{The Land of Look Behind} Book Review
There is such excitement in the air when an author make their debut, especially when their book is diverse, adventurous, and intriguing.
Aaron Blaylock launched his new book, The Land of Look Behind yesterday. I’m happy to be a stop on the blog tour to spread the word about his novel set in historic and modern Jamaica.
Ah, Jamaica, that little island we often think about in vacation daydreams. If you know anything about the origins of the island, you know there is a stunning variety of peoples who make up the modern day Jamaican population. In The Land of Look Behind, we encounter the Spanish, escaped African slaves turned warriors, English soldiers and more.
In a cool note of serendipity, I met Aaron through Mr. Houston. Both of them served missions to Jamaica in the late 90s and grew to love the amazing people who lived there. From being persecuted for being white, to fond memories of delicacies eaten (goat anyone?), to learning the language of Patois (pronounced Pat-wah) – which from personal experience sounds like words with the ends nipped off or a handful of them smashed together into a new word, all spoken at a rapid pace – Mr. Houston absolutely loved his time in Jamaica.
The Land of Look Behind gives you a tasty sampling of that rich history through the eyes of Lieutenant Benjamin Jarvis. Inexplicably surviving numerous harrowing experiences, he leaves behind a record of his adventures for the modern day eyes of Gideon Goodwin. Here’s the blurb:
When Gideon, a former missionary, discovers a mysterious drawing tucked in an ancient journal he returns to Jamaica with dreams of finding a centuries old treasure. He quickly learns there are those who would kill to keep the treasure secret. This thrilling adventure takes you deep into Jamaica’s treacherous cockpit country and back in time for a spine-tingling mystery you won’t be able to put down.
I really enjoyed the chapter by chapter switch between contemporary adventures and the deep history of an island so rich in heritage. Aaron gives his debut novel all the passion that comes from living among a people you grow to love.
Go visit Aaron’s website for more info about this hilarious guy. He really is one of the funniest people I know. Also, check out Goodreads for a chance to win a copy of The Land of Look Behind.
P.S. If you’re in need of a bit of romance this week, A Heart So Broken will be FREE 2/11-13/16!
A Heart So Broken by Christene Houston
