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A Light on the Veranda

by Ciji Ware (Goodreads Author)

3.55 of 5 stars 3.55 · rating details · 136 ratings · 25 reviews

Hailed as a "true master" by Romantic Times, Ciji Ware captivates readers with her unique style of storytelling--combining contemporary romance with historical fiction to create tales of timeless passion.

A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA

When Daphne Duvallon left New Orleans in the middle of her own wedding and ran away to New York, she vowed never to return to the land of her ancesto...more

Mass Market Paperback, 512 pages

Published May 1st 2001 by Ivy Books

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Feb 06, 2012 Alycia added it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, author-ciji-ware, red-cover, arc-for-review, contemporary-fiction

This book takes place right after "Midnight on Julia Street" and can be thought of as a sequel. However it can serve as a stand alone as well. Daphne Duvallon has escaped a terrible marriage in the nick of time, right before she walks down the aisle and makes a huge mistake. This important wedding scene is found in "Midnight on Julia Street." It is not necessary to read this book, but if one wants a better picture of what happened to Daphne to appreciate this book. Then I definitely recommend it...more

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Feb 28, 2012 Christy B (Readin' and Dreamin') rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: arcs-and-galleys, fiction, historical-romance, historical-fiction, time-slip-and-travel

A Light on the Veranda is a sequel to Midnight on Julia Street.

I just didn't connect with this book: the characters, the setting, even the historical story. The character Daphne has these flashbacks of sorts to her ancestor and namesake who lived two hundred years before. I guess these flashbacks were triggered by music, but sometimes she had them when there wasn't any music around, so I don't know.

The historic flashbacks were so random and oddly spaced out, and there weren't many of them. I cou...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Nina rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

I feel that two stars is generous for this book. The author tried to cover too much and did not remain focused or true to any of her story lines, which were convoluted and did not flow smoothly. I believe that the author Ciji Ware should have decided what she wanted to write about. The environmental issues enclosed within the plot would have been good as a separate book or with the main story line, but not in addition to the DNA genetic ghost story. Barbara Michaels or Suzanna Kearsley does this...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Jo Butler rated it 3 of 5 stars

Daphne Duvallon must choose whether to play harp at her brother’s wedding in Natchez, Tennessee, or in her chamber ensemble’s Lincoln Center debut. She is fired when she opts to play in Natchez, but this frees Daphne to remain in her hometown. There she performs with an all-female jazz ensemble, and meets a rugged and charming nature photographer, Simon Hopkins.

Ciji Ware creates a seductive world in her romance novel, A Light on the Veranda, an atmosphere which brings Simon and Daphne together b...more

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Apr 24, 2012 My Book Addiction and More MBA rated it 4 of 5 stars

A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA by Ciji Ware is an interesting historical romance set in Natchez, Mississippi. A sequel to Midnight on Julia Street with reappearing characters.A hundred year old secret may hold the past and the future for Daphne Duvallon. She is called back home to Natchez,Mississippi and drawn into the past.As secrets are revealed with haunted dreams,sexual tension builds between Daphne and Simon,wrongs of the past needs to be righted,romance blossoms,and secrets are revealed. Will a fa...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Laura rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I enjoy Ciji Ware’s novels, and I really enjoyed reading Midnight on Julia Street last year. After the book ended, I did wonder what happened to Daphne Duvallon (sister of the male lead) after her dramatic exit from her wedding in Chapter One. A Light on the Veranda solves that mystery and gives Daphne’s backstory as well as her life after the wedding disaster.

Daphne Duvallon is a classical harpist in New York City, but she is fired for taking off the weekend of a very important concert to play...more I enjoy Ciji Ware’s novels, and I really enjoyed reading Midnight on Julia Street last year. After the book ended, I did wonder what happened to Daphne Duvallon (sister of the male lead) after her dramatic exit from her wedding in Chapter One. A Light on the Veranda solves that mystery and gives Daphne’s backstory as well as her life after the wedding disaster.

Daphne Duvallon is a classical harpist in New York City, but she is fired for taking off the weekend of a very important concert to play at the wedding of her brother King to Corlis McCullough in Natchez, Mississippi. While in Natchez, Daphne decides to stay for a while and try her dream at playing jazz harp in a band. It helps that she has met a handsome photographer, Sim Hopkins. Unfortunately her old finance, Jack Ebert is also on the scene to make sure that Daphne does not have her happily ever after.

While in Natchez, Daphne starts to “time slip” to the late eighteenth century to the life of her ancestress, a tragic harpist named Daphne Whitaker. With a mad mother and father, Daphne Whitaker looks for love in all of the wrong places and does what she can just to survive.

