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Finding Lily by Lisa D. Ellis
January 22, 2013
January 22, 2013
Soul Mate Publishing
Synopsis:
Sometimes the ties that bind people together can also tear them apart. In FINDING LILY, first-time novelist Lisa D. Ellis explores that delicate balance that exists in all relationships and tries to find meaning in a world that is sometimes kind and sometimes harsh.
Her narrator Claire, who is reeling after the unexpected loss of a newborn baby Lily, walks the fine line between love, loss, heartache and healing. Unable to cope with her grief, which seems magnified by her husband Jim’s colder coping style, Claire leaves Jim behind and runs away to live in a lighthouse she had fallen in love with as a child.
At first all Claire wants is an escape but slowly, the lighthouse sheds new light on her situation and helps her reimagine her life in a new way, sometimes with her feet on the ground and sometimes lifting up beyond the boundaries of reality to help her reconnect with Lily. Claire’s memorable journey to the lighthouse — and back again — is a story of hope and of possibility.
Readers will fall in love with Claire and with the rich images and rhythmic tones that Ellis masterfully weaves from the very first page through to the satisfying conclusion of FINDING LILY.
Finding Lily is a tender and touching journey through a young woman's grief following the loss of her child.
Claire and Jim had been envisioning a happy and fulfilling future with their daughter. Instead, they are drowning in their grief. This puts a strain on their relationship, particularly as Claire feels Jim isn't grieving along with her. So she escapes to the lighthouse in an attempt to put her life back in order.
The lighthouse is a character in its own right in this story. Claire grew up visiting the lighthouse and its beach every summer. The lighthouse has played an important role in her life, so it seems fitting she stay there while working through her grief. The lighthouse seems to have a history is saving people. And it's here that Claire is able to see things in a new light and fight through the emotions that have been immobilizing her.
Finding Lily is an emotional read. As a mother, this story felt very realistic. I sympathized with Claire in her struggle to deal with Lily's death. I think Ms. Ellis was true to the plight parents would face with the loss of a child. I loved Claire's narration, loved getting to know her and Jim, and traveling the emotional ups and downs with her. In the end, Claire's story left me hopeful and very satisfied.
Buy Finding Lily at:
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My Review
Finding Lily is a tender and touching journey through a young woman's grief following the loss of her child.
Claire and Jim had been envisioning a happy and fulfilling future with their daughter. Instead, they are drowning in their grief. This puts a strain on their relationship, particularly as Claire feels Jim isn't grieving along with her. So she escapes to the lighthouse in an attempt to put her life back in order.
The lighthouse is a character in its own right in this story. Claire grew up visiting the lighthouse and its beach every summer. The lighthouse has played an important role in her life, so it seems fitting she stay there while working through her grief. The lighthouse seems to have a history is saving people. And it's here that Claire is able to see things in a new light and fight through the emotions that have been immobilizing her.
Finding Lily is an emotional read. As a mother, this story felt very realistic. I sympathized with Claire in her struggle to deal with Lily's death. I think Ms. Ellis was true to the plight parents would face with the loss of a child. I loved Claire's narration, loved getting to know her and Jim, and traveling the emotional ups and downs with her. In the end, Claire's story left me hopeful and very satisfied.
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About Lisa
Lisa Ellis is a writer whose short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals and magazines. FINDING LILY is her first novel. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Boston University and provides health content regularly for hospitals and websites in New England and the tri-state area.
Lisa’s Website
Lisa D. Ellis on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/lisadellisauthor
Lisa D. Ellis on Twitter:https://twitter.com/LisaEllisauthor
Lisa D. Ellis on Twitter:https://twitter.com/LisaEllisauthor
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Giveaway
This book seems heartbreaking, but still beautiful! I love your review, Brandee, and I've added the book to my Goodreads shelves.
ReplyDeleteHappy reading :)
It was, Lexxie, but also hopeful. There's so much I want to say about it but I don't want to give anything away - which made the review difficult. It's worth reading. I love how the author gave Claire & Jim their peace and each other. :)
DeleteOh gosh, stories like this are so hard to read, but important. I'm so glad you enjoyed. Great review, Brandee.
ReplyDeleteIt was hard to read, imagining how I'd feel, but I like what the author did with story. It ended being very uplifting. Thanks, Andrea!
DeleteI think it would be a little too hard for me to read this one since it's about losing a child. Anytime a stray thought crosses my mind about something happening to Zane, I nearly break down and I know that I would be completely lost if that were to happen. I'm glad you enjoyed the story and that it felt realistic, but I think I will have to stay away as it would make me way too emotional. Great review. Thank you for sharing :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, Jaclyn. I'm the same way x 3. But this story did give food for thought. Thanks, as always, for commenting. :)
DeleteThanks for taking part in the tour. I'm glad you enjoyed Finding Lily so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teddy!
DeleteThanks for all of your comments on my novel!
ReplyDeleteLexxie, thanks for adding this to your shelf!
And Jaclyn, I am a mother of young children myself and to be honest, I can't read anything sad either... In fact, I wrote this as a book of hope and of the possibilities that exist, so it's meant to transcend the situation and to show the love that exists between a husband and wife and how it evolves over time and grows to close up the spaces that situations create... Anyway, thanks for reading the review and thanks to Brandee for her thoughtful perspective on the story and for hosting me! :)
Lisa
Thanks, Lisa! It was my pleasure!
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