The Good Sister Review & Giveaway...

I have another great new fiction release to share with you....The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell.  Once again because my mother-in-law is a speed reader I have enlisted her input on this review.  Here is a brief synopsis of the book...

A mother on trial for the attempted murder of her children opens Campbell's piercing latest. The story shifts back in time to explore Simone Duran's childhood with her sister, Roxanne, and their self-absorbed mother and also Simone's life as a stay-at-home mom suffering from postpartum depression. Simone's neglect of infant daughter Olivia, who she lets lie in her crib crying for hours on end, tears at the heart, but while Simone's mothering is disturbing, Campbell (Blood Orange) highlights the underlying factors that have pushed Simone to this edge, giving the story balance. Simone's macho husband prevents her seeking treatment while he imposes pregnancy after pregnancy on her in his desire to finally have a son. Add Roxanne's overprotectiveness of Simone, and you have a completely dependent woman. 

And now for the "Queen Bee's" take...

This is the first book from this author that I have read. The synopsis sounded interesting, a woman was accused of trying to kill her children ,post-partem depression being the cause. Tangled in there was a very close relationship with her sister, a difficult childhood and a really unhealthy marriage . I must admit that I had to re-read the first few chapters, just to understand which character the author was talking about. I understood that Simone Duran was on trial for the attempted murder of her children, that was established first thing. But the use of flashbacks to the childhood of her sister Roxanne in the first chapter, did not work for me. I found it confusing and even though I re-read the first few chapters, it took me until I was well into the book to put it all together. It was too choppy and made it hard to connect with the characters. I almost put the book aside-but I am glad I didn’t. Once the author dropped the flashbacks, and started writing for the adult sisters, it was much smoother and easier to read. The story was a sad tale of an abusive mother and absent father and how that destroys a child. That child later becomes a depressed mother, Simone, having children (all girls) in a sick quest to have a son for her husband. Simone is a developmentally handicapped, emotionally helpless woman, depending on others (especially her caretaker sister Roxanne) for everything. In the end, the fact that her whole family kept her helpless, is the cause for her mental breakdown. I found this discovery a very interesting twist to the story. I do recommend this book. Stick with it in the beginning and you won’t be disappointed in the end. 

I am about halfway through the book and agree with my mother-in-law's take so far.  The flashback portion of the book IS a bit confusing but I too am glad I have stuck with it because it really is an engrossing read.  Pick up your copy today on Amazon...

One RBM reader will win a copy of The Good Sister by Drusilla Campbell!   Here is how to enter...

Mandatory Entry:  Leave a comment telling me what is on your reading list for 2011. You must complete this entry for all others to count.

For Extra Entries:

1.  Follow this blog= 1 entry

2.  Like Reviewed By Mom on Facebook =1 entry

3.  Like Hachette Book Group on Facebook= 1 entry

4.  Enter one of my other giveaways & let me know you have done so = 1 entry per other giveaway entered.

5.  Follow Hachette Books on Twitter= 1 entry

6.  Follow Reviewed By Mom on Twitter = 1 entry

7.  Blog, Tweet or Facebook about this giveaway & let me know where to find it = 1 entry

8.  Put my button on your blog or web page and leave a link so I can find it = 1 entry

9.  Follow the guest reviewer, Queen Bee's blog= 1 entry

Please leave a separate comment for each entry and be sure to include your e-mail.  Contest is open to US & Canadian residents and will end on January 14th.    The lucky winner will be announced by e-mail on January  15th and will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen .  Good Luck!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post.  The opinions in this post are entirely my own. Your experience may differ from mine. This post has not been reviewed or edited by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this review. The sponsor of this giveaway is responsible for prize fulfillment and shipping the winner(s) their prize.

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