Viola Underwood, while on hiatus from the university, has been working on a nonfiction book of the history of Karnak. She has so many ideas, she’d been to Egypt on many research trips herself as a teacher and a researcher. During her summer away from the university she receives a call from a lawyer. Bad news, her mentor and close friend, Clyde Linworth, has died. At least he went peacefully in his sleep. Clyde left Viola a very special inheritance, with stipulations that if she didn’t want to keep it, it would move on to another. The item, a statue of Isis, one of Clyde’s prize possessions could not be sold, or donated to a museum. Of course Viola will accept it – but when it arrives opportunities arise that will change her life.

Isabella Jordan has written a wonderful gift in Viola’s Inheritance. I would love to receive an inheritance like this. Viola is focused on her book, and the university life she has built. She admits to herself “what personal life” other than forced to view pictures of her ex-husband’s children by a well meaning family member she strives to get on with her life. This gift will change her life in ways she could never expect. As Viola learns to be ‘happy’ her life changes to a glass is half full aspect. This allows many changes and Viola must decide what is important. What other people think? Or what she knows. I’ve been a reader of Ms. Jordan’s for awhile now and she hasn’t let me down.

Reviewed by: Dana P.