I discovered from reading Like a River From Its Course that Kelli Stuart has talent for bringing history (mostly unfamiliar to me) to life with exquisite, heart-touching beauty. When I picked up A Silver Willow By the Shore, I had high expectations, of course, and I am glad to say it did not let me down.

Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie all hold onto secrets—secrets that keep them from truly connecting with one another. As the plot progresses, each secret-laden story unfolds, alternating between 1930s Siberia, 1980s Soviet Union, and present-day Tennessee. Understood and brought to light, these secrets once held closely can open the door to healing, truth, and the embrace of family.

A beautiful story, perfect for fans of mother-daughter relationships and well-told history, A Silver Willow By the Shore is one book I am sure will stick with me for years to come. I highly recommend reading it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

I loved Kelli Stuart’s novel, Like A River from Its Course, and knew I had to read A Silver Willow by The Shore. Good choice on my part! Wow! What an incredible story from a gifted author. An emotional read, the story takes you into the lives of three women who should have a strong connection through family ties, but find themselves isolated from each other, struggling to find an identity amidst the secrets kept by each generation. A thoughtful and poignant book, I had to force myself to slow down in its reading. It is a book to be savored, but I just could not put it down! From the Soviet gulags, to 1980s Moscow, to modern-day Tennessee you will find yourself immersed in Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie’s lives. Very highly recommended.

The three main characters, Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie, are grandmother, mother, and daughter, yet they are virtual strangers to each other. They have learned not to share the important aspects of their lives because of danger, fear, and hurt. The book is told through the first person viewpoint of Elizaveta and the third person perspectives of Nina and Annie — all in the present tense — allowing for the reader to get a glimpse into what is really true and to feel like part of their stories. The relationships are strained or non-existent, although they share a home. But though they live together day in and day out, they never truly know one another. At first I REALLY didn’t like Elizaveta, and I found Nina to be a weak in her dealings with her mother. Annie was my favorite. But I grew to appreciate each of these women and the trials they endured. Two secondary, yet pivotal, male characters bring hope and comfort into the women’s lives. I also found the historical context of the Soviet Union to be fascinating. Google was my friend while I read. 😉 A Silver Willow by The Shore begs the question — can we really know who we are if we don’t know where we come from? You may come to a different conclusion depending on your own experiences and faith journey, but the novel sure does make you think.

I believe A Silver Willow by The Shore would make an excellent book club choice. I know I would love to discuss this book more.

Very Highly Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Prism Book Tours and the author for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Don’t you love it when you read something original? In A Silver Willow by the Shore, Kelli Stuart gives readers a story of family, of mother-daughter relationships, and of the damage keeping secrets does to ourselves and those we love. All of that while also giving readers a little history about Russia.

As Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie’s stories are told, these three women seem worlds apart at first Yet, as their lives entwine and truths are revealed, those separate threads begin to weave a tapestry of history, ancestry, and family.

Stuart’s prose pulled me right in, and I quickly became invested in the three women in this family who are hurting and longing for acceptance in their own ways. The Russian history and way of life were captivating, and the secondary characters (James and Viktor) enrich this story further.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. ( )

What a wonderful cast of characters with a unique set of storylines.

There are three main characters in The Silver Willow by the Shore. This multi-generational story is told from the perspectives of Annie, her mother Nina, and her grandmother Elizaveta. They are dynamic and resilient women, despite the enormous burdens of secrets they keep from each other.

It was easy to sympathize with the three women and I gained a deep understanding of their pain and desires. I love how their stories are told from their own perspectives, giving me a clearer and more intimate peek into their hearts and minds. I must say, I find James, a secondary character, very special too. He gives a fullness to the story that makes him shine.

Kelli Stuart is a brilliant storyteller. It is evident that she has researched Russian history and customs, breathing life and authenticity into her characters with confidence and elegance.

I love, love, love this story.

Source: I received a complimentary copy of this book as part of Prism Book Tours. Opinions expressed are completely my own. ( )