Sunflower Sisters

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

Thank you, @Pageturner1 for this absolutely perfect #LitsyLoveSummerSwap ! I love everything! And such pretty wrapping. It was fun how you put a hint about the books - on the gift tags. You made my day with these lovely gifts. 💖

Thanks for hosting, @Bookgoil and @Deblovestoread !

Deblovestoread Nice package! 💜 6mo

Pageturner1 oh hooray!! it came today. i was worried would be later this week. Enjoy! 6mo

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Beautiful 🧡🧡 6mo

Soubhiville So pretty! 6mo

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BilboBookends

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

“Remember, you may not be of my body, but you are of my heart.”

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Kshakal

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#authorhas3names #maymontage @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Love her! 2y

Eggs Beautiful 😍 2y

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mollyrotondo

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

So I apparently never posted this last month lol Sunflower Sisters took place in Maryland as well as New York. Maryland is checked off of my #RoadTripUSA2022 challenge!

megnews

megnews Yay! I used this for Maryland too. 3y

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mollyrotondo

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Final book in the Woolsey/Ferriday family trilogy. Excellent trilogy about really strong women. I liked this one about the Civil War just as much as the first two books. Definitely recommend Kelly‘s books! This was my February #bookspin book 😅 a little behind over here lol This also fits the #almostachunksterchallenge at 499 pages lol

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y

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mollyrotondo

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

So does anyone have this mistake in their copy of Sunflower Sisters? Jemma ends up in Hagerstown, Maryland a few chapters earlier, but Chapter 26 labels the location as in the wrong state. Did anyone else notice this typo? 🧐

LiteraryinPA Weird! That‘s a pretty big error! 3y

mollyrotondo @LiteraryinLawrence I know the story is moving toward Gettysburg. I‘m wondering if she just got ahead of herself 🤔 3y

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megnews

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#RoadTripUSA2022, Where have you traveled so far in 2022? I hit NY, WV, AZ, & MD. I think Maryland was my favorite so far but it was hard to choose as I really enjoyed all 4 of these.

KellyK, Lcsmcat, CarolynM, thegirlwiththelibrarybag, Magpiegem, Nute, Bookwormjillk, Emilymdxn, tdrosebud, sblbooks, TheAromaofBooks, Roary47, julieclair

TheAromaofBooks So far I've hit CO, MA, NH, NY, TX, & Washington DC. None of them have been “oh y gosh you have to read this!“ books, but I did enjoy Whiskey Beach, which was set along the coast of Massachusetts.

Whiskey Beach

Bookwormjillk January is always a good month for this challenge because each state is new. I got 9- AL, CA, DC, NV, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV. My favorite by far was Texas.

News of the World: A Novel

megnews @Bookwormjillk I LOVED News of the World! 3y

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tdrosebud I only hit Vermont this month, listening to a cozy mystery called Wine and Punishment. I still have to put up my review, but I'll tag it. 3y

Sargar114 So I randomly stumbled upon this. I like low key, can anyone join? 3y

megnews @Sargar114 absolutely! No pressure here. 3y

Sargar114 @megnews yay! And thanks! So far only Georgia unless you count the Obama book I‘m working on, but since that goes everywhere in the country would be hard to keep track haha

How Lucky: A Novel

Roary47 I only got to California this year, but planning on going on the west coast over the summer to visit family. In my lifetime I just need to see Alaska and Hawaii. (edited) 3y

megnews @Roary47 thanks! Stacked. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#OverbookedClub

megnews I think it‘s a good way to keep a secret because people probably wouldn‘t expect it. People are ingenious in times of need. 3y

sblbooks I didn't know about Sunflowers and black-eyed Susans being used in the Underground Railroad before reading this book. It definitely was a great idea. 3y

megnews @sblbooks I had never heard of this either. I googled and read a little more about it. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I wasn‘t surprised at her cruelty. I was surprised that her husband knowing her chose to divulge anything to her. I was happy to see her house burn down and I think the shack was too good for her. I‘m not sure if that was supposed to make me feel sorry for her but it didn‘t one bit. 3y

