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Jericho #4
Covenant
Present Jericho, Virginia.
Covenant continues the beloved saga of the residents of Jericho, a sleepy town in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road.
Six weeks have passed since the fateful unfolding of events at the town’s Fourth of July celebration. Questions swirl about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the town nemesis, Gerald Watson. Was it an accident, or was Watson murdered? As the scorching summer gives way to a burning fall, suspects in the potential homicide abound, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets.
Throughout it all, bonds of love and fealty are stretched and tested as the endearing residents of this once-idyllic community weigh the covenants they keep against the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
Join Syd, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, Celine, and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle as they band together to navigate the minefields of their ever-changing world in this newest Jericho novel.
Covenant is Book #4 of the Jericho Series and will be available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats on July 13, 2021.
Covenant continues the beloved saga of the residents of Jericho, a sleepy town in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road.
Six weeks have passed since the fateful unfolding of events at the town’s Fourth of July celebration. Questions swirl about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the town nemesis, Gerald Watson. Was it an accident, or was Watson murdered? As the scorching summer gives way to a burning fall, suspects in the potential homicide abound, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets.
Throughout it all, bonds of love and fealty are stretched and tested as the endearing residents of this once-idyllic community weigh the covenants they keep against the secrets that threaten to tear them apart.
Join Syd, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, Celine, and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle as they band together to navigate the minefields of their ever-changing world in this newest Jericho novel.
Covenant is Book #4 of the Jericho Series and will be available in paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats on July 13, 2021.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 13, 2021
25 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Ann McMan
41 books577 followersCollege at an indifferent liberal arts institution taught Ann McMan that understanding subject/verb agreement was not enough to secure her fame and fortune. After graduation, she got a job driving a young adult bookmobile—and spent her days piloting the great rig across the dusty back roads of rural North Carolina. Her duties included making certain that the mobile library always contained at least six copies of "Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret", visiting the county detention unit (it was a great way to catch up with her brothers), and showing public service films about safe sex to pre-teens at 4-H Clubs all across her part of “The New South.”
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
Soon, the allure of higher education coaxed Ann back to school. For the past three decades, Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education.
Somebody has to do it.
All this time, she continued to write. And when, at the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She will forever be indebted to those literary pioneers who had the courage, the talent, and the temerity to gift us all with an art form of our own. Ann’s first and subsequent attempts at writing lesbian fiction have been heartfelt attempts to pay that great gift forward.
Ann McMan is the author of three novels, JERICHO, DUST, and AFTERMATH–and the story collection SIDECAR.
In 2011, Ann, along with her novels JERICHO and DUST and her short story “I Saw Xena Kissing Senticles” were elected to The Royal Academy of Bards Hall of Fame. In 2012, she was awarded the Alice B. Lavender Certificate.
BACKCAST, further adventures of the CLIT-Con 13 (that zany cast of authors from SIDECAR’s “Bottle Rocket”) will be released in 2013.
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June 23, 2021
Covenant takes us deep into the hearts and souls of the people we have come to know and love in this Jericho series. I mentioned at the end of my review for Goldenrod that a darkness hangs over the community. I recommend you read the first three to fully appreciate the mastery that has gone into this (I assume) final book in the series.
Mayor Gerald Watson has died under suspicious circumstances and an inquest has begun to determine if he died of natural causes or was murdered at the Fourth of July party in Jericho. Witnesses and suspects are being interviewed and tensions are running high in this small Virginia town. Dorothy is staying with Maddie’s mother Celine who is encouraging Dorothy’s interest in the piano along with enjoying Dorothy’s biscuit making skills. Celine is also admitting her attraction to Byron, the town sheriff. Henry is struggling at school and often stays with Syd and Maddie while his father is away on long haul trucking assignments. David and Syd are planning the wedding of the century much to Maddie’s horror. Roma Jean Freemantle is spending more time with her girlfriend Charlie but someone from Charlie’s past has returned, adding a new level of risk in their relationship.
Ann McMan pulls all these storylines together buffering the sadness with humour and the obscene with kindness and caring. She allows us to peek into the backstories of some of her most beloved characters to show us that abuse is often but not always sexual. It can also take the form of neglect or rejection by the ones meant to care and protect us.
In the midst of this darkness the author shows us the good which still exists in this world and she does so with the one character we have laughed at and with throughout the series, Roma Jean Freemantle. Her attraction to Charlie and the way her small town parents reluctantly begin to accept Charlie into their family gives us hope that there are good people and good parents in the world. Not all children who come out to their parents are rejected. Roma Jean’s parents make the effort, support their daughter and stand up to her tormentors. The kindness of strangers is exemplified by Celine who introduces Dorothy to the beauty and restorative power of music. Maddie and Syd will always love and be there for Henry and his father. Their ever expanding Taco Tuesdays will continue long after we’ve said goodbye to the good folks of Jericho.
Well crafted and memorable, Covenant succeeds in reminding us that love and acceptance can be found in this world full of cruelty and ignorance.
A copy of this book was given to LezReview Books for review.
Mayor Gerald Watson has died under suspicious circumstances and an inquest has begun to determine if he died of natural causes or was murdered at the Fourth of July party in Jericho. Witnesses and suspects are being interviewed and tensions are running high in this small Virginia town. Dorothy is staying with Maddie’s mother Celine who is encouraging Dorothy’s interest in the piano along with enjoying Dorothy’s biscuit making skills. Celine is also admitting her attraction to Byron, the town sheriff. Henry is struggling at school and often stays with Syd and Maddie while his father is away on long haul trucking assignments. David and Syd are planning the wedding of the century much to Maddie’s horror. Roma Jean Freemantle is spending more time with her girlfriend Charlie but someone from Charlie’s past has returned, adding a new level of risk in their relationship.
Ann McMan pulls all these storylines together buffering the sadness with humour and the obscene with kindness and caring. She allows us to peek into the backstories of some of her most beloved characters to show us that abuse is often but not always sexual. It can also take the form of neglect or rejection by the ones meant to care and protect us.
