キャミー・タング著「戌年」連載小説 プロのドッグトレーナーであるマリ・ムトウは、厄年を迎えている。 犬小屋と訓練所の改築をしながら、いつも不服そうにしている家族と同居することになった。母と姉に言わせれば、犬の毛とよだれかけにまみれる仕事は、家族にとって恥ずべきものだという。彼女は元カレを説得し、数ヶ月間犬を預かってもらうことにした。しかし、彼の兄は、数週間前に彼女が誤って車に追突した、怒り狂ったセキュリティ専門家であることが判明する。 アシュウィン・ケイトウは十分な問題を抱えている。叔母が玄関先に現れ、同居を希望している。彼は彼女にすべてを借りているので、断ることができません。母親が家を出て行った後、ネルおばさんはアシュウィンと弟を引き取り、愛のあるキリスト教の家庭で育てた。しかも、弟のダスティもアパートを追い出され、居場所を求めている。しかし、彼は犬を飼っている。そして、その犬の飼い主は誰だと思いますか? しかし、旧友でオアフ島のノースショアでデイスパを経営する私立探偵のエディサ・ゲレロから依頼を受ける。マリの施設で奇妙な破壊行為があり、3年前に失踪したエディサの妹の財布を発見する。エディサはマリが危険な目に遭っているのではと心配する。警備の専門家であるアシュウィンがすでにマリを知っていることを知ったエディサは、忙しい若い女性を密かに監視することを彼に依頼する。 アシュウィンは、活発でのんびりとしたドッグトレーナーに不本意ながら惹かれていく。彼女は、幸せそうな母親を思い出させる。その母親の裏切りによって、彼は人と距離を置くようになったのだ。マリは、アシュウィンの冷たい外見を見抜き、彼が家族に忠実な男であることを認める。彼は、彼女のキャリア選択を批判するだけの母親や姉とは違う。 マリのバラバラな家庭とアシュウィンのバラバラな家庭の中で、過去を隠そうとする人たちから、彼らの周りに危険が迫ってくるようになる。彼らは、影で動く秘密に光を当てることができるのか? 過去に発表されたパートへのリンクはこちら。 *** 第8章 - 恐ろしくも真っ白な不動産書類 『みんな仲良くできないのかな?』 マリは無用に力を込めて箱に本を投げ入れた。最近、なぜ彼女は人生の中で全員と言い争いをしているのだろう?もしかすると、これは本当に悪いアイデア
Watching the Tree Limbs by Mary DeMuth
From the back cover:
Knowing something bad will happen if she misses, nine-year-old Mara keeps her appointments. And she’s never told a soul. But despite the fear and shame that ensnare her, she clings to the hope that she can break free.
Mara doesn’t know her real name. She doesn’t even know who her parents are. But with the help of her best friend, Camilla, and the mysterious Radio Man, Denim, she determines to unveil the secrets that shroud her life.
Caught in a maelstrom of lies and deceit, Mara picks her way through the wreckage of a lost childhood until the day something magical happens underneath the pecan tree.
Written in beautiful prose and set against the backdrop of the quirky town of Burl, Texas, Watching the Tree Limbs takes us on a journey through a young girl’s self-discovery and reveals the lengths to which God will go to redeem His precious children.
Camy here:
This is an extremely well-written novel. One endorser likened it to Peace Like a River and I think that’s a good comparison.
Mara’s character is wonderful. The author captures all the feelings, quirks, actions and decisions of a young girl. Mara comes across as so believable, I expect her to walk off the page. I’m right there with her as she unravels all the secrets in her life, as she uncovers the clues like her favorite character Nancy Drew.
The mood and culture of Mara’s small town seemed to surround me when I read. The dialect, the mannerisms, the nuances of society are rich and detailed without intruding on the story.
The characters are all very three-dimensional and unique. You won’t find anyone cliché in these pages. It was intriguing to turn the page and be introduced to another original character, someone who adds another color to the story’s complex painting.
The spiritual thread is emotional and full of hope. It swells like a wave toward the climax and ending. The love of God in Mara’s life is magnificent.
I personally had a hard time reading about the abuse Mara went through. It wasn’t graphic, but it was very powerful for me emotionally, and difficult to read. However, I think other abuse victims will find healing in Mara’s journey because it’s so raw, so real.
I’ve been using the word “emotional” a lot because that’s what this book is. The writing is so fine, so beautiful, I can see and hear and feel each character keenly.
This is a powerful women’s fiction novel. Get this one! I’m also looking forward to reading the sequel, Wishing on Dandelions.
From the back cover:
Knowing something bad will happen if she misses, nine-year-old Mara keeps her appointments. And she’s never told a soul. But despite the fear and shame that ensnare her, she clings to the hope that she can break free.
Mara doesn’t know her real name. She doesn’t even know who her parents are. But with the help of her best friend, Camilla, and the mysterious Radio Man, Denim, she determines to unveil the secrets that shroud her life.
Caught in a maelstrom of lies and deceit, Mara picks her way through the wreckage of a lost childhood until the day something magical happens underneath the pecan tree.
Written in beautiful prose and set against the backdrop of the quirky town of Burl, Texas, Watching the Tree Limbs takes us on a journey through a young girl’s self-discovery and reveals the lengths to which God will go to redeem His precious children.
Camy here:
This is an extremely well-written novel. One endorser likened it to Peace Like a River and I think that’s a good comparison.
Mara’s character is wonderful. The author captures all the feelings, quirks, actions and decisions of a young girl. Mara comes across as so believable, I expect her to walk off the page. I’m right there with her as she unravels all the secrets in her life, as she uncovers the clues like her favorite character Nancy Drew.
The mood and culture of Mara’s small town seemed to surround me when I read. The dialect, the mannerisms, the nuances of society are rich and detailed without intruding on the story.
The characters are all very three-dimensional and unique. You won’t find anyone cliché in these pages. It was intriguing to turn the page and be introduced to another original character, someone who adds another color to the story’s complex painting.
The spiritual thread is emotional and full of hope. It swells like a wave toward the climax and ending. The love of God in Mara’s life is magnificent.
I personally had a hard time reading about the abuse Mara went through. It wasn’t graphic, but it was very powerful for me emotionally, and difficult to read. However, I think other abuse victims will find healing in Mara’s journey because it’s so raw, so real.
I’ve been using the word “emotional” a lot because that’s what this book is. The writing is so fine, so beautiful, I can see and hear and feel each character keenly.
This is a powerful women’s fiction novel. Get this one! I’m also looking forward to reading the sequel, Wishing on Dandelions.
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