The Women of Great Heron Lake
Historical Fiction, 321 pages
Published September 10th 2019 by Deanna Lynn Sletten
Cover Design by Deborah Bradseth of Tugboat Design
From the author of the bestselling historical novel, Miss Etta.
Two strong women, generations apart, living parallel lives.
When Marla Madison’s husband dies, she realizes her life has become very small. Her daughter is grown and Marla has spent the past two decades focused on his friends, his interests, and his home. Feeling lost, she throws herself into fixing up the one-hundred and fifty-year-old family manor on the lake. She soon discovers an old journal in a secret drawer and is instantly intrigued. The handwritten book tells the tale of another Mrs. Madison from over a century ago, the first woman to live in the lake manor. As Marla reads the journal, she discovers that her life parallels that of the woman who wrote those words decades ago and Marla finds inspiration from her strength.
1875 - Alaina Carlton was content to become a spinster until her beloved father introduces her to Nathaniel Madison, one of the most prosperous men in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even though she values her independence, Alaina is intrigued by this man who pursues her. When they marry, she believes she’s found a man who will treat her as an equal, but soon realizes that isn’t entirely true. From their mansion on the illustrious Summit Avenue to their manor at Great Heron Lake, where the rich and powerful play, her life is no longer her own. But fifteen years and two children later when Nathaniel grows ill, she takes her rightful place where women weren’t allowed in order to secure her children’s inheritance and her future.
An inspiring family saga of two determined woman who found meaning in their lives by following their passions and not allowing society, or propriety, to hold them back.
Published September 10th 2019 by Deanna Lynn Sletten
Cover Design by Deborah Bradseth of Tugboat Design
From the author of the bestselling historical novel, Miss Etta.
Two strong women, generations apart, living parallel lives.
When Marla Madison’s husband dies, she realizes her life has become very small. Her daughter is grown and Marla has spent the past two decades focused on his friends, his interests, and his home. Feeling lost, she throws herself into fixing up the one-hundred and fifty-year-old family manor on the lake. She soon discovers an old journal in a secret drawer and is instantly intrigued. The handwritten book tells the tale of another Mrs. Madison from over a century ago, the first woman to live in the lake manor. As Marla reads the journal, she discovers that her life parallels that of the woman who wrote those words decades ago and Marla finds inspiration from her strength.
1875 - Alaina Carlton was content to become a spinster until her beloved father introduces her to Nathaniel Madison, one of the most prosperous men in St. Paul, Minnesota. Even though she values her independence, Alaina is intrigued by this man who pursues her. When they marry, she believes she’s found a man who will treat her as an equal, but soon realizes that isn’t entirely true. From their mansion on the illustrious Summit Avenue to their manor at Great Heron Lake, where the rich and powerful play, her life is no longer her own. But fifteen years and two children later when Nathaniel grows ill, she takes her rightful place where women weren’t allowed in order to secure her children’s inheritance and her future.
An inspiring family saga of two determined woman who found meaning in their lives by following their passions and not allowing society, or propriety, to hold them back.
My thoughts about The Women of Great Heron Lake ~~
(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)
First line—"Marla sat in the stuffy, closed-up bedroom watching each labored breath her husband took. He was almost gone; she knew the end was near."
I love the idea of connections between generations, stories of people or things that come together over time and mesh, for whatever reason. The Women of Great Heron Lake does just that.
After Marla's husband dies, she is at a loss as to what to do with herself. She has lived her husband's life and in his shadow for so many years. As she starts to change the house they lived in, she finds a journal written by another Mrs. Madison, many, many years ago. As the house changes, so does Marla. As she reads the old journal, she finds similarities between her life and and the life of a woman who lived in the late 1800's. The words in the journal speak to Marla and help her move forward.
This is a story full of interesting, evolving relationships and strong women who stand up for themselves in a time when that wasn't done or when it goes against what society expects of them. As the women grow and change, they discover their own strengths and learn to do what makes them happy.
One of my favorite parts of the book was how the book group embraced Marla and read the journal together as they discovered how Alaina's life unfolded. The women were so accepting of Marla and helped her get her priorities and life figured out. They became so important to her—women supporting women.
The Women of Great Heron Lake is a captivating tale of loss, friendship, discovery, fate, growth, and strength—a story spanning over 100 years. This is historical fiction at its best and is definitely one everyone should pick up. I loved it and highly recommend it!
About the author
Deanna Lynn Sletten is the author of Maggie's Turn, Finding Libbie, One Wrong Turn, Miss Etta, and several other titles. She writes heartwarming women's fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime. Deanna believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, and happily ever after, and her novels reflect that.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer.
Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing on the lake in the summer.
Susan - Thank you so much for this amazing review. I’m so happy you enjoyed it. The women in the book club were inspired by the lovely ladies from your book club who made me feel welcomed. Thanks for all you do for authors - and especially for me.
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome, Deanna. I love that you based the book club on ours. You are welcome to join us anytime!
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