Butterfinger It was a good comeuppance. I'm glad she killed Jubal though. It might have been for revenge, but still. 3y

sblbooks @Megnews I'm with you. that whole ending was like "yeah I'm supposed to feel sorry for you now?" That didn't work for me either. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I really don‘t know. 3y

Butterfinger It was what she wanted. 3y

sblbooks Like @Butterfinger said, it was her decision and that's what she wanted. It was probably a wise choice for her generation. 3y

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sblbooks

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megnews I admire her. She could have sat at home eating bonbons but she put her life on the line to nurse the Army. 3y

Butterfinger I admire the sisters so much. I had to look for Mary Woolsey Howland's poetry last night. 3y

sblbooks @Butterfinger @megnews Yes, I think they all were to be commended. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I think the Founding Fathers had an opportunity to end slavery and their failure to do so along with all those in power until the Civil War made it inevitable. I do not believe enslavers would have ever given up slavery willingly for economic reasons. I think Abraham Lincoln had good & bad ideas like most people or presidents. I don‘t think he deserves all the credit history has given him when you really read all his stances on issues but I 👇🏻 3y

megnews 👆🏻think he did what he could to keep the Union together. 3y

Butterfinger There are people, to this day, in North Carolina that say Lincoln was never our president because NC had seceded. Hogwash. That is saying they condone the evil. I think his goal was to keep America as a union, not to give freedom to everyone. That became his goal closer to the end of the war. When he knew the Union was going to win. He's human with faults and I am glad I know he isn't all that my history classes made him out to be. But I am glad he became President, or SC wouldn't have seceded and the enslaved people would have suffered longer. 3y

Butterfinger Yeah, I do think that the Civil War was inevitable. People were willing to fight to keep those forced labor camps since before the Revolution. Senators were fighting with their canes in senate meetings over this issue during Jackson's presidency. 3y

sblbooks @megnews @butterfinger agreed. I've often wondered what if the founding fathers had not compromised on this issue, among other things from the very beginning. How many lives could have been saved in the Civil War? I do think Lincoln was a good president. No one's perfect, but who else would have been able to accomplish all he did? 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews In the US, opportunists used diversity as a tool to set in place institutional racism & power structures for their benefit. The US still grapples with that legacy today. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I‘ve read and watched quite a bit of fiction and non fiction set in this period so I can‘t really say much surprised me. 3y

Butterfinger Me either @megnews just the two Maryland armies fighting each other in the same battle. How many real family members were in that? Could one member (Union) arrange the movement of another member's (Confederate) remains afterward? That doesn't seem likely to me. Possible, maybe, but not probable. Goodness, I don't know. If a father knew his son was in that unit, he will do everything in his power to make sure he gets home. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger now that you mention that, that is somewhat new to me because from much I‘ve watched and seen, most soldiers were buried where they fell. I didn‘t realize so many were able to be sent home. I imagine it‘s people from families of means. Also the makeshift dogtag slips of paper. That was interesting. 3y

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sblbooks I had forgotten that Maryland's slaves were not part of the Emancipation Proclamation. 3y

megnews @sblbooks Kentucky as well. 3y

sblbooks @megnews true, all of the four border states. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I think it can show you that you do have power to change your life or to change things, that you don‘t have to be a victim to circumstances. 3y

Butterfinger @megnews to add to yours - to be like the Woolsey sisters. Don't back down. When you see a wrong, don't be passive. Help those in need and learn from them. My favorite scene was when Jemma finally told the sisters her feelings. Their feelings were hurt, but they grew from it and their relationship became stronger. 3y

megnews @Butterfinger agree! 3y

sblbooks @megnews @butterfinger both good points! I thought of the word courageous when I think of Jemma and the Woolsey sisters. We could all learn from them. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I was truly surprised that Sable had gone off on her own. I find stories of enslaved persons running away inspiring because it shows the strength, courage, & determination in the face of great risks and the unknown. It turned the argument of enslavers that the enslaved didn‘t want more in life on its head. It displays the very best qualities of humanity. 3y

