Agnes

by Jaime Maddox

Sandy Parker left and never looked back after Hurricane Agnes washed her childhood home into the Susquehanna River. Her lover, Jeannie Bennett, died in the flood, and although Sandy went on to live an extraordinary life, she regrets that she never really said good-bye. Now, Sandy returns to bury her grandmother and finally find closure with Jeannie. Instead, she uncovers secrets long buried in the debris of the flood, secrets that at least one person is willing to kill to protect. Will Sandy discover the truth that will change her life forever, or will a murderer put another Parker in the grave?

Genres: Lesbian

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 11, 2014

About the author

Jaime Maddox grew up on the banks of the Susquehanna River in Northeastern Pennsylvania. As the baby in a family of many children, she was part adored and part ignored, forcing her to find creative ways to fill her time. Her childhood was idyllic, spent hiking, rafting, biking, climbing, and otherwise skinning knees and knuckles. Reading and writing became passions. Although she left home for a brief stint in the big cities of Philadelphia, PA, and Newark, NJ, as soon as she acquired the required paperwork—a medical degree and residency certificate—she came running back.

She fills her hours with a bustling medical practice, two precocious sons, a disobedient dog, and an extraordinary woman who helps her to keep it all together. In her abundant spare time, she reads, writes, twists her body into punishing yoga poses, and whacks golf balls deep into forests. She detests airplanes, snakes, and people who aren’t nice. Her loves are the foods of the world, Broadway musicals, traveling, sandy beaches, massages and pedicures, and the Philadelphia Phillies. (from the publisher's website)

Reviews

[Justina Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is set before and after the historically real hurricane called Agnes. Just for my curiosity, I did a little research on this hurricane and the representation of it in the book appears quite accurate. This memorable and disastrous weather event provides an extraordinary pivotal point that haunts the primary character as she basically moved completely away from her geographical childhood neighborhood following the storm. She doesn't return until the death of her grandmother who raised her. Oh how the machinations that occurred before, during, and following that horrific hurricane come to light. This is a magnificent first book and as such another kudo for Bold Strokes Books. This fabulous love story with extra plusses for the historical presentation make it very special. I definitely recommend it.

Sandy Parker was born into wealth yet isn't a bratty rich girl, but a hardworking student and member of her somewhat detached branch of the Parkers. Her parents died young and she became very attached and protective of her grandparents who were smart folks in their own way. Sandy prospers by the sweat of her brow but an overwhelming tragedy that occurred to her during the height of the hurricane Agnes devastation never really leaves her heart. She didn't collapse after this tragedy, but she never felt complete. I so admired, adored, and felt incredibly close to Sandy. This book is her story on many interesting levels.

Several people were close and important to Sandy, but her first and searingly passionate love, Jeannie, is her primary and foremost sexual partner and for forty years that flame always stayed lit within her bosom. They both knew they would have to leave their childhood homes as they would never be able to openly express their love for each other in that community. I found the ingeniousness of these two girls as they discovered ways to be together in a hot and loving fashion to be amazingly endearing. Of course, they were always ready to make the break from their hometown, but then Agnes struck. What actually occurred is simply horrendous and yet it did not stop Sandy from being a force to be reckoned with. She succeeded at practically everything she did. I felt Sandy's pain for Jeannie and I was swept away by Jeannie's profound love for Sandy. Jeannie is simply a priceless treasure.

Sandy doesn't deny her nature and she felt she was blessed to have been with Diane. The two of them end up adopting a young girl whose parents were destroyed by their substance abuse. The semi-side bar story of Sandy's daughter is one of the many jewels that pop up within this majestic story that was a complete treat right from page one. Bravo!


NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get invested in this story. It’s a great story, I just didn’t connect right away. Once I did I wanted to know more. A few twists along the way.

[Ty · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The extra half star on this rating is for the premise, which is unique and interesting. The reason it doesn’t warrant 4 stars is because of execution. There are moments where this gets bogged down in itself - there’s so much detail and exposition that it drags and can feel kind of boring. I found myself skimming and skipping whole paragraphs during those sections of the book. It also ended way too quickly after the final mystery was wrapped up. We had no time to settle in to the resolution. We’re supposed to accept that the characters are just content with what happens immediately, and that’s really hard to believe. But this was definitely good enough to encourage me to read more from this author.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

First half of the book is a bit slow, interesting however slow. Second half is perfect but I wish the end was bit longer. I was looking for epilogue I guess.

[Nicki · Rating 1 out of 5]

Heart-breaking story, too much drama and pain and injustice. Too young girls, who are madly in love for each other, who are the one and the only for each other since the age of 3 are covardly separated for more than 40 years! One of them married a man. Why the hell would you marry a man if you are a lesbian?! Just to suffer the rest of your life? WTF!
So if you want to suffer, to cry a lot, to be in pain and anguish, or if you do not care about heroines and have strong nerves - read this book. And yes, there is no happy end. Reunion in more than 40 years is not a happy end, especially if this reunion is described in just one last page and you have no idea if these women will be together or they just met to drink tea and will never meet again.
This book left me aching and hollow, my heart is broken in peices and it will take time to recover :(
I will never read anything from this author again!

[Nolly Frances Sepulveda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a slow start for me, but once I got into the story I wanted to keep reading non-stop, it had a bit of mystery and romance that balanced the story out perfectly. I was happy with the ending but a bit disappointed that it wasn't longer. would love to know what happens to Sandy and Jeannie.

[Elisa Rolle · Rating 5 out of 5]

2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)