Allison PittmanRecensioni

I have my MA in Literature with a focus in Victorian Lit and I really appreciated the way this book was written. That is not to say that you need a degree to understand it, that's just my way of saying I am very picky about literary interpretations, and this book did not commit any crimes in my view. I don't agree with all of Pittman's interpretations of A Christmas Carol, but I thought she did pretty good connecting the story with biblical passages and personal anecdotes. Sometimes the balance of those three things wasn't great, but I would say the majority of the chapters were very well done. I also really appreciate that Pittman addressed author intent at the end and made the case that even if Dickens didn't mean to put all of the Christian themes in the story, we can find them there nonetheless.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting book!

I really enjoyed this book! It's based on one of Laura Ingall's students, Mariah. Trixie, Mariahs's great granddaughter is called to her bedside in what is believed to be her final days. During that visit, Trixie learns some things about her past that she never knew. Mariah was in love with a man named Oscar ( Cap Garland) but her was in love with Laura. Mariah has many struggles including marrying a man she doesn't love but she becomes stronger through her difficulties. This strength she passes on to her great-granddaughter. This book has themes of love, family and strength.

I really enjoyed this book. It had a different feel to it then a lot of books I read. It goes back and forth between present day and chapters of a book that was written by a woman who lived at the Menger Hotel in 1915. In present day Dini is a magician who is fascinated by/obsessed with Hedda Krause. Hedda claimed that a ghost lured her from her room and when she returned all of her jewels had been stolen. Dini meets Quin who's ancestor was the detective that investigated the robbery. Together they try to figure out what happened.
I found this book very interesting and a bit creepy at times but highly enjoyable and hard to put down.
This book was reviewed on the Literary Club Podcast https://www.buzzsprout.com/1984185/episodes/12732054

This was a charming story with not one but two love stories! The characters are done well and the pace moves well with the story. The descriptions of the settings were one of my favorite parts! They were rich and vivid making it easy to picture and experience everything right alongside the characters! The pace was a little slow and I didn't really care for some of the characters but I did still enjoy the story! Thank you Just Read Tours for sharing this book with me!

As a girl, I grew up reading the Little House on the Prarie Series and watching Little House on the Prairie. So when I had the opportunity to read Laura’s Shadow, I found myself eagerly anticipating reading the book. Because Laura in the title Laura’s Shadow refers to Laura Ingalls Wilder. I found the story to be engaging and worth reading. Being a city girl myself who found myself preferring life in the country, I could relate to this book.

As part of the Doors to the Past series, this book includes dual timelines. In the past in 1890, Mariah Patterson breaks two rules of her community by going out in a snowstorm and giving her heart to Cap Garland. In 1974, Trixie Gowan creates a comic strip centered around a young woman living on the prairie who longs to live in the city.

Maybe because I experienced years of four generations being in the same house or at least in the same church and family gatherings with my husband’s family, I found myself caught up in this story. Sometimes secrets need to be revealed without the words being directly spoken.

So if you enjoy dual timeline stories or stories revolving around the characters of the Little House on the Prairie series, check out this book for yourself. I definitely recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman is a must-read for everyone who is (or was) a fan of Little House on the Prairie. But it’s also a book for fans of multi-generational stories and romance and heartbreak and healing.

Pittman weaves the past and the present stories through a woman (Mariah who the author pulled from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books to give her own story to) in 1891 and her granddaughter Trixie in 1974. Both stories are well told and you feel connected to both of these heroines.

My favorite parts of this book were the author’s lyrical turns of phrase and the relationships between the women in Trixie’s family. They are different from generation to generation, yet we see how each one has shaped the women into who they are in the more modern timeline.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this story. Trixie and Mariah are great characters. I also loved Ron, Cam and Samantha. I loved Little House on the Prairie and really enjoyed the use of Laura Ingalls in this story. I laughed and cried and did not want to put this book down. I loved how this story was written and I loved that a lot of the story is in 1974. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Laura’s Shadow, by Allison Pittman, is part of the Doors to the Past Series. This is a series of stand alone stories written by different authors that focuses on different parts in American history. This is a dual time line Christian historical romance story that is loosely based on Laura Ingalls Wilder. This story takes place mainly in De Smet South Dakota and focuses on the four generations of Gowan women. Mariah accepts a proposal from a man she does not love, to hide the fact she is with child from another man. She is now near her death and wants her great granddaughter, Trixie, to come home.

