A Fall of Marigolds, Plus A Giveaway

Note: The winner of this giveaway is Sharon J. Congratulations to Sharon and thanks to all that entered the giveaway.

Recently I’ve read a number of books where letter writing makes the connection between people and time. Now I’ve discovered a book where the connection is made through a beautiful scarf in Susan Meissner’s A FALL OF MARIGOLDS.

Thanks to the lovely Kayleigh at the Penguin Group I have a copy of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for the details. Now here’s my take on this intriguing story.

A FALL OF MARIGOLDS by Susan Meissner

This is a story of lost loves separated by a century, but connected through a beautiful scarf and the strength of those it touches. The story flows smoothly between 2011 and 1911 when tragedy strikes two women changing their lives forever.

Widow Taryn Michaels has built a new life for herself and her daughter after her husband’s death in the collapse of the Twin Towers. It’s September 2011 and she works in a specialty fabric store convincing herself her life is full. When a national magazine publishes a long-lost photograph, Taryn is forced to relive the day her husband died. It was the same day she was saved, but has never told the events of the day to her daughter. Now she must face reality and learn how to move on with her life.

Nurse Clara Wood can’t return to Manhattan in September 1911 after the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. She remains on Ellis Island caring for ill immigrants when she comes across a man whose loss is similar to her own. She becomes captivated by a name embroidered on a scarf he carries. Soon she’s caught in a dilemma and must confront the truth about assumptions she’s made. She must confront the sheltered life she has created for herself and move on with her life.

Author Susan Meissner takes the two tragedies – 9/11 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire – and blends them with the lives of two women into a sparkling novel dealing with love, loss and acceptance. This gripping novel deals with overcoming adversity to live again.

Meissner has created compelling characters that are well-developed, likable and realistic. Readers are quickly drawn to their plights. Meissner does an excellent job portraying their emotions as they evolve throughout the story.

The two time periods in New York City are brought to live through Meissner’s rich descriptions and historical details. The past and present are woven together in a smooth read. A FALL OF MARIGOLDS moves at a steady pace and holds readers spellbound from beginning to end.

This is a heart-wrenching story of love, loss, guilt and learning to move on with one’s life. It’s a touching story that will stay with you long after the last line is read and serve to inspire.

A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner, NAL Trade, @2014, ISBN: 978-0451419910, Paperback, 400 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure - This book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan Meissner is a former managing editor of a weekly newspaper and an award-winning columnist.  She has published fourteen novels.  She lives in San Diego with her husband and four grown children. 

For more on Susan and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This giveaway is for one paperback copy of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS and the giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

Entry for this giveaway is going to be a bit different again. This time to enter the contest, just answer the question below in the comments. Be sure to include a valid email address with your comment, if one is not available in your profile.

If you wish not to be entered in the contest, just say ‘Not entering’ and then comment all you’d like. I don’t want to discourage someone from commenting just because they don’t want to enter the contest.

The deadline for entering the contest will be 8 p.m. (EST) on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The winner will be selected by Random.Org and I will notify the winner by email with the subject line ‘Thoughts in Progress A Fall of Marigolds.’ The winner will have 72 hours to respond to the email with their mailing information. If there isn’t a response in 72 hours, a new winner will be selected.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Answer the following question for a chance to win a copy of A FALL OF MARIGOLDS “Do you have a piece of clothing or an item that has been passed down through the generations of your family?