In the midst of this darkness the author shows us the good which still exists in this world and she does so with the one character we have laughed at and with throughout the series, Roma Jean Freemantle. Her attraction to Charlie and the way her small town parents reluctantly begin to accept Charlie into their family gives us hope that there are good people and good parents in the world. Not all children who come out to their parents are rejected. Roma Jean’s parents make the effort, support their daughter and stand up to her tormentors. The kindness of strangers is exemplified by Celine who introduces Dorothy to the beauty and restorative power of music. Maddie and Syd will always love and be there for Henry and his father. Their ever expanding Taco Tuesdays will continue long after we’ve said goodbye to the good folks of Jericho.
Well crafted and memorable, Covenant succeeds in reminding us that love and acceptance can be found in this world full of cruelty and ignorance.
A copy of this book was given to LezReview Books for review.
July 22, 2021
Covenant is the fourth and final book in the Jericho series by Ann McMan. Jericho is very special to me as it is one of the first lesfic books I've ever read, and it will always have a special place in my heart. But of course, even if I want to rave about how perfect everything is, I will be as objective as I can. :)
Goldenrod ended on a very grim note, with the unexplained death of Mayor Watson. A significant part of Covenant, thus, was focused on the investigation of his death. Each chapter starts with an inquest interview with different characters that have already been introduced in the previous books.
As with the second and third book in the series, Covenant tells the story of different characters. However, I felt that this book was more integrated than the others. This was the most powerful one in the series. It talked of social issues such as bigotry, homophobia, fanaticism, and abuse. I felt strong emotions while reading it; I cried at some parts of this book. Readers have to be warned that it contains sensitive matters that are very upsetting. Nevertheless, I appreciate that Ann McMan set their paths towards healing.
We get the same sweetness and romance from Syd and Maddie. But even though I love those two so much, I didn't mind that the book didn't focus solely on them. We got to look into Charlie's history, and we bear witness to Roma Jean's growth from that clumsy teenager who would often be involved in accidents, to a brave young woman who can stand up for herself and others.
We also get to read more about Byron and Celine. But more importantly, we see more of Celine's relationship with Dorothy. I think this was also very significant as she has her regrets in the way she handled things with Maddie in the past. I would say that Celine is my favorite character in this book. She was gentle, respectful, thoughtful, and loving. Basically what anyone would want in a mom.
Lizzy's storyline is also interesting, but I'll leave that for you to discover. ;) If I really had to nitpick, my only complaint in this book is the author's tendency to keep using her favorite words. It's the same for almost all her books. For Covenant, it would be the word "obfuscate." To be honest, I'm kind of happy to see that she still has the same tendency, haha. :)
If you're a fan of Jericho, it would be a crime not to read this! This is the perfect end to the beautiful story of Syd and Maddie.
Goldenrod ended on a very grim note, with the unexplained death of Mayor Watson. A significant part of Covenant, thus, was focused on the investigation of his death. Each chapter starts with an inquest interview with different characters that have already been introduced in the previous books.
As with the second and third book in the series, Covenant tells the story of different characters. However, I felt that this book was more integrated than the others. This was the most powerful one in the series. It talked of social issues such as bigotry, homophobia, fanaticism, and abuse. I felt strong emotions while reading it; I cried at some parts of this book. Readers have to be warned that it contains sensitive matters that are very upsetting. Nevertheless, I appreciate that Ann McMan set their paths towards healing.
We get the same sweetness and romance from Syd and Maddie. But even though I love those two so much, I didn't mind that the book didn't focus solely on them. We got to look into Charlie's history, and we bear witness to Roma Jean's growth from that clumsy teenager who would often be involved in accidents, to a brave young woman who can stand up for herself and others.
We also get to read more about Byron and Celine. But more importantly, we see more of Celine's relationship with Dorothy. I think this was also very significant as she has her regrets in the way she handled things with Maddie in the past. I would say that Celine is my favorite character in this book. She was gentle, respectful, thoughtful, and loving. Basically what anyone would want in a mom.
Lizzy's storyline is also interesting, but I'll leave that for you to discover. ;) If I really had to nitpick, my only complaint in this book is the author's tendency to keep using her favorite words. It's the same for almost all her books. For Covenant, it would be the word "obfuscate." To be honest, I'm kind of happy to see that she still has the same tendency, haha. :)
If you're a fan of Jericho, it would be a crime not to read this! This is the perfect end to the beautiful story of Syd and Maddie.
July 15, 2021
This new installment in the series not only keeps on recounting the everyday life of our favorite Jericho residents, but also satisfactorily explains the events at the end of Goldenrod.
As a plus, at least for me, there is a mention to the Valencian paella:
“Paella.” Michael stirred the mixture. “It’s Spanish. This version is Valencian. No shellfish.”
“Well, whatever version it is, you’re burning that rice.”
“I’m not burning it. I’m making soccarat.”
That makes me proud... because I'm from Valencia. But please, Ms. McMan, next time remember it's "socarrat", not "soccarat". And yes, "socarrat" brings paellas to another level.
Ann McMan is definitely one of my favorite authors, and Jericho is, of course, one of my favorite series. Covenant seems to be the final book in the series.
As a plus, at least for me, there is a mention to the Valencian paella:
“Paella.” Michael stirred the mixture. “It’s Spanish. This version is Valencian. No shellfish.”
“Well, whatever version it is, you’re burning that rice.”
“I’m not burning it. I’m making soccarat.”
That makes me proud... because I'm from Valencia. But please, Ms. McMan, next time remember it's "socarrat", not "soccarat". And yes, "socarrat" brings paellas to another level.
Ann McMan is definitely one of my favorite authors, and Jericho is, of course, one of my favorite series. Covenant seems to be the final book in the series.
June 11, 2021
I was so happy to read the 4th installment in the 'Jericho' series!
There are a number of plot threads tied up in this book, not the least of which is the mystery surrounding Gerald Watson's death. In Covenant, we are allowed a deeper look at his legacy on the small town. We are also given a closer look at David's past, which I was grateful for since he's one of my favourite characters. We also get caught up with Henry, Byron, James, Rita, Celine, Michael and all their friends, including the very unique Roma Jean Fremantle and Charlie.
