The story is equal parts romance and mystery, with a fair number of unexpected (but well-earned) plot twists for good measure. The paranormal component of this story is another highlight, as Delorme slowly weaves Veronica’s ability into the story, carefully avoiding the deus ex machina that such a move often invites. In fact, if forced to assign it to a single genre, FANNING FIREFLIES is perhaps best described as historical fiction. Delorme’s attention to detail regarding the period-specific elements of the plot and setting pays massive dividends and adds a whole new dimension to the romantic subplot.

However, the star of this show is Veronica, who is anything but a damsel in distress. She begins the novel as a compelling mix of fiercely independent and surprisingly sheltered, an impressively wise choice that makes her the perfect proxy for readers unfamiliar with the segregated South. For instance, Veronica’s brief interactions with Lazlo early in the novel challenge her understanding of race and identity in her small town, exposing her to the complexities and prejudices that had always been there: “He wasn’t even allowed to look at her. That was the unspoken but enforced rule. So many of the layers of separation, so many of the rules put in place, were to keep black men from having any contact at all with white women…never more than shadows in her life, passing around her but never affecting her.”

From the simmer-to-a-boil pacing established in the opening chapters to the stunning climax and the bitter-sweet epilogue that follows, FANNING FIREFLIES is an impressively cohesive story—all the more impressive considering that this is technically the third entry in the ongoing Limerent series. Delorme’s ability to craft a novel that so firmly stands alone within the boundaries of a pre-existing universe is a testament to her skill as an author. For that reason, readers need not be deterred by the novel’s “book 3” billing. It should also be noted that the novel’s portrayal of racism and violence is raw and honest, and may make for an occasionally challenging read. That said, Delorme’s commitment to authenticity is commendable and serves to underscore the gravity of the issues faced by the characters and the historical context in which the story unfolds. The unflinching depiction of these harsh realities ultimately gives some depth and emotional weight to the narrative.

With FANNING FIREFLIES, L.S. Delorme masterfully combines forbidden love with supernatural abilities and the insidious undercurrents of racism, resulting in an emotionally charged, thought-provoking read that will linger long after the final page.

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader

This post may contain affiliate links. This means that IndieReader may make a commission if you use these links to make a purchase. As an Amazon Affiliate, IndieReader may make commission on qualifying purchase.