Annie Crow Knoll: Sunrise - Book Review

Annie Crow Knoll-Sunrise is the story of a place where people come to restore their spirits, heal their pain and reclaim their lives.

Annie is a determined young woman who is left to run her family's property after the death of her parents. Managing fourteen summer cottages with only the help of a family friend, she struggles to survive on her own. When she meets Drew, a young college professor, Annie thinks she's finally found a love she can trust.

But years of conflict and pain destroy their bond and leave Annie alone again, unless she can find lasting peace and passion in the most unlikely arms.

In this family saga, love, loss and history twine together the people whose lives are changed by Annie's determination and the magic of her knoll nestled along the head-waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Purchase - AMAZON/BN/SMASHWORDS

Review:

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I would give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.  It is well-written, easy to follow, good story that the author sticks to, and great characters. 

I really enjoyed reading this book.  And I certainly look forward to reading the rest of the story in the series.  It's the story of Annie Crow and her coming of age in the 1950s and 60s.

We meet Annie when she is young, learn how she views the world.  She is a very independent young lady.  She is fairly well protected in her life on the Knoll.  This is a time when the world was slower and rock n' roll music was scandalous. 

I love how the author incorporates some of the world's goings-on into the story line.  One of the supporting characters is Annie's dad's employee, Big Black Bo.  We get a glimpse of what life was like for black Americans in the 1950s and even on into the 60s.  It still just floors me how hard people will hold onto beliefs even when those beliefs hurt others.

Annie has a lot to deal with early in her life.  At 11 or 12 she learns there are secrets her mom and her family are keeping from her and then at 19 her parents are suddenly and tragically taken from her.  I couldn't imagine dealing with the loss of my parents like that.  But she does with the help of some great friends.  And that summer is when she meets Drew.  And we do get a peek at the politics of working in a college in the 1960s. 

Then trouble hits once again with what we now know as postpartum depression.  It's amazing to think that in 1967-68 that was still something doctors knew little about.  I know what she went through.  I don't think I had depression quite as bad as Annie though.  So then the author brings us to 1980...

Annie and Drew's son is about the only thing they have in common anymore.  As happens all too often in our world, they grew apart.  Neither were happy where they were with each other and she goes through pain all over again.  But thankfully there's hope in old friends.

This coming of age tale, with its secrets, family dynamics, boy trouble, and best friends, is artfully told.  I made myself stop before I started the second in the series so I could write this review.  I am ready to get further into the lives of these characters!


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