Abilene

by Dare DeLano

Three strong Southern women -- twelve-year-old Len, her mother Cora, and her Aunt Jean -- grapple with love and loss in this poignant tale set on a hardscrabble cattle ranch in a small Texas town. Len yearns to find the father who abandoned her, and after a chance encounter with a country music star who she suspects is him, she embarks on a life-altering journey to find the truth about her past. At the same time, Cora and Jean must deal with another shocking family betrayal that complicates everything. Told in turns by these three remarkable women, Abilene explores the boundaries of love and the transformative power of self-discovery.

234 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

ABILENE by Dare DeLano is a beautifully written Southern women’s fiction novel that has the main characters on an intense and heartfelt life-changing emotional journey on their ranch in Abilene, Texas. The book is told in alternating chapters by the three main female characters, and this debut novelist had me on an emotional rollercoaster throughout.

Twelve-year-old Len has an idyllic life growing up on the family ranch with her mother, Cora, and her grandmother. The only wish she yearns for is to have a father like all her friends. Her mother never had enough information to find the man who got her pregnant, after he left and before she even knew she was pregnant with Len. When the women see a country western singer on TV, Len knows from her mother’s reaction that he is her father.

At the same time, Jean, Len’s aunt by marriage shoots her husband, Roger, and is arrested. As Jean is questioned by her lawyer and a psychologist, she begins to understand that she has been mentally abused her entire marriage. Roger survives. Jean learns to deal with his betrayal and trauma while in prison. When she is paroled, Jean discovers a letter in a box Roger left in their home that leads to even more betrayal and life-altering consequences in all the women’s lives.

This book had me emotionally attached to Len, Cora, and Jean, and completely immersed in their points of view from start to finish. A young girl wise beyond her years and two strong women who have their young lives changed by a duplicitous man, survive, and eventually triumph. I was completely surprised this is the author’s first novel. The writing brings fully developed complex characters to life and the descriptions of the landscapes were vivid mind pictures. I loved this book and hope that I will be able to read more wonderful stories by this new author in the future.

I highly recommend this emotional Southern women’s fiction novel!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abilene is a beautifully written debut by author Dare DeLano. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale of these women, Cora, Len, and Jean, as well as the other characters.

As a single mom, Cora has raised Len, a girl with very special insights, while always wondering why Len's father left and never contacted her again. Len knows that someday she'll meet her father and things will be wonderful.

And then there's Jean, who committed a serious crime, but didn't even realize why until her attorney starts looking into her case.

The book captivated me and the only thing I would have liked is if it hadn't ended so abruptly. I would have liked to see a little more resolution with some of the minor characters. All in all, however, it was excellent.

4 stars

[Kimberly Prytherch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all. This one about broke me. What a beautiful story, told through the eyes of two women and a young girl, all family. I don’t know which story is more heartbreaking, although they intertwine. Mother and daughter, struggling through life without their husband and father. Sister-in-law, struggling through a life of mental and verbal abuse she didn’t know was happening, it was done so…. well? It feels wrong to say he did it well, but he was definitely the master of it. You will love these women, love their tribe, cry for them, cheer for them. You may need some tissues to get through it, but it will be worth it. I’m going to have a book hangover from this one. Enthusiastic 5 thumbs up! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot going on in Dare DeLano's Abilene . . .characters, backstories and POVs switching early in the book. For me that was a challenge and my engagement with the story was on and off. Around the 30 - 40% mark though, the real issues begin to present clearly, with Cora and Len at the heart of the story being told, at which point I was all in.

I'm a 99% believer in magical realism in real life (some of you just call it coincidence, luck or serendipity), so finding Len has her own source of "something special" from her very own self, well. That had me committed. How many of us depend on that Shot-of-Joy moment to tell us we are on the right track of things? Call it whatever you like, it is a real thing that confirms positive direction and underscores confidence and conviction. Len has plenty of that, and spreads it to her people - helping them get over the obstacles and engage in risk-taking situations.

