A Song For My Mother

Chalk one up for the female writers out there.

Yesterday, we discussed Kristin Hannah's newest release - Night Road.  Today, we turn our attention to another book that begs to be read.  Meet Kat Martin's latest release - A Song For My Mother.

Typically, this is not the book I'm lured to in the bookstore.  So oft is the case that we judge a book by its cover, and this is not one to be judged.  Sadly, one factor of our life we cannot control is our family.  But, what we do with our family we can control.  It's easy to forget to "check-in", to remind our loved ones that they are important.  It's harder still to accept that nothing, or no one, lasts forever.  Time is slipping every single day, and if we're not careful with our decisions, we will miss out.  Welcome to the themes at play here.

A Song For My Mother returns Martin's fanbase to Dreyerville - the setting of her book The Christmas Clock.  Regardless of your familiarity with the town, you'll feel the tug as the setting draws you in and take ahold.  Something about Dreyerville will echo in your  memory, whether you grew up in rural or urban settings.  There's something to the place that smells of chocolate chip cookies, hot dogs, and family.  It's odd, really.

At the surface, there's a significant "coming home" story, as Marly Hanson returns to Dreyerville after years of being away.  But there's more to this little novella than the surface, like an iceberg.  Returning home brings about three generations of an estranged and strained family life...and what it's like to deal with shotgun change and the inevitability of loss.

At around the 200 page mark, the book is much too short.  Still, the message is loud and clear and never once preachy.  It's a solid writing in the highest.  The title makes perfect sense, as you can't have a song without singing.  So is the case with family - you can't leave the pent up frustrations of the past and the true love you harbor left unsung.

An encouraging read from one of the most talented writers writing today.

5 out of 5

For more on Kat Martin, visit her on the web at http://www.katmartin.com/.  To order the book, which Amazon currently as under ten bucks, follow the link below.