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Book Review: Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton & Giveaway
November 14th, 2011
Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton is a story full of long buried family secrets and rivalry. The story alternates between the past from the years of 1966 to 1969 to the present year of 2009. Going back and forth offers us a view into how this family became so disconnected with each other and maybe a way in which they could possibly come together again.
The novel opens when Lilli receives a call from her older sister Bea. They have been estranged for nearly forty years only briefly talking once or twice a year. Bea calls with news that stuns Lilli; Bea’s husband Randall has passed away suddenly and she wants Lilli to come home for the funeral. Lilli is torn as she vowed never to return to her childhood home but at the same time she thinks that this may be an opportunity for her and her sister Bea to clear the air between them. She hopes to bring the past to light and then bury it once and for all. However Lilli is stunned when she sees Bea. Her once vibrant sister is aging and not in a good way. She has difficulty walking and doesn’t appear to be able to see too well. The house and surrounding yard are in complete disarray.
Lilli thinks back to her childhood when a family tragedy caused their mother to distance herself from the family. It was Bea that took over caring for Lilli and her sister Dori while their other sister Charlotte was the one that took care of the cooking and keeping of the house. Yet for Lilli she viewed all that Bea did as Bea’s way of showing how much better than Lilli she was. Lilli spent her childhood always feeling as though she was living in her sister’s shadow and it was one that she couldn’t find her way out of. Eventually the anger and resentment between the sisters is enough that Lilli simply leaves and never looks back – not until nearly forty years later when Bea’s call comes and changes everything for all of them.
Her Sister’s Shadow is a fantastic debut novel by Katharine Britton. It certainly had a captive audience in me. It was funny because I actually felt connected to all the characters which doesn’t usually happen but I felt drawn to each of the sisters for different reasons. As you read through the pages you realize how easy it is for misunderstandings to spiral out of control and even more how a family who doesn’t share their thoughts or feelings and buries them instead ends up losing what is most valuable and that’s the love of family. I really enjoyed this novel. It had everything I like in a book – emotions, family drama, and buried secrets. I think it would make a fantastic book club selection as there is so much to discuss. I look forward to more of Katharine Britton’s work in the future.
I read Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to visit Katharine’s website, blog, and you can find her on Facebook as well. Her Sister’s Shadow can be purchased here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS
I have one copy of Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton up for grabs. To enter…
- For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
- For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and please let me know in your comment so that I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
- For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.
This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, December 3/11. Good luck everyone!
My copy of Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the Publisher. I was in no way compensated for this review.
Sounds great. I like books that go back and forth from the past to the present. Thanks for the giveaway.
Google follower
I love stories of long buried family secrets. We all have them.
I follow via GFC.
Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/136051971445628928
I love the family secrets novels as well. I’m getting a little jaded though, because I require the secrets to be pretty juicy. Way to go on her debut novel!
sounds like a great book; thanks for this giveaway
I follow on GFC
I tweeted
Sounds great! Gorgeous cover too!
Please enter me!
I am a follower.
I posted it on my sidebar.
forevereading at gmail dot com
this book sounds compelling and special. many thanks.
I am an e-mail subscriber.
Wonderful novel which I would enjoy greatly.
I subscribe via e-mail.
This sounds like a well written book. I’m drawn to stories full of family secrets. No need to enter me.
I’d love a chance to read this!
GFC Follower thanks.
I love books about family dysfunction, so this one sounds like it would be a treat for me. It can be so damaging to let secrets and misunderstanding fester in families. That is something I am coming to terms with right now. This was an incredible review Dar, and I am so glad you loved the book. I would love to be part of the giveaway as well, so thanks for hosting it!
zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net
Sounds like an interesting read!
I follow your blog.
No need to enter me, but I LOVED this book! It is so well-rounded and the characters are so endearing. I’m glad that you enjoyed this one too. I posted your giveaway in my sidebar as usual.
This looks like a great book. I follow you via email and Google, as well as Twitter. I’ll be tweeting about the contest. Thanks!
Thanks for the giveaway.
I follow on GFC
Great review! It sounds like a really good read.
I follow on GFC and by email.
Thanks for the nice write-up and review. Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway. To sisters!
I’ve been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win!
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
I’m a GFC follower.
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
TWEET
irbratb(@)gmail(.)com
thanks for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
i’m a follower
i’m an email subscriber, too
Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! I’m looking forward to reading it.
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
facebook share – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=229274767137619&id=100001199655476
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I’m already a follower via gfc – mamabunny13
mamabunny13 at gmail dot com
I have a copy of this one and knowing how much you enjoyed it, assures me that I will too!!!
I would love to win a copy of this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am a GFC follower
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
sounds like this will be a good read
GFC follower- amhengst
old email subscriber
like on FB also – amhengst
Sounds good! Please enter me.
[...] Monday, November 14th: Peeking Between the Pages [...]
I’m happy to see that you connected with each of the characters! Thanks for being a part of the tour.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.
follow by GFC
Sounds like a great book.
Your enthusiasm for this book is infectious, Dar! I’m intrigued by the fact that you felt connected to all of the characters since I lve good characters.i also find books about dysfunctional families absorbing and fascinating And, finally, I enjoy reading debuts and knowing an author from their first work onward and upward!
Please enter me in your giveaway, Dar. I’m an “oldie but goodie” GFC follower!
Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com
Please enter me in the giveaway!
frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
GFC follower!
frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
Posted on my giveaway blog
frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
http://great-giveaways.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-her-sisters-shadow-by.html
I like multi-generational stories with lots of secrets. They can show the destruction (and sometimes good) that secrets can have. Not all family can edure it but sometimes they can make it.
I am a GFC follower.
I am a gfc follower.
gmapeony@yahoo.com
This book sounds very very good.
gmapeony@yahoo.com
I love the sound of this book. I can’t wait to read it.
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
I follow via GFC as Jessy
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
I tweeted
https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/141718822544605184
hootowl1978 at gmail dot com
This sounnd like an excellent book! Thanks for the chance.
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#1
GFC Follower
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
I Tweeted!
@NancyeDavis
https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168
nancyecdavis@bellsouth.net
#1
#1
I Tweeted!
@NancyeDavis
https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#2
I Tweeted!
@NancyeDavis
https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
#3
I hope I win!
I follow your blog!