A beautiful scarf, passed down through the generations, connects two women who learn that the weight of the world is made bearable by the love we give away….
September 1911. On Ellis Island in New York Harbor, nurse Clara Wood cannot face returning to Manhattan, where the man she loved fell to his death in the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. Then, while caring for a fevered immigrant whose own loss mirrors hers, she becomes intrigued by a name embroidered onto the scarf he carries…and finds herself caught in a dilemma that compels her to confront the truth about the assumptions she’s made. Will what she learns devastate her or free her?
September 2011. On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, widow Taryn Michaels has convinced herself that she is living fully, working in a charming specialty fabric store and raising her daughter alone. Then a long-lost photograph appears in a national magazine, and she is forced to relive the terrible day her husband died in the collapse of the World Trade Towers…the same day a stranger reached out and saved her. Will a chance reconnection and a century-old scarf open Taryn’s eyes to the larger forces at work in her life?
About the Author:
I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t driven to write. I attribute this passion to a creative God and to parents who love books and more particularly to a dad who majored in English and passed on a passion for writing.
I was born in 1961 in San Diego, California, and am the second of three daughters. I spent my very average childhood in just two houses. I attended Point Loma College in San Diego, majoring in education, but I would have been smarter to major in English with a concentration in writing. The advice I give now to anyone wondering what to major in is follow your heart and choose a career you are passionate about.
I didn’t do a lot of writing in the years my husband was on active duty in the Air Force, when we were living overseas, or when we were having children. When my little heirs were finally all in school, though, I became aware of a deep, gnawing desire to write a novel; a desire I managed to ignore for several years.
Finally when I could disregard it no longer, I resigned in 2002 as editor of a small town newspaper, and set out to write my first book, “Why the Sky is Blue.” It took four months to write and ten months to be accepted by a publisher. But I was absolutely thrilled to sign with Harvest House Publishers in 2003. I am now working on my sixth novel for Harvest House and it’s been a wonderful, thrilling ride.
Jennifer’s Review of A Fall of Marigolds
Review (4.5 Stars): This was such a beautiful yet haunting novel about two women who each experience a devastating loss and are connected through time by a vibrant scarf of marigolds. I instantly connected with both characters, Clara and Taryn, and I felt their heart-wrenching experience of loss right along with them. This book goes back and forth between the stories of these two amazing women, which adds to the complexity of this moving novel.
For me, I remember 9/11 as though it was yesterday, as many of us in the medical profession sat horrified by the images that were being played over and over again by various news programs. This book brought back those emotions which brought me to tears at times and I know that this book will stay with me for quite a while. Ms. Meissner did an amazing job creating such well-written characters and an emotionally engaging tale that will strike a chord with many readers.
Giveaway
I’m excited to give away a copy of A Fall of Marigolds. This giveaway is for US Residents only. To be entered in the drawing by February 15th, answer me this question in the comments:
Do you have an item of clothing that brings back strong memories for you? If so, what?
I do, but it’s not my clothing. After my dad passed away, I knew there was one thing I wanted…his old sweater. It’s this huge multi-colored cardigan he used to wear in the winter while we grew up. I wasn’t sure he still hadn’t since I hadn’t seen it the last few years. We did find it in the back of a closet. Now every time I wear it I think of him…which is often since it’s cold and it’s a really warm sweater 🙂
Thanks for having me as guest on the blog, Jennifer, and for your insightful and moving review.
Not clothing but a pair of opal earrings that used to belong to my grandmother 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Mine is not clothing but the diamond wedding ring that belonged to my mother-in-law. It is about 65 years old and very beautiful.
No, I don’t
No, I don’t either.
an old t-shirt my grandmother gave me, haven’t worn it in over 10 years, but I always remember she gave it to me