Violette Between

by Alison Strobel

Between here and the past, there lies a place...
...a place of longing for what has been rather than hoping for what could be.
A true artist, Violette is passionate and emotional. Climbing back into life after suffering a loss, she teeters on the precipice of a new relationship with Christian, a psychologist who not only understands her struggles but offers safety and his heart.
As Violette and Christian begin to feel something they both thought impossible, tragedy strikes again. Violette becomes trapped in a place of past memories-and she finds that she may not want to come back. What would it be like to choose a place between the past and the present? "From the Trade Paperback edition."

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published May 16, 2006

About the author

Alison is a women's fiction novelist who writes books about life, love, and faith. Her sophomore release, "Violette Between," was a RITA Award finalist in 2007. She lives in Colorado with her husband (with whom she has co-authored two children's books) and their two daughters.

Reviews

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 out of 5 stars! Allison Strobel's books seem to be hit or miss for me these days. From the synopsis, I thought Violette was actually being transported back to the past, rather than just re-living old memories. In reality, Violette is in a new relationship with a man named Christian. She is still haunted be memories of her deceased husband, Saul, though. She is having trouble fully committing to Christian. Christian is also a widower, but he is ready to move on with Violette. Violette falls off a ladder while painting and is in a coma. During this coma, she re-lives memories of her husband and must decide whether she wants to stay there or move forward with Christian.

I liked the character of Christian and felt for him trying to move on with Violette. He seemed to be a very good man and was very patient with her. I couldn't relate to Violette as much. I understood her being caught up in the past, but I could never really tell where she was in her faith. I also didn't really understand the artist side of her, as I don't have a creative bone in my body. It was sometimes hard to understand the reasoning behind her actions. I could see her being a character others can relate to more, though.

My main issue with this book was that there wasn't enough of a plot. This is the same critique I had with her book, "Worlds Collide." Although this book wasn't a collection of conversion stories like that one was, it was nearly all flashbacks. I never felt that invested in their future with all the focus on the past, I guess.

Overall, this book was just so-so for me. I was motivated enough to finish it, but it never fully engaged me.

[Katrina Burchett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr. Christian Roch is attracted to Violette Corterm’s unique personality and a while after they meet a relationship begins. He’s happy to be with Violette- the first woman he’s loved since his wife, Cynthia, died – but he fears her heart still belongs to her late husband, Saul.

Violette is an artist who’s passionate about her craft. She’s glad Christian doesn’t just appreciate her, but that he also appreciates her art. She cares for Christian, but, yes, part of her heart does still belong to Saul. Violette has a serious accident and ends up in the hospital, where she’s reunited with her late husband… in her mind.
Violette is a coma patient during most of the story. The reader gets to know her as she remembers past times shared with Saul, her friends, Alexine and Xavier and the CitC gang (friends from church). And Christian? He was angry at God for taking his first wife and he’s angry at Him for what’s happened to Violette. He’s not sure he’ll survive if he loses her, too.

This is the first book I’ve read by Alison Strobel and I enjoyed it. The memories of Violette’s past were well-written. And Christian working through his anger towards God… well, I was pulling for him.

[Jenny J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can’t believe I was so drawn into the story. I think I decided I needed to read the book because it had to do with grief and it had a therapist in it (and I am a grief therapist). But I appreciated the commitment phobic person in the story because that has been me most of my life. I had the book read in a few hours, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well I liked this. This is my first book from this author.

[Kimberly Westrope · Rating 3 out of 5]

After really enjoying Reinventing Rachel by this author, I decided to read another of hers. Unfortunately, I didn't care much for the writing in this one. The characters seemed a bit shallow, and the writing was reporter like,,,very "tell, don't show." I like the idea of the story, but it just didn't pull me in for some reason.

[Melissa (So Behind) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars--Woman goes into a coma and thinks back over her life with her deceased husband. Her current boyfriend reminisces about their relationship. Ok, but nothing spectacular.
Violette Corterm is an artist who is doing her best to open up to her new boyfriend, Christian. Both Violette and Christian are widowed, but Christian has been alone for many years, while she is not as far removed from her grief. While up on a ladder painting a mural, Violette falls and goes into a deep coma. During her unconsciousness, she relives her relationship and marriage with her husband Saul. At the same time, Christian thinks back over the development of his friendship and love with Violette. Will Violette remain stuck in the past, or will she recover and move toward the future?

Violette Between is a quiet novel filled with places for introspection. For readers who have lost someone close to them - a spouse, a child, or a parent - the obvious question comes up: would I give up the present and the future to relive moments and possibly join that person? Even if we can't consciously make that decision, would it be tempting?

One thing I would have liked added to the novel would have been Violette's perspective on her relationship with Christian. It would have helped in understanding some of her actions. Violette's character frustrated me because I couldn't really relate to her free-flowing artist personality. The spiritual portion of Violette Between is important to the overall story and makes a big impact on the message. The theme of letting go, trusting in God's timing and the fact the He has plans for our lives resonates with the reader. While quite different from her first book, Worlds Collide, Alison Strobel's sophomore effort is an interesting and thoughtful tale.

[Lyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed, could have been a smidge longer as it didnt totally answer some of my questions. but wow, both of them losing their spouses and how they each dealt with it differently. an interesting concept of the story coming out while she is in a coma.

[Sheridan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked the plot of this book. It was well written and fun to read! We actually were able to have the author come to our book club when we discussed this book! That was so great.

[Charliej · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a neat read about relationships and how we can move on if we choose to. I enjoyed it.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since I liked the first book I read by this author I thought I would try another. I was enjoying the book and them bam...a quick, wrap-up ending. The quick ending disappointed me.

[Margie]

kind of strange book...but it was interesting still!