The Weeping Willow Sings

by Billie Grable

John O’Brien’s suicide by drowning throws him into an afterlife he never expected. His fifteen-year-old daughter, Maggie, almost dies trying to save him, and her distorted memory of the traumatic event leaves Maggie believing that John is still alive.

Maggie sets off on a journey to find her father and the mythical weeping willow he often told her about – a journey that takes her to the world between – and beyond. When Maggie’s path meets imminent danger, John must find a way to cross the threshold between life and death to save his daughter one last time.

A blend of fantasy and fiction, The Weeping Willow Sings provides a glimpse into the theory of life after death and the possibility for the dead to make amends with those still living. A moving depiction about the secrets families keep, the tragic side of mental illness and the bond between a father and daughter, The Weeping Willow Sings reminds us all that love never dies.

288 pages, Paperback

First published November 23, 2012

About the author

I am the fourth girl and middle child of seven children. Named after my Uncles, Bill and Gene, I have approached life in the offbeat way I was named, embracing the different and sometimes separate worlds I find myself in.
I graduated from high school in 1969 and after graduation went on to pursue my bachelor’s degree from the School of Hard Knocks. After successfully completing all required curriculum, I discovered that whatever it was I decided to take on, I could do it – and do it successfully.
After a memorable divorce in 1989, I took on the biggest opportunity I’d yet encountered. I accepted a job with the ‘software giant’ and moved to the greater Seattle area.
I triumphed over the many challenges working in the software industry sent my way. And I made the most of the resources the literary world in King County had to offer. I enmeshed myself in writing classes and received certifications from the University of Washington in Literary Journalism, Nonfiction Book, Commercial and Advanced Commercial Fiction.
You can find my first novel, “The Weeping Willow Sings” on Amazon http://bit.ly/XRCbbe.

Reviews

[Amy Taricco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really stirred something in me. I don't normally read paranormal, let alone teen fiction. But the characters in this book stole my heart in the first few pages. A story of a father's suicide due to mental illness and his tumultuous journey to a peacful afterlife, it really gets you thinking about family relationships and the ties that truly bind us together. With funny and poignant teenage banter and angst thrown in, it's well balanced.

You'll be in for quite a ride as the teenage daughter tries desparately to find her father, believing he has disappeared. As John watches the events he's created by drowning himself, he "lives" in agony as a ghost. Until he figures out how to make it right.

Looking forward to this author's next book!

[Priya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! I love supernatural books, so I was really excited to read this one! The story drew me in right from the beginning, and I really felt a connection with the characters. I loved how the story unfolded after John's death and along with it all the little secrets and mysteries were solved.

This is a book that everyone should read :)

[Lisa Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! I was hooked from the beginning. It had it all love, sadness, courage, paranormal. I normally just read horror, but it was good to read something that was believable and had a happy ending.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying I don't normally read paranormal books. They usually seem so far fetched that I give up. But this book was an exception.

Billie made those characters come alive. I really felt for Maggie. She was an exceptional person and just never gave up. I had times when I was really mad at John and Nora and wanted to give them both shakes and yell at them. That was how much the characters got into my head.

The part that I think might have been left out (and that is why I gave this 4 instead of 5 stars) is the whole Star Dust character. I honestly think the book would have been great without this element added in. That was the only part that I felt it was getting kind of out there. I did not feel that Star Dust added anything to the story, and especially the little bit at the end. I do not want to say too much about this and ruin anything for the reader. It is just my personal opinion.

Other than that, I totally enjoyed this book. I remember several times shaking my head in awe that this the first book for Billie Grable. Her writing is totally enjoyable and the detail exactly right. She can bring the characters to life and she definitely does. Well done!

[Alana Spence · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book based on the concept, summary, and reviews. I've never felt so let down by a book. You guys, it is so bad and so overdramatic and even their real-world story was unrealistic. The ghost of John was stupidly described and was hardly put to use. The multiple points of view was confusing. I swear, had I known better, I would have assumed this was written by a 14-year-old girl. So much potential, but saying that it was poorly executed is an understatement. I hardly ever give bad reviews, but I just want to save people from wasting their time and rolling their eyes to the back of their heads. It was so very hard to finish, and it took a while, but I finished on my birthday, and what a great birthday present it was to finally close this book.

[Heidi Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Billie Grable's debut novel sings! It drew me in from the first page and kept me turning pages to the end. Billie has done a great job of developing her characters and showing the emotional turmoil they endure. It is a wonderful story of love, loss, and redemption. I recommend it for both adults and young adults.

[Lyn Midden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book on Goodreads. This is a wonderfully written book about loss, grief, love, and forgiveness. it is easy to feel a connection with the characters and feel their emotions jump off the page.

[Linnea March · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I am a sucker for Catholic musing, mental illness and a touch of the mysticism.

[Martina Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a beautiful story. Depression is an issue that many families struggle with. In this case, the main character, John, has wrestled with it for most of his adult life. It was triggered by the fallout of his own mother's depression. But what I really loved was that the story was also told by his teenage daughter's point of view--which turns this novel about depression and loss into a moving, and uplifting coming-of-age tale.

[Roselee · Rating 1 out of 5]

The entire time I was reading this book I was thinking about what I would say about it... none of the things were positive. The best thing about this book was the synopsis on the dust jacket that made me think it might be a good read. It wasn't.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

John is an artist with mental problems when he commits suicide. John's daughter, Maggie does not believe John is dead. This is an interesting novel which explores what happens after death. In this novel the dead try to make amends to the living. The Weeping Willow Sings is well written.

[Suzanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway from GoodReads. The book was very well written and covered a subject that can be distressing and have repercussions by not being discussed.