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The Catalain Book of Secrets
Seven Daughters: A Catalain Book of Secrets Novella
Every one of Helena Catalain's handmade candies carries magic, and that's a problem for Meredith Gottfridsen. Awakening the 100-year-old feud between her family and the Catalains, Meredith forces peaceful Helena to fight to keep Seven Daughters, her famous candy store, and the beautiful Queen Anne mansion she calls home. When a massive ball of snakes overtakes the town, bringing with it knowledge and fear, Helena realizes the stakes are even higher than she imagined. Brimming with humor and heartbreak, hope and magic, this novella takes readers deeper into the world of the Catalains and Faith Falls, the snug Minnesota town that houses them.
- GenresFantasy
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2014
90 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Jess Lourey
50 books4,451 followersMy name is Jess Lourey, and I write about secrets.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
The story of my first published novel is both devastating and transformative, something I speak about in my TEDx Talk (https://youtu.be/a5vSLh3oPXI). I've come a long way since then. I'm proud to call myself a bestselling, twice Edgar-nominated, and twice Goodreads Readers Choice Awards shortlisted author who has won the ITW Thriller, Minnesota Book, and Anthony Awards. I write crime fiction, young adult, nonfiction, children's books, and book club fiction.
I've reached over a million readers since 2020. I'm also a former writing and sociology professor who still loves to teach transformative creative writing workshops built around my Rewrite Your Life method.
I live in Minneapolis with a rotating batch of foster kittens (and occasional foster puppies, but man those goobers are a lot of work). Pop on over to Lourey's Literati, my VIP Reader group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/38538...) and/or sign up for my molasses newsletter (https://jessicalourey.com/newsletter) for the latest news, giveaways, and insider information.
p.s. You can find the Unspeakable Things epilogue here: https://jessicalourey.com/survey-two.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 10, 2022
Oh Okay, I started this assuming it was going to be a light read involving witches and magic and fun but IT WAS MORE. I did not expect substance from this honestly, but it fared well. Helena and Xenia are well likable and Artemis is just..absolutely great. Helena went through so much but came out stronger at the end which is amazing!
December 15, 2014
I loved getting to spend more time with the Catalains, and learn more about Helena. I don't know what Jess's plans are for the future, but I'd love to see some more novellas where we get to spend a bit more time with the characters (and maybe find out what exactly happened to Ennis and Eva).
WARNING: READING THIS BOOK WILL LEAVE YOU CRAVING CANDIES OF ALL KINDS.
WARNING: READING THIS BOOK WILL LEAVE YOU CRAVING CANDIES OF ALL KINDS.
May 18, 2015
Well written with a joy for r life
Intriguing, emotional reality, in a framework of creative storyline and believable characters. Clear easily envisioned descriptions of the past experiences of people and places and things to tie them into the present moment.
Intriguing, emotional reality, in a framework of creative storyline and believable characters. Clear easily envisioned descriptions of the past experiences of people and places and things to tie them into the present moment.
August 5, 2018
More Catalains please
I love the prose and gentle, magical, writing style of this author in this book, and the other book she wrote about the Catalain women (....Book of Secrets). In addition to being entertaining, the books have down to earth humor and some very good pointers for living a good life. I love the whimsical mood I'm in after reading about the Witchy Women of Faith Falls. I've yet to read any of the many other books by this author. I love her writing in this book so much that I look forward to reading more of her work. I would really love more of the Catalain women books. They celebrate life, femininity in all its forms, family, friendship, and gratitude for our human selves. I felt the Soul of Everything when I read the two books in this series. Magical.
I love the prose and gentle, magical, writing style of this author in this book, and the other book she wrote about the Catalain women (....Book of Secrets). In addition to being entertaining, the books have down to earth humor and some very good pointers for living a good life. I love the whimsical mood I'm in after reading about the Witchy Women of Faith Falls. I've yet to read any of the many other books by this author. I love her writing in this book so much that I look forward to reading more of her work. I would really love more of the Catalain women books. They celebrate life, femininity in all its forms, family, friendship, and gratitude for our human selves. I felt the Soul of Everything when I read the two books in this series. Magical.
July 24, 2018
Good, but...
I read this right after the longer book because there was a link to it. It has copy and paste paragraphs (describing Cleo). It is also like another universe - it describes the exact same time period as the longer book, but completely different things happen to the characters. I think the author messed up a bit making the snake event only happen every 25 years if she really wanted to use it as a catalyst for change in the characters. I think the main things that happened in this book could have been worked into the other book and it all would have made a lot more sense....
I read this right after the longer book because there was a link to it. It has copy and paste paragraphs (describing Cleo). It is also like another universe - it describes the exact same time period as the longer book, but completely different things happen to the characters. I think the author messed up a bit making the snake event only happen every 25 years if she really wanted to use it as a catalyst for change in the characters. I think the main things that happened in this book could have been worked into the other book and it all would have made a lot more sense....
