Deceptive Calm

By: Patricia Skipper

Narrated by: Tanya Reuter

Against the turbulent backdrop of declared martial law in South Carolina, a stunning light-skinned beauty, Vanessa, lives in a Catholic orphanage for Blacks. After a series of racial traumas, Vanessa obtains the birth certificate of a deceased white baby and uses this document to assume the child's identity. She moves to California and enrolls at UC Berkeley under her newly acquired name.

Vanessa marries into one of California's wealthiest families. Her charmed life abruptly ends eighteen months after the birth of her first child who is diagnosed with sickle cell trait. Discovering that the woman he married is Black, as is his toddler son, Vanessa's ruthless husband plots his revenge but they both survive. The police investigation that follows seems pretty clear-cut until a curious, young detective uncovers some clues to her private life where nothing is as it appears. The aftermath of the discovery brings down a pillar of San Francisco society.

©2023 Patricia Skipper (P)2024 Patricia Skipper

A southern childhood sweetheart

I really loved this book. The main character was a favorite. Her story was full of love, sadness and adventure. A must read for women

Decent Read

Deceptive Calm started out a bit slow for my taste. it was a fairly decent read, however I could have done without all of the unnecessary cursing and soft porn. I believe the overly descriptive nature of the sex scenes was more graffic than it needed to be. Most of all I was very disappointed with the end of the story. The fact that the end seems to suggest Barry was going to be with Vanessa in any capacity was stupid and unrealistic. Definitely not what I would consider a proper ending.

This book had so much potential

The book seemed good when I read the synopsis, but it did lack depth and the real plot of the story does not occur until the last couple of chapters of the book. Trigger warning this book also displays sexual violence and racial slurs. To be honest the plot was truly all over the place. There are lots of random historical facts thrown into the story and some have no relevance to the story at all.. I want to like this book so much but it’s a no for me

more than entertainment

Patricia Skipper masterfully weaves a gripping tale set against the tumultuous North Charleston, exploring racial tensions, identity, and unwavering friendships. From a harrowing Klan attack to a poignant journey of self-discovery, characters like the wise Sister Rosalie, fierce Trisha, and resilient Vanessa face unimaginable challenges and betrayals. It's an unflinching, emotionally charged narrative that resonates long after you've turned the final page, highlighting both the cruel realities of the past and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

I love the book, hate the narrator

Deceptive Calm by Skipper Penny is a very unique drama filled novel. The way the author takes you through the lives of the characters, gives you a very indepth view of who they are and how they function. The first few chapters allow you to connect with them and the trials they go through in their personal lives and give a proper precurser to their personalities.

The author takes you through a time in American history where you can imagine the fear and hope that black people had during Civil rights. There are many racial slurs used to depict this. It also helps you empathize with the struggle of what it was to want to be who you are, but not be able to due to the prejudices of that time.

The author gave the main characters a sisterly feel but made sure they had extremely separate identiites. I felt the author provided two points of view to allow the reader to choose whom you could relate to more. The book also allowed you to envision the pros and cons of each character as well. Not making either character more likeable than the other by having them both go through conflicting and controversial storms in their lives.

The book says it's romance. I don't see romance. I see more of trauma. I think this book should have a trigger warning for Spousal SA and coercion. However, this trigger warning did not affect my opinion of the book. It actually did the opposite and engulfed me to feel something different and want to read more to get to the end.

I give this book a 3.5. I purchased the book on amazon audible and did not enjoy the narrator. But the book is so well written that I continued to listen. There was no inflection or feeling in the narrators voice so it took away from the suspence and emotion readers should be feeling. I also felt that while the ending was beautiful it was too abrupt and anticlimactic. I would have continued to listen to more had there been more.