Blackberry Winter

I read the first half of this book while it was still in the development stages, and I knew it was going to be wonderful. I wasn't wrong. Cheryl Reavis is a fantastic writer and has been one of my favorite authors for years, ever since I read CRIME OF THE HEART. Since then she's become a friend. Others have synopsized the story, so I won't. I'll just say it's touching, complex, emotional, and explores that complicated relationship between mothers and daughters. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Cherly Reavis expertly weaves a story of seasons- the seasons of a mother's life as it comes to an end and a spring,and a new beginning for her daughter Loran as she finds a new way to define herself based upon her new knowledge of her family. Lovely book with all kinds of atmosphere- the people in the town in the North Carolina mountains come to life and bring all kinds of depth to this beautiful novel. I have been a fan of Reavis from way back- her Rita Award winning debut for Silhouette Special Edition Crime of the Heart is a classic ( see my review of it for a romance between an Amish man and his English neighbor). Her recent forays including Older Woman have shown the maturity the author has achieved- this book Blackberry Winter is just great. I recommend it to anyone who likes the Oprah Book Club fare- this relationship novel is not sappy but it is emotional. Well written - I think I said that already but it bears repeating! I enjoy the diversity of the NEXT line and look forward to more great books like this!

Investment banker Loran Kimball braves the Capital Beltway as she does a lot since her mother Maddie became ill. The two have always been together as Maddie raised her as a single mother never telling her illegitimate daughter who her father is or anything else about her past. Loran gave up asking as a child as Maddie was and is too private of a person to reveal any information. However, this time Maddie is not home to Loran's panic. After checking with the hospital she learns from the neighbor that Maddie went to the North Carolina hills for a few days. Frightened that for the first time since she has known her mom, Maddie went home apparently in search of her past, Loran decides to follow. She wonders what she will find in the Carolina mountains including instance roots like a father and other family members after four decades without anyone except her mother, but most important she prays that mom is okay. Rarely does a novel contain the depth that the key characters contain as they do in BLACKBERRY WINTER. Readers will understand the motives of mom, Loran, and others that led to the forty year hiatus. The story line grips the audience from the moment a puzzled Loran learns mom went south for apparently a planned short visit, but like the banker ponders why. Fans will appreciate this you can go home with empathetic strong people as Loran discovers her roots and much more in the Carolina mountains. Harriet Klausner

This is exactly what I've been hoping to find in Harlequin's NEXT line. A touching story of a mother and daughter finding their past and future in a small mountain town.