Letters From My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: Callie Bullock traced an imaginary circle on the windowpane, framing a cluster of women in their picnic dresses–swirls of fine cotton in shades of spring.
But first the photo and verse. The monarchs are back!!! I love it each summer when the monarchs arrive on my lantana. There was an odd brown one that wouldn’t be still long enough for me to get its photo, though. And I thought Psalm 34:8 was a perfect verse for these feeding butterflies. This is the verse I quote to myself when an upcoming event gets overwhelming.
Now for Letters From My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse (pronounce Loosey). Here’s the cover and back copy:
Two Sisters. One Single Event. A Family Changed Forever.
At the turn of the twentieth century, sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life as the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer when their well-ordered household gets turned upside down by the arrival of Lily McGee. Arrestingly beautiful, Lily quickly–and innocently–draws the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, Callie meets a man who offers her the freedom to abandon social constraints and discover her truest self.
After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something she was never meant to see–or did she? Her memory is a haze, just an image in her mind of Emmy standing on a darkened riverbank and cradling Lily’s missing baby girl. Only when the sisters are separated does the truth slowly come to light through their letters–including a revelation that will shape the rest of Callie’s life.
Bestselling author Valerie Fraser Luesse weaves a complex and suspenseful tale dripping with intrigue, romance, and Southern charm.
My take:
I read this months ago in view of an endorsement and here’s what I said: “Letters From My Sister drew me in on the first page with the delightful Callie Bullock, and Luesse’s lyrical style and wonderful characters kept me glued to the story. Meals, shopping–everything waited until the last page and The End.”
This is a book I couldn’t put down. I’m not kidding. I didn’t do anything until I finished the book. Thank goodness I’m a fast reader.
This is a story about family, the love of two sisters, as well as the times around the beginning of the 1900s. There’s humor, love and a bit of a mystery. Valerie Luesse has a way of drawing the reader in and keeping them flipping pages. It’s a story you’ll remember long after you close the book.
Leave a comment telling me what you’re reading this week…or let me know if you’ve read any of Valerie Fraser Luesse’s books. I think I’ve read them all! I’ll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library!
Letters From My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luesse is this week's Reader Friday. Leave a comment on th blog and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! Click To Tweet
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Comments 45
I am reading Scent of Truth by Valerie Hansen then Airborne by DiAnn Mills.
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Selena, I haven’t read Scent of Truth yet, but buckle your seatbelt when you start Airbone! You can read my review here: https://ptbradley.com/what-im-reading/the-first-line-friday-of-the-book-im-reading/
I haven’t read any of Valerie Fraser Luesse’s books, but your review makes me want to read Letters from My Sister!
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Oh, Vera, this is something you must correct! I love Valerie’s writing. She just draws the reader in.
Gorgeous photo and I think I’ve read and loved all of her books including this, excellent and memorable. Right now I’m reading The Thief by Minnesota author, Stephanie Landsem–you’ll also enjoy hers if you haven’t discovered already.
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Thanks, Delores…I’ll have to look her up.
That is a gorgeous photo set. I love pics of Gods creatures. I haven’t read this author but agree that your write up has me wanting to. I’m in between so when that happens I go to old favorites. In this case Agatha Christie’s The Hollow. I just finished Charles Martins trilogy The Water Keeper, The Letter Keeper and The Record. High octane story around human trafficking and the power of love to overcome.
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Toni, love, love, love Charles Martin! I haven’t read these yet, but I will.
Wow! That sounds like a book that needs to be added to my TBR pile! I have just finished reading Dark Intercept by Andrews and Wilson; I’m not sure what I will start this weekend.
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I think you would really enjoy Valerie’s book, Heather! Dark Intercept sounds intriguing.
Pat, those butterflies could just as easily been enjoying my lantana. I love to see them hanging around, too.
I have not yet read anything from Ms Luesse.
“Mr. Tompkins” by George Gamow begins with “It was a bank holiday, and Mr Tompkins, the little clerk of a big city bank, slept late and had a leisurely breakfast.” George Gamow was a physicist and writer of popular science books. He wrote the Mr Tompkins series in the 1940s through the 1960s. In this book which anthologies the series, Mr Tompkins is an ordinary person, but his father-in-law is a professor of physics. Mr Tompkins feels obligated to listen to the public lectures his father-in-law presents to introduce new discoveries to the average person. He usually falls asleep, and has some very interesting dreams in which he is placed into a universe where the speed of light is 20 miles an hour, or he is reduced to the size of an electron, etc. As such, he experiences a world that we don’t notice, and the rules seem to be very counterintuitive. The book is not for everybody. But, Gamow has a way of explaining that is fun, and if you’re daring, you might learn some interesting things about the world you live in, but never see. The more I learn of the intricacies of God’s creation, the more I am utterly amazed at the depth of His design and creative work.
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Tim, I will definitely have to give Mr. Tompkins a shot! Sounds like a great way to enjoy learning something new!
What a delightful photo of the lantana and monarchs. How long will your bushes bloom?
Valerie Fraser Luesse is a new-to-me author and your review intrigued me! Adding her to my list right away!
I’ve been reading The Global Search and Rescue Series by one of your favorite people, Susan May Warren! “In the daylight, Jake Silver wasn’t the devil,” is the first line of book two in The Heart of a Hero. It’s going to be another page-flipping day of reading as I am about to experience a hurricane in The Florida Keys as Susan writes about this adventure!