Butterfinger I really liked how Kofi kept his African self for his family. And that the baby was named after him to keep that heritage alive. Hope was kept alive in those nighttime meetings and codes. 3y

sblbooks 😭 the story of Patience was so heartbreaking. I'm amazed at the strength of slaves were able to overcome such brutality. @megnews I love to read underground railroad, survival stories! 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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megnews I can‘t even imagine it although I could have done with less Anne May. 3y

Butterfinger I liked Jenna's and Georgy's perspectives. I guess even Anne May's is important to show the deterioration of a culture and the lengths the cruel will go to keep that culture. I honestly don't understand how Anne May would have lasted in reality. Her husband fought for the Union so why didn't he do something? I didn't think women could own property - it went to the husband. 3y

Butterfinger So why didn't he give the enslaved people their manumission papers? 3y

sblbooks Sometimes multiple POV seem to be too much. In this case though I liked having different perspectives. @Butterfinger you're right, in real life and they would have no say in what happened to her property once she married. If her husband was a union Soldier he definitely would have not allowed slaves. 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#OverbookedClub Discussion Starts Now! @Butterfinger @melissajayne @kspenmoll @Crazeedi @Kdgordon88 @Chrissyreadit @catebutler @TheBookHippie @rubyslippersreads @SamanthaMarie @Aims42 @CoffeeNBooks @katy4peas @megnews

megnews Sorry I‘m late. Had to pick my car up from the shop. 3y

megnews As an educated white woman from a progressive family, Georgy has the most power of all 3. She can choose, to some degree, what she wants to do although more well to do white women are not expected to exert themselves or be much more than a helper and not to put themselves in danger. As a well to do white Southern woman, Anne May is in a pecking order in which she exerts power of those powerless beneath her. She has also learned to use sex as 👇🏻 3y

megnews 👆🏻form of power. As an enslaved Black woman, Jemma has the least power of the three which is why it is all the more amazing the control she attempted to exert over her own destiny and that of her family in her attempts to be free. 3y

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Butterfinger Georgy has to get a type of permission from the men in her life. That is why she first said no to Frank's proposal because she felt he wasn't treating her as an equal. They both had to grow, I think before they became compatible. Poor Jemma had so little control. Even the Union Pinkerton detectives turned on her. She was left relying on Anne May to help her in the end. I agree with @megnews Anne May's control came from her flirting till it failed. 3y

sblbooks @megnews @Butterfinger I agree with both of you. I found Geory's story very interesting. It was highly unusual in those days for a woman to be educated or have any kind of profession. Ann May seems more typical of a southern aristocratic woman of the time. Jenna had the least power or control over her circumstances 3y

sblbooks 👆 but she was the strongest of all of them. 3y

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Butterfinger

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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I enjoy a historical novel that you know wasn't slapped together, but truly researched and organized. I read The Lilac Girls and some scenes still haunt me and this is just as well written. I'm glad I got to know the Woolsey family and their fight for freedom of all people and their fight for equality in the nursing career. A very esteemed family. #OverbookedClub @sblbooks @megnews

sblbooks I'm glad you enjoyed it, discussion at 4 today. 3y

Butterfinger #AlmostAChunksterChallenge @TheAromaofBooks p 528 3y

megnews I agree about the writing. I‘m looking forward to reading Lost Roses. 3y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! Fabulous progress!! 3y

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megnews

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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I really loved the story of Jemma and Georgiana Woolsey during the Civil War. There was just one part of the ending I didn‘t care for. Can‘t wait for Saturday discussion. #overbookedclub

sblbooks

Crazeedi Oh my I'm haven't finished this yet! I keep putting it down because it makes my heart hurt!! 3y

sblbooks I'm with you, there's one whole story line I didn't like. I wonder if it was the same thing you're talking about. 3y

megnews @sblbooks yes, there was one storyline I didn‘t like, and especially the ending. Probably the same. (edited) 3y

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melissajayne

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

1. Sunflower Sisters
2. The Secret of Snow
3. Don‘t have one

#weekendreads

rachelsbrittain

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Butterfinger

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#WeekendReading @Andrew65

I hope to finish Sunflower Sisters and listen to Mirror Mirror.

