Katherine Allred Reviews

Added August 3, 2005

The Sweet Gum Tree

Author: Katherine Allred
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Available At: www.cerridwenpress.com
Publishing Date: May 2005
Genre: Fiction: Women's
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $6.49
ISBN: 1-4199-0224-5
Author Email/Website: www.katherineallred.com
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: Gargoyles

From friendship and love to anger and resentment and back again to love, Sweet Gum Tree is an emotional journey through one woman's life.

It's been fifteen years since Nick walked out of Alix French's life. Fifteen years of trying to convince herself she hated him. Fifteen years mourning the death of their daughter. A daughter he never knew existed. Now he's back in Morganville, ready to start a life for himself and his son, just as Alix's divorce is finalized.

Alix had loved him when they were young and loved him all through high school. She might have dated Hugh Morgan her senior year, more for mother's sake of mind than any true desire on her part. When her mother began making plans, she and Nick decided to tell the truth about their relationship. The night before they were to tell her parents, Nick's father was murdered. Nick claimed it was in self-defense and the sheriff gave him a choice between the army and jail.

Alix was devastated when Nick left and told her to make a new life for herself. After learning she was pregnant, she confided in Hugh who promptly suggested they get married and promises to claim the baby is his. While their marriage wasn't the love either of them hoped for, they were happy. But an unexpected death took its toll and Hugh started having one affair after the other. In an attempt to assuage her grief, Alix threw herself into her own business and eventually divorced Hugh.

She finally believed she had a hold of her life. Finally knew what she wanted; yet now that Nick is back Alix doesn't know what she wants. Is it possible to start again? To put aside past feelings and make a new life?

When I sat down to write this review, I had no idea how hard it would be. How do you write a review and explain how fully and deeply it touched you? Do you speak of how you wept, laughed, mourned and rejoiced with Alix? Or how deep in your heart, you long for Alix and Nick to be together despite the pain they have caused each other? There are simply not enough words to describe how Katherine Allred touches your soul in Sweet Gum Tree. I can only say it's a keeper.

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