The Keeper

About the Book:

Julia Lapp has planned on marrying Paul Fisher since she was a girl. Now twenty-one, she looks forward to their wedding with giddy anticipation. When Paul tells her he wants to postpone the wedding--again--she knows who is to blame. Perpetual bachelor and spreader of cold feet, Roman Troyer, theBee Man.

 

Roamin' Roman travels through the Amish communities of Ohio and Pennsylvania with his hives full of bees, renting them out to farmers in need of pollinators. He relishes his nomadic life, which keeps him from thinking about all he has lost. He especially enjoys bringing his bees to Stoney Ridge each year. But with Julia on a mission to punish him for inspiring Paul's cold feet, the Lapp farm is looking decidedly less pleasant.

Can Julia secure the future she's always dreamed of? Or does God have something else in mind?

 

My Thoughts:

Suzanne Woods Fisher writes far more than Amish fiction in The Keeper. Within the context of an Amish community, Fisher presents a love story full of doubt, confusion and the chance of discovery.  Fisher creates a story true to life, where the characters are not certain which path to take, which choice is right or what life holds for them in the future.  Quite often they find themselves unsure, when things don't fall in the confines of black and white, the gray areas dominate and the characters are left to decipher their path given the events and circumstances of their lives.

 

One of the things I enjoy most about Suzanne Fisher's writing is her ability to keep Amish and English equal.  More often than not, Amish fiction depicts Amish as good and English as the evil, when in reality we are all equal and no one is perfect.  I appreciate that even though the beliefs are different Fisher brings out the best in her Amish and English characters, giving them human qualities of friendship, acceptance and understanding.  I enjoy the drama brought by the struggle between ones self and their beliefs without the put down of one side over another.

 

Inside this story is a tender, clean romance full of family, friends and relate able characters.  The novel which is the first in its series leaves you anticipating the release of book two.  The book is well written, integrating faith, personal conflict and uncertainty together with hope and faith in each character, giving the reader an intimate look at each character, their personality and their thoughts.  The story is engaging, humorous and heartwarming.  I enjoyed her fast paced, witty writing style.  Before I knew it, I'd finished the book.  it's a great contemporary Amish romance for those who prefer clean, dramatic love stories or for those who want a break from their normal reading.  It's a mini vacation for your taking, as you find yourself transplanted from the living room to an Amish farm.

 

Highly Recommended

 

About the Author:

 

Her interest in the Amish began with her grandfather, W.D. Benedict, who was raised Plain. She has many, many Plain relatives living in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and travels back to Pennsylvania, as well as to Ohio, a couple of times each year for research.

Suzanne has a great admiration for the Plain people and believes they provide wonderful examples to the world.  In both her fiction and non-fiction books, she has an underlying theme: You don't have to "go Amish" to incorporate many of their principles--simplicity, living with less, appreciating nature, forgiving others more readily-- into your life.

When Suzanne isn't writing or bragging to her friends about her first new grandbaby (!), she is raising puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. To Suzanne's way of thinking, you just can't take life too seriously when a puppy is tearing through your house with someone's underwear in its mouth.

 

Suzanne can be found on-line at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com.

 

Buy the Book

 

About the Giveaway

It's a "honey of a giveaway"!

Enter to win an iPad2 from Suzanne and connect with her on January 17th at The Keeper Facebook Party!

During the giveaway one Grand Prize winner will receive a Prize Pack valued at $600:

• A brand new 16 KB iPad 2 with Wi-Fi
• A $25 gift certificate to iTunes
• A copy of The Keeper 

But wait there's more! Just click one of the icons below to enter, then on 1/17 join Suzanne for The Keeper Facebook Party! During the party Suzanne will announce the winner of the "Honey" of an iPad Giveaway and host a fun book chat and give away some fun "honey" inspired prizes - It'll be 'sweet"!

RSVP early and tell your friends!

Tell your friends on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Good luck and we hope to see you on the 17th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST, 8:00 EST)!

 

Rafflecopter is open to the public!

