Passing Through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby

It's 1946. The war is over. Millions of American soldiers are coming home and Benjamin Church is one of them. After four years of being away he thought things in Alabama would have changed, but they haven't. Grinder's Corner is as it's always been--a hardscrabble burp in the road. It's not much, but it's home.

When Benjamin attends a harvest festival in Twin Pines, he catches sight of Delia. Before their first dance ends, he knows for certain she's the one. They fall madly in love: happily, impatiently, imprudently, in love. It doesn't matter that her daddy is staunchly opposed to the thought of his daughter marrying a cotton farmer, never mind a poor one.

It's true Benjamin has little to offer; he's a sharecropper who will spend his whole life sweating and slaving to do little more than put food on the table. But that's how things are in Alabama. Benjamin is better off than most; he has a wife, a boy he adores, and a house that doesn't leak rain. Yes, Benjamin considers himself a lucky man until the fateful night that changes everything.


About The Author

USA Today Bestselling and Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby's books are "Well-crafted storytelling populated by memorable characters caught up in equally memorable circumstances." - Midwest Book Review

The Seattle Post Intelligencer says Crosby's writing is, "A quirky mix of Southern flair, serious thoughts about important things in life and madcap adventures."

Samantha from Reader's Favorite raves, "Crosby writes the type of book you can’t stop thinking about long after you put it down."

"Storytelling is in my blood," Crosby laughingly admits, "My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write."

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President's Book Award Gold Medal, Reader's Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer's Choice Award.

Crosby's published works to date are: Blueberry Hill (2014), Previously Loved Treasures (2014), Jubilee's Journey (2013), What Matters Most (2013), The Twelfth Child (2012), Life in the Land of IS (2012), Cracks in the Sidewalk (2011), Spare Change (2011). A Cupid inspired romance, Wishing for Wonderful, is scheduled for release in November 2014 and Book Three of The Wyattsville Series, Passing through Perfect, will be be available in January 2015. 

My Review

Passing Through Perfect is such a great read, have the tissues handy, there will be tears. This story takes place in the deep south, Alabama, beginning at the close of WWII, and at first I didn’t realize that the main character was black, and as the story progresses, we walk in his shoes, and meet prejudice head on.
Our journey is walking mainly in Benjamin’s shoes, yes we hear from Delia, his love and wife, and a few others along the way. We go with Benjamin as he struggles and then has a large success on his farm, but farming is not always kind. We are with him as he goes from one job to the next and on wards to support his family. The man is a moving machine, and is work ethic is to be admired.
We also meet people from previous books, I have not read the other two in this series, but believe me if they are anything like this one, they are on my list. There are some very ironic and parallel forms of prejudice show here, on being what Hitler did first to the Jewish people.
Once you pick this one up and turn the first page you won’t be able to put it down, these people are so real, and the story seems so genuine. My heart broke at some of the happenings, and there is no justice shown, at least not in this world. There are some wonderful laugh out loud chuckles that will linger with me, and I told those who weren’t reading the book. They struck me a funny!
If you want a real human story, this one is for you, and I want more. I want to be Ben’s world!

I received this book I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog Tours, and was not required to give a positive review.