And yes, it did make me cry. I love it when love wins. That's a star added.

*A sincere thank you to Dare DeLano, Main Street Rag Publishing Company | Mint Hill Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #southernfictionnetgalley #NetGalley 25|52:22e

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming debut featuring Southern family drama. I always enjoy stories set my home state. I don’t know if the author a native Texan, I found very little bio info. She certainly portrayed the Abilene area well and it’s residents nicely.
Len lives on the same farm where her Ma grew up. Len has a gift, or maybe a curse, feelings for things about to happen, so strong it can cause her to black out. She’s just ten but it’s always been there, just as it is for her Granny. Len has a carefree existence on the farm, helping with chores, going to school, riding horses and wading at the creek with best friend Rachel. Only one thing troubles Len and she simply won’t let it go. Who was her daddy, why didn’t he want her? Neither her Ma or Granny will give her the answers she’s looking for. She’s a stubborn child who doesn’t relent until she finds out the truth. Will it be devastating and leave her broken? Sometimes answers aren’t the ones we wanted.
This is a large strong family of women with aunts, uncles and cousins. When aunt Jean lands in jail after a horrible incident with uncle Roger, the family bonds are stretched thin. Nothing is as it seems. The secrets families keep, our perceptions of past events and the long lasting consequences of our choices. A story as old as time of young love and second chances. It’s part romance, part mystery and some emotionally charged, relevant social themes. It was an enjoyable family drama full of hope. I will watch for more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy of “Abilene” by Dare DeLano, Mint Hill Books. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

[Lynelle Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Len, Cora and Jean are three Southern women who have faced a lot of hardships in their lives. They live on a ranch in Texas, raising cattle and try to make ends meet.

Len is a curious girl with a gift who wants to know more about her father. He left when she was a baby and the only picture she has of him kept him alive in her mind. Through an impromptu meeting, she thinks she has found him in a famous singer and goes after him to learn the truth.

I liked the relationship between her and Cyclops, a reliable horse who was her confidant and friend in ways no one could be.

“And I knew in my bones she was right. For often, with the first winds of morning, I could feel how the day was gonna go. I could feel the long, strange cry of a wolf, or the glorious scream of the eagle, circling. At the beach I could hear the sailors’ words as they were carried along in cries of the seagulls.” Len.

Cora and Jean are sisters who have always been close, but they are shaken by a family secret that threatens to tear them apart. They each have their own struggles with love, loss, and forgiveness.

“There was a deep-inside part of her that was at home here in the house she’d grown up in, the fields where she’d spent countless hours as a child. But there was part of her that knew she never fit quite right in this town. Everywhere Cora went, she felt a little different from the pack. In her hometown, she was smarter and more worldly, at college, she was edgier and more rebellious, and with the party crowd she hung out with she was smarter and more ambitious. She felt she was pieced together from all these different sections, and nowhere did she feel completely whole, nowhere did she feel completely understood.” Cora.

Jean is on trial for manslaughter, and as she tries to adapt to prison life, she has to face her fears and the revelation of secrets. Secrets that could tare her family apart. As one continues to read, I could feel the empathy the writer used to tell these three women’s story.

“I’m not scared. Even if no one else was around and he tried something I don’t reckon I’d be scared. I am a master at detaching from my body. I understand how to just leave and not care what is happening to the flesh and bone and skin that is lying there below me. I been doing it for years, whenever Roger wanted me. Trying to feel something – – something like I used to feel when we first were dating, back when things were sweet and I would get a little thrill when he touched me.” Jean

Abilene is a story of three women, in two different time zones, who discover themselves and each other through their journey of finding home.

The writing is beautifully crafted, and the plot has an easy flow that makes this an enjoyable read from beginning to end.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK: ABILENE
AUTHOR: DARE DELANO
PUB DATE: O1 NOVEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Wow! What a wonderful, fast paced, can't stop turning the pages book. I loved it🥹🥹. I loved every single thing about this book, the storyline, the characters and the engaging writing. I read it all in a day, that's how wonderful it was!
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My favorite character is Jean, at first I didn't know how her story will affect the storyline, but it all made sense at the end. She was the victim of gaslighting and emotional abuse for 15 years at the hands of her husband. It was refreshing to see her awareness about the condition, her growth and healing. I almost cried while reading her part. Emotional abuse is just as traumatic as physical abuse(if not more)
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Coralee, the philosopher and a single mother and Lenora, her 12 year old daughter. I loved reading their POVs, especially Len's. There's a little element of magical realism here too. My heart went out to Cora because of her failed relationship with Len's father. I still admired her stegthen and the home she built for len
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Nevertheless, I'm happy it ended with a HEA with everyone getting their due comeuppance .

[Diane Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abilene is the story of three women at different times in their lives. Len is 12 years old and has the gift of seeing things which often causes more struggles that combined with the search for who her father is and why did he abandon her and her mother. Len’s mother Cora is also on a search for herself. She became pregnant with Len while she was in college. Forced to drop out and care for Len, she is now trying to complete her degree, provide for her family and then hit with shocking news. Len’s Aunt Jean is also on a search for herself. Faced with her husband’s infidelity, she finds herself in jail for attempted murder and now must examine the years of abuse he has put her through.
Dare DeLano’s tells the story of these 3 women and how their lives intertwine. The plot is good but often confusing between going between the 3 women and often different time periods. I actually started the book several different times. The title threw me. Being from Abilene, I looked for more landmarks than I needed to and should have been more focused on the story. Aunt Jean’s story could have been a book of its own and often felt like I had to stop for a commercial to find out what was happening to her then go back to the story of Len and Cora. Once I stopped looking for more of Abilene and concentrated on the stories of each woman it became a quick and enjoyable read. I’m glad I picked it up to try one more time. It was worth it.
Thank you NetGalley, Dare DeLano and Main Street Rag Publishing Company, Mint Hill Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Linda Santi schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Southern Fiction novel, which takes place in Abilene, Texas, is basically told in three different voices: Len, Cora, and Aunt Jean.
Twelve year old Len, born "when the moon was full", has visions and senses things that are about to happen, causing her to black out. Her only hope in life is to know who her father is.
Cora, Len's mom, raised her daughter on her own, and often wondered why Len's father left, never to return.
Aunt Jean lives in a marriage that not too many would understand, least of all herself. A single act of transgression sends her to prison putting enormous stress and pressure on all family members.
The story is told in a past (1988) and present (2001) format, bringing the novel's storyline to an enjoyable and satisfying conclusion.
Based solely on my opinion, this debut novel was wonderfully written and without hesitation, I give it Five Stars!!
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital copy of this book.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting book. The story is about two women in the same family. The older woman is the younger woman’s aunt. The stories kind of run side by side. The younger woman is a teenage girl. I think that her story is the most compelling. I did think that the middle of the book was a little boring but it picked right back up again and by the end I had tears in my eyes. I don’t like to go too much into the storyline because this is a book review not a book report. I would read another book from this author and I will recommend this one. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Abilene" by Dare DeLano is a poignant exploration of the complexities of family, identity, and the enduring strength of women. Set against the backdrop of a rugged Texas landscape, this novel weaves together the lives of three generations of women, each grappling with their own set of challenges and secrets.

At the heart of the story is twelve-year-old Len, a girl with an old soul and a yearning for the father she never knew. Her mother, Cora, has raised her alone, with the help of the matriarchal Aunt Jean, on their family ranch in Abilene. The narrative unfolds through the alternating perspectives of these three characters, providing a rich and multifaceted view of their inner lives and the world they inhabit.