This is a heart warming story to read. It is so well written it is easy to imagine what is happening and easy to forget it is fiction. This story grabbed my attention right from the beginning and kept me reading to the end. I enjoyed the different ways the women make up the family unit and how they were affected by actions in their past. This story gives a look into what times was like during the 1890’s. I especially enjoyed Mariah’s interpretation of Laura Ingalls Wilder as a teacher and a young lady. As well as how she remembered how hard the times were, the cold and lack of food.

I voluntarily received a complimentary copy of this book, this is my honest review.

Even if I had not already committed myself to reading each of the Doors to the Past books (not out of obligation, but simply because it is another superb series by Barbour), I would not have been able to pass this one up. You see, the Laura in “Laura’s Shadow” refers to that Laura, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and like so many others, I too was enamored with the world of “Little House on the Prairie” as a child; I just never outgrew it. So when I realized that this ninth installment, penned by Allison Pittman, had a connection to that legacy, I was thrilled. Having read countless renditions of the pioneer story and of the Ingalls family in particular over the years, I went into this novel with a somewhat jaded curiosity, not expecting anything truly distinctive but ready to just enjoy a good story. Thus I was pleasantly surprised by how different this narrative proved to be.

Despite the link with Laura Ingalls, she is not the focal point. Rather, “Laura’s Shadow” is a character unto itself, always lurking in the background and serving as a reminder of the shadowed secrets of the past. Two timelines and four generations converge near De Smet, South Dakota in 1974 when Trixie Gowan gradually learns more about her 104-year-old great-grandmother Mariah’s life as a young woman in 1891. This provides a unique perspective on how an outsider may have seen Laura Ingalls, and it offers a speculative glimpse into Cap Garland, who had a crush on Laura and for whom Mariah developed feelings. Generational trauma and keen humor demonstrate that the line of unconventional Gowan women are as inspirational as they are tragic. As Trixie’s grandmother says, “Was there sin? Yes, but sin can be forgiven. Shame you drag around with you.” Coming to terms with the past and making peace with it are necessary regardless of the circumstances, and it is never too late to do so.

A few aspects of “Laura’s Shadow” that I most enjoyed include a witty romance that I won’t spoil by detailing and the “Lost Laura” cartoon, which epitomizes the struggles of both Mariah and Trixie, in my opinion. I found this latter to be such an interesting addition to the story, as well as a reminder of perseverance. The one thing that I wish had been more prominent is the Christian element, especially given the subject matter, which highlights the need for and beauty of redemption.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

“I used to worry about you, our little Trixie. Growing up in this house. None of us set a very good example of how to be a wife or mother. Almost like each of us could do one but not the other.”

Allison Pittman tends to write books just a little grittier than I expect, not quite the happily-ever-after that I often want, but, oh, the impressions her books leave behind!

Laura’s Shadow by Pittman surprised me in a few ways. I had never imagined people NOT liking Laura Ingalls (except for Nellie Olsen, but does she count?) So this took me aback. Then, I had another issue to overcome. Usually, a main character or such a prominent one is positively portrayed, but I really did not like Mariah much. She was a very bitter woman, who gave up what she could have for something she knew was out of reach and bounds. That said, there are a lot of unlikable people in life. So, I really appreciated Mariah’s character. Her personality made this novel feel more like literature. Bold move, Ms. Pittman, bravo!

My heart just went out to each of these four women for different reasons. Each, except for Trixie, acted in such a way that I was sure I didn’t like her. Then, as Pittman reveals secrets and motivations one-by-one, like a slowly peeled onion, my feelings reversed. Perhaps that is why we are not to judge others. How can we really understand what they’ve been through, without knowing them deeply? Only God knows us that thoroughly.

