The Photograph

by Virginia Ellis

As a nation of young soldiers marches off to war, two women left behind will embrace a final keepsake, a profound reminder of the moment before their lives changed forever—its bittersweet images telling the story of an innocence lost, of a love just beginning, and of a family that may never be whole again. . . .

For Maddy Marshall, it was a time of innocence. Then on her seventeenth birthday, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. Her fiancé and all the neighborhood boys ran off to enlist, ready to defend their country. It was all incredibly romantic to Maddy. Until the night before her brother Davey shipped out, the night she danced with dreamy Lieutenant Tull-Martin, the night of the photograph—when her world fell apart. Only Davey’s wife, Ruth, will discover what happened, helping Maddy to hide her grave secret and its undeniable consequences. Together these sisters of the heart maintain a deception that, like the shifting reflections of a picture, becomes a beacon of possibility to be cherished until fate brings their men home.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, World War II, Historical, Historical Romance, Womens Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Virginia Ellis, aka Lyn Ellis, was a professional photographer who had traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and the world. With her camera she learned how to tell a visual story. In her Harlequin books, she was translating the visual into words, creating memorable characters, vivid settings and compelling romances. Her first book, Dear John, won a Maggie Award for Best Short Contemporary, the Waldenbooks award for Bestselling Series book from Harlequin in 1994, and was nominated in two categories for the prestigious RITA award. Her second book, In Praise of Younger Men, was also nominated for a RITA. Gin also wrote two women’s mainstream fiction novels under her own name, Virginia Ellis. Her novel The Wedding Dress was optioned by Dolly Parton Productions for Sony Pictures Entertainment. Gin was one of the five founding partners of Belle Books, along with authors Deborah Smith, Deb Dixon, Sandra Chastain, and Donna Ball.

Gin Ellis, the versatile and award-winning writer, passed away 18 January 2006.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a heart-felt, warm, light story that takes place during World War II and centers around a young girl named Maddy. I enjoyed the story so much I almost wished I had lived during that era. Although those years were filled with tradgedy, it was also a very romantic, patriotic time. Overall a very good read.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Not bad for something I randomly pulled off the library shelf! And unlike most books I select willy-nilly from shelves of the library, I hadn't ever heard of this book or author before. (Lately I've been reading random books from the library, but I always eventually realize I'd run across the book/author before in my expansive traipsings on the internet.)

The first fourth or so of The Photograph had me thinking it was typical, mediocre historical fiction, but the story soon pulled me in and I grew fond of the narrators, Ruth and Maddy. I had been indifferent to them at first, especially Maddy... I initially wanted to shake some wisdom into her. But she matured before the end, thank goodness.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, although I felt it started out slowly, held many surprises throughout. I'm glad I kept on reading it. Once into the twists and turns of the plot, it was hard to put down. Anyone interested in WWII history combined with romance and a very involved plot may enjoy this book. This one takes place around Miami, Florida with armed forces departing and/or arriving during the war and the many women who replaced the men in the workforce to share in the war effort and to bring the men safely home.

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

TV

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Kept me interested, dramatic but not intensely so.

[Annette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stopped reading after chapter five. Skimmed the end.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this for a book club and probably would not have finished otherwise. It wasn't terrible, just very much not for me.

[Katelyn Bellard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!! I love this book! It is mystical and historical all at the same time. I love both of those together.

[Bernadette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Great story!!

[Bernadette Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!! Beautiful story.

[Brenda Dube · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift from a friend and it was a good historical fiction story. I would be happy to pass the book around to my friends if you are interested in an easy read.

[Bonnie Dieffenbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I picked it up at a thrift store and got wrapped up in the story right away. A great book.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maddy Marshall turns 17 on the day Pearl Harbor is bombed. Her almost fiancé, Lyle, and her brother, Davey, are soon off to serve. Three months later, Davey asks his wife, Ruth, to come to Miami where the men are waiting to ship out and for Maddy to accompany her. She meets a lot of servicemen, in particular, Brit Lt. Tull-Martin. The night before her brother leaves a photo is taken of their whole group at the Servicemen’s Pier where Maddy has danced her feet off. But that night also changes Maddy’s whole life. When Ruth finds out, she and Maddy concoct a scheme to hide a secret; and the photo taken that night begins to have an impact on their lives. I can’t reveal more without giving away the plot. This was a coming of age story for Maddy and a different perspective on the war seen from an angle I had previously been unaware, a city taken over as a staging port. I thought it was well done. My only quibble is with the cover which depicts a photo of a soldier and girl kissing when the photograph in the story is a group shot of the 2 girls and a group of soldiers.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "The Wedding Dress" and liked it so much I wanted to read other books by this author. This second novel did not disappoint. Like "The Wedding Dress" we have women on the home front during war, but this time it is WWII and the women are in Miami to say goodbye to their men. War can bring out the best in people, but also the worst. Maddy, single and the youngest at 17, is only there to support her sister-in-law, but is thrilled to be away from her bossy and over-protective mother. She is having the time if her life as the center of attention among so many servicemen, but is naïve and trusting. This trust is violated which leads to the women having to decide who they can confide in and who can help and support them. Because the men they trust have all been shipped out, there are many letters, and timing and misunderstandings occur. We get a picture of the crazy situation at a debarkation point, the loneliness of the separated couples, the fear and deprivation experienced by all and the women's new responsibilities working for the war effort. I highly recommend this book.

