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Library | Call Number | Status |
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Searching... Woodburn Public Library | Snelling | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Independence Public Library | FICTION - SNELLING | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... McMinnville Public Library | Snelling, L. | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Monmouth Public Library | Fic Snelling, L. 2011 | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Newberg Public Library | CHRISTIAN SNELLING | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Silver Falls Library | IF SNELLING | Searching... Unknown |
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Summary
Summary
"But Mother is always dying," is Gillian Ormsby's sarcastic response when her younger, favored sister tells her that she has to go take care of their hypochondriac mother. Much against her will, since she and her mother never have gotten along, Gillian arrives in California to find the garden and yard dead, the blinds all drawn, and her mother indeed in bed -- waiting to die. But when Gillian talks with the doctor, he assures her there's no medical reason behind her mother's state.
Now on a mission to restore her mother to health, Gillian insists Mother get out of bed, eat, exercise and hopefully, choose to live. She also sets about reviving the garden to its former glory, enlisting the help of Adam, a handsome man who owns a family gardening business with his father. Gillian is delighted when a pair of hummingbirds appear, and her friendship with Adam grows.
Soon, Mother's health improves, and one day she announces she and her friend Enzio are going on a cruise. Before Gillian has time to turn around, her mother is gone and she is left high and dry again, and wondering, what is she going to do with the rest of her own life?
Author Notes
Lauraine Snelling began her career writing children's books. Her first book, Tragedy on the Toutle, was published in 1982. She wrote the High Hurdles series and The Golden Filly series before turning her focus to inspirational romances for adults. Her works include the Red River of the North family saga, Return to Red River trilogy the Daughters of Blessing series, and the Home to Blessing series. She won the Silver Angel award for An Untamed Land, the Romance Writers of American Golden Heart for Song of Laughter, and the 2014 Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Inspirational Fiction.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Snelling (One Perfect Day) strikes a blow for family values in a story about a family that is not close either geographically or emotionally. Gillian Ormsby is a New York corporate executive returns to her California home to take care of her mother Dorothy, who appears to be physically healthy but who won't do anything but sleep. Gillian's sister, Allison, the preferred child who stayed close to home, is being less than helpful. When Gillian arrives after crossing the country, she finds her mother's once beautiful garden as wilted as its caretaker. She is aided in her efforts by her mother's dapper friend, Enzio, who brings killer pastries when he visits, and her mother's neighbor Adam, who owns a dog and a garden store and happens to be handsome. The narrative hits some true notes: Dorothy's passive depression will strike those caring for elderly parents as familiar. Off-notes include Allison, who needs more characterization, and Gillian's generic corporate career. The tale is uneven, but Snelling can certainly charm. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Library Journal Review
Gillian Ormsby's mother, Dorothy, won't do anything but sleep, so Gillian leaves her posh New York job as a corporate executive and returns home to California. There, she finds her sister, Allison, less than helpful. Gillian enlists the aid of her mother's friend Enzio and handsome neighbor Adam to restore not only her mother's spirit, but her ailing garden as well. VERDICT Fans of best-selling author Snelling (One Perfect Day) will anxiously await this latest outing but will be somewhat disappointed. The story is uneven, and several sketchily drawn characters, including Allison and Gillian herself, could have used more fleshing out. (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.