DeLano's writing is evocative and grounded, with a keen sense of place that transports the reader to the dusty trails and wide-open skies of Abilene. The characters are drawn with depth and authenticity, from Len's innocent curiosity to Cora's quiet resilience and Jean's complex blend of strength and vulnerability.

The novel doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of life, including abandonment, betrayal, and the struggle for self-discovery. Yet, it's imbued with a sense of hope and the transformative power of love and forgiveness. The women of Abilene are fighters, and their journey is one of pain, but ultimately, triumph.

What sets "Abilene" apart is its subtle incorporation of magical realism, which adds a layer of mystique to the narrative. The story is as much about the bonds that tie us to our past as it is about the courage to forge new paths. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the unbreakable bond of family.

For those who appreciate Southern women's fiction with a touch of the extraordinary, "Abilene" is a must-read. Dare DeLano has crafted a debut that's both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, a novel that lingers with you long after the last page is turned.

[Celeste Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected a story about a single mother and her struggles. I didn’t expect the story to delve so deeply into loss, sorrow, and abuse. As I read, my emotions were tested between anger, pity, and sorrow. Domestic abuse has many faces. Not all abuse is physical. That’s the worst part because mental and verbal abuse can be invisible to the outside. Ms. DeLano expertly leads us through the lives of three women who are all victims of their circumstances.

The interesting part of this story is how each of these women traverse their situations.

The first, Mrs Corbin, mentally succumbs to abuse and loses everything in the process. She cannot rise above her situation.

The second, Jean, takes her anger and desperation to the extreme and almost destroys her life. Her husband, Roger, mentally abused her so skillfully that she thought she was having a mental breakdown. Her actions land her in jail after she shoots her husband when she finds him with another woman.

The third, Cora, is luckier because she doesn’t live with abuse. She only realizes how she was manipulated when she discovers the truth about why she lost the man she loved and fathered her child. That’s when the main antagonist, Roger, becomes part of a manipulation tactic he enjoyed inflicting on women.

Jean and Cora are both deeply wounded by Roger, but they find strength to overcome their past. Cora has a happy ending. After Jean is released from jail, she can finally see herself as a strong survivor.

For me this was a story of how women can take back their power regardless of how much time they might have lost.

[Mamadukes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I can’t believe that ABILENE by Dare DeLano is a debut! Len(ora), her mother Cora and her Aunt Jean are at the center of this fascinating story. Each of them is grappling with past and present lies, manipulations and misunderstandings.

Thirteen year old Len has only an old, faded photo of the father who ran out on them before she was born. She longs for a father and constantly hopes and prays that she will one day find him. Then she hears the tail end of a conversation and thinks her mother calls her ‘a mistake’. Her world implodes.

Meanwhile, Aunt Jean is arrested for attempting to murder her controlling, philandering husband and while she is in jail, Cora sees something on Roger’s hospital room TV that literally takes her breath away and drains the blood from her face. Len takes notice and it reinvigorates her search for her father.

Told in dual timelines between 1988 and 2001 we see what secrets and lies have led to the stunning conclusion in 2001. This was definitely a slow build but a very enjoyable one. Kinda like when the roller coaster is pulling itself up; you can’t wait to get to the top but you know what’s coming is going to make your stomach drop. I really enjoyed the author’s ability to take me to a dusty farm field, make me believe in a MOONCHILD and a little bit of magic. I liked her writing style so I will definitely be adding her to my authors to watch list. Great Job!

Thank you to Netgalley and Main Street Rag Publishing for this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

[Halley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read about the strength of women!

Dare DeLano’s story jumps between the experiences of 3 women and between the late 80s and early 2000s.

Len is a teen in the early 2000s and has never known her dad. She lives on a Texas farm with her mom and grandma, both supportive and strong women.

Cora is a college student in the late 80s and Len’s mom in the early 2000s. After years, Edison, Len’s dad, is still a question mark for her — after he left town abruptly she doesn’t know if she was his summer fling or more. Twists ensue and she runs into him again.

