Dementia and PTSD from Vietnam War were well handled,
yet the predictable plot faltered even before the hurricane.

Despite Sis responsibly holding the family together, she remains a major downer with
her determination to be unhappy attitude which lasts almost to the end of the book.

Sweet Mama, Beulah, and their Cafe of welcome patrons were lovely - wish for the Amen Cobbler Recipe
as Andy's Rocket unpredictably takes off! ( )

4.5 stars.

The Oleander Sisters by Elaine Hussey is a truly amazing novel that is heartwarming, poignant and ultimately, uplifting. Taking place in Mississippi during late summer in 1969, the Blake's are a close-knit family whose lives are becoming frayed around the edges in the weeks leading up and immediately following sister Emily's wedding.

The Oleander Sisters takes place between two unforgettable events in American history. Beginning with Neil Armstrong's exciting moon landing, the Blake family is thrilled with their brother Jim's safe return from Vietnam but there are mixed emotions about Emily's upcoming wedding. Oldest sister Beth (who is mainly addressed as "Sis") does not like or trust Emily's fiancé but Emily refuses to heed her sister's warnings. Jim may be back in Mississippi but he cannot escape the ravages of war and he suffers from bouts of PTSD. The family's matriarch, grandmother Sweet Mama, is losing her battle with dementia and she is no longer able to hide her failing memory but luckily she can count on her lifelong friend, Beulah, to fill in the gaps.

In the weeks leading up to Hurricane Camille, the Blake family continues to deteriorate. During preparations for Emily's garden wedding, Sis uncovers a bewildering secret that no one is willing to discuss. Immediately following her wedding, Emily quickly realizes she has made a terrible mistake but will she escape her marriage unscathed? Sis has gladly shouldered responsibility for her family, but she is only now feeling the weight of her own unrealized dream of having a husband and kids of her own.

But there also glimpses of hope and happiness interspersed with the family's crises. Emily's son Andy is delightfully innocent and he remains mostly untouched by the drama surrounding him. An old family friend returns to town and a romance begins to bloom for Sis. Jim is rock solid in the face of danger and with his help, they emerge from tragedy stronger than ever.

The Oleander Sisters is wonderful novel of love, strength and devotion. Elaine Hussey brings the Mississippi coast and the characters vibrantly to life. It is a realistic and gritty portrayal of strong Southern women who will do anything to protect their family. An absolutely riveting novel that I highly recommend. ( )

This book is all about family. These words tell the story: "I will always be beside you. I will hold you when you cry and pick you up when you fall. I will never let you carry your burden alone." ( )

In August, 1969, Biloxi Mississippi prepares itself for disaster as Hurricane Camille lurks on the horizon. As Beth (Sis) Blake and her family prepare themselves for Camille's approach, a disaster of another kind poses even more threat. Beth's sister, Emily, is engaged to marry a man that everyone else despises. Where Emily sees a new start for herself and her illegitimate son, her family sees evil lurking behind a too-slick smile.
Sis has been self-appointed caretaker and guardian for her younger siblings, Emily and Jim, since their parents died in a car crash when Sis was fourteen. Raised by their grandmother, Sweet Mama, and her best friend Beulah, the three Blakes grew up in a pink Victorian by the sea and in Sweet Mama's Bakery/ Cafe. Sis has put aside her own dreams in order to make sure Emily and Jim achieve theirs. Now it is 1969 and, as Emily embarks on her own wedding, Sis sees her own chances at love slowly fading away. Will the return of a childhood friend bring fresh hope?
As Camille lurks on the horizon, Sis' life is turned upside down. Jim returns from Vietnam and is no longer the brother she once knew. Emily is hiding more than fresh bruises, and, scariest of all, Sis discovers human bones buried beneath the roses in Sweet Mama's yard!
When tragedy strikes and Emily's life hangs in the balance, the Blakes pull together against Larry, against Camille, and against long-buried family secrets.

I enjoyed this book. I was immediately drawn into the story with Sis' horrifying discovery underneath the roses. Although the outcome is fairly predictable, the story is still enjoyable and the characters are likable. I loved the strong women in the story and the strong devotion to family. Both of these are true southern characteristics. The story was both suspenseful and heartwarming. A great beach or vacation read, I recommend this story to lovers of southern fiction.

Read this story if....
*you love southern fiction
* you love stories of family
*you love stories about strong women ( )

This is a new author for me, that's always fun. The story was set in the South, way south, featured a diner, good food, good writing, great story line,and a hurricane. Can't beat that for entertainment on a wintery Sunday. Enjoy. ( )