The QUEEN of historical romantic gothic suspense!! Finally available as an ebook!!! I have been an avid reader of Phyllis Whitney since I was first able to read grown up books. Bluefire, first released in 1961, is set in the diamond fields of South Africa during apartheid. Perfect for young adults and adults, her works are clean, intriguing and pull you to the end. She used her lifetime of traveling the world as a great resource for her books. I constantly recommend her books to our patrons at the library and they never fail to want to read more of her work. Her books will always have a permanent home on our shelves. And i am excited to finally be able to share them with patrons who use electronic readers. Each book can be read as a stand-alone book and are timeless, which is perfect!! Thank you to the publisher and author for a free copy of the e-book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Review posted on Amazon

Who is the good guy? What really happened all those years ago when Susan was a child? Where is the diamond that went missing? Susan travels back to South Africa with her new husband and will be reunited with the father she doesn't want to be reunited with and answers will be revealed.

Written during South Africa apartheid period, the details are accurate. I find the idea dreadful. Susan Hohenfield returns to Cape Town as the bride a childhood friend and her Father's ward. Her Mother left the family home taking right year old Susan so with her. Susan has forgotten the events before they left. She does have a faint memory of angry voices. Susan learned that her Father went to prison for diamond smuggling and that special diamond, Bluefire in her Father's procession disappeared at the same time. I
Susan soon finds evidence that diamond smuggling is still occurring and it points to her Father. Her husband distanced himself from her and she becomes dependent on the man who sent her Father to prison. Susan must find the answer before civil disobedience begins. I recommend this book.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Open Roads Integrated Media through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

4 stars

As Susan returns to her former home with her new husband to restart her life and new adult identity, her South African rediscovery opens her eyes to more than just the incredible landscape around her and the growing realization that her memories may be more than just a little faulty. She immerses herself in the culture, surrounding the reader with evocative descriptions that capture the senses even while the racial overtones surfacing through the veil of apartheid raise awkward questions.

It did scratch my Mary Stewart itch too, though the action wasn't as fast-paced, as a growing sense of looming fate starts to take over, and as Susan tries to piece her memories together to solve the mystery. <spoiler>Some of that may be from the juxtaposition of apparent hero and villain, as their actions reveal their true nature.</spoiler> I can see myself reading more of these!

Longtime fan ofWhitney and love each romantic story!