I loved the romantic triangle. Another well-drawn sub-plot.

I received a copy of the book from Celebrate Lit via NetGalley. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.

Notable Quotables:

“That was a bald lie, but it seemed the thing to say, and the relief that washed across his face justified the sin.”

“Was there sin? Yes, but sin can be forgiven. Shame you drag around with you.”

“Life was exercise. We never got to stop moving until we died.”

“I knew the living child would be a piece of God’s mercy I could hold in my hands. I felt his love…I swallowed his forgiveness along with my unshed tears.”

“She’d been living with a decades-old broken heart, and that heart had been broken by Cap Garland.”

“I don’t know how many tomorrows I have left.”

“There’s nobody at this table with a right to throw stones.”

Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman is a dual timeline story. The story moves between 1890 with Mariah and 1974 with Trixie Gowan. Personally, I enjoyed Trixie’s storyline more. She is an artistic woman who used her talent to create a comic strip titled “Lost Laura” for the local newspaper where she works in advertising. Trixie is called home when her great-grandmother, Mariah takes to her bed. GG as Trixie calls Mariah has something she wishes to share with Trixie and not the other members of the family. The pacing is gentle as we follow Trixie and Mariah as they go about their daily tasks. I liked the older Mariah’s spirit. I can see why Trixie was drawn to her. I was surprised by a scene in the 1890s where an unmarried woman had intimate relations with a man. I understand why it was included, but I did not expect it in a Christian novel (it is not a detailed scene). I like the author’s descriptive writing which provides details that help me envision the scenes and characters. It was interesting to see a different take on Laura Ingalls Wilder and Oscar “Cap” Garland. I just love the Little House series (I own the whole set) which was why I wanted to read Laura’s Shadow. I liked Trixie’s family and Ron, her boss. I appreciated the epilogue which wrapped up Laura’s Shadow and the author’s note. Laura’s Shadow is the ninth novel in the Doors to the Past series. Each book in the series can be read on its own. Laura’s Shadow is a nostalgic tale with a dependable brother, a petite teacher, joyous sleigh rides, a hopeful heart, an honorable man, a long life, a last longing, and a surprising secret.

I’m such a fan of split time novels and this one just earned a place in that category. Ms Pittman takes a real character from Laura Ingalls Wilder writing and spins a tale that has you turning pages quickly. From De Smet South Dakota in 1890 to 1974 you will be anxious for how the stories connect. I found it interesting that Trixie wrote a comic strip called Lost Laura and was anxious to find out the whys and wherefores. This story has many layers and as you peel them back like peeling an onion you will find surprises that keep you reading quickly. You will soak this book in and be glad you took the time to read. This is book nine in the Doors to the Past series but each book is a stand-alone.
I received a complimentary copy from CelebrateLit. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.

There is something very special about a dual-time split book. You get the best of two eras and find out how they relate to each other. The author is a master storyteller and keeps the story flowing with breathtaking scenes. The characters are easy to relate to and made me feel part of the story.

Mariah’s story set in 1890 is a spectacular look at a time when a very familiar name arises. I have loved Little House on the Prairie books since I was a child. The simple life and farms they grew up on has always fascinated me. Getting to know Mariah better was a bit of history mixed with fiction. Mariah’s childhood was surrounded by school and her teacher Mrs. Wilder. Perhaps she had a little animosity towards Mrs. Wilder or was it jealousy? It’s funny that the story tells us that Laura wanted to be a teacher yet we discover she never really liked it.

The relationship between Mariah and Oscar were very sweet and I enjoyed how they slowly started to feel comfortable around each other. I liked how we get to see how Mariah longs for a husband but doesn’t really share that with her brother. She wants her brother to be happy in his new marriage and perhaps it is time for her to start her own journey. The author reveals secrets that have long been hidden by Mariah. What impact will they have on Trixie?

Trixie rushes home because she has been summoned with the knowledge that her great grandmother is very ill. What she finds when she arrives is a very lively older woman who wants to spend time with Trixie. To me this was the real story as Trixie soon discovers things about her family that was locked away for years. There are a few funny moments in the story which shows the author’s ability to lighten up a story at just the right time. With Trixie back home there a few to many in the house and their personalities clash. Poor Trixie is trying to find out the real reason she is here without having to endure the little remarks about her still being single.

