For those of you old enough to remember what it was like back in the 40's, 50's and even into the 60's you will remember what happened to those who had babies out of wed lock. They were shunned and ofttimes sent off to homes for unwed mothers to have their child then be forced to give them up for adoption or attempt to keep the child. It was not easy! I had a couple of friends this happened to--most gave up the baby-one or two kept them. In the 40's (when this book takes place) and into the 50's there were wars going on and men-boyfriends and husbands didn't always make it home.
I was born in 1950 and I was adopted at about the age of 5 months into a loving home with wonderful parents and a totally accepting extended family. I was told young that I was adopted. I am not sure to this day if the story I was told was the truth and like Sadie and then her daughter I have often wanted to know--but like Sadie's daughter-never want to hurt the mother who brought me up. Maybe someday I will try and find my birth mother--but no rush. What I am getting to here--if you do adopt a child please let them know as soon as possible-hiding it will only cause heartache in the long run.
This story of true love will certainly tug at your heart strings as well as bring tears to your eyes--and yes smiles to your face as well. This author deserves accolades for writing a novel that captures the times and the fears of that age (and beyond) and capturing the attention that didn't quit until the last page was turned.
Eighteen-year-old Sadie Stark, raised by the governor of Pennsylvania, has the world on a string. She doesn’t need the mother who left her any more than she needs the fiance who promises to change. What she needs is to finish college, and keep her wits about her.
When war-bound James Pasko returns her stolen clutch, and shows her what’s missing in her life, she gains the courage to search for the truth about her past.
What Sadie uncovers rattles her to the core. But James’ steadfast love gives her hope for the future—for the first time—even as the war tears them apart.
When James disappears over enemy lines and Sadie makes a startling discovery, she must decide to follow in the footsteps of the mother who gave her away, or face a life of hardship like she’s never known.
Available to buy from....
“A sweeping, romantic debut that brings the war-time forties to vivid life in this Titanic meets Philomena tale—fast-paced, tender, and real.” —RITA Award-winning Author Gwyn Cready
“Menke’s writing is so lovely, you will want to wrap yourself in her words and savor each moment you spend in Sadie’s story. Return To Me will tug on your heart strings and take you on a journey back in time.” —Dana Faletti, Author of the Whisper Trilogy
“A timeless tale of love, loss and sacrifice that will equally break and warm your heart, as you cheer for the beautifully complex characters until the very last page.” —Lori M. Jones, Author of Renaissance of the Heart
About the Author
Carolyn Menke is the author of "A Little Known Truth" and "The Survival Guide to Mommy-hood," both published in "Beyond the Diaper Bag." Her flash fiction piece "Full Circle" took first place in the Writer's Type literary competition in July 2012. "Baba's Bananas" also placed first at Writer's Type in March 2011, and was later awarded first runner-up overall for the
yearly competition in the same category.
A storyteller with an entrepreneurial spirit, she started a marketing communications business with clients ranging from local start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that she worked as a marketing communications specialist for high-tech companies. She gained valuable public speaking experience while leading corporate and educational training workshops. Recently, she was a guest speaker at Wexford Elementary, and has been invited to share her latest novel, Return To Me, with area reading clubs.
The author earned a bachelor's degree in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and a master's degree in marketing communications from Duquesne University. She is a member of Pennwriters and two writing critique groups.
Find the author on the following sites...
I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.
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35 comments :
Oh my. I want to get this for my mom. She was put up for adoption at birth... in '47. I think this will be something she will enjoy reading because it will resonate with her.
Thanks for the giveaway! I would have to weigh the pros and cons for the child.
This sounds like a really good read. I can't wait to get my hands on this one.
Sadie should keep the baby she will regret it if she doesn't.
Gloriawalshver@yahoo.com
I believe too that an adopted child should be told they were adopted. It is just easier to go with the truth than to have things backfire later in life.
This was a great read. I loved these characters.
I think it must be extremely hard to learn that your adopted later on in life, letting a child know, like yourself, is a much more kinder way.
Having grown up in that era, my mother would certainly enjoy this one. She really gets into WWII stories.
Sounds like a tear-jerker, for sure! Kind of reminds me of that Pearl Harbor movie with Ben Affleck in it...
I can tell how much this story resounded with you. Your review alone makes me want to read this book! I will be adding this to my wish list. :)
I was put up for adoption in '72 and I think that Sadie should do whatever is right for her. If she is unhappy then her child will be too. Fortunately for me, my story has a very happy ending.
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
Thank goodness we have grown as a people. This is a really hard topic for a lot of us. This book sure sounds interesting too.
What a great giveaway! This sounds really interesting. My dad and his sister were adopted as children together (same bio family) so I'm always interested in these type of reads.
I don't have any memories of world war 2 but I love learning about history and reading books about that time. I like reading what people went through during that time.
I love emotional, honest books like this. I will have to check it out for sure. Thank you.
I can feel my heart strings being tugged already. This one will make me cry as I read it!
This is a great book for those who have been a product of adoption. They must have so many questions about the whole process.
This sounds really lovely! I added it to my Christmas list!
That is so heartbreaking! I sure would love to read it! I hope that when/if you decide to search for your birth mother that you find her quickly and easily!
I think she could try to keep the child and see what happens.
This is an interesting book. I don't usually read romance or drama but I suddenly was interested when I read the synopsis of the book. I hope it turns out to be a happy ending.
I can see how it would be a pull in both directions when it came to finding your birth mother. I can see the perspective of the mom who adopted too. Of course you want your child fulfilled and happy, but it would still perhaps be challenging. :)
This book sounds really interesting. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for the mothers during the war times. It's really sad that so many of them had to leave their babies.
This series looks interesting, I wanna read it.
Wow I don't usually get pulled in to novels anymore. This one though sounds really touching and I love the bringing the 40s alive.
I don't have any memories or even family members left from WW2. Wow, keeping or not keeping the baby sounds like quite the tragic choice. I, of course, would want her to keep it but I'd need to read the book for more information.
Sounds like a great romance story. That time period is a good background for a love story.
I was adopted when I was three. My mom tried telling me and I didn't believe her for the longest time.
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
I was adopted when I was three. My mom tried telling me and I didn't believe her for the longest time.
I can't wait to get my hands on a copy.
The 'Follow Carolyn's Amazon page by clicking the follow link under the authors picture here' link is taking me back to the rafflecopter, so therefore I cannot follow Carolyn's Amazon page.
I have no opinion on anyone keeping their baby. That is totally their choice.
This sounds like such an awesome story. I hope you will consider linking up with us at Literacy Musing Mondays. You can link up to three new posts a week on literacy, love of reading, book reviews, etc. Here is this week's link:
http://maryanderingcreatively.com/literacy-musing-mondays-reading-seasons/
I think she did the best she could under the circumstances. I can't judge because times were so different then.
I do not have any family memories of World war 2 If any of my family ever had links to it they never said. I am not sure if she should keep her baby.
WW2 was just before my time. My father was a pullman conductor on the trains.
Thanks for the contest.
slehan at juno dot com
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