This book is Dorothy's story. It is funny at times, moving and yet pulled my heart out and stomped on it a few times for good measure. I'm not ashamed to admit, there were a few tears in my eyes. My heart broke for David, and for Dorothy, and it all made a horrible kind of sense when we consider how they've grown as characters. There is so much love in these pages, and insight and loyalty and friendship. It all makes for a riveting tale that I had a very hard time putting down to go to sleep. As a matter of fact, I didn't sleep, gave up and went back to the book. (I paid for that the next day, but I wasn't sorry).
As is the norm with Ann McMann's books, I learned something with Covenant. I had to go and look up the music mentioned, and of course it was beautiful and heart-wrenching. Ann's skill with the written word always teaches me something new. She writes the town of Jericho and its people so deftly, we forget we're reading a story. We are there, with Maddie and Syd and Dorothy. We can taste the dust on the road and the wine in the glasses, and when it is over, we mourn our return to our everyday world.
To be given a literary gift like that is a treat from a virtuoso with words.
There are a number of plot threads tied up in this book, not the least of which is the mystery surrounding Gerald Watson's death. In Covenant, we are allowed a deeper look at his legacy on the small town. We are also given a closer look at David's past, which I was grateful for since he's one of my favourite characters. We also get caught up with Henry, Byron, James, Rita, Celine, Michael and all their friends, including the very unique Roma Jean Fremantle and Charlie.
This book is Dorothy's story. It is funny at times, moving and yet pulled my heart out and stomped on it a few times for good measure. I'm not ashamed to admit, there were a few tears in my eyes. My heart broke for David, and for Dorothy, and it all made a horrible kind of sense when we consider how they've grown as characters. There is so much love in these pages, and insight and loyalty and friendship. It all makes for a riveting tale that I had a very hard time putting down to go to sleep. As a matter of fact, I didn't sleep, gave up and went back to the book. (I paid for that the next day, but I wasn't sorry).
As is the norm with Ann McMann's books, I learned something with Covenant. I had to go and look up the music mentioned, and of course it was beautiful and heart-wrenching. Ann's skill with the written word always teaches me something new. She writes the town of Jericho and its people so deftly, we forget we're reading a story. We are there, with Maddie and Syd and Dorothy. We can taste the dust on the road and the wine in the glasses, and when it is over, we mourn our return to our everyday world.
To be given a literary gift like that is a treat from a virtuoso with words.
July 12, 2021
When I opened the first page of Covenant, the fourth book in The Jericho Series by Ann McMan, it felt like I was home again with all of my favorite family and friends. I’ve felt that way about all of the books in the Jericho series. The author just writes in a way that makes the story very personal to the reader.
This book picks up the story about six weeks after the novel Goldenrod ends. Mayor Gerald Watson, Dorothy Gayle’s father is dead, and the authorities are trying to figure out whether his death is an accident or murder. The questionable death and the resulting investigation causes obvious strain on the community as a whole, and especially the people who are the most involved. Life does go on though, and we get to see Syd and Maddie prepare for their wedding, with the help of David of course. A few new people have also come to town. There is always something happening in the town of Jericho.
It was so much fun to see all my favorite characters again. I’ve missed Syd, Maddie, Henry, Dorothy, Buddy, Roma Jean, David, Michael, and all the other wonderful and quirky characters Ms. McMan has created in this series. I want these people to be real. They feel like real folks to me, and have since the very first book.
I actually finished reading this novel several days ago, but waited to write this review because I wanted to figure out how to describe the brilliance of this author’s work. Her writing is so nuanced, so complex, but at the same time so easy to become immersed in. She loves to insert hidden patterns, little pearls of wisdom that add a whole new depth to the story. I personally love all the Southernisms I find scattered throughout the tale. These are phrases I’ve heard since I was a child growing up in the South. I’ve missed hearing them since I moved away, so reading them here makes the book very special to me.
There really is no way to tell you in one short review how wonderful this book is, this series, and this author’s work. Not only does this novel have my highest recommendation, this whole series does. Read these four books in order. You will be glad you did.
I received an ARC from Bywater Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
This book picks up the story about six weeks after the novel Goldenrod ends. Mayor Gerald Watson, Dorothy Gayle’s father is dead, and the authorities are trying to figure out whether his death is an accident or murder. The questionable death and the resulting investigation causes obvious strain on the community as a whole, and especially the people who are the most involved. Life does go on though, and we get to see Syd and Maddie prepare for their wedding, with the help of David of course. A few new people have also come to town. There is always something happening in the town of Jericho.
It was so much fun to see all my favorite characters again. I’ve missed Syd, Maddie, Henry, Dorothy, Buddy, Roma Jean, David, Michael, and all the other wonderful and quirky characters Ms. McMan has created in this series. I want these people to be real. They feel like real folks to me, and have since the very first book.
I actually finished reading this novel several days ago, but waited to write this review because I wanted to figure out how to describe the brilliance of this author’s work. Her writing is so nuanced, so complex, but at the same time so easy to become immersed in. She loves to insert hidden patterns, little pearls of wisdom that add a whole new depth to the story. I personally love all the Southernisms I find scattered throughout the tale. These are phrases I’ve heard since I was a child growing up in the South. I’ve missed hearing them since I moved away, so reading them here makes the book very special to me.
There really is no way to tell you in one short review how wonderful this book is, this series, and this author’s work. Not only does this novel have my highest recommendation, this whole series does. Read these four books in order. You will be glad you did.
I received an ARC from Bywater Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/
November 20, 2021
Call me a fool but I have read so many positive reviews about the Jericho series that when I was offered a chance to read an ARC for Covenant I jumped in with both feet. This is my first book by Ann McMan and the fourth in this series. I had no problem reading this book as a stand alone and I will definitely be back tracking to start at the beginning of this series.
Life in the small town of Jericho, Virginia rolls on with the investigation into the death of the town’s mayor. Temporary mayor David begins acting un-David like and Michael has no idea why.