Cam and Trixie have a past which somehow took them in different directions. Learning about Cam’s life now made me really like him. Raising his daughter has softened him and his priorities have changed. He feels it is important to bring his daughter to church and raise her in a loving home. I was sad that his mother was ashamed of her granddaughter but during the 1970s having a child out of wedlock was disgraceful to some. I guess they don’t remember the scripture, “Ye without sin cast the first stone.”

The story has captured my love of stories that go back and forth in time. I wanted to stay with Mariah as she dealt with a secret that made some people turn against her. I was upset with her sister-in-law as she tried to shame Mariah. But most of all I cried for the love she yearned for. The author does a great job of giving us a look at a story that was well known and capturing what could have been.

Trixie surprised me with who she came to depend on and I loved how the author focused on the special relationship of great-grandmother and Trixie but also a new beginning where Trixie finds true happiness. I’m sorry to see the story end but I’m hoping we get to visit these characters again.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

Little House on the Prairie is a favorite of Trixie, in fact she had worn out her copies by repeated readings. Now, as her great grandmother, Mariah, is nearing the end of her life, she finds out that there is a long ago connection between her GG and Laura. Mariah has spent her whole life living in the shadow of what might have been, or so she thinks. But what does Laura have to do with it all?

What is the rest of the story? History that starts in South Dakota and continues in Minneapolis finds Trixie the creator of a cartoon called Lost Laura, drawings that are enjoyed by many. Is it Laura who is lost, or is it someone else? A wonderful story that begins around 1891 and resolves almost 100 years later in 1974. Who would have known!

This early copy of another installment of the Doors to the Past series was received through Barbour Publishing and NetGalley. These thoughts are my own and were in no way solicited.

This addition to the Doors to the Past series is a dual-time story that features Mariah Patterson Gowan and her great-granddaughter Trixie Gowan. We get a glimpse of an obsession that begins in 1890 and a young woman's current efforts in 1974 to understand why she's always been forbidden to speak of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Fans of Little House on the Prairie will be intrigued by the 1890 setting and the characters who played minor roles in Laura Ingalls's life. For a short time, Mariah Patterson and her brother Charles were Laura's students in a one-room schoolhouse in De Smet, South Dakota but Mariah wasn't at all impressed with her teacher. This was actually the beginning of her life-long dislike for the girl that she long considered her rival. Mariah could never forget that the only man that she ever truly loved didn't return that love. Cap Garland could only see Laura Ingalls and Laura only had eyes for Almanzo Wilder!

Laura's Shadow is described as a historical Christian romance, so I was surprised that the faith content is very light and there's also an instance of pre-marital sex. Patterson does, however, deliver some very interesting historical details.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

I have enjoyed Barbour Publishing's Doors to the Past series, but this particular addition to the series fell a little flat. I didn't dislike it, but neither did I ever feel fully engaged with the story or the characters. I had been excited by the author's note at the beginning of the book explaining how the book was inspired by Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie books, thinking it would make the perfect gift for our daughter-in-law. After reading Laura's Shadow I no longer anticipate that she, a great fan of Ingall's books, would be delighted with this book. I also want to mention that I would classify the book more as clean fiction rather than Christian fiction. It is a dual-timeline tale.

I do remain grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Laura's Shadow from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Ms. Pittman cleverly chose characters from a Laura Ingalls Wilder book to base this story on. She gave a different perspective on the story and life in S. Dakota in 1891. What I was uncomfortable with was the depiction of loose morals by more than one character and I thought the bedroom scene could have stopped a little shorter. That said, those circumstances were the basis for the rest of the story.
I enjoyed the modern timeline with the use of humor between the generations of women.Tixie, with her cat, House, who came with her apartment, was a breath of fresh air. The comic strip that she wrote was cute and reminiscent of Laura Ingalls. Modern day hero Ron: “was unmissable, a burly, giant of a man who looked like he would be a safe bet in an ax-throwing competition and a nightmare in a bar fight but was actually a kind and gentle spirit stretched over six feet and encased in 250 pounds.” He was perfect for Trixie.
The author has a way with descriptive prose: “I opened my eyes to a violet sky, the color that comes when there is not a trace of sunlight left but darkness has not yet settled its blanket.”
This was not my favorite book by this author but I am enjoying this series of Doors to the Padt.
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour as part of their Review Crew. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.”

