Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman, Review & Giveaway!

(Wynn-Wynn Media has offered 5 copies to be given away through this contest. Many thanks for their generosity!)

Description

Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her-a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades-Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

 Without looking back, Lily-with her fear of flying-boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Aussie, he might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again. 

Biography

Award-winning author, Anita Higman, has twenty-five books published (several coauthored) for adults and children, and she has been honored as a Barnes & Noble Author of the Month for Houston. Anita has a BA degree, combining communication, psychology, and art. Her favorite things include exotic teas, movies, and all things Jane Austen. To contact Anita or enter her monthly contest for a free signed book please visit her website at www.anitahigman.com. 


My Review ~

Lily Winter embarks on a journey to the other side of the world in search of the sister she has never known. An embittered woman, Lily's mother has kept this secret for decades. Lily's only daughter has left for college and her husband is deceased, so Lily takes this time in her life to connect the missing pieces in her past. Panic envelops Lily as her fear of flying overwhelms her, but the flight to Australia is her only hope in finding her twin sister, Camille. Seeking solace in the botanical gardens in Melbourne Lily is introduced to Marcus Averill as he joins her on a park bench and strikes up a conversation. Not interested in making small talk Lily attempts to ignore the stranger, but his amusing and upbeat character wins her over. An American currently living in Melbourne, Marcus knows his way around and offers to assist in Lily's quest to find her twin. Marcus eventually discloses equally painful family circumstances of his own as they spend time together searching for Camille.

Winter in Full Bloom is an unforgettable story of deception, betrayal, abuse, family dysfunction and unforgiving characters who dominate the lives of the main characters in this book. Anita Higman has done a magnificent job of illustrating reality in the heartache of her characters, while developing a plot that is both unpredictable and jolting. A book in the Christian Fiction genre, the author effortlessly weaves the essence and communication with God into the lives of her characters without forcing it on the reader. Non-Christian readers will enjoy this book, and possibly take away a bit of inspiration from their journey through the lives of these characters. Overall, I found Winter in Full Bloom to be a superb example of Christian literary fiction, and highly recommend it. I will undoubtedly read this book again. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Wynn-Wynn Media in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for my review.

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