Free Falling
Reviewer: Jessica Jones
Publisher: Publish America
Author: Sherri Neilson
ISBN: 1-5929-841-5

Free Falling by Sherri Neilson is the story of one soul sharing two lives, over one hundred years apart. It is a story of a deep, cosmic love told through the ages and of a woman's struggle for social and marital freedom.

When recurrent nightmares of falling drive Denise to undergo hypnosis, she discovers she lived a previous life as Olivia Walters, the wife of a powerful plantation owner in South Carolina, just prior to the Civil War. Sickened by her husband Byron's cruelty toward her and the slaves, Olivia finds solice in a budding friendship with her coach driver, Wilson. When friendship turns into love, however, Olivia and Wilson are faced with longing to be free, and Olivia is forced to choose her path in a society where the lines of color are deeply etched. Through the hypnosis, it becomes difficult for Denise to know where her life ends and Olivia's begins, and she knows that if she's not careful, history will repeat itself.

Sherri Neilson breathes life into pre-Civil War South Carolina in Free Falling, a task which is never easy for an author. The story opens with the heroine, Denise, caught up in the whirlwind of an abusive relationship and seeking answers to her recurrent nightmares. Past life regression is well-researched in Free Falling, and can convince any reader of its genuine reality.

During Denise's hypnosis, an affair with her enslaved coachman is unveiled, revealing a not-so-Gone with the Wind view on the Antibellum South. Olivia's naiivity of her husband Byron's "rights" to a house slave is not entirely accurate, but needed for this story. Violent scenes of Byron whipping his slaves provoke Olivia to aid them behind his back and even interfere with punishments. As the love affair developes, Wilson convinces Olivia that they must run North along the Underground Railroad so they might live together in freedom.

Although Free Falling by Sherri Neilson is a classic tale of forbidden love and racial equality, it is difficult to ignore areas of weak research. The language is decisively twentieth century when nineteenth century language is very painfully required. Several slaves speak with the same proper voice as Byron and Olivia, and the etiquette between slave and master is occassionally far from reality. Olivia appears strongly anti-slavery, yet she is exhilerated when South Carolina seceedes from the Union. She is not shocked in the slightest when Wilson initiates conversation in their first moments alone together. Southern women, anti-slavery or not, would always feel some sort of shock if a slave had the audacity to speak freely to a white woman.

The deep-rooted love between Olivia and Wilson in Free Falling by Sherri Neilson is indeed beautiful and should serve to teach this world about unconditional acceptance. In an era of violent upheaval in American society, this hero and heroine find beauty and peace within each other; thus making it an enjoyable read. Those devoted to accuracy should be warned of the North and South atmosphere which makes reenactors and historians squirm; however, Free Falling by Sherri Neilson is recommended to those looking to read about unconventional romance.

Publisher site: www.publishamerica.com Use affiliate Amazon link to purchase, Free Falling.

About Reviewer: Jessica Jones is a reviewer for Writing for Independents e-zine, formerly, Women on Writing. History is her favorite to read; especially the Civil War era. She holds a passion for reading, art, and writing.