[Bridget Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author and I was pleasantly surprised. I had found this book at a thrift store and it looked good but you never know what you are going to pick up. It turned out to be a good story about two girls around the start of the WWII. After reading many WWII books, I have to say it was pretty good when keeping with the times and traditions of period. It was not historical in any way or a history book but the manners and the way people were managed to be spot on. I liked the book and the story although towards the end it kinda fell short and ended pretty quickly with a nice ending for everyone which in keeping with that time was not always the case back then. It is a cute book and a quick read.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "The Wedding Dress," I was eager to read the second novel by this author. I found this book to have a wonderful story and spirit, but it dragged at times and was not exceptionally executed. I was somewhat disappointed in the end. However, I was compelled to know what would happen to the characters and the plot did have unexpected turns. It could have been better, but it did prompt feelings of gratitude for soldiers who have fought and continue to fight for our country. I cannot fathom the loneliness and worry that I would feel if I were in a similar circumstance.

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I almost didn't pick it up because I thought it would be a sappy romance. Instead, it was a heartwarming story about a young girl who lived through events that could easily have broken a lesser person. It is the story of family and the way a strong and supporting family can get you through difficult times. Told from two points of view, Maddie's and Ruth's, it was in no way a struggle to develop a respect for each of them. I particulary enjoyed the use of the letters written back and forth between the various characters.

[Brandi Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll admit, I bought this book when a bookstore was closing and books were marked at 10 cents each. The blurb sounded interesting, but the book sat on my shelf for two years before I picked it up again. Once I started reading it, I had a hard time putting it down. This novel is very well written and made me feel like I was a quiet observer to all the drama and heartache contained within. I'm sorry I waited so long to enjoy this novel. I recommend to fans of historical fiction and those who enjoy WWII romance stories.

[liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its not my personal favorite but I did find myself getting into the book a little towards the end. If you've ever knew anyone who had go off to war you will most likely understand this book. It gives the perspective from the parents, the wives, the sisters, the brothers, the friends, and the soldiers themselves of having to live life while missing, waiting, and worrying for their loved ones to return home from war.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

A patron who is a fan of historical romance strongly recommended this book - and I think fans of historical romance will really enjoy it. Set during World War II in Miami I enjoyed the strong sense of place and the emotions of mothers, wives and sweethearts as their sons and husbands went to war. Like almost every romance I have read, there is the doubting love monologues that I really don't appreciate, but I enjoyed the characters and the setting enough to overcome that.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book but thought Ellis' first book" The Wedding Dress" was much better. This book is historical fiction which I usually love . The setting was in Fla during WWII. I wasn't especially impressed with the whole "photograph visionaly" thing...but the rest of the story and characterization was good.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was set in the WW2 era and dealt very well with how hard war was on those left behind waiting for their loved ones to return. After so thoughtfully weaving the struggles into story however, it totally missed the long term effects of the trauma on everyone with its happily ever after ending. Maybe we needed the story to end that way to give us hope.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. The characters could have had more depth, in that their reactions to some of the happenings in the book seemed rather reserved. I guess the time surrounding WWII was such that emotions ran wild, especially for the guys being sent off to war. That being said, the story kept my attention and would make a good Hallmark Hall of Fame movie.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, which was set during World War II. The war related experiences of two young women who traveled to Miami to be near the husband of one who was the brother of the other and stayed there once he shipped out are fascinating. This book is also a romance. It was well written and had interesting characters.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I love to read romances that are in different time periods.This one is wrote during WWII. I just liked reading about all the different friendship and family situations in the book as well. Trying not to spoil anything for people that haven't read this book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful story about two women and how they make it through WWII. Ruth has a photograph that she can look at and see how the people are doing. If they die then she can no longer see them in the photo. Of course, it has a wonderful happy ending.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was sad ans hopeful, all at the same time. I felt like it ended rather abruptly and wanted to know more about what happened to everyone, but besides that I really enjoyed this book.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the Wedding Dress better--but I still think this is a good read.

[Celeste · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one and her books have some supernatural elements to it. It is set during WWII and it is a really an enjoyable read.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good read. I couldn't put it down.