Wild Raspberries

What an absolutely wonderful story about 4 women who have lost faith because of a death of a loved ones. Beebe is a grief counselor who left the ministry. Lizbeth has lost her husband to a freak accident and blames her mother in law, Arnette who is grieving not only the lose of her son but the death of her estranged husband. Callie has lost her lover of 20+ years and becomes the center of the storm connecting these women. Of the four women, my favorite is Callie. She has my sympathy and compassion. There are times I want to shake both Arnette and Lizbeth over their selfishness toward each other and Callie and Beebe. I'd like to know these ladies better and visit their hideaway in West Virginia.

This book explores interesting issues facing 4 women all linked through their separate grief. It took me a little while to bond with any of the characters and I was unsure whether the premise of the quilt was a strong enough reason for the rift between Arnett and Lizbeth, however, the end of the book I was eager to learn how they would all move forward. In their own way each of the women were selfish in their grief when maybe, had they thought more about how each other was coping they may have ended up closer by the process they all went through for the week at the cabin.
The gay couple provided a bit of light relief and without them I think the book would have been too heavy.

My Review:

I kept saying to myself and then out loud all through the book, "Why did they all get together in one place? These three women should never have been together in this place of all places!" But it made a really good story. It just frustrated me that they were crazy enough to try to do this!

There was a lot of tippy-toeing around and secret phone calls. Lots of conversations that couldn't be shared with more than two people. Lots of explanations that should have been made to clear up the problems before they reached the boiling point since those secrets were bound to become common knowledge sooner rather than later.

I felt outraged for what was being done to the deceased's widow. I felt sympathy for how trapped the deceased's "widow" felt bringing along this woman to the home the couple had shared together. I empathized with the counselor wanting to help these two women before she left to take care of her own problems. I felt embarrassed for the people who got dragged into the scenes as the mess was played out and all the deceit was revealed on all sides. This book really is a roller coaster of emotions in the traditions of women's lit. So if you're a fan of women's lit and roller coasters, take a look at this one.

I was provided an eARC of this book from Black Rose Writing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I am not being compensated in any way. All opinions are fully my own.
~ Judi E. Easley for Blue Cat Review.

Here we have a book with the ultimate love triangle!  To start with Jack/John dies.  Dan his son also dies, in a different situation.  So, we are left with...

A wife - she is also the dominating mother-in-law
The daughter in law
The girl friend - or rather she is practically a second wife whom Jack has been seeing for over 20 years
A counsellor
A quilt

What better way to bring out the many truths they have hidden behind their lies, than to go on a trip to the cottage that Jack purchased and left to Callie (the girl friend).  This plot plays with your mind as you untangle all the hidden events that connect all the characters.

Just as friendships seem to unravel so does another link in the web of lies.  This is one drama I wont forget in a hurry.  Some of the lies I saw coming, whereas others shocked me.  This is a well thought out plot that will leave you analysing well after the book is finished.  I don't think it is over for me even though the ladies have joined together in harmony, I still have my questions and doubts.  I want to know more about Jack/John.  How did he manage to keep his secrets so long?  Other than a deceptive husband and lover what was he really like.  And, what was Dan (the son) like?  This was touched on a little but I thought he was in the background a little too much.  I wanted to know more about him so I could understand the importance of Lizbeth a bit stronger.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  I have spent the last of my afternoon reading to see the outcome.  It got to the climax and I was hooked for the rest of the book, unable to give it up.

Premise was better that the story. Meh. I am guessing there will be a market for this book as it has a small group of women at odds with each other over a dead man and a young grandchild. But story was not for me. Just too unlikely.

These characters were truly dysfunctional but what a story! These women were connected by loss and grief and now they must heal. I did not want to stop reading.
Many thanks to Black Rose Writing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.