There is something about southern writers which I truly enjoy. They are storytellers par excellence. The attention to the minutiae of everyday life is laser focused yet is told in a smooth, slow unraveling of generous detail.
The characters of Jericho are individually unique and charismatic and together they make a plot bursting at the seams and heading in every direction.
Covenant is an exquisite joy to read. Ann McMan is my new goddess of lesbian fiction. I bow southward in her honour.
I received a free advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Life in the small town of Jericho, Virginia rolls on with the investigation into the death of the town’s mayor. Temporary mayor David begins acting un-David like and Michael has no idea why.
There is something about southern writers which I truly enjoy. They are storytellers par excellence. The attention to the minutiae of everyday life is laser focused yet is told in a smooth, slow unraveling of generous detail.
The characters of Jericho are individually unique and charismatic and together they make a plot bursting at the seams and heading in every direction.
Covenant is an exquisite joy to read. Ann McMan is my new goddess of lesbian fiction. I bow southward in her honour.
I received a free advance review copy from Bywater Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2021
Another book in this series that I love. I read the first three again in preparation to this fourth book and really enjoyed them again. I love all the characters and the atmosphere in these books. All of them are very well written and have lots of humour. In addition this last book had a little bit of mystery. Even though child abuse was part of the story this was a story of strength and hope and making peace with the past.
I hope a fifth book is coming. I would love to read how everyone is doing in Jericho, not only Maddy, Syd and Henry, but I am also curious about what’s going to happen with Lizzy and Avi and Celine and Byron and Dorothy.
I hope a fifth book is coming. I would love to read how everyone is doing in Jericho, not only Maddy, Syd and Henry, but I am also curious about what’s going to happen with Lizzy and Avi and Celine and Byron and Dorothy.
September 5, 2021
What can I say? Well maybe first that I adored this book very much. While the third book already contained more serious topics for me this one even topped it.
After the mayor‘s death the whole town and also the police would like to know what happened at the river. While no one in the town is really sad about his death the police tries to find out by questioning everyone that was around what happened. During the questioning we get to read about the evening from different views and also get to know about the characters private thoughts.
The story jumps from one character to the next but I never struggled to follow it. That’s all thanks to the author that developed them so really well and you just know them after the first 3 books. She also showed us sides from characters like David, Rita, Charly and Dorothy that we suspected but still didn’t know for sure. My heart went out to all of them and it also broke for them.
Of course we also get to know new characters. Including some I didn’t want to meet. All of this made the story to what it was in the end. Which was again a wonderful one with so much depth and all the feelings. I cried and I smiled. I was worried with them and also felt so much joy when they finally found their peace or what they were looking for.
After how the book ended I’m not sure if there will be another book in the series. I‘m hoping for one because I would love to see how they continue their journey. On the other hand I somehow believe that this could be. It would work as well. Whatever Ann McMan is going to do, I’m so very happy she gifted us with this series. For me it is perfection.
After the mayor‘s death the whole town and also the police would like to know what happened at the river. While no one in the town is really sad about his death the police tries to find out by questioning everyone that was around what happened. During the questioning we get to read about the evening from different views and also get to know about the characters private thoughts.
The story jumps from one character to the next but I never struggled to follow it. That’s all thanks to the author that developed them so really well and you just know them after the first 3 books. She also showed us sides from characters like David, Rita, Charly and Dorothy that we suspected but still didn’t know for sure. My heart went out to all of them and it also broke for them.
Of course we also get to know new characters. Including some I didn’t want to meet. All of this made the story to what it was in the end. Which was again a wonderful one with so much depth and all the feelings. I cried and I smiled. I was worried with them and also felt so much joy when they finally found their peace or what they were looking for.
After how the book ended I’m not sure if there will be another book in the series. I‘m hoping for one because I would love to see how they continue their journey. On the other hand I somehow believe that this could be. It would work as well. Whatever Ann McMan is going to do, I’m so very happy she gifted us with this series. For me it is perfection.
July 11, 2021
With Covenant, Ann McMan gives us another amazing installment in the Jericho series. Anyone like me that was left with their jaw on the floor at the end of Goldenrod will find some long-awaited relief with this book. This is just a brilliant series and it’s one I know I’ll revisit again & again.
July 13, 2021
‘People were hard to figure out sometimes’ – life in Jericho
North Carolina author Ann McMan has a gift like few other authors: she knows how to blend comedy and sensitivity to human issues so seamlessly that reading her novels is like looking into the mirror – not only the one in your home but also the funny distorted ones we used to see in the Fun House. Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education. At the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She to date has penned thirteen books, novels and anthologies of short stories – JERICHO, DUST, AFTERMATH, HOOSIER DADDY, BOTTLE ROCKET, THREE, SIDECAR STORIES, BACKCAST, JUNE MAGEE, RN FESTIVAL NURSE, GOLDENROD, BEOWULF FOR CRETINS: A LOVE STORY, GALILEO, THE BIG TOW, and now COVENANT – the fourth book of her Jericho series.
Adding to her sensitive literary output, Ann has stated about this new novel, ’Few of us can deny the impact of COVID-19 has had on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. For my part, the pandemic, coupled with free-floating election year angst, pushed me to channel everything I felt and feared into untangling the maze of complex and dysfunctional relationship themes that define this book. So I waded into the middle of it all, and wrote my way out.’
In keeping with her series, this book continues the story of the residents of Jericho, a sleepy town in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, ‘where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road.’ Ann opens with an interview concerning the death of Mayor Gerald Watson as related by one Dorothy Gale that startles us into the atmosphere of Jericho as the story begins, as Maddie reflects on her family, especially her mother Celine: ’The simple truth was that Maddie never cared much about connecting with the music in the ways her mother did – in the ways her mother desperately wanted her to. It took decades for Maddie to understand the method behind her mother’s passion: music was Celine’s currency. It had been the common language of the Heller family – the only vehicle Celine’s parents ever used to convey their deepest emotions. Growing up, Maddie learned to gauge her mother’s moods by how she played her piano…’
The plot is evident in the foreshortened synopsis – ‘Six weeks have passed since the fateful unfolding of events at the town Fourth of July celebration. Questions swirl about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the town nemesis, Gerald Watson. Was it an accident, or was Watson murdered? As the scorching summer gives way to an early fall, suspects in the potential homicide abound, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets. Throughout it all, bonds of love and fealty are stretched and tested as the endearing and quirky residents of this once-idyllic community weigh the covenants they keep against the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Join Syd, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, Celine, and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle as they band together to navigate the minefields of their ever-changing world.
