Category Archives: Plume

Review: Written on My Heart by Morgan Callan Rogers

written on myTitle: Written on My Heart by Morgan Callan Rogers
Florine Series Book Two
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Historical (70s), Women’s Fiction, Suspense
Length: 378 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Penguin’s First to Read Program

Summary:

The marriage of Florine Gilham and Bud Warner is a cause for celebration down on The Point, the Maine fishing village where they grew up. Yet even as the newlyweds begin their lives together, Florine is drawn back into the memory of her mother, Carlie, who vanished when Florine was twelve. As unexpected clues regarding her fate begin to surface, Florine and Bud face the challenges of trying to solve an old mystery while building a new marriage and raising a family. Morgan Callan Rogers’s Written on My Heart will delight readers who love feisty, poignant characters and the beautiful, unforgettable Maine coast.

Review:

Written on My Heart by Morgan Callan Rogers is the delightful follow up to Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea (reviewed HERE). Starring the same cast of characters, this newest release follows Florine Gilham through the first few (somewhat) turbulent years of marriage to Bud Warner. Equally compelling are the shocking revelations when the mystery of her mother Carlie’s longtime disappearance is finally solved.

Florine’s teen years were tumultuous following the disappearance of her mother and the heartbreaking deaths of her beloved grandmother and father but she has mostly made peace with her past. While Bud’s childhood was less painful, his father’s alcoholism left an indelible mark on him. With Bud’s help, Florine has come to terms with her mistakes and just as they are about to be first time parents, they say their wedding vows in front of their friends and family at their home on the coast of Maine.  Settling easily into married life, Florine is stunned when Bud announces he would like to take a job in a town about two hours from their friends and family. Although unhappy with his decision, Florine reluctantly agrees to move but their once happy marriage begins to falter as an unexpected pregnancy takes its toll on her health and Bud begins to cope with his problems in unhealthy way.

Florine is still a no nonsense, outspoken young woman who hides her vulnerability behind her tough as nails exterior. She is deeply in love with Bud but she is also determined to make the best life possible for herself and her children. She harbors a few regrets about some of her past decisions and while she would like to take steps to fix her biggest mistake, Florine is overwhelmed with taking care of her small family. Despite their longtime friendship, she comes to realize that Bud has hidden dreams and desires that leave her doubting his commitment to her and their children. Florine is a strong woman and although she loves Bud, she refuses to allow his problems to hurt her or their children.

Bud is deeply in love with Florine but his growing restlessness soon puts them at odds. They arrive at a compromise for his need to move, but neither of them are prepared for the demands of parenthood or the health issues she encounters during her second pregnancy. Their problems begin in earnest once Bud changes his mind about their compromise and Florine meets a long lost family member. Instead of communicating his growing dissatisfaction with Florine, Bud withdraws and turns to unhealthy means of dealing with his frustration. The divide between them grows wider when Florine takes steps to protect herself and their children, but will Bud take her concerns seriously?

The mystery surrounding Carlie’s disappearance simmers in the background for a large portion of the story. With few clues to go on, it was impossible for police to determine whether she was the victim of foul play or if she left of her own accord. When Florine begins receiving mysterious letters in the mail that seem to be somehow related to her mother, the local police begin looking into the case with fresh eyes. When letters from a romance from Carlie’s past surface, a new suspect emerges but there is not enough evidence for an arrest. After another set of letters is uncovered, the case takes a shocking turn and Florine learns the devastating truth about what happened to her mother.

Set in the early 1970s, Written on My Heart is a captivating novel of love and family. The characters are beautifully developed with faults and imperfections that are realistic and relatable. Morgan Callan Rogers brilliantly incorporates issues of the time into the storyline and this provides added depth to the overall plot. A dazzling follow up to Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea that can easily be read as a standalone although I highly recommend both novels.

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Filed under Florine Series, Historical, Historical (70s), Morgan Callan Rogers, Mystery, Plume, Rated B+, Review, Women's Fiction, Written on My Heart

Review: Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman

sweet forgivenessTitle: Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman
Publisher: Plume
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher through Penguin’s First to Read Program

Summary:

#1 international bestselling author Lori Nelson Spielman follows The Life List with Sweet Forgiveness, in which a woman’s receipt of two “forgiveness stones” sends her searching for atonement

The Forgiveness Stones craze is sweeping the nation—instantly recognizable pouches of stones that come with a chain letter and two simple requests: to forgive, and then to seek forgiveness. But New Orleans’ favorite talk show host, Hannah Farr, isn’t biting. Intensely private and dating the city’s mayor, Hannah has kept her very own pouch of Forgiveness Stones hidden for two years—and her dark past concealed for nearly two decades. But when Fiona Knowles, creator of the Forgiveness Stones, appears on Hannah’s show, Hannah unwittingly reveals on air details of a decades-old falling out with her mother.

Spurned by her fans, doubted by her friends, and accused by her boyfriend of marring his political career, Hannah reluctantly embarks on a public journey of forgiveness. As events from her past become clearer, the truth she’s clung to since her teenage years has never felt murkier. Hannah must find the courage to right old wrongs, or risk losing her mother, and any glimmer of an authentic life, forever.

Review:

Sweet Forgiveness by Lori Nelson Spielman is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel about forgiveness. In this powerful novel about granting and seeking forgiveness, talk show host Hannah Farr is thrust into the uncomfortable position of revisiting a very painful time in her life. Her journey leads to an unexpected reconciliation but it also causes her to doubt her perception of long events. Confronting the past is often a double-edged sword and Hannah learns this lesson first hand when everything she has worked for is jeopardized by her decision to seek and give absolution.

Hannah’s impulsive decision to use the forgiveness stones as a pitch for a new job is the catalyst for the upcoming turmoil in her life. She really does not intend to move from New Orleans to Chicago, but she hopes to use the job offer as leverage to get her boyfriend of two years to finally propose to her. Hannah is stunned when the ploy backfires and he encourages her to seriously consider the position. Although she decides that accepting the job would be a wise career move, she still has no intention of actually following through on her forgiveness stone idea, but when a conniving co-worker forces her hand, Hannah has no choice but to move forward with her plan.

For someone who has been in the cutthroat world of broadcast journalism for a number of years, Hannah is a little naive and way too trusting. Although her close friend, Jade, warns her to watch her back, Hannah ignores her advice and blunders her way into a situation that quickly spirals out of control.

All the while this professional drama is playing out, Hannah’s personal life is also imploding. Her gullibility extends into her relationship with her mayor boyfriend and she is completely blindsided by his reaction to her decision. Hannah is further shocked by his lack of support and his total disregard for her needs.

Sweet Forgiveness is a very poignant novel that does not shy away from difficult topics. While Lori Nelson Spielman handles these issues with sensitivity, the resolution of this part of the storyline is rather ambiguous and a little dissatisfying. However this does not impact the overall enjoyment of the story and the conclusion of Hannah’s journey is quite heartwarming. It is a compelling read that is quite unique and one that I highly recommend.

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Filed under Contemporary, Fiction, Lori Nelson Spielman, Plume, Rated B+, Review, Sweet Forgiveness