Andrew65 Hope you have a good reading weekend. 3y

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megnews

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

Oops! I found a misprint in my book. Ch 23 Jemma is with the Swift family in Hagerstown MD. Ch 26: same family, Hagerstown PA. She ends up in PA next and Georgy is on her way to PA. But I do believe this is supposed to be MD. I don‘t think the family moved and I don‘t see a Hagerstown PA on the map.
#OverBookedClub

sblbooks

sblbooks You're right there's not one. Good catch! 3y

Chrissyreadit I live 20 minutes from Hagerstown MD and it is like 5 minutes to the PA border (I‘m sure you can tell on the map it‘s on the border of PA) I wonder if the author confused location because of that. I haven‘t gotten to that part in the book yet but it‘s always fun when locations are familiar. 3y

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kspenmoll

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

When Lilac Girls was published I heard this author speak at this same library- her story was fascinating of researching & writing her book was incredible. I hope this in person event can still happen. #overbookedclub

sblbooks

TheBookHippie 🤞🏻 3y

megnews Oh, I hope you get to go. You‘ll have to share some of your past experience with us when we discuss! 😊 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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🌟🌟🌟🌟
#OverbookedClub
A compelling story set in Civil War era Maryland and New York. This page-turner with three perspectives should make for a great discussion on the 29th.

Tera66 Such a pretty cover🌻 3y

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Crazeedi

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#thoughtfulthursday @MoonWitch94
Thanks for the tag @Eggs !🥰
💫 to read and reduce the number of books on my physical bookshelves
💫 fearless
💫 reading for #OverbookedClub, and I'm liking it more than at first!

Eggs ❤️📚🧡 3y

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LitsyEvents

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

Reposting for #OverbookedClub Let @sblbooks and @megnews know if you would like to participate.

LitsyEvents #BuddyRead 3y

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sblbooks

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

#OverbookedClub Friendly reminder this month's discussion is Saturday, January 29th at 4 pm EST. Anyone is welcome to join us. Let me know if you want to be tagged. @megnews @melissajayne @CoffeeNBooks @Chrissyreadit @Crazeedi @Kdgordon88 @rubyslippersreads @SamanthaMarie @TheBookHippie @kspenmoll @Butterfinger @catebutler @katy4peas @Readswithcoffee @shellleigh33 @Aims42 Sorry, if I missed anyone.

TheBookHippie It‘s here in a pile!! 😂😅 I plan on it! 3y

kspenmoll I plan on it too! 3y

Butterfinger I should be able to participate. I'm waiting on my hold. 3y

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Crazeedi I have it on my kindle!! 3y

Chrissyreadit I took it out from library so have good intentions. 3y

Deblovestoread Hope to be done in time! 3y

megnews @Chrissyreadit I love this response! 3y

Crazeedi Currently reading!! 3y

julieclair Please add me to the tag list. I'd love to participate! What is the February book? 3y

sblbooks @julieclair February's book is

Sisters in Arms: A Novel

sblbooks @julieclair glad to have you. @megnews. Please add her to your list. 3y

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megnews

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

I‘ll be posting questions for In the Midst of Winter Friday, but don‘t forget to grab Sunflower Sisters for January‘s discussion. February and March line up is above as well. #OverBookedClub

All welcome!

sblbooks

melissajayne Is there a reading schedule for Sunflower Sisters? 3y

megnews @melissajayne there is no particular reading schedule. We just have a discussion at the end of the month. @sblbooks what day is discussion this month? 3y

sblbooks @megnews @melissajayne. Saturday January 29th at 4pm I will post a blurb soon. 3y