Stylish, smart, informed, and full of suspense and romance, this is a superb novel of multiple levels of interpretation; Ann shows once again that she is not only a fine tale spinner, but also an excellent craftswoman as well!
North Carolina author Ann McMan has a gift like few other authors: she knows how to blend comedy and sensitivity to human issues so seamlessly that reading her novels is like looking into the mirror – not only the one in your home but also the funny distorted ones we used to see in the Fun House. Ann has worked at a succession of premier institutions, designing marketing and advancement materials that promote, promulgate, and extol the benefits of indifferent liberal arts education. At the ripe old age of thirty, she realized that she was not like other girls, the great world of lesbian literature opened its arms, and provided her with a safe haven in which to grow and learn about her new identity. She to date has penned thirteen books, novels and anthologies of short stories – JERICHO, DUST, AFTERMATH, HOOSIER DADDY, BOTTLE ROCKET, THREE, SIDECAR STORIES, BACKCAST, JUNE MAGEE, RN FESTIVAL NURSE, GOLDENROD, BEOWULF FOR CRETINS: A LOVE STORY, GALILEO, THE BIG TOW, and now COVENANT – the fourth book of her Jericho series.
Adding to her sensitive literary output, Ann has stated about this new novel, ’Few of us can deny the impact of COVID-19 has had on nearly every aspect of our daily lives. For my part, the pandemic, coupled with free-floating election year angst, pushed me to channel everything I felt and feared into untangling the maze of complex and dysfunctional relationship themes that define this book. So I waded into the middle of it all, and wrote my way out.’
In keeping with her series, this book continues the story of the residents of Jericho, a sleepy town in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, ‘where life and love have as many twists and turns as a winding mountain road.’ Ann opens with an interview concerning the death of Mayor Gerald Watson as related by one Dorothy Gale that startles us into the atmosphere of Jericho as the story begins, as Maddie reflects on her family, especially her mother Celine: ’The simple truth was that Maddie never cared much about connecting with the music in the ways her mother did – in the ways her mother desperately wanted her to. It took decades for Maddie to understand the method behind her mother’s passion: music was Celine’s currency. It had been the common language of the Heller family – the only vehicle Celine’s parents ever used to convey their deepest emotions. Growing up, Maddie learned to gauge her mother’s moods by how she played her piano…’
The plot is evident in the foreshortened synopsis – ‘Six weeks have passed since the fateful unfolding of events at the town Fourth of July celebration. Questions swirl about the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of the town nemesis, Gerald Watson. Was it an accident, or was Watson murdered? As the scorching summer gives way to an early fall, suspects in the potential homicide abound, and everyone seems to be keeping secrets. Throughout it all, bonds of love and fealty are stretched and tested as the endearing and quirky residents of this once-idyllic community weigh the covenants they keep against the secrets that threaten to tear them apart. Join Syd, Maddie, David, Michael, Henry, Celine, and the irrepressible Roma Jean Freemantle as they band together to navigate the minefields of their ever-changing world.
Stylish, smart, informed, and full of suspense and romance, this is a superb novel of multiple levels of interpretation; Ann shows once again that she is not only a fine tale spinner, but also an excellent craftswoman as well!
January 27, 2022
I haven't bothered to review any of the previous books in Ann McMan's Jericho series, but I have to say that I have really enjoyed every book, and Covenant, which I believe is the final book in the series(?), is no exception. So this review won't be specific to Covenant but to the series as a whole.
If you haven't read any of the previous novels in this series, then you really need to go back and start at the first book, Jericho. That's not to say that each book isn't complete in its own right, but there's so much you'll miss in getting to know the characters and how they evolve over the course of the novels. And this is really a story about the people of Jericho. Yes, there's romance. But it's so much more than that, too. Especially the further you get into the series.
I've come to really love Ann McMan's writing. I was blown away after I read Beowulf for Cretins, which I felt was both funny and smart. And the Jericho series impressed me in much the same way. I love the references to literature and music and art. I love how each character is unique and fully fleshed out. It really is atypical to the genre. And much like Beowulf for Cretins, these feel more like a general fiction novels than romance. In fact, I wouldn't really call any of them romance except for maybe the first book. But I did fall in love with the people in this community. And if Ann McMan wants to revisit these characters again, I won't be disappointed.
If you haven't read any of the previous novels in this series, then you really need to go back and start at the first book, Jericho. That's not to say that each book isn't complete in its own right, but there's so much you'll miss in getting to know the characters and how they evolve over the course of the novels. And this is really a story about the people of Jericho. Yes, there's romance. But it's so much more than that, too. Especially the further you get into the series.
I've come to really love Ann McMan's writing. I was blown away after I read Beowulf for Cretins, which I felt was both funny and smart. And the Jericho series impressed me in much the same way. I love the references to literature and music and art. I love how each character is unique and fully fleshed out. It really is atypical to the genre. And much like Beowulf for Cretins, these feel more like a general fiction novels than romance. In fact, I wouldn't really call any of them romance except for maybe the first book. But I did fall in love with the people in this community. And if Ann McMan wants to revisit these characters again, I won't be disappointed.
November 15, 2024
No thank you. My bad, I read no 3 in 2019 so forgotten the thread.
October 27, 2022
The entire series has been so very entertaining. The character descriptions is what kept me interested and laughing. Book 5? Maybe?
September 24, 2024
4 stars. This book had some heavy moments to it dealing with some side characters but as a whole this was still a really great ending (?) to this series. I am so going to miss being in Jericho with this lovable cast of characters. Especially Syd and Maddie. I adore those two and their romance so much and I’m happy with how things ended for them and Henry. I can see myself re-reading this series because these books are so comforting and cozy reads.