Jean is Len’s aunt and is jailed for shooting her husband in the late 2000s. As her story unfolds, she learns about emotional abuse, having thought abuse was only physical.

Dare DeLano’s writing is great. The book is edited well and has no extra fluff. The main characters are likable, flawed, and learn things. All good things in a book!


Thank you to Mint Hill Books and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

[Susan Bien · Rating 5 out of 5]

With stunning emotional intelligence, Delano blends love, betrayal, loss, and a Southern family saga into a memorable read. Her ability to craft words into a mesmerizing story is extraordinary. The strong opening of the novel immediately draws you into the story.

Moonchild, Granny called me. For I was born when the moon was full, in a flat ranch house in Abilene, Texas. Granny always said that on account of that moon, I would move with the rhythm of nature—that my intuition was strong and that I would know about the insides of people—see things in my head before others watched them happen in the world. She stroked my hair and taught me songs with no words.

The fast-paced, character-driven plot sweeps you to an unexpected finale. Reading her work is like a magical ride that plucks you from where you're sitting into the heart of Abilene, Texas, and the hearts of three resilient women. If you’re looking for a book that stays with you long after you finish, this is for you.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heart-warming story about family and the things that bring us together as well as create walls between us. Len is a young girl trying to understand who she is and who her father might be. As her mother provides very little insight on the man, Len takes it upon herself to seek out the answers she so desperately needs.

Len's mother, Cora, has always been a free-spirited and open-minded woman who does her best to raise her child without the father around. But there are lots of secrets surrounding Cora and her family. While Len's Aunt Jean has now found herself sitting in jail for the murder of her husband.

All three women have their own stories to tell and they weave together so beautifully in this story about family dynamics and growth. Growth for individuals and growth for family units as well. As everyone's paths develop and converge, there is plenty to unravel and understand about each of these women.

[Lisa Mackin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. DeLano knows how to capture a time and place; what a beautiful writer. The reader is transported to Texas of the times, primarily 1988 and 2001. The characters are well-developed, intriguing and mysterious, and the reader learns subtleties about their thinking, and their personal stories that keep the brain active while trying to guess what will happen next. The main characters are strong females, determined to resolve their struggles, to prevail and heal. Keeping spoilers in mind, I believe DeLano takes a brave stance addressing a major topic many women suffer and struggle to overcome, and reveals multiple ways these situations affect a wider circle of people. DeLano leaves her reader feeling disturbed, but also hopeful: women’s bonds and support systems work. It’s a shorter novel, 226 pages, and I would recommend it for a bookclub choice.

[Marianne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently had the pleasure of reading "Abilene," and it's safe to say it left a profound impact on me. The book is set in a small Texas town and revolves around the lives of three remarkable women: Len, a twelve-year-old girl, her mother Cora, and her Aunt Jean. This trio of strong Southern women grapples with themes of love, loss, and the complexities of family life, all set against the rugged backdrop of a cattle ranch.

What I liked the most about this novel was its authenticity and depth. The way DeLano portrays the struggles of these women is both heartbreaking and incredibly real. Len's journey, in particular, was something I found deeply moving.

A book about identity, hope, and belonging.

[lori pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Main Street Rag Publishing Company, Mint Hill Books, for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a southern, domestic tale of three generations of Texas women who live together on a family ranch. We have Granny, Ma (Cora) and Len, the daughter/granddaughter. When Aunt Jean kills Uncle Roger, for reasons she cannot explain, the family unity is stretched thin. Nothing is as it seems with the familial secrets, the perceptions of past events and the consequences of choices made.

This is an enjoyable read about the tight ties of southern women. Recommend!!

