Title: The Pirate Queen
Author: Patricia Hickman
Publication Date: 2010
**Special thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.**
Saphora Warren is the envy of all the women in town. Her husband is a wealthy and innovative plastic surgeon. Her home is being photographed by Southern Living magazine for a cover spread. She has several beautifiul homes and has raised three worldly and successful children. She knows her husband has had multiple affairs, but she has just turned her back on it.
After hosting the garden party, Saphora comes to new realizations about herself and the emptiness of her life and packs her bags to leave her husband. In her halfhearted attempt to leave her husband she is about to walk out the door for their lake home when her husband approaches her with a revelation of his own, he has brain cancer.
Ironically, Saphora ends up nursing her husband at the same lake house where she was hoping to escape him. The character development is well-done, although I found the pacing of the plot to be slow. I loved Katrina’s Wings and the Milkwood Hollow series. In truth, I wonder if my opinion of this book was colored by the timing. I was not in the best frame of mind emotionally when I read this book. I tend to avoid books with cancer as a main subject.
Hickman has been a favorite author in the past and I will definitely seek out more of her books to read in future.
11 comments:
I know what you mean about avoiding books, Julia. I didn't realize the full story within this month's fiction book club choice, Crossing Oceans. I had picked it up when it was free for Kindle and decided to join in. Let's just say, you'll want to avoid it! I'm glad I read it, but I don't want another one like that for a while! . . . I had wondered about The Pirate Queen. I enjoyed the Milkwood Hollow series but this book seemed so different. It seems like one I'll have to keep in mind for the future.
WOW. That is quite a lesson in forgiveness. I'd imagine there is a lot of character development in a story like this. It sounds like a great, if not emotional, read. I'm sorry if its subject matter caused you any distress, my friend. Cancer has touched all of our lives in one form or another so I'd imagine it would be a tough read for anyone. But if it has personally or recently touched close to home for you, for that I'm truly sorry, my friend. Praying for you :)
Blessings,
Amanda
Julia, just wanted to let you know that you've won an award over on my blog. You don't have to accept it if you don't want to - but its there for you! :-)
http://katieslegacy.blogspot.com/2011/01/blog-award.html
Keep up the good work on your blog. I enjoy reading your reviews and posts!
~ Katy
Hi Julia~
I'm right there with you! There are so many different books I avoid it's not even funny anymore. I had the opportunity to review The Pirate Queen, and couldn't. Adultery, divorce, (as well as other issues) just tear me apart. Sorry for your discomfort and distress.
You certainly have a **lovely** blog. I enjoy reading your thoughts and opinions on books. Thank you for sharing them.
@ Renee Ann,
Yeah, I keep hearing it raved about, but I may avoid it. I'm sorry to hear it upset you. I loved the Milkwood Hollow books, too. The characters were great!
@ Amanda,
You're so right. We have all been affected by cancer in some way. I lost my Dad to liver cancer after a long battle in 2002. I will occasionally read books on this topic if I think they will be beneficial...but its not something I regularly choose to read. Praying for you, too. Hope you're feeling well.
@ Amanda,
And yes, forgot to mention in the last comment this is a very character driven novel. If you haven't read the Milkwood Hollow series by Patricia Hickman I think you would like them a lot.
@ Katy,
Thanks so much for your kind words and the award. I enjoy reading your blog as well. I was excited to hear that you and Kait are writing a book. How neat!
@ Amanda,
Yes, so true. I so understand where you're coming from as well. I've had to make some drastic changes in my reviewing. Thank you so much for "dropping in" and for your kind words.
Oh Julia, I am so very sorry, my friend. I had no idea and can understand now even more why this book was a difficult read for you. I lost my dear Aunt Ellie to breast cancer when I was 12 years old. I remember her being one of the sweetest people and she had the warmest smile and the kindest eyes. Her's was a long, painful battle also. I was too young at the time to truly grasp what was happening, but looking back now, how I wish I could have spent these past years with her. But most of all I wish I could go back and wrap my arms around her and pray with her - at the time I didn't really grasp how important that was either. I don't know if she ever gave her life to Jesus before she died... that is a truly heartbreaking thought... Anyway, I'm so sorry to go on like this. I could never compare an Aunt to a Dad but I just want to let you know I understand and am praying for you. Praise the Lord for the gift of every precious moment we have with our loved ones.
And, thank you for the recommend :) I have never read anything by Patricia but will keep her in mind this year.
Blessings,
Amanda
Good to read your review Julia. I got to it a tad late is all...sorry! I considered reviewing this one, but decided it just didn't appeal to me. I think I probably made the right choice. :)
I have an award for you at my blog!! You can pick up here: http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/01/nearly-cold-call-friday.html , but if not, that is completely fine! Just want you to know you and your blog are appreciated.
This sounds like a heartbreaking story. Sorry to hear about your Dad Julia. :( My father has been battling liver cancer and bladder cancer for a couple of years now. He goes every three months to have something else cut out. It's such a dreadful process.
Post a Comment