I really enjoyed A Light on the Veranda; I liked it even more than the Midnight on Julia Street. It was fun to read more about some of my favorite characters from Midnight on Julia Street, but A Light on the Veranda can stand alone without having read the prior book. I am a great fan of “time slip” novels and while Daphne Whitaker’s story was tragic, it was very, very interesting to read about the history of Natchez from the visit by Marie Antoinette’s cousin, Louise-Philippe, the duc d’Orleans, to the devastating tornado of 1840. The plantations and mansions of Natchez and the surrounding area are true stars of the novel. I really would love to visit there now!

Overall, A Light on the Veranda is a wonderful time-slip novel with riveting stories both in the present and the past and delightful characters. I enjoyed the love story between Daphne Duvallon and Sim.

This review was originally posted on my blog at: http://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2012/...(less)

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Mar 14, 2012 Linda Banche rated it 5 of 5 stars

Full of breathtaking romance, loaded with historical and contemporary detail, sometimes light-hearted and at other times heart-wrenching, Ciji Ware’s A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA is a winner.

New Orleans-born professional harpist Daphne’s life took a turn for the better when she walked out on her wedding to the rat of the century. But now she’s in Natchez to play her harp at her beloved brother’s wedding. There she meets Simon, a man vastly different from the rodents she usually encounters. The attract...more Full of breathtaking romance, loaded with historical and contemporary detail, sometimes light-hearted and at other times heart-wrenching, Ciji Ware’s A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA is a winner.

New Orleans-born professional harpist Daphne’s life took a turn for the better when she walked out on her wedding to the rat of the century. But now she’s in Natchez to play her harp at her beloved brother’s wedding. There she meets Simon, a man vastly different from the rodents she usually encounters. The attraction is immediate, mutual, and startling. For Daphne’s music conjures visions from the past involving another Simon and her ancestor, another harp-playing Daphne. The historical Daphne’s sad, tragic life can’t be changed. Does the modern Daphne have the courage to change hers? Especially since the rat, vicious as ever, is back and has her in his sights.

Ms. Ware interweaves the similar and yet different stories of two women across two centuries who share problems still all too common. Male betrayal, greed and cruelty can wreak havoc in a woman’s life, then and now. The historical Daphne, born into a frightful situation, had no control over her lot. The modern Daphne does, but only when she sheds her female indoctrination in submissiveness and fights back.

But even within the past and present world of male privilege, decent men exist. The historic Simon was one, and so is the contemporary Simon. Those of you who read my reviews know I like honorable heroes, and the modern Simon is one of the best. Utterly masculine, strong and yet vulnerable, protective but not patronizing, Simon is a spectacular hero. He’s also gorgeous, which doesn’t hurt. *g* Lucky Daphne.

Since most girls today are still trained to be subservient, the modern Daphne starts out as a bit of a doormat. But in the face of the rat’s spiteful cruelty and with some help from Simon, she blossoms into a strong, determined woman able and willing to chart her own course. Good for her.

With charm, poignant characterizations, heady romance and lots of scrumptious detail that bring past and present vividly to life, Ms. Ware’s A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA is a fantastic book.

Note, A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA is the sequel to Ms. Ware’s MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET. If you’re like me and hate coming in on the middle of a series, read Midnight on Julia Street first. A LIGHT ON THE VERANDA contains spoilers for MIDNIGHT ON JULIA STREET.

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Mar 17, 2012 Kathleen Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: finished

Light on the Veranda is another great novel by CiJi Ware. I just love Ms. Ware's novels. They are always full of romance without being overly mushy. This novel is a richly descriptive story of past and present of local families who have lots of skeletons in their magnolia scented closets and the past has a way of catching up with the future.

A wonderfully researched story of very real people with fragile emotions and a city rich with history, of a past when women were controlled by the men in th...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 21st-c, arc, contemporary-fiction, historical-fiction, united-states

I can’t say that I have read a novel set in the Deep South, but the “Land that Time Forgot” was a wonderful setting for A Light on the Veranda! Ciji Ware creates the entire experience for you from the food, to the gorgeous old mansions, to the music – and oh what wonderful music! I love music and the jazz that Ware features in this novel makes you just want to run out and attend a jazz concert – certainly one like the Aphrodites! She really makes you feel like you have been there yourself.

This w...more I can’t say that I have read a novel set in the Deep South, but the “Land that Time Forgot” was a wonderful setting for A Light on the Veranda! Ciji Ware creates the entire experience for you from the food, to the gorgeous old mansions, to the music – and oh what wonderful music! I love music and the jazz that Ware features in this novel makes you just want to run out and attend a jazz concert – certainly one like the Aphrodites! She really makes you feel like you have been there yourself.