October 3, 2021
I bought this book immediately upon release, and then held off on reading it for months. Because I wanted to savor the anticipation. I reread the first three books to whet my appetite.
Jericho was the story of Syd and Maddie falling in love, Aftermath was a love letter to the small town, and Goldenrod was revealing the darkness behind the seemingly idyllic place. Covenant is about healing. The ending of Goldenrod was jagged - a resolution that opened a whole new kind of unrest and left us emotionally torn.
That needed to be healed, and in Covenant McMan does so in a way that feels true to the characters and the story. It deals with some disturbing subject matter, including the child abuse that loomed so large in McMan's own life, but it gifts all the victims some form of healing and closure. And it closes a chapter for Syd and Maddie as well; their relationship has always been a central feature to the books, and it's moving to see them finally marry.
This feels like the last book in the Jericho series. I don't know if it will be - I'm sure McMan could create new stories for these characters, and I'm sure she and her readers will be drawn back to this place. There's plenty more to hear about. But there doesn't need to be another story. I can't imagine how any novel with similar emotional weight could come out of this, and anything lighter might feel untrue to the trajectory of the series.
Perhaps McMan will gift us with some short stories, giving us updates on the lives of Lizzy, Dorothy, Henry, and Roma Jean. A marriage between Byron and Celine? Something from Michael's perspective? For a short story, lightness and simplicity could be benefits.
Jericho was the story of Syd and Maddie falling in love, Aftermath was a love letter to the small town, and Goldenrod was revealing the darkness behind the seemingly idyllic place. Covenant is about healing. The ending of Goldenrod was jagged - a resolution that opened a whole new kind of unrest and left us emotionally torn.
That needed to be healed, and in Covenant McMan does so in a way that feels true to the characters and the story. It deals with some disturbing subject matter, including the child abuse that loomed so large in McMan's own life, but it gifts all the victims some form of healing and closure. And it closes a chapter for Syd and Maddie as well; their relationship has always been a central feature to the books, and it's moving to see them finally marry.
This feels like the last book in the Jericho series. I don't know if it will be - I'm sure McMan could create new stories for these characters, and I'm sure she and her readers will be drawn back to this place. There's plenty more to hear about. But there doesn't need to be another story. I can't imagine how any novel with similar emotional weight could come out of this, and anything lighter might feel untrue to the trajectory of the series.
Perhaps McMan will gift us with some short stories, giving us updates on the lives of Lizzy, Dorothy, Henry, and Roma Jean. A marriage between Byron and Celine? Something from Michael's perspective? For a short story, lightness and simplicity could be benefits.
July 14, 2021
Many of us fell in love with the Jericho series over ten years ago, back when it was a mere online fan-fic. Reading Ann McMan on The Anthenaeum or Academy of Bards was a real thrill for all of us in the lesfic community. We were eating up her words and demanding more right from the start. We couldn’t get enough, so we posted our praise with excitement and glee. We wrote, “Incredibly well written; can’t stop reading! MORE PLEASE!!” We knew talent when we saw it, so we shouted, “This is definitely one for the publishers!” We knew back in December of 2010 she was going places; it was only a matter of time.
Just as her online fans had predicted, her stories were good enough to be published. Bywater Books took notice of her fiction, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, readers are able to enjoy over a dozen different books written by Ann McMan, several of which have earned her high praise and well-deserved literary acclaim. Covenant is the fourth book in the Jericho series, and it does not disappoint.
McMan’s writing is always captivating. This is mainly due to her exemplary character development; she writes characters that jump off the page and demand your attention. This holds true for Covenant as well; her characters are well-formed and believable. The major players in this ensemble employ traits that push the storytelling in positive ways. They are kind, courageous, persistent and flexible. They embody integrity and forgiveness, but most importantly, they have a sense of humor. They grow and change as the story arc demands it, and the story is deeper and richer for it.
McMan’s has always shown herself to be a gifted wordsmith, but I think she really shines in Covenant. Her voice and tone are perfectly balanced, giving way to a rhythm that just makes the storytelling flow. The words surround you and fill your senses in ways that only beautifully scripted prose can. Covenant depicts a culture, dialect and setting that encompasses you and stirs your imagination. Quite simply, the storytelling is pure reading nirvana. McMan is a master at her craft, and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say she’s one of the most talented storytellers in this genre today.
Covenant could be read as a stand alone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Too much would be lost, and that would be a sacrilege. I would encourage you to read the series from the beginning if you haven’t yet. You’ll greatly benefit from understanding these characters; there is just too much to appreciate about them. These characters and their story arcs are the foundation to this richly constructed gem. You will thank yourself in the end—and then you’ll wonder when McMan will release the next one!
Final remarks…
McMan continues to impress us with her storytelling. Covenant ties in nicely to the existing series and adds the perfect mix of humor, drama and romance to its over-all story arc. Covenant should not be missed; it is elegantly written, wonderfully told and completely praise-worthy.
Strengths…
Fantastic characters
Gorgeous writing style
Well-crafted dialogue
Well-constructed plot
Dynamic storytelling
Just as her online fans had predicted, her stories were good enough to be published. Bywater Books took notice of her fiction, and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, readers are able to enjoy over a dozen different books written by Ann McMan, several of which have earned her high praise and well-deserved literary acclaim. Covenant is the fourth book in the Jericho series, and it does not disappoint.
McMan’s writing is always captivating. This is mainly due to her exemplary character development; she writes characters that jump off the page and demand your attention. This holds true for Covenant as well; her characters are well-formed and believable. The major players in this ensemble employ traits that push the storytelling in positive ways. They are kind, courageous, persistent and flexible. They embody integrity and forgiveness, but most importantly, they have a sense of humor. They grow and change as the story arc demands it, and the story is deeper and richer for it.
