Johnnie finds her sanctuary high above the rocky cliffs in the tower suite, where a wrought iron balcony provides an exquisite view of the sea. But the tower is rumored to be haunted, and Johnnie is quickly introduced to the eerie voices filtering through the castle's labyrinth of darkened tunnels. When pirates begin prowling the placid waters of the Caribbean, Johnnie wonders if the castle's history has forever tainted the surrounding beauty.
The truth behind the man and the castle is shrouded in ancient secrets and timeless greed but in discovering it, will Johnnie lose what she holds most dear?
This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s older and probably not published anymore so this book is often overlooked. It’s very unique in its presentation and execution. Jonnie, the heroine of the book, is a warm, lovable character with understandable flaws that often lead her into embarrassing situations. Esteban, her love interest, is an enigma that she is constantly trying to unravel, not realizing that he views her in the same way. Their growing love for each other is sweet, lovely, and—at times—even a little heart-wrenching. I love how The Balcony incorporates poetry and scripture. This novel is also well researched with beautiful little details that just enhance the overall story. There is always something happening, some mystery going on, or some mishap that needs to be righted.
To my knowledge, this is Lynn Morris’s only solo book apart from her father. I absolutely adore her writing and would love it if she wrote another book by herself. Jonnie and Esteban are some of my very favorite literary characters. Every character in this book is well developed and memorable. This is a story that sticks in your mind long after you've turned the last page.
There’s a type of perfection to this book that I have rarely found in other books. Disregarding the poetry incorporated, it’s quite lovely. However, because of the poetry, The Balcony sticks out even more from ordinary books. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for something fresh and extraordinary.
I give The Balcony 5 out of 5 stars.