This was also my first experience with a “time slip” novel. While most of the story takes place in a contemporary setting, fragments of the novel are set in the 1800’s. With these segments we learn about the life of some of the family members of Daphne, and Sim, Jack, and others from around the Natchez area. These time slips fit perfectly into the story and helped move the plot along and provide Daphne with some interesting references regarding experiences she was going through at the time. They never felt jarring or out of place – I just wanted more of them! Through these time slips we get a sense of 19th century plantation life.

For the most part I enjoyed the characters. Jack is quite is evil villain – I would really not want to get on his bad side, let me tell you! Sim is a sweet guy with a lot of baggage but someone you can really get behind and root for. Daphne got on my nerves from time to time with her constant flip flopping and relationship woes – but based on some of her experiences it does make sense.

I didn’t realize that this was a sequel of any kind to Midnight on Julia Street, having not yet read that novel. I do believe the blurb that says this works as a standalone because I did not feel the least confused about the plot points or backstory.

I also have to give kudos to Ware on her inclusion of safe sex. Reading primarily historical novels I don’t usually encounter this issue, however contemporary novels don’t typically address the issue either. It almost felt a little shocking to me to actually see the issue raised in the book, but then I felt “way to go!”.

This book was received for review from the publisher - I was not compensated for my opinions and the above is my honest review.(less)

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Feb 17, 2012 Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, historical, non-erotic, science-fiction-fantasy

Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

A Light on the Veranda is a multilayered story. It takes the reader back and forth from the present to the nineteenth century when another Daphne lived—a Daphne who yearned for love. Interesting parallels emerge between the two Daphnes.

There's more to Bluff House than Daphne ever imagined when she left New York to move to the deep South. Family roots run deep in Natchez, Mississippi and Daphne’s family is no exception. The old harp at...more Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...

A Light on the Veranda is a multilayered story. It takes the reader back and forth from the present to the nineteenth century when another Daphne lived—a Daphne who yearned for love. Interesting parallels emerge between the two Daphnes.

There's more to Bluff House than Daphne ever imagined when she left New York to move to the deep South. Family roots run deep in Natchez, Mississippi and Daphne’s family is no exception. The old harp at Bluff House plays in the wee hours of the morning and Daphne has visions about ancestors, long-dead.

As Daphne tries to rebuild her life she meets wildlife photographer, Sim Hopkins. Sim stirs her blood, but Daphne has experienced disastrous relationships firsthand. Trusting a man does not come easy. Even so, Daphne and Sim have a sizzling chemistry she can't quite dismiss.

Sim has no idea his family has roots in Natchez—he's there to photograph birds painted by Audubon long ago. Though drawn to Daphne, he has unresolved issues he hasn't been able to come to terms with for ten years. Invisible ties seem to pull them together. It's almost as if ghosts from the past urge both Sim and Daphne to move past all their hang-ups and reach for a happy-ever-after denied so long ago.

Ciji Ware’s ability to weave a tapestry showcasing past and present lives and emotions is amazing. An ever-present thread in the tapestry is the extent of influence the Whitaker “blue devil” genes can have on generations. Ms. Ware stirs in emotional struggles, environmental upheavals, and economic woes. This passionate tale wouldn't be complete without manipulations of malicious ‘meanies’ such as present-day Daphne’s “Magnolia Mama”, the vindictive Jack Ebert and nineteenth century Daphne’s family and husbands. The book isn't all darkness and gloom. There are several bright spots actually. The secondary characters are a kaleidoscope of colors that blend and add texture and continuity to the tapestry that tells a fantastic tale about mingled lives of many families—past and present.

The magic of rich, emotionally charged music that Ciji Ware writes about pulls the reader into an-otherworldly-place that transcends time. She engages all the senses with descriptions that make the story come alive as she takes the heroine and hero on a journey. They find redemption, but also bring peace to long-dead ancestors. One can almost hear a sigh of relief echo across time as ghosts of ancestors whisper well done and finally rest in peace.

A Light on the Veranda, with its well-researched history, ‘so-real’ characters, subtle humor, and meant-to-be love story is a book to be enjoyed more than once.(less)

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Mar 31, 2012 Arlena rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebooks, historical, romance, 5-stars

Author: CIJI Ware
Published by: Sourcebooks Landmark
Age Recommend: 16
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Raven Rating: 5
Blog Review For: GMTA
Review:

"A Light on the Veranda" by CIJI Ware was good read. The story took place in Natchez, Mississippi. It was very long, detailed and I thought the story was very well presented. The characters focusing on the past and the present really were simply amazing in the way it was presented. The authors' details were simply off the chart making this story a very fascinatin...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Debbie rated it 3 of 5 stars

