wp-1586391190432.jpgWelcome to my stop on The Ruby of the Sea blog tour sponsored by Suzy Approved Book Tours! Thank you to Suzy for the invitation!

About the Book:

From the award-winning author of The Promise Kitchen comes a riveting new story of twin sisters caught in their mother’s crosshairs on what to do about their disturbed younger sister.

Lush with devastating secrets, lies, romance and psychological drama…”You tell me about a family without a certain amount of dysfunction, and I’ll tell you that family is lying.”

After aimlessly traveling the country for fifteen years, Linnea Chandler returns to her hometown of Key West, Florida keeping the genesis of a life-altering phobia to herself—not a good idea, as she comes to find out. The 19th Century lighthouse that she, her parents and two sisters call home also has a troubled past, carrying the frightening myth that eerily mirrors the mystery of her younger sister today. Should Linnea run while she can?

The women must decide to what extremes they are willing to go to protect their secrets. Ignore the brutality behind the retrieval of spoils from a fatal shipwreck in 1857? Defy a 2017 hurricane threatening to pummel their town? And when their world is upended, do the women have the strength to move forward?

My Thoughts:

What an intriguing family drama, and isn’t that cover a beauty? I love watercolors.

Linnea has traveled the country for over a decade when she finally returns home to Key West, Florida. She has a secret, a mental illness.

Her family, including her parents and two sisters, live in an old lighthouse (do you know how much I love lighthouses?!). Their home also has secrets.

The story involves a shipwreck’s fortunes, an impending hurricane, and great tension throughout.

I think Peggy Lampman handled mental illness well, especially as it pertains to how family dynamics are impacted. There’s an intriguing mystery involved and lots of emotion.

The Ruby of the Sea is an evocative, dramatic, and tense story of secrets and family. I loved the complex characters most of all.

I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

About the Author:

I’m thrilled with the release of “The Ruby of the Sea”. Writing this book did me in, more so than my others.

It took an army of professionals and friends to lend perspective and authenticity to Linnea, Delphina and Ivy’s story. I looked more to the council of others than I had done in my previous work. I’ve given everything I’ve got to this fragile crew–hopefully, the world is kind!

It’s a gripping story of twin sisters caught in their mother’s crosshairs on what to do about their disturbed younger sister.

Lush with secrets, lies, romance and psychological drama…“You tell me about a family without a certain amount of dysfunction, and I’ll tell you that family is lying.”

Interested? Here’s a mini synopsis:

After aimlessly traveling the country for fifteen years, Linnea Chandler returns to her hometown of Key West, Florida keeping the genesis of a life-altering phobia to herself—not a good idea, as she comes to find out.

The 19th Century lighthouse that she, her parents and two sisters call home also has a troubled past, carrying the frightening myth that eerily mirrors the mystery of her younger sister today. Should Linnea run while she can?

The women must decide to what extremes they are willing to go to protect their secrets. Ignore the brutality behind the retrieval of spoils from a fatal shipwreck in 1857? Defy a 2017 hurricane threatening to pummel their town? And when their world is upended, do the women have the strength to move forward?

My greatest hope is that you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing this third book-babe of mine.

My passion is writing novels that break down familial and cultural barriers. Creating a cast to populate a story is one of the great, cathartic joys of writing. Of particular pleasure to me is developing flawed characters-living in and reconciling with-the shadows cast by their equally flawed parents.

Have you read The Ruby of the Sea, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR