From the author of fiction favorite Sunday Brunch comes an inspirational novel about two bitterly divided sisters struggling to forgive each other and renew their faith in God. Everything is not always sweet on Magnolia Lane, where the Ledoux clan had always gathered under the watchful eye of the family matriarch, Hannah. Years later, Hannah's granddaughter Summer, a soon-to-be bride, has planned a weekend event that prompts a major family reunion. But once relatives come together to celebrate Summer' s wedding, generational secrets that have spanned decades slowly come to the surface. Blowing in belatedly and stoking long-standing resentments is Summer's older sister, Misa, an international model. Unbeknownst to them, the sisters share something besides a feud: they have inherited the depression that had darkened the life of their mother, Elizabeth. While Summer relies on God to keep her from the abyss, Misa submerges herself in drinks and men. But neither can avoid what happens when, after a particularly vitriolic argument, one of the sisters flees in anger into the darkness of a rain-swept night. The aftermath leads the sisters to uncover the truth about their family and themselves, testing their spiritual reserves. And along the way, God's spirit continues to send them messages about the beauty of faith and love. Spiritual, dramatic, and a memorable tribute to our beloved New Orleans, Jarrett's second novel is a confident step forward in an already bright career.
Like the smell of sweet magnolias, reading one chapter just wasn't enough. Summer and Misa are sisters who have seen their share of pain. How they deal with the pain is like night and day. One sister sees life through rose colored glasses, while the other likes to chase away the bad things with living a fast life. Both learn that they must learn to trust God in all areas of their lives. The main setting is New Orleans. Jarrett's descriptions make you feel as if you're right there with the characters. This is one book I highly recommend.
Intensely Talented with Depth and Skill Level
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
This second masterpiece by Norma Jarrett - is Norma on a whole new level - this is Norma depicting another layer of her intense talent - It takes an extremely talented writer of profound creativity to do what Norma has done with this piece of work...she has shown between her two books, Sunday Brunch and Sweet Magnolia, that she is vast in depth and skill level; therefore not limited in her writing sytle and audience. If Norma is still growing as a writer (which I'm sure she is as she should be) then, my, my I am sitting on the edge of my seat waiting for her next release!
Life in the Big Easy
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
Using the rich culture of New Orleans as a backdrop, SWEET MAGNOLIA dives into a story about a well-to-do family who has lived their lives shrouded in deep generational secrets. The Ledouxes have lived on Magnolia Lane among the elite for many years. Their family secrets have been kept silent mostly by the resilient efforts of the family matriarch, Hannah, who is now dead. A wedding is about to take place that will bring the family together again with an opportunity to right some misunderstandings as they air a little dirty laundry and provide room for some serious spiritual healing. After Summer's wedding to the man of her dreams, her super model sister, Misa, decides to move closer to home. Although the two sisters dance around one another, it easy to see that they both share something in common that is festering within their souls and eating away at their hearts. While Summer turns to God to help her with her emotional issues, Misa turns to alcohol and men. Unfortunately, an argument and an accident one dark, rainy night will be the spark that finishes unraveling years of secrets and misunderstandings. Norma L. Jarrett has an eloquently written book about a family in crisis as they work through some very tough issues and toward reconciliation and forgiveness. Years of miscommunication have fostered mistrust, resentment and shame among the Ledouxes. Jarrett closes in on mental illness, giving it a very distinctive flavor that lends itself to open discussions on this often taboo subject. She uses original characters, heart-wrenching dialogue and a splash of humor to focus on how sweet life really was on Magnolia Lane. Reviewed by Brenda M. Lisbon of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
Great book for reading and learning how to trust God!!!
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I absolutely loved this book! I saw an article written about Sweet Magnolia in Essence magazine, as part of the Essence book club. This book is very captivating and it has so many references to God, that you will be so inspired when you read it. There are many great bible scriptures in this book as well. I would recommend this book to anyone and I commend the author on a job well done!
A Great Read
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 18 years ago
I read the first book "Sunday Brunch" and I loved it. This book was also great. I read a lot of romance and "Christian Fiction" This one is at the top of my list. It was not judgmental or overly preachy. It was humorous and a fun read. I will recommend this one to my friends
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