July 10, 2019
I got both this and The Catalain Book of Secrets, and wasn’t sure which order to read them. Picked this one because it’s shorter, and am now looking forward to reading more of the Catalains. I love these types of magical stories!
February 19, 2020
I love companion works! Sequels, prequels, spin offs or works like Seven Daughters give you another look I to the lives of characters and settings you love. Thank you for the excellent read and the additional back story and information of the Catalain sisters!
January 11, 2020
This is a magical story that I enjoyed
April 28, 2021
Loved this magical story.
September 7, 2024
Entertaining, but too short. Charming, quirky characters, not as dark as book 1 overall, though Helena must face a major challenge.
December 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this book there was nothing I didn't like
December 22, 2014
Interesting novella that combines elements of magic, romance, fantasy, myth and historical fiction in less than one hundred pages. The Prologue begins with the history of the town of Faith Falls in Minnesota, the original Native American inhabitants, its founder James A. Faith, and the old-timer white settlers, Philander and Albrikt who witnessed the farm town's evolution. They tell tales of mouse plagues and snake infestations that sometimes arise in springtime and overrun the town. Then the story shifts to the arrival of the arrival of the Catalain family and their magic. The family lost their beautiful home during the Depression.
Almost fifty years later, twin sisters Helena and Xenia return to open up a joint business called Seven Daughters and take over the old mansion. Helena creates candy confections and Xenia designs and sews beautiful clothing for women. But Meredith is determined to bring the daughters down in vengeance for a murder she believes the Catalain family guilty of. The plot twists and turns as the sisters struggle to fight against the town closing their shop, sort out their romantic affairs, as well as Helena facing a major health crisis. The Catalain magic spells are interwoven between the pages of the story. All this sets the stage for the novel to follow.
If you are looking for an engaging and different quick read, I recommend that you take a look.
Almost fifty years later, twin sisters Helena and Xenia return to open up a joint business called Seven Daughters and take over the old mansion. Helena creates candy confections and Xenia designs and sews beautiful clothing for women. But Meredith is determined to bring the daughters down in vengeance for a murder she believes the Catalain family guilty of. The plot twists and turns as the sisters struggle to fight against the town closing their shop, sort out their romantic affairs, as well as Helena facing a major health crisis. The Catalain magic spells are interwoven between the pages of the story. All this sets the stage for the novel to follow.
If you are looking for an engaging and different quick read, I recommend that you take a look.
December 28, 2014
Seven Daughters: A Catalain Book of Secrets Novella by Jessica Lourey is a fun and magical book. It is a companion novel to The Catalain Book of Secrets. It delves further into the story of Helene who has a magical gift for chocolate and candy. We also get a little more on the history of the town, Faith Falls. There are some scenes, though, that are literally identical to The Catalain Book of Secrets (like cut and paste). Seven Daughters is a great story and I liked learning more about Helena as well as her sister, Xenia. If you read The Catalain Book of Secrets, then you must definitely read Seven Daughters by Jessica Lourey! Happy Reading!
January 26, 2016
It was nice to revisit the world of the Catalains and Faith Falls. This blend of Midwestern small-town stuff and Magical Realism is an interesting one, and I'd kill to eat some of Helena and Claudette's chocolates! I realize this is a novella, but I'd have liked certain aspects to be fleshed out a little more -- everything to do with Helena's medical problem, for example, feels a bit rushed, and the 19th-century bit in the prologue is cool but would have been even cooler if there were more call-backs to it later.
Overall, I liked it though! Helena was one of my favorite characters from the full length Catalain novel and it was nice to learn more about her here.
Overall, I liked it though! Helena was one of my favorite characters from the full length Catalain novel and it was nice to learn more about her here.
April 21, 2016
My First
I read this Novella first. Well, actually, I STOPPED reading "The Catalain Book of Secrets" in order to BEGIN reading this Novella. It made me understand or maybe the better word is connect with these characters better. I had trouble getting into the the characters of the FIRST book - but I seemed to finally "get it" while reading the Novella. Now I am going back to pick up the book and start over in reading it. I hope I carry the love of these characters with me when I begin reading "The Catalain Book Of Secrets" again and that magic is still with me
I read this Novella first. Well, actually, I STOPPED reading "The Catalain Book of Secrets" in order to BEGIN reading this Novella. It made me understand or maybe the better word is connect with these characters better. I had trouble getting into the the characters of the FIRST book - but I seemed to finally "get it" while reading the Novella. Now I am going back to pick up the book and start over in reading it. I hope I carry the love of these characters with me when I begin reading "The Catalain Book Of Secrets" again and that magic is still with me
January 20, 2016
Loved it
September 12, 2015
Wonderful.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the sisters and their relationship with each other. Look forward to reading more about the Catalians.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Enjoyed the sisters and their relationship with each other. Look forward to reading more about the Catalians.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews