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Book Review: Her Sister’s Shadow by Katharine Britton & Giveaway

November 14, 2011 by Darlene

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.

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Filed Under: 2011 Challenges, 2011•100 Books or More Challenge, 2011•ARC Tracking Challenge, 2011•eBook Tracking Challenge, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Linda B says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:35 am

    Sounds great. I like books that go back and forth from the past to the present. Thanks for the giveaway.

    Google follower

  2. Lisa Garrett says

    November 14, 2011 at 5:03 am

    I love stories of long buried family secrets. We all have them.

  3. Lisa Garrett says

    November 14, 2011 at 5:04 am

    I follow via GFC.

  4. Lisa Garrett says

    November 14, 2011 at 5:05 am

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/lag32583/status/136051971445628928

  5. Sandy says

    November 14, 2011 at 5:18 am

    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!

  6. Renee says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:19 am

    sounds like a great book; thanks for this giveaway

  7. Renee says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:20 am

    I follow on GFC

  8. Renee says

    November 14, 2011 at 6:20 am

    I tweeted

  9. wall-to-wall books-wendy says

    November 14, 2011 at 7:05 am

    Sounds great! Gorgeous cover too!
    Please enter me!
    I am a follower.
    I posted it on my sidebar.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  10. Anne says

    November 14, 2011 at 7:50 am

    this book sounds compelling and special. many thanks.

  11. Anne says

    November 14, 2011 at 7:51 am

    I am an e-mail subscriber.

  12. Ellie says

    November 14, 2011 at 7:55 am

    Wonderful novel which I would enjoy greatly.

  13. Ellie says

    November 14, 2011 at 7:55 am

    I subscribe via e-mail.

  14. bermudaonion (Kathy) says

    November 14, 2011 at 8:55 am

    This sounds like a well written book. I’m drawn to stories full of family secrets. No need to enter me.

  15. AmandaSue says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:05 am

    I’d love a chance to read this!

  16. AmandaSue says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:06 am

    GFC Follower thanks.

  17. zibilee says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:59 am

    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

  18. Chantal says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:31 am

    Sounds like an interesting read!

    I follow your blog.

  19. Serena says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:32 am

    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.

  20. Sarah says

    November 14, 2011 at 11:16 am

    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!

  21. Bethie says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:34 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    I follow on GFC

  22. Mary Ward says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Great review! It sounds like a really good read.

  23. Mary Ward says

    November 14, 2011 at 12:51 pm

    I follow on GFC and by email.

  24. Katharine Britton says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:12 pm

    Thanks for the nice write-up and review. Best of luck to all who enter the giveaway. To sisters!

  25. Vicki says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    I’ve been wanting to read this one! Thanks for the chance to win!

    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  26. Vicki says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    I’m a GFC follower.
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  27. Vicki says

    November 14, 2011 at 1:28 pm

    TWEET

    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  28. karenk says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    thanks for the opportunity to read this beautiful novel 🙂

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

  29. karenk says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:00 pm

    i’m a follower 🙂

  30. karenk says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    i’m an email subscriber, too 🙂

  31. mamabunny13 says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    Thanks for the opportunity to win this book! I’m looking forward to reading it.
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  32. mamabunny13 says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    facebook share – http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=229274767137619&id=100001199655476
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  33. mamabunny13 says

    November 14, 2011 at 4:16 pm

    I’m already a follower via gfc – mamabunny13
    mamabunny13 at gmail dot com

  34. Staci says

    November 14, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    I have a copy of this one and knowing how much you enjoyed it, assures me that I will too!!!

  35. Linda Kish says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    I would love to win a copy of this book.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  36. Linda Kish says

    November 14, 2011 at 9:56 pm

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  37. ann* says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:04 pm

    sounds like this will be a good read

  38. ann* says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    GFC follower- amhengst

  39. ann* says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    old email subscriber

  40. ann* says

    November 14, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    like on FB also – amhengst

  41. Erika says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:35 am

    Sounds good! Please enter me.

  42. Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours says

    November 16, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    I’m happy to see that you connected with each of the characters! Thanks for being a part of the tour.

  43. Margie says

    November 17, 2011 at 8:03 am

    Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  44. Margie says

    November 17, 2011 at 8:04 am

    follow by GFC

  45. RJB says

    November 17, 2011 at 3:08 pm

    Sounds like a great book.

  46. Amy says

    November 17, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    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

  47. Melanie says

    November 18, 2011 at 12:16 am

    Please enter me in the giveaway!

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

  48. Melanie says

    November 18, 2011 at 12:19 am

    GFC follower!

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

  49. Melanie says

    November 18, 2011 at 12:23 am

    Posted on my giveaway blog

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

    http://great-giveaways.blogspot.com/2011/11/book-review-her-sisters-shadow-by.html

  50. Na S. says

    November 24, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    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.

  51. Na S. says

    November 24, 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I am a GFC follower.

  52. Gmapeony says

    November 28, 2011 at 10:21 am

    I am a gfc follower.

    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  53. Gmapeony says

    November 28, 2011 at 10:22 am

    This book sounds very very good.
    gmapeony@yahoo.com

  54. Hoot says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    I love the sound of this book. I can’t wait to read it.

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  55. Hoot says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:22 pm

    I follow via GFC as Jessy

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  56. Hoot says

    November 29, 2011 at 8:23 pm

    I tweeted

    https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/141718822544605184

    hootowl1978 at gmail dot com

  57. Nancye Davis says

    December 2, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    This sounnd like an excellent book! Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  58. Nancye Davis says

    December 2, 2011 at 9:45 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  59. Nancye Davis says

    December 2, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  60. Nancye Davis says

    December 2, 2011 at 9:49 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168

    nancyecdavis@bellsouth.net
    #1

    #1

    • Nancye Davis says

      December 2, 2011 at 9:51 pm

      I Tweeted!
      @NancyeDavis

      https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168

      nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
      #2

  61. Nancye Davis says

    December 2, 2011 at 9:51 pm

    I Tweeted!
    @NancyeDavis

    https://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/142825395912327168

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #3

  62. Amy says

    December 3, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I hope I win!

  63. Amy says

    December 3, 2011 at 12:01 pm

    I follow your blog!

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