The Bungalow

Author: Sarah Jio

ISNB: 978-0-452-29767-8

Publisher: Plume

Rating: Highly Recommended

Synopsis:

A sweeping saga of thwarted love, murder, and a long-lost painting… In the summer of 1942, twenty-one-year-old Anne Calloway, newly engaged, sets off to serve in the Army Nurse Corps on the Pacific island of Bora-Bora. More exhilarated by the adventure of a lifetime than she ever was by her predictable fiance, she is drawn to a mysterious soldier named Westry, and their friendship soon blossoms into hues as deep as the hibiscus flowers native to the island. under the thatched roof of an abandoned beach bungalow, the two share a private world–until they witness a gruesome crime, Westry is suddenly redeployed, and the idyll vanishes into the winds of war. A timeless story of enduring passion, The bungalow chronicles Anne’s determination to discover the truth about the twin losses–of life and, and of love–that have haunted her for seventy years.

An Excerpt:

Tuck a slip of paper into a flimsy envelope, seal it with a swipe of the tongue, then send it on its way.  That letter might be handled by dozens of people and journey a thousand miles before reaching the intended mailbox, where it nestles anonymously between pages twenty-nine and thirty of some unwanted catalog, lying in wait for its unsuspecting recipient, who tosses the catalog, with its treasure tucked inside, into the recycle bin with a flick of the wrist.  There, next to the poorly rinsed milk cartons, an empty wine bottle, and yesterday's newspaper, a life-changing piece of mail quietly awaits.

That letter was for me...

My Thoughts:

In Sarah’s second novel this year, lies a story of love, passion, war and mystery.  Set on the idyllic island of Bora-Bora, during WWII, Sara pens a deeply intriguing story of Anne Calloway and the summer she spent serving in the Army Nurse Corps.  It was a summer that changed her life forever…

I’m still impressed that Sarah released her debut novel in April of 2011 and published her second novel in December of the same year.  If you follow my blog you know how impressed I was with Sarah’s first book, The Violets of March.  You’d never guess these two wonderful books were released in the same year by reading them.  I’m happy to say The Bungalow lived up to my high expectations, set by The Violets of March.

What most impresses and amazes me about The Bungalow is how different it is from The Violets of March.  Both stories hold mystery and romance, yet they have completely different tones.  They are so alike in that they are irresistible, well written, intriguing and page turners yet they are so different at the same time.  Both stories have their own unique setting as well as characters, that carries you to different periods of time and leave you wondering what Ms. Jio has in store next.  Sarah solidifies herself as a talented and versatile author with this story.

The Bungalow is an amazing story of love during WWII, an island oasis, a long lost painting and a mystery unsolved.  The story is told through Anne as she re-counts the period of her life to her granddaughter.  The reader is taken from the present to the past and back again.  The story will keep you rooted in your seat as you experience Anne’s journey.

Sarah has managed to create another wonderful and intriguing story while remaining completely original with the fresh voice of a debut author.  The Bungalow will appeal to a wise audience of readers due to its many facets.  I highly suggest The Bungalow as your next read.

Highly Suggested Read

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A Q&A with Connie Brockway & Giveaway

About the Book:

Set in 1897, The Other Guy's Bride is the story of a budding archeologist who impersonates a bride-to-be in order to get a cynical adventurer to escort her deep into a lawless desert in her search for the lost city of Zerzura.

    The Other Guy’s Bride picks up some 20 years after As You Desire left off. In fact, the female protagonist of the new book is Ginisse Braxton, the daughter of the prequel’s hero and heroine. Brockway says she gave the character that particular first name because the Arab word for “little imp” or “demon” is “djinn,” pronounced “gin.” So Ginisse seemed the perfect name for someone who—with the very best of intentions—constantly fell into scrapes, both while growing up around her family’s archaeological digs in Egypt and later in life.

    Brockway says she based her development of Ginisse as a character in large part on a friend of hers, the daughter of extremely successful parents.

“My friend’s parents had expectations that she didn’t meet,” Brockway explained. “She took a different path to a different sort of success than what they’d planned. I thought that would make for an intriguing character in a book.”

Brockway’s male protagonist, Jim Owens, is in mortal danger as the story begins because he joined the Foreign Legion after receiving a Dear John letter. He swears he’ll never do anything stupid
because of a woman again . . . then spends the rest of the book doing just that—because of another woman: Ginisse.

Determined to prove her mettle, budding archeologist Ginisse Braxton sets out in 1897 to solve one of the world’s great mysteries by finding the lost city of Zerzura. Trapped by his own code of ethics into repaying a debt, cynical, aristocrat-in-disguise adventurer Jim Owen agrees to shepherd the fiancée of a man he abhors across a lawless desert. A major complication: Upon discovering no one was willing to risk taking her to the danger-filled location she wants to explore, Ginisse has falsely assumed the identity of the woman Jim agreed to escort. Now, in addition to facing tremendous peril from roving bandits plus desert heat and storms, Jim finds himself confronting the only danger he’s intentionally avoided since coming to Egypt: falling in love. And of course it has to be with the one woman he thinks he’s honor-bound to help become The Other Guy’s Bride.

