Title:	Glimpse of Sunlight -
	Author:	Leona DeRosa Bodie; G.E. Gardiner
	Published:	2014, WRB Books
	No. of Pages:	500
	Cover Price:	$19.95 Paperback; $4.99 Kindle

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Former Professor of Nautical Archeology, Kyle Seydou, who heads a salvage and exploratory team (treasure hunters), has traveled just off the coast of Jamaica, and has discovered what he believes is a ship full of silver. If it turns out to be the ship he thinks it is, it will be the oldest shipwreck ever to be found in the Caribbean. He and his team meet to talk strategy, and to talk about how several of their families are linked to the story of the shipwreck.

Glimpse of Sunlight starts with the modern day search for the ship, but it tells mostly of characters who were connected with Port Royal, Jamaica starting in 1650. One of Kyle's ancestors, Oumar Seydou, was kidnapped, along with others, from West Africa's Asante Rainforest and taken to Port Royal to be slaves to the rich plantation owners. Oumar goes on to start a movement to free the slaves from the plantation owners. Jonathan Dickinson is a merchant who owns slaves, but, unlike many of his fellow plantation owners, is kind and treats his slaves with respect. His story is primary, and he is a likeable character. This is the first of the series about him, and a good introduction. Readers will want to read more.

As the story goes on, there are interesting characters who interact well; it wouldn't have been easy to live during those times, but Jonathan becomes a wealthy merchant, falls in love, and is looked at as a leader in the community. Port Royal is, at this time, "The Wickedest City in the World," and Jonathan's childhood friends play a part in the story, especially the beautiful Blair Brannigan (who was kidnapped from Ireland with other children and sold as slaves), who entertains and robs drunken pirates. There is also plenty of drinking, gambling and murder on the island. The story flows well and there is suspense throughout.

The historical facts are very interesting, and it appears that the authors have done some homework, because the scenarios ring true. Some of the dialogue, however, especially when the characters use the word "thee," sounds awkward – it is unknown if that's how they really spoke in those days – and it is used inconsistently throughout, i.e., on page 188 where Jonathan's father says, "Jonathan, thee knows this not to be true."


Historical thriller fans will be fascinated withGlimpse of Sunlight; it is different from the bestselling mindless violent thrillers that are so prevalent today, and as a bonus, includes excellent illustrations.

Special thanks to the authors for supplying a copy of this book for a fair and honest review.

This book may be purchased at Amazon: Glimpse of Sunlight (Jonathan Dickinson Odyssey Book 1), Paperback
Glimpse of Sunlight (Jonathan Dickinson Odyssey Book 1) Kindle Edition