A Light on the Veranda combined an interesting mix of paranormal and present day drama. Both Daphne and Sim were well-rounded, likable characters, and even though Daphne’s reactions sometimes made my toes curl, they were understandable. Adding the paranormal aspect didn’t really add to the story and probably could have been an interesting novel on its own.
The setting was well described and you could easily picture yourself there. What I found took away from the overall novel was how it seemed t...more

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May 09, 2013 Kathleen Crowell rated it 2 of 5 stars

Too many things going on in this story. Hated the over-the-top southern talk (just my opinion). Daphne could've been a great character--tied in with her tragic ancestors, but we had to deal with saving the birds and relatives that didn't matter...started skimming just to find out what happened to the "first" Daphne...the extremes of tragedy and then happily-ever-afters was too much for me.

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Feb 06, 2013 Sarah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: nae_reviewed

A Light on the Veranda by Ciji Ware was not one of her better novels, of which I've read many. I was disappointed at the story line which seemed too predictable. The harp playing music by itself was quite weak as a way to bring up past histories of old Natchez homes. Ciji Ware is still a favorite author and I look forward to reading more of her novels in the future.

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May 07, 2013 Gin Tadvick rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have to admit that I love Ciji Ware's books and I love Natchez, but I had a hard time getting into this book at first. Slowly... slowly it started sucking me in until I began to be at the point where I could not put it down. I didn't want it to end and I felt a little slighted at the end - it was too fast, tied up too quickly. Oh well. At least it is on my Kindle so I can read it again easily.

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May 07, 2013 Lrherb rated it 1 of 5 stars

FULL of cliches and Southern stereotypes. This author is obviously not from the south. There was something that made me roll my eyes on every page

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May 11, 2013 Debbie Platt rated it 3 of 5 stars

Good premise just too predictable. Thought it might be a little more "history" but was really mostly a predictable romance story

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Dec 22, 2012 Gaile rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 18th-century, emery-s-2012-challenge-gaile-kenne, time-travel, rhfl-2012-challenge

This one was a much better book Than Midnight On Julia Street but still to understand the plot and be fully comfortable with it, I recommend reading that title first.
Daphne Duvallon left her finance at the altar. When called to Natchez, Mississippi, her boss in New York City fires her. Now without a job Daphne goes to Natchez and soon finds opportunities to work as well as the love of her life but she also finds herself slipping into the time of her suffering ancestor and namesake.
This book kept...more

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Mar 16, 2013 Leslie Hutchings rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really enjoyed the sequel to midnight on Julia Street

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Aug 15, 2012 Michelle rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: net-galley, read-2012

When will I learn to to always check the copyright page of a book to see if it is new, re-release of an old book? Lesson learned (again).

I recall liking Ciji Ware's books when I read them many years ago and really enjoyed her book, "A Race to Splendor". Throughout this book I kept thinking, hmmm, this seems a bit familiar; but, I read so many books I'm bound to find some similar to others. I also kept thinking that I was remembering characters in the book for which this is the sequel, "Midnight...more

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Apr 17, 2012 Erika rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I really liked this book but not quite as much as I liked Midnight on Julia Street. An interesting historical romance sort of book, with the glimpses back in time, similar to the New Orleans book, so I kind of knew what to expect. I loved the descriptions of the old mansions and the area, and I thought the characters were very well developed. Being a musician, I could appreciate that aspect as well. I have yet to read a Ciji Ware book that I didn't enjoy!

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May 17, 2013 Indu rated it 3 of 5 stars

I wanted to really like this book, but somehow never cinne Ted with the lead character, Daphne. Pleasant enough, but no wow factor.

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Aug 12, 2012 Nanci de Suffren rated it 4 of 5 stars

As always I enjoyed this book by Ciji Ware. She weaves a story between historical fiction and present fiction so artfully. The characters are vivid in both worlds. This was a very satisfying read and I look forward to more from her.

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Aug 01, 2012 Kristy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-end-of-the-world-challenge

Not bad. I really dig any sort of historical fiction and I will say that I want to plan a vacation to Natchez based on the descriptions in this book. I will say that after having read Cottage By The Sea, I see a lot of similarities. Are all her books like this?

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Jun 07, 2012 Christine rated it 3 of 5 stars

There are alot of interesting ideas in this book but the storyline often faltered.

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May 19, 2013 Whitney rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 19, 2013 Jackie marked it as to-read

May 18, 2013 Nancy marked it as to-read

May 17, 2013 Karen marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Anne marked it as to-read

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About Ciji Ware

Ciji Ware, a graduate of Harvard University in History, is a New York Times & USA Today bestelling author of historical and contemporary fiction, and two works of nonfiction. A former radio and TV broadcaster for 23 years in Los Angeles, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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