Book Review + A Giveaway!: A Silver Willow by The Shore

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

A Silver Willow by The Shore
By Kelli Stuart
Adult Historical, Contemporary, Time-Slip
Paperback & ebook, 380 Pages
October 15th 2019 by Fine Print Writing Press

How do you face the future if you don’t know your own past?

When an unexpected pregnancy changes her dreams, seventeen-year-old Annie tries to keep it from her mother and her grandmother. But secrets have a way of coming out. In a household of strong women, the arrival of a new life sets off a spiral of truth that reveals a past full of whispers and lies—a past that existed in another world under the heavy hand of Soviet oppression. This history has dictated the circumstances of the present, but hope, redemption, and forgiveness will grow in the rocky places of these generational differences.

A Silver Willow by The Shore is the story of the unshakeable love between mothers and daughters and of the impact that past decisions can have on present day circumstances. This novel weaves together the stories of generations of women, from the gulags of 1930’s Siberia, to the quiet oppression of 1980’s Soviet Moscow, to present day Tennessee. It is an unforgettable narrative of the treachery of secrets, and of the light that unites the heart of a family.

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About The Author

Kelli is a wife, mother, novelist, and the driver of a smoking’ hot minivan. When she isn’t wrangling her five children, she can be found tapping away at the keyboard. Kelli is the award winning author of Like a River From Its Course, her debut novel which won the ACFW Carol Award for Best Historical and was nominated for two Christy Awards. Kelli is also the co-author of Life Creative: Inspiration for Today’s Renaissance Mom with Wendy Speake. You can find more information on her life and writings at http://www.kellistuart.com.

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My Impressions:

I loved Kelli Stuart’s novel, Like A River from Its Course, and knew I had to read A Silver Willow by The Shore. Good choice on my part! Wow! What an incredible story from a gifted author. An emotional read, the story takes you into the lives of three women who should have a strong connection through family ties, but find themselves isolated from each other, struggling to find an identity amidst the secrets kept by each generation. A thoughtful and poignant book, I had to force myself to slow down in its reading. It is a book to be savored, but I just could not put it down! From the Soviet gulags, to 1980s Moscow, to modern-day Tennessee you will find yourself immersed in Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie’s lives. Very highly recommended.

The three main characters, Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie, are grandmother, mother, and daughter, yet they are virtual strangers to each other. They have learned not to share the important aspects of their lives because of danger, fear, and hurt. The book is told through the first person viewpoint of Elizaveta and the third person perspectives of Nina and Annie — all in the present tense — allowing for the reader to get a glimpse into what is really true and to feel like part of their stories. The relationships are strained or non-existent, although they share a home. But though they live together day in and day out, they never truly know one another. At first I REALLY didn’t like Elizaveta, and I found Nina to be a weak in her dealings with her mother. Annie was my favorite. But I grew to appreciate each of these women and the trials they endured. Two secondary, yet pivotal, male characters bring hope and comfort into the women’s lives. I also found the historical context of the Soviet Union to be fascinating. Google was my friend while I read. 😉  A Silver Willow by The Shore begs the question — can we really know who we are if we don’t know where we come from? You may come to a different conclusion depending on your own experiences and faith journey, but the novel sure does make you think.

I believe A Silver Willow by The Shore would make an excellent book club choice. I know I would love to discuss this book more.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Prism Book Tours and the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Tour Schedule

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a Kindle Fire Tablet with Alexa Hands Free + $50 Amazon Gift Card
US only
Ends November 20, 2019

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Tags: contemporary fiction, historical fiction, Kelli Stuart, literary fiction