McMan’s has always shown herself to be a gifted wordsmith, but I think she really shines in Covenant. Her voice and tone are perfectly balanced, giving way to a rhythm that just makes the storytelling flow. The words surround you and fill your senses in ways that only beautifully scripted prose can. Covenant depicts a culture, dialect and setting that encompasses you and stirs your imagination. Quite simply, the storytelling is pure reading nirvana. McMan is a master at her craft, and I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say she’s one of the most talented storytellers in this genre today.
Covenant could be read as a stand alone, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Too much would be lost, and that would be a sacrilege. I would encourage you to read the series from the beginning if you haven’t yet. You’ll greatly benefit from understanding these characters; there is just too much to appreciate about them. These characters and their story arcs are the foundation to this richly constructed gem. You will thank yourself in the end—and then you’ll wonder when McMan will release the next one!
Final remarks…
McMan continues to impress us with her storytelling. Covenant ties in nicely to the existing series and adds the perfect mix of humor, drama and romance to its over-all story arc. Covenant should not be missed; it is elegantly written, wonderfully told and completely praise-worthy.
Strengths…
Fantastic characters
Gorgeous writing style
Well-crafted dialogue
Well-constructed plot
Dynamic storytelling
October 18, 2021
Before reading this fourth book I had only read Jericho (the first installment in the series) and I read it maybe a decade ago.
That said, I believe this is not a standalone novel and should definitely be read in the context of the whole series. Missing information certainly made this book far less enjoyable as a reader.
McMan writes very smart characters, which I appreciate, and it’s refreshing to see a bit of diverse personalities and perspectives in a rural setting.
I especially loved how many sapphic characters there were. Ha!
This book was not romance or mystery, though there were elements of mystery (a murder?) and light themes of romance (a budding sapphic attraction, and a sapphic wedding). Mostly, it read like a diary of the everyday lives of the folks of Jericho…which means it’s best appreciated with full context of the series.
That said, I believe this is not a standalone novel and should definitely be read in the context of the whole series. Missing information certainly made this book far less enjoyable as a reader.
McMan writes very smart characters, which I appreciate, and it’s refreshing to see a bit of diverse personalities and perspectives in a rural setting.
I especially loved how many sapphic characters there were. Ha!
This book was not romance or mystery, though there were elements of mystery (a murder?) and light themes of romance (a budding sapphic attraction, and a sapphic wedding). Mostly, it read like a diary of the everyday lives of the folks of Jericho…which means it’s best appreciated with full context of the series.
July 10, 2021
If you are a fan of this series and waiting with anticipation like me this book will not disappoint. Ann McMan has woven together such an amazing community in this series and it was an absolute pleasure to spend time there once more. Her writing is funny, poignant, lyrical as she brings this motley crue of quirky, flawed, complex, characters to life. This is a book that will make you think and it will make you feel. The world these characters inhabit is far from perfect but Ann manages to imbue the book with a sense of hope that I think everyone could use right about now.
March 12, 2023
I love this series. Maddie, Syd, their family, and friends have captured my heart. I didn’t want the book to end. It had me in tears a few times. I absolutely loved the wedding. I hope that we will have more from the Jerhico series. I highly recommend the series. I want more! I’d especially like to see more of what’s developing between Avi and Lizzy, I’d also like to continue to see Roma Jean and Charlie’s relationship deepening and the Freemantle family’s growing acceptance of the couple, and I will always want more of Maddie, Syd, Henry, Celine, Dorthy, Byron, David, and Michael.
PS If you’d like to find out more about what happened to Jimmie I recommend reading Backcast!
PS If you’d like to find out more about what happened to Jimmie I recommend reading Backcast!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2021
The way this book series filled out and matured was so cool. I love this little town and the sweet weirdos who live there!! I feel like I’ll continue to think about these characters for a long time.
July 28, 2021
This was a good book, I just missed the fun in this one.
August 18, 2022
This is my 2nd reading and I still managed to cry silly when learning the details of the awful stuff some characters had to go through. Hopefully, they'll bounce back, like Dorothy understood and kindly shared "Everything that happened happened. Then it stopped happening, and all of it became part of the past.[...] and the important part was to remember that it was over[...]."
This is still a more sombre story in comparison to the first 2, understandable with the cliffhanger and final events in Goldenrod., but it didn't have that underneath tension giving me some imminent dread vibe there. Thank fuck! Just like the first 3, this one was still full of quirkiness and amazing, interesting, intriguing characters. Oh, and I'm so invested now with the new addition and all the possibilities it brings to Lizzy, if our Dear Author decides to bring these lovelies back. I'm gushing, she deserves all the best, not some low-effort like Tom. Byyyyyeee
And the whole wedding conundrum was like 50/50 IMO, I get how Maddie felt (I'm like her on this aspect) but also Syd's perspective, both are valid and it's all about compromising. I'm glad they got what they ultimately wanted in the end even though they were a bit childish and scared us there for a second.
Anyway, I wish I could write an essay giving my opinion about any and every character Ann McMan gifted us in Jericho. Everyone brings something to the table and we, the lucky readers, have the privilege to feast of their awesomeness. It's taco night!
This is still a more sombre story in comparison to the first 2, understandable with the cliffhanger and final events in Goldenrod., but it didn't have that underneath tension giving me some imminent dread vibe there. Thank fuck! Just like the first 3, this one was still full of quirkiness and amazing, interesting, intriguing characters. Oh, and I'm so invested now with the new addition and all the possibilities it brings to Lizzy, if our Dear Author decides to bring these lovelies back. I'm gushing, she deserves all the best, not some low-effort like Tom. Byyyyyeee
And the whole wedding conundrum was like 50/50 IMO, I get how Maddie felt (I'm like her on this aspect) but also Syd's perspective, both are valid and it's all about compromising. I'm glad they got what they ultimately wanted in the end even though they were a bit childish and scared us there for a second.
Anyway, I wish I could write an essay giving my opinion about any and every character Ann McMan gifted us in Jericho. Everyone brings something to the table and we, the lucky readers, have the privilege to feast of their awesomeness. It's taco night!
August 11, 2024
I tried to put this one off and read books in between the third and fourth book, but it just didn’t work. My love for Jericho has grown to new heights. I still want to move to a small town in Virginia and live on a farm — a goal I never thought I’d have.
