29 Jan 2016

REDEMPTION SONG.


REDEMPTION SONG by LAURA WILKINSON.

BACK COVER BLURB: Saffron is studying for a promising career in medicine until a horrific accident changes her life for ever. Needing to escape London, she moves to a small coastal town to live with her mother. Saffron hates the small town existence and feels trapped until she meets Joe, another outsider. Despite initial misgivings, they grow closer to each other as they realise they have a lot in common. Like Saffron, Joe has a complicated past ...one that's creeping up on his present. Can Joe escape his demons for long enough to live a normal life - and can Saffron reveal the truth about what really happened on that fateful night? Love is the one thing they need most, but will they - can they - risk it?

FIRST SENTENCE {Prologue}: The couple stagger to the front door.

MEMORABLE MOMENT {Page 122}: Rage bore down upon him, pressing into him, drenching him with its blood-red stain. It tightened around his throat, choking him. It twisted in his belly and guts and punched at his chest and in his head till he might explode. It was a sensation he knew well, too well perhaps.

SOURCE: Honoured to have reviewed Laura's first book, Public Battles, Private Wars, I was delighted when she approached me to review this, an Advanced Reading Copy of her second novel which, hot off the press, was published yesterday.

MY THOUGHTS: A bit of a slow burner to begin with but, oh my goodness so, so well worth sticking with.

Quite different from the author's first book, Public Battles, Private Wars, but once again we are treat to some of the most wonderful female characters in mother, Rain, her daughter, Saffron, and Saffron's friend Ceri.

Told from the point of view of mother and daughter and carpenter Joe. Whilst I can find myself struggling with novels told from multiple points of views I had no such difficulties here. Seamlessly narrated with each character given their own very distinct voice. Like the roses on the cover, just as the story slowly unfurled so they bloomed, their secrets revealed (Joe's perhaps a tad too slowly), their inner feelings laid bare.

Labelled by some as a romance. Yes, there are certain romantic attachments formed but thankfully no so-called 'insta-love' connections. Like the plot itself, carefully considered, Redemption Song is more about the relationships in general. Baptist minister Rain's and non-believer Saffron's in particular lending a wonderfully compelling air to the story.

Ultimately a story of healing, of finding forgiveness, both self forgiveness and otherwise. Though only her second novel author Laura Wilkinson is already a firm favourite of mine.

Read for the 2016 Reading Challenge: 'A book published this year' category.


14 comments:

Laura Wilkinson said...

Thank you so much for this beautiful review, Terry. So thoughtful and nicely put together. You've made my day! Laura x

Laura Wilkinson said...

LORD! You can tell I'm hung over - TRACY!!! thank you again and please forgive the enormous hangover brain gaff. x

Kelly said...

(chuckling at the above two comments)

This sounds quite interesting to me and may well have to go on my wish list. Thanks for the informative review.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

That's great the multiple point of views worked for you! It can be tough to pull off. Glad this one was worth sticking with - always good to know. :)

Suko said...

Since this is a new favourite of yours I will definitely keep it in mind. Terrific review, Tracy!

Literary Feline said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one, Tracy! It does sound good. I like the premise and the themes you meniton. I will have to add this author to my must read list. Thank you for the great review.

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I like the sound of this one and wow! to that memorable moment! I also am glad this has no insta love and lots of growth and healing. I need to read this author.

brandileigh2003 said...

Great to hear that you were rewarded for sticking with the slower start

Brian Joseph said...

Books told from many points of view can really seem disjointed. I find that ones that are well constructed really work well. This sounds like one of those.

Stephanie@Fairday's Blog said...

So glad you were able to read an early copy and that this book is hot off the press now! Sounds like another hit by this author. Thanks for sharing it with us. :)

The Bookworm said...

Sounds wonderful, I like how you compare the roses on the cover to the way the story itself unfolds.
Great post!

Arti said...

There is something about the book that is really drawing me in, and the way you review, I am so inspired to go pick and read this book now.

Stephanie Faris said...

I don't read many inspirational books, but this sounds like a good one.

Gina said...

From the lovely cover to the attention grabbing story, I do believe I just might have to add this to the wish list. Great review my friend!