Chasing Lilacs by Carla Stewart

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Chasing Lilacs FaithWords (June 17, 2010) by Carla Stewart

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Carla Stewart’s writing reflects her passion for times gone by. She believed in Jesus, the power of the written word, and a good cup of coffee. She's a country girl living now in a mid-sized city with her engineering husband who just happens to be her best friend and biggest fan.She and her husband have four adult sons and delight in the adventures of their six grandchildren.

FROM CARLA:

I grew up in the Texas Panhandle with two younger sisters and loving parents. Small town school. Great neighbors. Today, those small-town, fundamental things resonate within me -- the twang in people's voices, the art of being neighborly and just being a decent human being.

Growing up, I preferred the company of books over TV and playing outdoors. I imagined myself in many different careers, but given my down-to-earth raising, I settled on nursing. I didn't faint at the sight of blood and did well in science, so it seemed a natural choice.

I worked as a registered nurse off and on through the years, but primarily I stayed home with my four rambunctious boys and dreamed of the day when I could write the novels I loved to read. When our youngest son was in high school, I quit my job as a nursing instructor and settled in to pen my first novel. It's been quite a journey. One I wouldn't trade for anything.

I'm committed to writing the stories of my heart and am truly thankful to Jesus, my Savior, for allowing me this freedom. May all the glory be His.


Chasing Lilacs is her first book!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

It is the summer of 1958, and life in the small Texas community of Graham Camp should be simple and carefree. But not for twelve-year-old Sammie Tucker. Sammie has plenty of questions about her mother's "nerve" problems. About shock treatments. About whether her mother loves her.

When her mother commits suicide and a not-so-favorite aunt arrives, Sammie has to choose who to trust with her deepest fears: Her best friend who has an opinion about everything, the mysterious kid from California whose own troubles plague him, or her round-faced neighbor with gentle advice and strong shoulders to cry on. Then there's the elderly widower who seems nice but has his own dark past.

Trusting is one thing, but accepting the truth may be the hardest thing Sammie has ever done.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Chasing Lilacs, go HERE.

My Mother's Review

Chasing Lilacs was a very enjoyable book.  Since I grew up in the1950's, so many things in the book struck a familiar cord—such as the sting of the red stuff our mothers would put on a scratch, and the bottles of soda pop with the metal lids at the drug store or gas station.  Also familiar were the girlish disagreements Sammie had with her friends, but these come no matter what year you grew up.  Sammie goes through a very hard time with the mental health of her mother and her mother's death.  The author made the situation very real, and the reader can sense the frustration and anger of a girl maturing into a young woman during her family difficulties.  There were some terms and word usage that I found objectionable, but they were not extreme.  The mystery in this novel is not a cops-and-robbers type mystery but one of circumstances and the lack of forgiveness on the part of some of the characters. There are wonderful characters who love Sammie and aid her with the adjustments she needs to make.