The continued plot lines of this book were so great. Like the budding connection between Celine and Dorothy made my heart so happy. And Henry officially becoming Syd and Maddie’s kid was so perfect. Also Syd and Maddie’s wedding was so sweet. My only question is: where was Avi?? I feel like she was needed in that moment regardless of if that breeched her confidentiality with Dorothy.
Also the plot line of Lizzy and Avi?? Hello?? I would like another book that follows that love story please and thank you.
I’m also so glad they killed that mf-ing mayor. What he did to Dorothy made me so angry, I am so glad he’s dead. The more I learned about David and Dorothy’s childhood, the more I wanted to weep.
Also one thing that really surprised me was the fact that Celine took in Dorothy. I totally would have guessed after the 3rd book that Dorothy would become Henry’s sister and live at the farm. So when Celine took Dorothy in after the July 4th incident, I was kinda shocked! But I do love their relationship so much. Seeing Celine get a redo at raising a child the way she should have raised Maddie was very therapeutic.
Overall, I loved these books so much and I will miss the town of Jericho immensely.
The continued plot lines of this book were so great. Like the budding connection between Celine and Dorothy made my heart so happy. And Henry officially becoming Syd and Maddie’s kid was so perfect. Also Syd and Maddie’s wedding was so sweet. My only question is: where was Avi?? I feel like she was needed in that moment regardless of if that breeched her confidentiality with Dorothy.
Also the plot line of Lizzy and Avi?? Hello?? I would like another book that follows that love story please and thank you.
I’m also so glad they killed that mf-ing mayor. What he did to Dorothy made me so angry, I am so glad he’s dead. The more I learned about David and Dorothy’s childhood, the more I wanted to weep.
Also one thing that really surprised me was the fact that Celine took in Dorothy. I totally would have guessed after the 3rd book that Dorothy would become Henry’s sister and live at the farm. So when Celine took Dorothy in after the July 4th incident, I was kinda shocked! But I do love their relationship so much. Seeing Celine get a redo at raising a child the way she should have raised Maddie was very therapeutic.
Overall, I loved these books so much and I will miss the town of Jericho immensely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2022
Wow!
I was shocked with the reveal at the end of book 3. It left me desperate for book 4 to come out. It eventually did but I never picked it up, till yesterday. I just put it down today. Finished. Naturally my delay between books meant I was a wee bit vague on memories of back stories and where everyone connected but I was immediately totally absorbed. Although I read the first book over a decade ago, I remember a lightness and humour, and the foundation for all the horror revealed in the subsequent books. There is still humour in this, though darkness too, and pain for characters I care about. The ending though beautifully matches the beginning of the series. This is not a stand-alone and why would you deprive yourself of any of these books? Read ‘em and weep, and laugh and savour. Highly recommended.
I was shocked with the reveal at the end of book 3. It left me desperate for book 4 to come out. It eventually did but I never picked it up, till yesterday. I just put it down today. Finished. Naturally my delay between books meant I was a wee bit vague on memories of back stories and where everyone connected but I was immediately totally absorbed. Although I read the first book over a decade ago, I remember a lightness and humour, and the foundation for all the horror revealed in the subsequent books. There is still humour in this, though darkness too, and pain for characters I care about. The ending though beautifully matches the beginning of the series. This is not a stand-alone and why would you deprive yourself of any of these books? Read ‘em and weep, and laugh and savour. Highly recommended.
December 19, 2021
The final book....?
Not only is this one of my favorite series, it's well loved by many wlw readers. There's a budding romance in this last novel that will hopefully get made into a book (if it hasn't already.) That relationship would also be more inclusive and diverse than the regular Jericho cast of characters.
I can't recall if I mentioned this in any of the other Jericho book reviews, but as a veteran, I will caution readers that the military Info is not correct.
Not only is this one of my favorite series, it's well loved by many wlw readers. There's a budding romance in this last novel that will hopefully get made into a book (if it hasn't already.) That relationship would also be more inclusive and diverse than the regular Jericho cast of characters.
I can't recall if I mentioned this in any of the other Jericho book reviews, but as a veteran, I will caution readers that the military Info is not correct.
October 15, 2022
It was so nice to see these characters again and I wouldn't mind seeing them once more in the future. Over the course of this series I've really come to care for them and I enjoyed reading every pov. And Avi was a great addition; I want to see how her and a certain someone's relationship evolves. Overall, as usual for an Ann McMan book: great writing, beautiful, complex characters and lots of humour.
January 2, 2025
We get to look into Charlie's history, and we bear witness to Roma Jean's growth from that clumsy teenager to a brave young woman who can stand up for herself and others.
We also get to read more about Byron and Celine. But more importantly, we see more of Celine's relationship with Dorothy.
If you're a fan of Jericho, it would be a crime not to read this! This is the perfect end to the beautiful story of Syd and Maddie and all their extended family and friends.
We also get to read more about Byron and Celine. But more importantly, we see more of Celine's relationship with Dorothy.
If you're a fan of Jericho, it would be a crime not to read this! This is the perfect end to the beautiful story of Syd and Maddie and all their extended family and friends.
August 8, 2021
This addition to the Jericho series delves into many dark topics while tying up loose ends and confronting issues hinted at in previous novels. The tale is engaging from the beginning and well nigh impossible to put down for any length of time. It is wonderful to catch up with this great cast of characters and Ann McMan's terrific dry wit is ever present. Overall a marvelous read.
July 22, 2021
Good Prevails
It took a while to get the characters straight in my mind since book 3. When I figured it out I couldn't put the book down! Maddie and Syd feel like family and I hope there will be a book 5.
It took a while to get the characters straight in my mind since book 3. When I figured it out I couldn't put the book down! Maddie and Syd feel like family and I hope there will be a book 5.
August 7, 2021
I have loved this series from the get go and Covenant does not disappoint. A wonderful mix of characters and you laugh and cry along with them. Some of the subject matter was distressing but handled with gentle hands and wise words. 5 wonderful warm stars.
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