[Paula Pugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read novel, so full it almost bursts from the binding. So deeply touching and filled with the heartache of two women and a young girl, each alone in their circumstances and together in the unfairness of life. Jean is in jail for shooting her husband, feeling like she is crazy. Cora yearns for her college days and the love of Edison who up and left her. Len has always wanted to know her father-who he is, why he left before she was born. Family is on every page as you learn of how the women got where they are.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sarah Sleeper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Len, Cora and Jean are women you'd like to know--intuitive, powerful and colorful gals who manage to thrive in a dusty and difficult part of Texas. When confronted with crises that threaten their future happiness, they draw upon their strength of character, common sense and intelligence to find their ways, and they lean on each other for support. Abilene is a tale of three specific characters who discover poignant universal truths that anyone can appreciate and relate to. I was inspired and moved by this story and enjoyed the immersion into Delano's beautiful, ethereal prose. An impressive debut novel from a skilled artist.

[Ona Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Well, here in Abilene, that's family." So says Cora, one of the central characters of Dare Delano's exquisite story about love, loss and the redemptive power of truth. Through these themes, Delano explores the very nature of family, its fragility and strength. Women form the core of several interlocking narratives, and Delano shows us the often heartbreaking sacrifices they must make to keep their families intact. But while the novel possesses this kind of depth, it is also a page-turner, a fast moving narrative with a surprising denouement. Highly recommend!

[Sheila's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful debut novel by Dare Delano about a family of strong Southern women.Cora Aunt Jean, Granny, and 12 year old Len.
Len is like her granny with strong insight that can sometimes cause her to black out. All she wants in this world is her father and wonders why he left. Why did he never try to meet her.
Cora is Len's mother, who raised her on her own. She also wonders what possessed Len's father to walk away without a word.
And there is Aunt Jean who has landed herself in jail. Sometimes, you don't even realize when you have reached your limit.

I loved this story. It's a heartwarming saga about family, love, forgiveness, and strength. It's beautifully written with characters that stay with you.

Publicstion November 1st 2023

[Shannon Degiglio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I overall liked this book and felt an emotional connection with each of the three main characters. I had hoped for more character development especially in some of the minor characters like Rachel and her Mom as there was some pretty deep stuff there never really addressed. I would have also liked to know more about Roger and what his motives were. I found the ending a little sudden and the reason for Cora and Edison falling apart seemed a impractical. Overall, I think it was a nice story, quick read, and would love to see where these characters go in another book.

[Miia Salomäki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abilene tells the story of three strong, courageous women who have endured hardships in their lives. 12-year-old Len has grown without a father and has a gift. Her mother, Cora, is trying to finish her thesis, and her aunt Jean ends up shooting her husband. Told through the eyes of those three women, the story spans over 13 years. There’s love, betrayal and self discovery.
This book was a fairly quick read. The chapters were short, which I like, and the language was beautiful. At times I wanted to stop and just taste the words, feel them resonate within me.

[Meagan Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific debut. A moving story about secrets, betrayal, and the strength of women.

[Janel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abilene is the debut novel by Dare Delano. This book tells the intertwining stories of three generations of Texas females. A tale of of domestic drama, family, the ties that bind us, and the walls we build between each other. It’s emotionally packed and the reader should definitely have some tissues handy while reading. Such a great book! For me, it was a story of women’s struggles and taking back their power. Definitely didn’t feel like a debut novel..very well written.

[Abby Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meet me in Milan (Sherlock Holmes and Irene Adler #3)
By K.D. Sherrinford

Description:
Historical Fiction/ Mystery

This is my third book by this author.

This is the third book in the series. I’ve enjoyed all 3 books each book is about a different mystery.

In this story Irene’s dear friend has been accused of attempted murder. She teams up with her husband Sherlock to help solve this case.

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

An enjoyable read and well written.

Recommend to readers who enjoy historical fiction.

Thanks, zooloo’s Book Tours and K.D. Sherrinford for a digital copy of this book.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely lovely story. Poignant and heartfelt, written with a lilting beauty -- it brought me to tears in parts. I truly recommend.