4 stars, Not everyone loved Laura Ingalls Wilder

LAURA'S SHADOW (DOORS TO THE PAST # 9)
by Allison Pittman

This is a dual timeline, historical, Christian fiction novel. It is set in De Smet, South Dakota, the times are 1974 when Trixie Gowan is growing up in a multi-generational line of female relatives, and 1890 when Trixie's great grandmother Mariah Patterson, (whom Trixie calls GG) was a young woman, an orphan, living with her newly engaged brother.

Everyone in their family knows that Mariah can't stand Laura Ingalls Wilder. There are family secrets and GG is ready to tell Trixie about her pain, through the years.

This book has a loose description of a single man sleeping with a single woman, out of wedlock. It doesn't sound so out of the ordinary, in today's modern times, but in 1890, that is something that was simply not done. It may come as a shock to someone expecting a Christian historical fiction novel.

My favorite character in this book is Merrill Gowan. He is a man with heart and the capability to love, much more than several of the other characters.

I am thankful for the complimentary copy of #laurasshadow in the #doorstothepastseries I was under no obligation to post a review. #mystery #inspyfiction #historicalfiction #coverlove #allisonpittman #newrelease2022

Out on her own, Lilly Margolis, finds herself selling makeup to the affluent of the town in order to scrape by. Even in these dire circumstances the contageousily energetic Lilly fills the nights on the town fully enjoying the 20's flapper life style. However, after just such a night out Lilly falls and twists her ankles, hurt and disoriented Lilly finds herself in the backyard of the Burnside family. Never did she imagine that one night out would change her entire life.

Nor did the Burnside family count on one quirky, life-filled energetic young lady to change their world. Betty Ruth and her disfigured veteran son Cullen are merely passing their days. Cullen, battling the fatique of war and disfigurement daily cares for his widowed mother who suffers from increasing dementia. In this house grey hopelessness has settled and Lilly is just the one to bring life into a stifling situation.

Fearing that Lilly will dupe his mother out of money Cullen is on gaurd. But even so, he finds himself drawn to this unquenchable breath of life, the indistiguishable flame of enthusiam. Thus begins a journey of two people gaurding against love and fighting their own demons.

Will they find the courage to face their individual secrets and come to term with the things that most haunt them in order to find true love and healing.

An excellent read.

Thank you Multnomah for this review copy.

This was a wonderful read, a beautifully written book.

The story of 2 orphaned sisters in the time of the French Revolution. As is often the case, when there are two protagonist's, chapters alternate between the girls/women. Renée and Laurette, take different paths during the unrest of France. Their story, so beautifully written, begins and ends with a message of love and hope and the bonds between family.

I just now noticed one of the MPG's is Christian Fiction. Not a genre I would normally pick-up. Do not let it dissuade you from reading this saga. The book hits all the high points of the Historical Fiction genre. The religious content is only what you would expect from the world of France in the 1790's.

As this is obvious in the books goodreads "blurb", I don't consider this next comment a spoiler: Readers of Dickens The Tale of Two Cities will see and feel the world Dickens created. As with Dickens, you will fall in love with the characters and feel their emotions through the pages.

Highly recommend for those who love a great HF family story.

Dini gives tours at the Alamo and is a magician like many in her family. She is also obsessed with the tale of Hedda Krause, who wrote a self-published book on a haunting at a hotel in San Antonio. She meets the great-great-grandson of the detective who had something to do with a case involving Hedda, and together they search for the truth behind her story. The book is quite suspenseful in places. I liked both characters, Dini and Quin. The hotel, The Menger, is real and is supposed to be haunted.

