Danielle Stewart (1)

Both of these books were well-written and executed. Warning: It ends in a cliff-hanger, so I'm left with two questions: Who committed the crime? Why? In the beginning, it seems that the evil sheriff (Hoyle) did it simply because he's power-hungry and wants things done his way all the time. He gives no wiggle room for negotiation or fairness. Whatever he orders, his cronies will carry out. There is no law except Hoyle's law. No one stands up to him because if they do, he will get his revenge. show more Towards the end of book two, you have to wonder if the girl did it. She had motive and opportunity. It would seem totally out of character, but people do snap out of desperation. Or is there a third party/person that we just haven't considered yet?

I'm the type of person who wants to believe that good always conquers evil in the end, I want to believe that Devin will rightfully put Hoyle in his place for good, whether it's behind bars or six feet under the ground. I want to believe that Devin and Rebeccca will finally have the life they deserve. I want to believe that Jordan and Click get it together.

So naturally, I plan to continue the series to satisfy my curiosity! show less

Piper Anderson has been given a fresh start in the picturesque town of Edenville, North Carolina. But her plans of settling into a normal life are derailed when she witnesses a prominent judge in her community committing a violent assault. Running from her own past and fueled by a passion to make the judge answer for his crimes, Piper is forced to decide if she’ll play by the rules or achieve justice in her own way. Complicating things further, Piper finds herself fighting a powerful show more attraction to rookie cop, Bobby Wright. Although she’s increasingly enamored with Bobby, his staunch belief in the justice system is in stark contrast to her own. She may not share his opinions about the effectiveness of the law, but she certainly can’t deny how safe she feels when she’s in his arms or how every kiss leaves her desperate for more. For Piper, the idea of finally living an ordinary life with a man to love is tempting. However, fate keeps placing the judge, quite literally, in her path. Will she decide the only way to win is to be as wicked as the judge, but with righteous intentions? And more importantly, will Bobby choose to let her go, or follow her as she crosses the line and takes justice into her own hands? show less

“Sometimes a hug is the only way to squeeze someone's worry away.”
― Danielle Stewart, Flowers in the Snow

Five stars. Utterly fantastic. What a beautifully told story and I read it in one sitting.

It is the early Nineteen Sixties. Mary and Alma are friends. They live in a small town in North Carolina.

Alma is feisty and smart. Her parents have instilled in her the value of hard work and education. They live in a shack on a side of town white folk rarely venture to. She fears the white show more people..with good reason.

Mary is a dreamer. Lost in her head and shunned by everyone from her family to the kids at school, she has nobody.

Mary is called dumb. But she's not. She just doesn't look at the world in the way most of the people in her small town do. She doesn't understand why things have to be the way they are. She doesn't understand the strange alienation she feels from everyone. She doesn't understand that, if God says to help people..all people..in need..why doesn't anyone help the injured African American man by the fountain? Why is she forbidden to go to "that side" of town?

Mary is an innocent. And her dad is a high ranking member of the Klan.

It is in this world that Mary and Alma find each other and their friendship begins to flourish.

In Alma's home, wrapped in the friendship of Alma and her family, Mary learns many of Life's lessons. She also realizes that maybe things do not have to be the way they are.

Winnie, Alma's mom, (and an utterly unforgettable character, , one of THE most unforgettable characters)..teaches Mary to cook. She teaches Mary many things.

If I am making this book sound to cozy, it's not. It is raw and emotional and some parts are guttural. As time goes by and Integration begins to get stronger, the locals in the town, become more and more restless until they decide they can not take it anymore..

This book is beautifully written but can be upsetting because, as you might expect, there are some shockingly violent scenes. But Flowers in the snow is so much more than just another book about that time period. It shows the world, through the eyes of the children, the children growing up in those times, who did not have yet have their own voice and will to change things.

I thought this was a wonderful and enriching read. I should say the book starts in the present and goes back in time, but it is mostly told from that time period.

There are other wonderful characters I have not mentioned such as the brothers..Stan and Simpson. The author sculpted beautifully created characters, each with their own distinctive voice and this book was just a pleasure to read from beginning to end.

The title is also poignant. I will heed that thought and look for sparkly petals during my next cold winter.

To sum up..a beautiful and important story about a time period where such horrifying things were done, that we still weep many tears. I look forward to reading more from this author. show less

Oh wow. This was just an amazing book. It all felt so vivid, so real. The title sounds unique because the story itself in unique. Danielle Stewart created this story set during the violent times of the Civil Rights movement. There was great unrest and outbreaks of violence all over the southern US, but the story specifically zeroes in on the town of Edenville. Father against son. Brother against brother.

In the midst of all this chaos, a young woman named Beatrice (who prefers the name show more "Betty") grows up terribly conflicted by everything she sees. She has a great capacity to love and look beyond the color of one's skin. Her own parents don't seem to care for her or care about her. Nothing she says or does is right in her father's eyes. She might as well have never been born.

Betty finds love and friendship in the home of a black family. There she learns more about the world, how it really works, and the choices she must make. While some would gladly sit by idly and do nothing, Betty is the type who wants to make a difference--a positive difference.

Throughout this story, the author gives us magnificent insight through the eyes of a young white girl and an innocent black family. It was well developed and excellently executed. I hope to find the next book very soon! show less