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Thursday, November 29, 2012

Blackberry Winter- Review




What Blackberry Winter is about:
  Seattle, 1933. Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, goodnight and reluctantly leaves for work. She hates the night-shift, but it’s the only way she can earn enough to keep destitution at bay. In the morning—even though it’s the second of May—a heavy snow is falling. Vera rushes to wake Daniel, but his bed is empty. His teddy bear lies outside in the snow. 

  Seattle, present day. On the second of May, Seattle Times reporter, Claire Aldridge, awakens to another late-season snowstorm. Assigned to cover this “blackberry winter” and its predecessor decades earlier, Claire learns of Daniel’s unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth—only to discover that she and Vera are linked in unexpected ways.


Opening up a Sarah Jio novel is much like visiting with a beloved family member for a few hours. I was captivated at once with Vera and Claire's stories and loved how Sarah was able to weave them together even though they were separated by seventy years. I am love with Seattle, even though I've never been there. Jio's writing makes it come alive vividly within my imagination and I felt as if I was walking beside Vera and Claire as they both tried to come to terms with the tragedies in their lives. I've never heard of a Blackberry Winter, but can certainly imagine that happening, especially here in Michigan when the weather can turn on a dime. And even though I knew exactly where the story was heading, I loved every minute of it. When I closed the book it was with a few tears and a satisfied smile!

Recommend? Absolutely. If you haven't read any of Sarah's books, I highly recommend starting with Violets of March. This was the book that made me fall in love with Sarah's writing.

Source: Review copy was possible because of the generosity of Sarah Jio and her publisher.

Review Book #35
© 2012, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

26 comments:

  1. Glad you like this one Staci. It seems like one I would enjoy as well. Maybe I'll get the audio from the library.

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  2. I have heard good things about this one before. Thank you for sharing about it ;)

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  3. I'd like to read this book and the previous, Violets of March. Thanks for the suggestions.

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  4. Well now I truly am the last person in the universe who hasn't read this! :--) But maybe I will start with Violets of March - thanks for the recommendation!

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  5. Violets of March is on my wish list. Glad to know you recommend it. I had never heard of Blackberry winter until a few years ago when we went up to the mountains in GA. At the hotel where we stayed, the clerk said they were having a blackberry winter and I didn't know what he was talking about until he explained. It was in May too. I thought maybe it was just a southern expression. I guess not.

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  6. I'm really looking forward to reading this one. It's on my shelf but I want to read The Bungalow first.

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  7. I've been wanting to read Jio's books forever! I must get to it soon.

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  8. I have this on my reading list for January. Sounds fantastic!

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  9. This was my first experience with Jio's work and I thought it was fabulous as well.

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  10. I like your description about how reading a Jio book is like visiting a beloved family member for a few hours. I totally agree! I love the warmth, the coziness, and the feeling that I am right there with the characters.

    I'm glad you loved this book; so did I!

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  11. Jio is a really good storyteller and I like "her" in general. She is always so supportive of bloggers and truly enjoys her reading fans.

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  12. I really should try one of her books

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  13. I have this book still in my library loot pile. Since it's set in Seattle, I know I'll love it.

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  14. Love all her books! I hope you get a chance to visit Seattle, it is awesome.

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  15. I haven't read Sarah Jio's books yet, but will take your advice and start with Violets of March!

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  16. Sounds like another good read! That cover is gorgeous

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  17. I've heard great things about this book and her writing. Very cool that you liked it so much!

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  18. I keep saying to myself that I'm going to try this author sooner rather than later. I keep seeing the best reviews for her books. I'm adding this one to my TBR list for sure!!

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  19. I haven't posted my review of Blackberry Winter yet, but I LOVED it as well :) It was my first Sarah Jio, but it won't be my last :)

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  20. So glad you liked this one! I was supposed to get a review copy but it never came. :( Since I really enjoyed her first 2, I'll probably end up buying this one at some point.

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  21. I've only read The Bungalow, but thought it was very good! I look forward to reading her other two.

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  22. I just finished my first novel by this author - The Bungalow - and loved it! Can't wait to read her others!

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  23. I fell in love with Sarah Jio's writing after reading The Bungalow and can't wait to read Blackberry Winter & Violets of March. Next year is for MY reads :)

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  24. I clearly need to read something by this author!

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