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kspenmoll

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

Library picks.Mixed up my dentist appointment(it‘s tomorrow,not today!) so what‘s woman to do with some free time in town?! Visit the library,of course.
Feel very blessed-I found some buddy reads and challenges books and was able to order others through coop with other towns!The only book I may not get in time is the 1619 project because I am hold # 2. #overbookedclub -tagged book. #19822022 -Sue Grafton‘s A is for Alibi(1982) #book1 #celebrate40

Librarybelle, sblbooks

AmyG Ha! I have done that. And…my dentist is next to a bookstore. So if I have any serious work done…I buy myself a gift. Nice book stack. 3y

Crazeedi Sunflower sisters has caught my eye! Great stack!! 3y

Librarybelle Yay!!! I think A is for Alibi is a good choice for #1982 . I‘ve read it twice, or I‘d probably read it again for the challenge: 😂 3y

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kspenmoll @Librarybelle I read it so long ago I remember nothing! I‘ve bern wanting to reread the series!! 3y

kspenmoll @Crazeedi Sunflower Sisters is a pre-quel to Lilac Girls & Lost Roses. I heard the author speak at our library a few years ago- her writing journey was quite a story. I read Lilac Girls- just fantastic, meticulous research, interviews etc. 3y

kspenmoll @AmyG You make me feel so relieved to have a “partner in crime”! I had fun stacking… 3y

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EadieB

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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3rd book in The Lilac Girls series. Inspired by true accounts, Sunflower Sisters provides a vivid look at the Civil War experience of three characters. Georgeanna Woolsey is an ancestor of Caroline Ferriday from Lilac Girls. She is a Union nurse whose calling leads her to cross paths with Jemma, a young enslaved girl who is sold off and conscripted into the army, and Anne-May Wilson, a Southern plantation mistress whose husband enlists.

TheSpineView, audraelizabeth, TheAromaofBooks

EadieB I have read the other two books (Lilac Girls and Lost Roses) but Sunflower Sisters is my favorite. We get a first-hand look at slavery through Jemma and all of its social injustice. Through Anne-May we get a peek of a plantation owner and how they treated the slaves. We follow the characters to a war-torn New York City and to the horrors of the battlefield at Gettysburg. 3y

EadieB I found the book to be well-written and well-researched. This is the last book in the trilogy but I look forward to seeing what Kelly writes next. If you love history then you should read this series. 3y

EadieB #BookSpinBingo #August2021 #StackingTheSeries #SeriesRead2021 #SunflowerSisters #MarthaHallKelly 3y

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TheSpineView Great job! 👍📖 3y

EadieB @TheSpineView Thanks! 3y

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y

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BClark

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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I read this book because I became acquainted with the author through my book club. I enjoyed her style of writing so much I read several of her others. I was caught up immediately in this book and devoured it in a little over 24 hours. It took me through so many emotions. A very hard topic to read about as it makes you emotionally tackle events that go against your whole belief system but MUST be acknowledged and read.

KristiAhlers See now I really need to get on this one! 4y

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Reecaspieces

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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Review is up on my blog. Check it out

https://reecaspieces.com/2021/04/17/sunflower-sisters-by-martha-hall-kelly-suzya...

JenReadsAlot I just finished Lilac Girls yesterday and loved it! 4y

Reecaspieces @JenReadsAlot that is one of my favorites 4y

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TorieStorieS

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

so-so

I loved Lilac Girls-& while I didn‘t feel the same way about Lost Roses, I still had high hopes for this third volume involving Caroline‘s family-this time set during the Civil War. Told in 3 perspectives, Georgy Woolsey, an unmarried woman eager to help through nursing, & in Maryland, a slave named Jemma & her new owner, Anne-May. Jemma‘s storyline is the most intriguing while neither other woman fully comes to life... it wasn‘t what I hoped for!

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Lauren.Archer

Sunflower Sisters: A Novel | Martha Hall Kelly

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This is Martha Hall Kelly‘s third book in the Lilac Girls series that follow the same family starting in WWII, then WWI and lastly this one during the civil war. Kelly has found the perfect trio of women who were heroes in each of their times.

Susanita I‘m a sucker for a Women in the Civil War book. 4y

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