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McGinn Family Saga #2
The Mothers McGinn: Book Two of the McGinn Family Saga
First Place Winner, Fall 2023 Book Fest Family Saga
Every wedding seems like the beginning of a fairy tale, but sometimes the prince is actually a frog, or the big bad wolf.
When Mary McGinn lost her husband, she was the mother of twelve children, and her oldest sons worked to provide for the family. She was always grateful for the sacrifices her children had made for the sake of their family, but now she needed to go back to work so that they could go on and live their lives. But finding work in depression-stricken Maine would not be easy for anyone in 1935, perhaps even more so for a woman.
Mary’s oldest daughter Allison and son Lewin both get married and find out that marriage is fraught with challenges, sometimes from inside the home and sometimes from outside. Dealing with alcoholism, trauma, and motherhood is all it takes to bring the fairy tales back to reality.
Follow the McGinn family through trials and triumphs as the children become adults and couples become families in the Mothers McGinn.
Every wedding seems like the beginning of a fairy tale, but sometimes the prince is actually a frog, or the big bad wolf.
When Mary McGinn lost her husband, she was the mother of twelve children, and her oldest sons worked to provide for the family. She was always grateful for the sacrifices her children had made for the sake of their family, but now she needed to go back to work so that they could go on and live their lives. But finding work in depression-stricken Maine would not be easy for anyone in 1935, perhaps even more so for a woman.
Mary’s oldest daughter Allison and son Lewin both get married and find out that marriage is fraught with challenges, sometimes from inside the home and sometimes from outside. Dealing with alcoholism, trauma, and motherhood is all it takes to bring the fairy tales back to reality.
Follow the McGinn family through trials and triumphs as the children become adults and couples become families in the Mothers McGinn.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
241 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 3, 2023
A lovely character-driven saga!
And biscuits, too. No, really.
McCarthy continues the McGinn story with a focus on the oldest children, their lives as they mature at a time when the world was still frozen in what seemed the never-ending winter of the Great Depression.
The McGinn farm kept them alive. It kept them together. And it also kept them from growing up.
I really enjoyed the focus on the women in this volume - and it was a nice touch being released around Mother’s Day.
Mary must move on and find work now that her children are old enough; Allison must learn the hard truths of marriage to a charming addict.
Emma, the child quilting prodigy becomes a dress-making wonder in her teens. Lewin meets the love of his life, but she has a troubled past. And a severe father figure.
Each of these stories are the scraps and threads that make up one of Mary’s quilts. Well stitched, lovingly basted and tacked together. And at the end, a family heirloom for his family and heritage.
Definitely recommend.
And biscuits, too. No, really.
McCarthy continues the McGinn story with a focus on the oldest children, their lives as they mature at a time when the world was still frozen in what seemed the never-ending winter of the Great Depression.
The McGinn farm kept them alive. It kept them together. And it also kept them from growing up.
I really enjoyed the focus on the women in this volume - and it was a nice touch being released around Mother’s Day.
Mary must move on and find work now that her children are old enough; Allison must learn the hard truths of marriage to a charming addict.
Emma, the child quilting prodigy becomes a dress-making wonder in her teens. Lewin meets the love of his life, but she has a troubled past. And a severe father figure.
Each of these stories are the scraps and threads that make up one of Mary’s quilts. Well stitched, lovingly basted and tacked together. And at the end, a family heirloom for his family and heritage.
Definitely recommend.
July 3, 2023
As the second book in the McGinn Family saga it was comforting to return to the characters and their large, loving family. Whereas the first book focused on the brothers, this book centered on the lives of the sisters and sisters in law.
The whole concept of this book just makes you want to join the family yourself! Fun read!!
The whole concept of this book just makes you want to join the family yourself! Fun read!!
May 23, 2023
Loved it!
Another great book by J.E. McCarthy! I become so engrossed in the books that I feel as though I am right there living in the 1930’s with them! I can’t wait for the next book!!
Another great book by J.E. McCarthy! I become so engrossed in the books that I feel as though I am right there living in the 1930’s with them! I can’t wait for the next book!!
August 23, 2023
Very good
I have read this book twice in the last couple of months and will probably read it again some time in the future. McCarthyism use of language and forthright portrayal of the early Irish Americans, is delightful. All of his books are great.
I have read this book twice in the last couple of months and will probably read it again some time in the future. McCarthyism use of language and forthright portrayal of the early Irish Americans, is delightful. All of his books are great.
July 12, 2023
I loved this book. It was over before I knew it! I just couldn’t put it down. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I am looking forward to the next one.
November 25, 2024
I am really warming to this McGinn family. I enjoyed learning about most of the boys/men in the first book, this second one features more of the matriarch, daughters, sisters, sisters-in-law. The characters are engaging and draw you in to their everyday comings and goings. Now to book 3.
November 14, 2024
Wow!
Fantastic story and characters ! I couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the beginning. I would highly recommend it to others to read.
Fantastic story and characters ! I couldn't put it down. I was hooked from the beginning. I would highly recommend it to others to read.
January 24, 2025
Like the first book, the story is good. In this book like the 1st, the language used would not have been spoken in the 1930’s. I find myself noticing this instead of enjoying the book.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews