Sarah's Window

by Janice Graham

A family tragedy brings artist Sarah Bryden back to the Flint Hills of Kansas. There, she forms a deep friendship with brilliant professor John Wilde, which quickly blossoms into something more-threatening John's marriage and Sarah's sense of right and wrong. Theirs is a passion driven by the forces of providence, one that will be played out against the wild beauty of the Flint Hills, as powerful as nature itself...

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance, Fiction, Womens Fiction, Historical

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

The Official Take:

Janice Graham was raised in Kansas and obtained her M.A. in French literature before pursuing graduate film studies at USC and English literature at UCLA in Los Angeles, California. Her screenplay Until September, a romantic comedy situated in Paris, was picked up by MGM and made into a film starring Karen Allen and Thierry Lhermitte. Her first novel, Firebird, became a New York Times and international bestseller.

After a series of contemporary women’s fiction, she turned to historical fiction--The Tailor's Daughter set in Victorian England, and Romancing Miss Bronte, written as Juliet Gael, a highly acclaimed novel about Charlotte Brontë. Red Lily, a Cold War era historical fiction, is due out in spring 2025. She divides her time between Overland Park, Kansas and Paris.

For What Really Happened - see her website: janicegraham.com/about-janice

Reviews

[TJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It was interesting but it wasn't incredible. I liked some of the characters that were developed however some of the plot was given away with the foreshadowing. I also thought the book could have been better if it was about 75 pages shorter, the author kept introducing fringe characters to the end that added no overall value to the plot.

[Karen Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young woman in Kansas falls in love with a married Physicist from California while babysitting his adopted son. I usually am turned off by any book dealing with adultery, but the author is able to make you sympathetic to everyone who's involved. I like Janice Graham's books.

[Melissa Lee-Tammeus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not going to lie - I almost gave up on this book about halfway through. It was slow going at first and I didn't really like the Louisa May Alcott vibe within the writing. I finally decided to hunker down and finish it and was glad I did. Once I got used to the innocent tone of the writing and once the author managed to surprise me a bit as we went along (at one point, even getting terribly annoyed with one particular traumatic turn of events in which a main character is no longer), well, I was glad I took another chance. A Lifetime Movie which turns to a Nicholas Sparks book - you get what I'm saying.

[Katt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read. Haven't we all dreamed of spiriting off and starting over? Although happily ever afters are sometimes sappy, this book was really sweet and thoughtful. Ah, to know what the future holds.... We would probably all make different decisions in life? "It is a peculiarity of man that he can only live by looking to the future..." Vikto E. Frankl-MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The prairie descriptions were intriguing. As one who has not seen "the grass- lands", I had never given thought to the variety and intensity of nature in this part of the country. I also liked the description of the unusual characters. Not the usual "young love" characters. I will be exploring more of Janice Graham's books.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and the way Graham pains the lives of her characters. The storyline is one that could have been written by anyone, but I feel like she really made you experience the emotions that Sarah had in every step of her decisions for herself.

Give it a try.

[Patsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A talented painter spends her days waiting tables until a physicist on leave from California moves to the area with his wife. Sarah becomes a caretaker for their ill child, and the attraction between Sarah and the father grows.

A little slow getting into - good read, however.

[Patty Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janice Graham paints the inner lives of her characters as vividly and unforgettably as she renders the vast and many-hued portraits of the prairie.. Stunning and cinematic, Sarah's Window is a novel that comes straight from the heart!!!!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story of intertwined lives in a small Kansas town, leading the reader through love, loss, dreams, flood waters, travel. A very easy read, one that brought tears to my eyes more than once.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hard to put down. The storyline was compelling; I was invested in her very real characters; her research was impressive. I just like the way she writes.
Note to Susan: this is a book about "relationships."

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, set in Kansas. Very well done, too, from this Kansas resident's point of view.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fast easy read. It was a little sad, but I did not connect with characters enough to actually shed a tear for them.

[Jackie Simons]

Read 6/02

[Dee Schwinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of setting, intriguing characters, a bit of mystery that was eventually revealed.

[Beth Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Good read. Could hardly put it down. Had some sad parts but heart warming ones as well. I recommend reading.

[Cassurina Stahlhut · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really got me, it may have been the time of my life where these characters spoke to me, but even now I can read it over again and still feel butterflies. Lovely, sad, and thoughtful.

[Pat Jorgenson Waterchilde · Rating 4 out of 5]

a nice gentle read. very well written with an engaging story and as I was hoping for a very happy ending!

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant odyssey of life's struggles with loves, losses and a finding joy. I just read this one and could not put it down. I look forward to reading other books from this author.

[Donna]

A beautiful novel about deep love, infidelity and passion. Loved it!

[Donna Halloran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up loving this book. I got a little tired and wasn't sure I was gonna finish BUT I stuck it out and I am so glad I did. The end was nothing like I predicted and I really loved it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great love story.

[wrkatreading · Rating 1 out of 5]

The male MC in this book like in the other two books in this series is made out to be a good man. He falls immediately in lust/love with the women him and his wife hire to care for their adopted son. Of course things progress. One night of passion the rest of the time and emotional connection of betrayal.
I have read and skimmed all three in this series and I didn’t buy the good people the author was trying to. represent.
In all three books in this series the attraction between MMC and OW is so strong they just had to. Of course there is other elements to the stories that is interesting but I didn’t buy it.
Here is a list of her other titles that I have read that are in this series.
Frirebird, Safe Harbour and this title.

Also there is a movie this author wrote the screenplay for called Until September. The very same premise as these three books. Only this time a wife and two children are left for the OW. If authors write what they know…

[Paula Galvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Flint Hills create a rugged yet beautiful landscape surrounding the small town of Bazaar, Kansas. It’s home to the small community that Sarah Bryden belongs to. Sarah is a private woman who lives with her grandparents, Jack and Ruth. When Susan Blackshere returns to her family’s mansion in the nearby town of Cottonwood Falls with her husband, John Wilde, and their adopted baby son, Will, there’s an instant attraction between Sarah and John. If this is beginning to sound like a run-of-the-mill romantic triangle, I’ll tell you now, it’s far from it. These characters, John, Sarah, and Susan, are complicated and captivating.

Keep the Kleenex box handy because this intriguing story of loss, betrayal, and courage will tug at your heartstrings and keep you in suspense to the last page. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it. It’s a story that will live in your memory for a long time.

[David Carriere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Amazing Women by K.C. Armstrong is an inspiring collection of thirteen stories centered on courage, resilience, and service to others. Armstrong highlights women who have not only survived deep heartbreak but transformed their pain into purpose, becoming powerful sources of hope within their communities.

Each interview is heartfelt and authentic, offering a unique window into the strength, passion, and wisdom that define these women. The book’s tone is compassionate and uplifting, celebrating the quiet heroism so often overlooked. Armstrong’s own experiences thread the stories together with humility and respect, honoring mothers, grandmothers, and every woman who has carried others through difficult times.

A powerful tribute to resilience and a moving reminder that healing becomes even more meaningful when it helps others heal too.

[Terry Proffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just enjoyable all the way through. Nice language, good characters, and the author took her time unfolding the story without dawdling.

My only gripe is that the main character was a little too perfect, and the antagonist had no redeeming qualities. This is a rookie mistake. If she had fixed this, the novel would be better, but it is very good anyway.

I thought the end was going to be a manipulation, but after a bit of reflection I can see that it was perfect.

I would suggest this book to a friend.

[Mary Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fascinating to read the flood description in this novel as our world is experiencing them in Kentucky, among other places. I found the book absorbing, but somewhat uneven, partly because of some of the extreme events. Probably would give it a three and a half, but will go to four, as it certainly held my interest.

[Therese Bergwall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Läst på svenska: Ljuset från Sarahs fönster

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that most of the book takes place in KS. Especially in my old stomping grounds of Lawrence. Heartbreaking and beautiful story.

[Karen Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 3.5 stars. Great place description - the Flint Hills. Not my favorite in terms of plot- BUT some of the characters are well drawn - a little stereotypical though.

[Bee Jones]

Dnf, not my kind of romance at all