The novel was released in digital format November 22, and published in trade paperback December 22. Set in Egypt in the late 19th century, The Other Guy’s Bride has already garnered high praise from critics and bestselling authors alike.

Q&A with Connie Brockway, Author of The Other Guy's Bride

 
Connie Brockway: For years, readers have been asking me to write sequels to two of their favorite books, As You Desire and All Through the Night. Happily, they happen to be two of my favorites also, so the idea of revisiting the characters and settings has always been particularly appealing and always something I intended to do. After spending the last five years doing Regency romances, I’ve been starving to write something set outside the British Isles, something that would be both familiar and exotic. Turn-of-the-century Egypt fit the bill. Not only is it historically and culturally rich, but a treasure trove of fun and fascinating minutiae (and I do love my minutiae). Bonus points for being peopled with intriguing historical figures from all over the world. And finally, that sort of milieu provides the opportunity to write a love story outside the mainstream of Polite Society, where the rules are different, the stakes are higher, the romance more exquisite.

Question: Since this is, as you mentioned, a departure from your Regency romances, what research did you do while writing the book to help you create the setting and your characters?

Connie Brockway: Books. Dozens of nonfiction books. I read about Thomas Cook’s ship tours and the advent of all-inclusive cruising, Mark Twain’s journals about his trip to Egypt, histories of ancient Egypt and the Sudan, books about the French Foreign Legion and the life of Sir Eldon Gorst and books about the birth of archeology and the establishment of Arabian horse bloodlines. And then there were the websites and the hyperlinks, and...

Question: Is there any character you most identify with? Why?

Connie Brockway: Well, since I just finished cleaning up the house after the Easter extravaganza, I’d have to say the housemaid.

Question: How does The Other Guy’s Bride compare to your previous titles? What can readers expect?

Connie Brockway: I expect readers will find all the elements they’ve enjoyed in the past: engaging characters, irreverent humor, and sigh-provoking romance. But it will have a freshness and spark that comes out of my feeling less of a need to follow a proscribed romance blueprint.

Question: What other authors or books have influenced your writing?

Connie Brockway: Such a hard question! I read constantly in all sorts of genres and it’s hard to pin-point specific titles but as far as romances go, I started out being drawn to the rich, detailed narrative styles of Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. Dorothy Cannell’s mysteries, starting with The Thin Woman, gave me my first inkling that romance could be downright hilarious and still breathtaking. The unique, fully-fleshed characters created by authors as Pat Gaffney, Laura Kinsale, and the wonderful late Edith Layton have certainly inspired me to be equally conscientious in creating my own characterizations.

Question: Have you considered trying your hand at other genres?

Connie Brockway: I’ve already authored two books that crossed from contemporary romance into contemporary women’s fiction. I’m very intrigued about relationships outside of a strictly romantic one, how those bonds morph and develop throughout a lifetime, as well as community and family dynamics. Those books gave me the chance to indulge my curiosity. As for the future, I’m almost always in the middle of reading a mystery and hope to some day try my hand at historical mystery.

The Other Guy's Bride: Paperback

The Other Guy's Bride: E-Book Format

Author's Amazon Page

Connie's Website

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Enter to win!! 

Happy New Year, why not start it with a free book??  It's simple.  Follow by GFC or Subscribe by email to this blog and leave a comment below!  Give the author some love or thank the publisher for providing 3 copies for 3 winners!  Remember to leave your email in the space provided so I can contact you if you win.  Winners will be chosen Sunday, January 8th, 2012.  Contest closes on January 7th at 11:59pm CST.  Good Luck!!! 

As always, Happy Reading!!

Question: You’ve written over 20 different titles ranging from historical romance to contemporary women’s fiction. What inspired you to write The Other Guy’s Bride?

Fire Season

Author: VH Folland

ISBN: 978-0954122775

Publisher: Ragged Angel LTD

Source: Author for Review

Rating: Recommended Read

Synopsis:
For Matt and his flying club, there weren't any options left. Trapped residents, threatened towns and one small airstrip safely upwind of the fire line.

It's not a promising position, but they volunteer to help anyway, hoping a protected position and a close base might make a difference to the fire fighters.

And then the wind changes....

My Thoughts:
Fire Season is an enjoyable book told in a first person account while shifting between characters.  It is descriptive and educational in regards to flying and the manuevers used though the technical sections didn’t hold my interest.  While it takes a little bit for the drama of this story to start, it’s understandable since the author is setting the story up for the reader.   The story is full of adventure, danger, tension and drama.  There are victims, rescues and heroes.  It is a novel that has a little of everything, giving it a wide range for potentially interested readers.  The book has highs and lows.  Some sections kept me on the edge of my seat while others were more story based and less action filled.

The personalities of the characters are layered, creating multi-faceted characters. Interactions between the characters are quite natural and not forced which gives the book believability.  The story overall is poignant and harrowing with a very realistic side.  Overall, this one is well written and flows easily though it can be slow at random sections.  I wish people had been introduced a little slower into the story rather than dumping them all quickly.  I had to think to keep track of them and remember why they are in the story and how they are connected.  It concludes with a strong finish that left a good overall impression of the book with me.  I would recommend this book to those who like fiction, action, historical or fire rescue stories.

Recommended Read

All About Me Reading Challenge: 2012

All About Me

2012 Reading Challenge

Reading is a personal journey shared by many.  No one book affects any two people in exactly the same way.  Even the most similar experiences vary in some way or another, because reading is personal.  Have you ever heard someone read a book aloud and thought "Wait, that's not what the characters sound like."  Have you ever discussed a book with your book club or a friend and had an opposite opinion about a character's looks, personality or intentions?  This all happens because reading is personal.  As much as an author can guide a character and a story, the reader interprets the characters and story through their eyes, their personality and their outlook on life.  This makes each story unique to the reader because its very likely no two people will walk away with a story in the same way. 

In celebration of your reading journey, I invite you to join my reading challenge this year.  Why?  It's fun, I'm working on prizes, you'll share with other readers and most of all, because just like your reading, this is all about you!!

The Challenge:  Fulfill all the requirements below.  Of course you don't have to fulfill every requirement just to take part, that wouldn't make this fun!  If you want to be part of the reading challenge and read whatever you can sign up!  I am working on coordinating prizes for this challenge as an incentive for you to finish all the challenges.  If you are an author or publisher and are interested in donating a prize please email me. (acozyreaderscorner AT gmail DOT com)  Don't forget to link your review or thoughts about each book back to the page in the tab above so we can all be part of your reading journey.

Want to join?  Enter on the linky tool provided below.  The Linky will close Jan. 31st.  After this date leave a comment with your name and blog, website or Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads account etc.  Basically let us know where to find you and please leave your email address in the space provided.  There is a tab above that will serve as this years link back page.  When you complete a challenge go to this page and say which challenge you've completed, what book you read, a link to your review of the book and any other thoughts!  Above all... have fun!

The Challenges within the Challenge:

1. Read through your first name.  For example, if your name is Anna you would read 4 books.  Each title would start with each letter of your name starting with A.
2. Read your favorite book.
3. Read a book by an author new to you.
4. Read a book by a debut author
5. Read a book by an author with your first, middle OR last name.  ::note, not all 3... just one of them to give more selection::
6. Read a book whose character's name is your favorite name.
7. Read a book by an author you've dismissed in the past.  Give them a second chance.
8. Read a back listed title by an author you've newly discovered and liked.
9. Read a spring, summer, fall and winter book in order of your favorite seasons.
10. Read a book that looks inspiring to you.
11. Read a book that looks humorous to you.
12. Read a book SOLELY because you like the cover.
13. Read a book whose cover you hate.
14. Read a book recommended to you.
15. Read a book written before your birth year.
16. Read a book that is as old as you.
17. Read a book released in your birth month.
18. Read a book set in your state.
19. Read a book set in your country.
20. Read a book set in a country you'd like to visit.
21. Read a book whose title includes your favorite color.
22. Read a book whose title includes your favorite food, drink, candy or dessert. (something edible)
23. Read a book from your childhood.
24. Read a book that reminds you of your favorite person.
25. Read a book just because you want too.

Welcome 2012!

<p><a href="http://www.desicomments.com/%22%3E%3Cimg src="http://www.desicomments.com/dc1/06/119285/1192851.jpg" alt="Happy New Year" /></a></p><a href="http://www.desicomments.com/%22%3EDesiComments.com%3C/a> | <a href="http://www.desicomments.com/desi/happy-new-year/%22%3EHappy New Year</a> | <a href="http://www.desicomments.com/happy-new-year/happy-new-year-98/%22%3EForward this Picture</a>

Looking forward to another wonderful year of reading with you!  Thanks for being part of my Cozy Reading Corner.  Best wishes and prayers for a happy and healthy new year!

Shopaholic on a budget??

I love No More Rack, the new deal site I found this week.  They have great deals and it's fun to check everyday.  If you're familiar with Woot and other deal a day sites like Groupon, you'll love No More Rack.  New deals are loaded everyday at 11:59am EST.  This means you don't have to be up until midnight to catch a great deal!  Check out this video to see how it works.  Check out today's deals by clicking here: http://www.nomorerack.com/?cr=5351988

Enjoy your next great deal!

A Christmas Wish...

Have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends!!  Thanks for reading and interacting with me throughout the year!  I look forward to 2012 and another year of wonderful books!!  Make sure to check out these wonderful titles which will be reviewed here soon!

by Sarah Jio

by Jude Deveraux

by Kristina McMorris

by Kristin Hannah

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More Than Words Can Say

From the author of If Wishes Were Horses comes a novel of long-buried secrets and self-discovery, showing us that sometimes what goes unsaid is more powerful than words. . . .

Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother’s lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks—a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother’s WWII diaries, she’s stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.

Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon “Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her “short stay” has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family’s past behind her easily—and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea’s own life begins to change . . . and nothing will ever be the same again.

About Robert Barclay

Robert Barclay, author of If Wishes Were Horses, sold his successful consulting business and moved from upstate New York to south Florida, where he could devote his full attention to what he always wanted to do—write. He also enjoys weightlifting, Shotokan karate, and going to the beach to do absolutely nothing.

My Review:  I have a sick daughter so I am posting this quickly!  I enjoyed this book!  Robert has a great writing style.  Among that he created a interesting and intriguing story.  I am reminded that actions speak louder than words and it really was interesting to see a story form around the unsaid....  I love stories that involve family history or diary finding.  It's always interesting to me to read about someone's life through their diary or loved one finding their diary.  I would recommend this novel!  It's a great read.

Highly Recommended

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His Mistress by Christmas

Author: Victoria Alexander

Publisher: Kensington Books

Source: Crazy Book Tours

Synopsis:

For three years, Lady Veronica Smithson has been perfectly happy as a widow — and thoroughly independent. Still, the right gentleman could provide the benefits of marriage without the tedious restrictions. And in Sir Sebastian Hadley-Attwater, renowned explorer and rogue, Veronica is sure she has found him. Sebastian will come into his inheritance in a matter of weeks — if his family deems him responsible enough. There’s no better way to prove his maturity than with a home and a wife. But though the lovely Veronica will share his bed, she steadfastly refuses to marry. However, Sebastian has a plan. An intimate sojourn at his new country house will surely change Veronica’s mind. For Sebastian never takes no for an answer. And even in the midst of mischief-making relatives and unexpected complications, he intends to persuade his Christmas mistress that they belong together — in this, and every season to come...

My Thoughts:

I am a huge fan of historical fiction and love historical romance.  To add to this, I LOVE Christmas novels.  Basically, I love Christmas…  Anyhow, His Mistress by Christmas intrigued me due to these two facts and the storyline.  I was pleased to read this novel and still feel fulfilled.  Sebastian is a man who knows what he wants and makes sure to see that he gets it.  Lady Veronica seemed to be the perfect match for this personality quality in Sebastian.  Though she is fully able to take care of herself and be self-sufficient, she’s not above having someone to help take care of things, as long as she can remain independent.  I enjoyed both of the characters in this romance.  Victoria Alexander is a wonderful author.  She created imaginative and noteworthy characters with an interesting and unique storyline.  I enjoyed how both characters were considering marriage from a practical standpoint instead of love.  I felt this really fit the time period, where marriages were more a match of good wealth and social standing than love matches.

This book is complete with interesting characters, intriguing story line, Christmas magic and cheer and of course romance.  I enjoyed how the book fit right in with the era and made me feel as if it could have happened.  Based on this book alone, I would read more by Victoria and I do recommend it to read.

Recommended this Season

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Summer In Europe

Author: Marilyn Brant
ISBN: 9780758261519
Publisher: Kensington
Source: Crazy Book Tours


Synopsis:
On her thirtieth birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives an unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea's Sudoku and Mah-jongg Club. The prospect isn't entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting -- an engagement ring from her boyfriend -- doesn't materialize, Gwen decides to go. At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it's the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and stunning vistas of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment: skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre, and taste-testing pastries at a Marseilles cafe. Revelling in every new experience -- especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor -- Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within...


My Thoughts:


If you've never read anything by Marilyn Brant before you need too!  Summer in Europe is another wonderful example of her talented writing skills.  Marilyn grabbed my attention and kept me engaged throughout the novel.  I didn't want to put it down.  The story flows smoothly and effortlessly making it easy to read.  My favorite aspect of this novel was the escape I felt while reading it.  It's almost as if I was in southern Italy and on a much needed vacation!  In short, this is a great story that engages the reader and leaves you wanting more from Marilyn!  Her characters are charming and interesting.  They come alive in your imagination due to Marilyn's ability to create well developed characteristics.You should read it and then check out her other novels! More to come.....


**Read an excerpt on BN.com**

Don't miss it!  Must Read!

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Her Sister's Shadow

Author: Katharine Britton
ISBN: 978--0-425-24174-5
Publisher: Penguin
Source: TLC Book Tours
Follow the Tour Stops
Rating: Highly Recommended

About the Book:

Lilli Niles is at home in her North London flat when she receives an unexpected call.  her elder sister, Bea--at the family homestead in White Head, Massachusetts has just lost her husband, and she wants Lilli to fly home for the funeral.

Lilli, a painter, is preparing for her latest gallery opening.  And more to the point, there are reasons she moved all the way to England to escape her older sister, reasons that have kept them estranged for decades.

But something in Bea's voice makes Lilli think it's time to return to New England, to the stately house she loved as a child, to the memory of a shared loss-- and to a time when simple sisterhood was enough to overcome betrayal and resentment.  In this emotional debut, Katharine Britton explores the divergent paths we take in life--and the road that ultimately brings us back to each other.

My Thoughts:

The book opens quickly with Bea's call to Lilli regarding her husband's death.  From this point on, it is clear Bea and Lilli are estranged though the reasons are not revealed until later.  I instantly found myself enthralled with their shared secret.  The tension between the two is evident, yet I didn't know why it was there.  I wanted to find out what happened to make these two sisters become so far apart, though their love for each other is obvious, their dislike and discomfort is even more so. 

The author uses the family home as a resting place for memories, secrets and past that will be revealed.  I enjoyed this element of the book.  I have vivid memories of my past that take place in my childhood homes.  While I may not remember much about some memories, there are others where I can still visualize everything about the room I was in.  It's as if your transported back in time.  Lilli's connection to her childhood home reminded me of these moments.  I also loved how the author uses the relationship of sisterhood between Lilli and Bea, as well as their other siblings, Charlotte and Dori.

The novel is written using the present and reflecting on the past, switching between the two.  I am personally a fan of this set up in novels, so I enjoyed reading both sides of the story.  I felt I was given a well rounded look at the events and characters since I was introduced to them as a grown woman and a teenage girl.  In the present,  The sisters are old enough to have knee problems, aches, pains and grown children in the present which enables the story to have a deeply rooted past.  Since the hurt, loneliness, loss, and love run so deep, the story is emotional and spellbinding.  It holds you captive as you watch the scenes unfold and secrets spill out.  I found myself emotionally connected to the characters in a variety as their story unfolded. 

Katharine Britton is a talented debut author.  I enjoyed her writing style.  This novel was easy to read, captivating and paced well.  While I didn't speed through the pages, I didn't find myself bored either.  The pace is thoughtful and deliberate.  I would highly recommend this book to others.  Based off it, I would also read more from Katharine Britton.

About the Author:

Katharine Britton has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Dartmouth College.  She teaches at Colby-Sawyer College, and at The Writer’s Center.  Her screenplay, Goodbye Don’t Mean Gone, was a Moondance Film Festival winner and a finalist in the New England Women in Film and Television contest. Katharine is a member of the League of Vermont Writers.

When not at her desk, Katharine can be found at her Norwich garden, waging a non-toxic war against the slugs, snails, deer, woodchucks, chipmunks, moles, voles and beetles with whom she shares her yard.  Katharine's defense consists mainly of hand-wringing, after the fact.

Connect with Katharine online at her website, www.HerSistersShadow.com, her blog, and on Facebook.

Highly Recommended

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