Working as a magician and tour guide, Dini has researched the story of Hedda Krause. In 1915, widow Hedda Krause checked into the Menger Hotel with the goal of finding a rich husband. After she starts hearing things and seeing a ghostly apparition, she is robbed and loses all of her jewelry. She immediately claims that the ghost is responsible for the theft. Detective Carmichael investigates the story, and begins to fall for Hedda Back in the present, a great great grandson of Detective Carmichael shows up, bearing pictures, his notebook, and answers.

Throughout the story, the characters were dynamic and well formed. However, the story itself was a bit lacking. My biggest criticism is that there was not enough of a connection between the big reveal and the actual story. This was a bit of a bummer, and really took away from the story. Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

Allison Pittman has long been one of my favorite authors. To this day, I still remember reading her Sister Wives series, and wishing that there were more stories like it being written within the Christian fiction genre. Her style of writing has always stood out in my mind as being refreshingly unique.

I was intrigued when I read this book's synopsis as 1) it's a split-time novel and 2) there's jewelry involved (like, lots of jewelry). What I failed to fully comprehend at that time was that I would be reading a ghost story. Very different indeed, especially in Christian fiction! I have never been one for paranormal tales, tv shows, etc. so I read through with a great deal of skepticism. My hesitancy was shortly proven to be overblown as these aspects are really just a subplot to the greater story. That greater story was getting to know Hedda Krause and Dini Blackstone on a personal level, and how their circumstances shaped their character.

I loved that Hedda's story was told in an autobiographical style. She controlled her own narrative, and deciphering her words was left up to future generations. Dini and Quin both shared a love for this long-unsolved mystery, and their chemistry was electric - both in their approach to Hedda's words and to each other.

The only thing that kept me from giving this novel 5 stars was that the Christian messaging was watered down at best. I kept hoping that I would get to a moment with more depth, but it never came, and the book overall felt like more of a mainstream novel.

I am excited to read more from this new series by Barbour - Doors to the Past - and very curious to see what historical secrets and stories that will bring. Bravo to Allison Pittman for getting us off to a great start!

I have always been a fan of Allison Pittman’s books. Entertaining, insightful, well-researched — all of these superlatives can be attached to her latest novel, The Lady in Residence. In this split-time novel, the setting is key. The historic Menger Hotel in San Antonio is host to one of the characters while it serves as a reference point to the other. Pittman’s use of its history and storied past sets up a shivery ghost story that kept this reader turning the pages. The book is told in alternating narratives. The present day is 3rd person POV focusing on Dini Blackstone, a twenty-something magician intrigued or obsessed with one of the Menger’s past guests. Hedda Krause is the lady in residence referenced by the title. Her story is told using excerpts from her memoir — but can it be trusted? As the stories unfold, the reader becomes immersed in both Hedda and Dini’s stories. Seemingly vastly different, they both struggle with their place in the world. I liked both characters equally. Besides the ghost story that is woven throughout the novel, there is a romance as well. And I loved that in the end both women come to terms with who they are and their value to God.

For fans of a good mystery, an historical setting, and a sweet romance, The Lady in Residence cannot be beat! Recommended!

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

This story takes place in two different time periods – the present and 1915. I wish I could say I loved everything about this book, but I cannot. At times, I found myself having to double-check what time period I was reading. Plus, I found it slow at other times. While I loved the characters of Dini Blackstone and Quinn Carmichael and Hedda Krause, I had a hard time getting into the story. But, somewhere along the way, I found myself caught up in the story. I wanted to read to the end to find out how things turned out.

Perhaps my experience as a tour guide for the Historical Society in Salisbury, North Carolina during high school where I had to dress in costume helped get me into the story in the beginning with Dini doing a guided tour in San Antonio, Texas. The connections between the Dini and Quinn were interesting to discover. I also appreciated Hedda’s relationship with the negro bartender in the hotel in 1915.

I also enjoyed reading about Dini’s experiences as an illusionist. You need to read about her experience at a young girl’s birthday party – and I will leave it at that. So check out this book for yourself.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.