Thursday, March 26, 2015

Whisper Hollow Review and Giveaway


About Whisper Hollow

WHISPER HOLLOW is an evocative portrait of life in a small West Virginia mining town redolent with secrets and desires that are at odds with the looming shadow of moral standards.  

Spanning fifty years, WHISPER HOLLOW explores the irrevocably intertwined lives of three memorable women, and what happens when they’re forced to excavate deeply personal unspoken truths.   
About the Author 
 
Chris Cander is a novelist, children’s book author, freelance writer, and teacher for Houston-based Writers in the Schools. Her novel 11 Stories, published by a small press in Houston, was included in Kirkus’s best indie general fiction of 2013.

Chris received the 2014 IPPY award for her novel 11 Stories, and was a featured speaker at World Book Night 2014 at Brazos Bookstore in Houston.  The publication of WHISPER HOLLOW heralds the arrival of this exciting new female voice into the literary mainstream.

My Review 

WHISPER HOLLOW whispered nothing but sadness, loneliness, ​secrets, ​and isolation.
 

Myrthen's isolation and sadness began after the death of her twin sister and then her marriage.  Alta's sadness began ​upon her marriage to the man she didn't love or have anything in common with.

Both women have desires that break rules and traditions.  Myrthen and Alta are traditional on the outside, but on the inside are very strong women with very strong convictions. Tragedy brings these two women farther apart instead of closer together and leaves them both lonelier than before.
 

WHISPER HOLLOW is set in the coal mining town of Verra, West Virginia,​ ​before, during, and after WWII ​with traditional marriages of the wife at home and the husband working.

Ms. Cander's writing pulls you in with her marvelous descriptions of characters and scenes.  The characters are very authentic with some you will feel sorry for.  You will definitely not like Myrthen as the years go on, and your heart will go out to Alta and Lidia.  When Lidia arrives, the strong women of Verra, West Virginia, have another woman with a secret to take into their fold.
 

The beginning was a bit slow, but the characters, situations, writing style, and time period kept me going.  ​I would recommend this book to anyone who likes secrets and family sagas.  It is historical fiction and women's fiction rolled into one.

WHISPER HOLLOW i​s an interesting look into the lives of the characters with circumstances that are very plausible.  You will become attached to the women and to their situations. 

The ending is redeeming in certain ways and definitely a page turner.  ENJOY if you read WHISPER HOLLOW.  I think you will.  4/5
 

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation in return for an honest review. 

CONTEST HAS ENDED

THE WINNER IS:  JUDY #11

CONGRATS!!


The Giveaway

USA Entries Only Please

March 26 - April 2

Click here to enter the giveaway

Best of Luck to All Who Enter

 

19 comments:

  1. A wonderful read..

    Enjoy if you read WHISPER HOLLOW, and good luck in the giveaway.

    Thanks for stopping

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  2. Hi Elizabeth - Liked the review. The premise drew me in, but it sounds like the pacing lagged a bit. I'll have to keep it in mind. Thanks! :)

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    1. It turned out to be quite good.

      Thanks for stopping, Diane.

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  3. Elizabeth, this book is new to me. I enjoyed your review! I will add this giveaway to my blog's sidebar. Thank you for hosting this. :)

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    1. You are welcome, Suko, and thanks for putting the giveaway on your sidebar.

      Glad you enjoyed my review. I did enjoy the book.

      Thanks for stopping, Suko.

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    2. You're very welcome! I have enjoyed winning books on your blog, and want others to as well.

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    3. It is such fun to win in a giveaway.

      Thanks for stopping, Suko.

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  4. Love the name Whisper Hollow. It sounds intriguing.

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    1. I love the title too.

      Cover is gorgeous.

      The book was good.

      Thanks for stopping, Rachna.

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  5. Historical fiction and secrets, what else could someone want?! :-)

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    1. You are SO RIGHT!!

      Love them both.

      Thanks for stopping, Carmen.

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  6. Thanks for the lovely review. I do love historical fiction and this one sounds delightful!!

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    1. You are welcome, Captivated Reader.

      Historical fiction is one of may favorites too.

      Thanks for stopping, Captivated Reader.

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  7. This does indeed sound like another one that I should add to my ever-lengthening TBR list. Your lovely review certainly makes me want to read it.

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    1. Thank you for the compliment on my review, Dorothy. So nice to hear comments like that.

      It is a good read. I hope you get to read it.

      Thanks for stopping, Dorothy.

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  8. This sounds like a good read. I love books that have characters you can care about and get attached to.

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    1. It was a very good read.

      A bit women's fiction as well as historical fiction.

      Thanks for stopping, Julie.

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  9. Sounds interesting. I love the cover but it would have probably put me off since it makes me think of chick lit. However, your description sounds good so I've put it on my wishlist. Thank you.

    Reviewed by
    Marianne from Let's Read

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    1. Sort of chick lit, but it was historical as well.

      Thanks so much for stopping, Marianne.

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