Tom Mach

Tom Mach's novel Sissy! is more than a Civil War novel. It's a story of how people looked inside themselves to get the courage and inspiration they needed to fight the evil surrounding them. I was touched by the relationships and connections between everyone in this book. The character development was so wonderful it made me think of a literary novel but with the Civil War battles and soldiers it works in mainstream historical fiction too.

The historical description was woven in well show more transporting me back to Bleeding Kansas and the Civil War. I cheered for the former slave who fought so courageously for their freedom. Each character had a distinctive voice and I loved how each chapter was written from one of their perspectives. This is very hard to do well. I've also read Book 2 of the Jessica Radford Trilogy and have been patiently waiting for the last book. I'm beginning to worry they are not going to publish it. The story needs to be told though. show less

I had the pleasure of reading the first book

First, I would like to applaud the author for a book that holds a wonderful storyline yet is packed full of fascinating facts of the time era. Set in Kansas during the start of the Civil War, we are whisked into the reality of the happenings of that time.

Taken into the life of a young woman named Jessica, her family and her adopted sister Nelle, who was the lost child of a slave woman, we are thrown into the murder of her parents and the abduction of Nelle by a man consumed with hatred. The show more war, beginning to touch the free state of Kansas will change all their lives forever.

We are immediately drawn into the hatred that is harbored in so many hearts for the black race at this time and we are drawn into the battle of not just slavery but deep seated emotions that are cresting in our beloved land.

I loved the spiritual aspect that the author gently weaves in this work. The appearance of the Angel named Sissy that was the source of help and comfort for our black girl Nelle was truly heart touching. I think this novel touches on the aspect that even at that time in our nations history we clung to the words of the Bible. They may not have been interpreted correctly in some instances, but still they were revered as an important factor in decisions made and opinions within people.

To be honest with you I am not a big fan on Civil War novels, but the characters were so vivid that I felt as if I were a part of their life. The storyline was superb and the historical value of this book was exceptional..

Sissy, a well crafted book that has depth and meaning and would be enjoyed by all ages. Recommended! show less

After personally meeting the author Tom Mach, I received and acted upon his recommendation to read this book. He heard me say that I had previously taught literature to high school students, especially A TALE OF TWO CITIES by Charles Dickens. Profoundly, Tom exceeded my expectations within the first twenty pages of my beginning the book. After those pages, I put aside all of my hobbies to learn, believe, and be "in the now" with the main female character. I was so drawn into the breadth of show more the fate and evil that was a secret known to the main character. I was fulfilled at the reading of bittersweet, short, emotional-filled, and peaceful ending. I loved the manner of presentation of "dialogues and events" of the female main character that developed during a few weeks of one car journey from the east coast to Kansas. My brain functioned on so many levels, enjoying the "TIME" element that placed this car journey as THE METHOD in which the author kept multiple aspects in a complete whole, all fitting together, yet with suspense as to how and where I would be led at the reading of each chapter. I could not jump to parts of the ending to know how it would end as details that I might miss were just a page away; I needed to read all of them. In hindsight, I would have missed on so much of the story line. With family, nature, women's contributions, and music so important to me, I am capable of telling a nice story here and there to someone about them. This book contained those elements. However, this phenomenal book reaches greater depths and heights now memorable to me.... show less