Author: Kristina McMorris
Publisher: Sourcebook Landmark
Genre: Historical Fiction, General Fiction
Release Date: Aug. 28, 2018
Purchase Link: Amazon
My Rating: 5 Haunting Hearts
*I'd like to thank the publisher for offering me a copy of this arc via both Netgally & Edelweiss.
Synopsis:
2 CHILDREN FOR SALE
The scrawled sign, peddling young siblings on a farmhouse porch, captures the desperation sweeping the country in 1931. It’s an era of breadlines, bank runs, and impossible choices.
For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when the image leads to his big break, the consequences are devastating in ways he never imagined.
Haunted by secrets of her own, secretary Lillian Palmer sees more in the picture than a good story and is soon drawn into the fray. Together, the two set out to right a wrongdoing and mend a fractured family, at the risk of everything they value.
Inspired by an actual newspaper photo that stunned readers across the nation, this touching novel explores the tale within the frame and behind the lens—a journey of ambition, love, and the far-reaching effects of our actions.
Review:
This appears to be my year for trusting my gut instinct and grabbing books based on the cover and title. I've been rewarded with some awesome books by doing so, and once again struck gold when I decided to take a chance and request an arc of Sold On A Monday. If the heart-touching cover photograph doesn't get you, the title, synopsis, and story will. This has also been the year for me to become a fan of fictional renderings of real life events. The story behind Sold On A Monday is based on a newspaper photo (shown in back of the book) that shocked the world during the Great Depression. During this bleak time in history, families were faced with impossible, heartbreaking decisions. Banks collapsed, homes were repossessed, people were out of work, and families were starving. All hopes and dreams were shattered. And so, a heartbreaking photograph served as a sign of the times: 2 Children For Sale. Says it all, doesn't it?
Ellis Reed was a struggling reporter assigned to cover the social circuit in 1931. In the execution of his duties, he stumbled across an old, desolated farmhouse and took a photograph of two little children sitting on the front porch. Not intended for publication, Ellis only takes one picture which will later prove paramount in upcoming events. Upon reviewing the photograph, he's stunned to see the sign that says 2 Children For Sale propped up near the boys. Do these children have any idea what the sign says . . . or means? Newspaper secretary Lillian Palmer later discovers Reed's photograph in the darkroom and is so moved by it that she passes it on to the powers that be. Through happenstance, Ellis is faced with some hard choices including one borderline unethical decision that not only changed the course of his life, but also utterly destroyed some innocent lives. Will Ellis and Lillian ever find a way to right this wrong?
Sold On A Monday is a story first revealed through the lens of a camera - a moment of utter hopelessness forever frozen in time. But, thankfully, it's also a story of compassion, ambition, forgiveness, and redemption - a story of two people's determination to do the right thing with no thought of personal consequences. The setting and plot line drew me right into the story, allowing me to see, feel, even smell the agony, defeat, and heartbreak of families fighting for survival. I appreciated the direction and approach the author chose to tell this story as I think it broadens the reader's focus from the one photograph and allows them the vision to see a much bigger picture and story. I found the story pacing to be perfect as it kept me turning pages while searching for any assurance that it wasn't too late to set things right again. I highly recommend you skip all reviews and dive into this book prepared to not only be deeply moved, but also a little surprised. McMorris has written a stunning story - one in which a photograph is worth more than a thousand words. And yet, her words and rendering of this story are absolutely perfect! A 2018 Favorite! A Must Read!
My Rating: 5 Haunting Hearts . . . And that's the truth!
Ellis Reed was a struggling reporter assigned to cover the social circuit in 1931. In the execution of his duties, he stumbled across an old, desolated farmhouse and took a photograph of two little children sitting on the front porch. Not intended for publication, Ellis only takes one picture which will later prove paramount in upcoming events. Upon reviewing the photograph, he's stunned to see the sign that says 2 Children For Sale propped up near the boys. Do these children have any idea what the sign says . . . or means? Newspaper secretary Lillian Palmer later discovers Reed's photograph in the darkroom and is so moved by it that she passes it on to the powers that be. Through happenstance, Ellis is faced with some hard choices including one borderline unethical decision that not only changed the course of his life, but also utterly destroyed some innocent lives. Will Ellis and Lillian ever find a way to right this wrong?
Sold On A Monday is a story first revealed through the lens of a camera - a moment of utter hopelessness forever frozen in time. But, thankfully, it's also a story of compassion, ambition, forgiveness, and redemption - a story of two people's determination to do the right thing with no thought of personal consequences. The setting and plot line drew me right into the story, allowing me to see, feel, even smell the agony, defeat, and heartbreak of families fighting for survival. I appreciated the direction and approach the author chose to tell this story as I think it broadens the reader's focus from the one photograph and allows them the vision to see a much bigger picture and story. I found the story pacing to be perfect as it kept me turning pages while searching for any assurance that it wasn't too late to set things right again. I highly recommend you skip all reviews and dive into this book prepared to not only be deeply moved, but also a little surprised. McMorris has written a stunning story - one in which a photograph is worth more than a thousand words. And yet, her words and rendering of this story are absolutely perfect! A 2018 Favorite! A Must Read!
My Rating: 5 Haunting Hearts . . . And that's the truth!
Cross My
Heart . . . xxx
Sandra
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