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Hi Barbara! My lantana will bloom until frost. They come back every year and just keep getting bigger and bigger. Valerie is a great writer, one I think you’d really enjoy. They aren’t romantic suspense, but you definitely won’t be able to put them down! SMW is also a great writer!
Barbara, I loved that series by Susan. Actually, I haven’t found a book of hers I haven’t liked. And, I’m still working on a backlog of her books!
Believe it or not, I am reading your latest book, “Counter Attack!” Love your books! I also have checked out Nancy Mehl’s, “Cold Pursuit” and Robert Whitlow’s, “Double Indemnity.” I have placed on hold, “Letters from my Sister.
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My church’s bookclub is reading Double Indemnity, Kim…I ordered the book but it hasn’t arrived yet. And thank you for reading Counter Attack!
Lovely photo, Pat!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Letters From My Sister, Sounds like a must read for me.
Enjoy your weekend.
Your montage of butterflies reminds me of the plant our son gave his mom on Mother’s Day. Almost any time I stepped on the front porch, the bees are busily pollinating the flowers. One morning I looked out the window as we were eating breakfast and saw a monarch butterfly flitting around the flowers. Such a pretty scene. I love that verse.
I am reading Debby Lee’s Beneath a Peaceful Moon. It’s part of the Heroines of World II series. First line: Private Mary Wishram clenched the dreaded telegram in her hand and dropped into a chair in her small duplex apartment. Wounded.
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Edward, my lantana is always full of bees or butterflies–it’s a joy to watch them flitting about. Debby Lee’s book sounds really interesting.
Your endorsement means so much to me, Pat! I’m such a fan of yours. When I saw my book featured here, I was just thrilled. Thank you!
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I love Letters From My Sister! So glad you dropped by.
Two things I love, butterflies and Psalms. I have never read this author but I will look her up.
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Judy, you will enjoy her stories!
Good morning, Valerie Fraser Luesse is a new to me author, I love the sound of her book and the cover looks very intriguing ! Thank you for introducing her to me. I will for sure add her book to my TBR , Thank you for sharing about it. I love the photo with all the butterflies and the verse suits it just right, Thank you. I am reading Cold Case Revenge by Jessica Patch. Have a great weekend.
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I’m so glad I can introduce you to Valerie Fraser Luesse’s books, Alicia!
I have not read books by Ms. Luesse but this sounds like a great one. I love to read a book that I cannot put down. I remember seeing Monarch butterflies more when I was growing up but don’t see them much anymore. Lovely! I am reading The Christmas Quilt by Lenora Worth. The first line is: Her sister was getting married today.
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Hi Gloria! I think you’ll love Letters From My Sister! The monarchs come through here every year and they love my lantana! Leona’s book sounds really good.
I haven’t read anything by Ms. Luesse but I’ve heard wonderful things about her newest book. I’m hoping to read a copy of it eventually.
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It is really good, Megan!
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
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It is a very interesting book! Thanks for stopping by.
Your photo and verse for today are just breathtaking! Butterflies and flowers are so intricate and fragile.
Thanks for introducing me to Valerie Luesse. She sounds like an author I would enjoy.
Right now I’m in the middle of Impending Strike from Lynette Eason. The first line is, “Did the crazy girl want to get herself killed?” I read the first three Elite Guardian books several years ago, and am really enjoying getting caught up with the series.
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I love the Elite Guardian books! And I’m sure I read that one…will have to check my inventory. L!
nothing now
book sounds delightful! Currently reading Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl and Small town Dangers by Mary Alford & others
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I know you’ll enjoy those two books, Shelia! Good to see you!
This one is already on my want-to-read list! I really like your endorsement of a fantastic sounding story, books that make time & places disappear are some of my most favorite. I’m hoping my library will purchase this one so I can read it sooner than later 🙂
I love your butterfly pictures, we see so many different varieties here on the Oregon coast. I have a couple of butterfly bushes on the side of my house that they love (along with the bees).
I’m going to be starting “Counting on a Cowboy” by Debra Clopton. It’s the second book in the Four of Hearts Ranch series; here’s the opening lines:
“”Wake up Abby,” Abby Knightly demanded of herself through a huge yawn. Sitting straighter, she gripped the steering wheel of her car as if her life depended on it–and it did. “
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I think you’ll really enjoy Letters From My Sister, Trixi! And Debra’s book sounds great!
Wow! The lantana and butterflies are awesome!! Ps. 34:8 very fitting.
The Charles Martin Trilogy listed by Toni are really good reads as are Susan Warren’s Global Search and Rescue series commented by Barbara.
Valerie Luesse is a new author to me and Letters From My Sister sounds like another good read! Thanks, Pat, for the review and recommendation. As I’ve stated before too many good authors, too many good books and too little time.
Just finished reading Wild Landing by Edie James
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If we only had more time, Miss Mary! I only read at night after I go to bed, hence my late nights sometimes. Glad you enjoyed my lantana and butterflies!
My butterflies are enjoying the flowers now also. Beautiful photo and verse. I have that book on my wish list. I just finished A Beautiful Disguise by Roseanna M White
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Thank you, Lucy! I love the butterflies and I think you’ll love the book!
I’m 3/4 of the way through with Letters of Comfort by Wanda Brunstetter. And I love that scripture you used along with the photo.
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Thanks, Gail. It’s one of my favorites.