Sisters of Heart and Snow - Book Review & Give-away

Rachel and Drew grew up in the same household with their strict American father and their distant Japanese mother. As children, they were close but since Rachel got kicked out of the house as a teenager the two sisters have been nearly estranged. Now, Rachel is happily married with two teenagers and Drew is struggling to make a go of her music career. Their mother is suffering from dementia and the effects of a stroke but she leaves the sisters a final message that they discover in an old children's book.

The book tells the ancient saga of Tomoe Gozen, a young woman trained in the arts of a Samarai, and her violent tale of love and loss. As the sisters read more of Tomoe's inspiring story, they too are inspired to be brave enough to make the necessary changes in their own lives.

Margaret Dilloway captures the reader's full attention in her newest novel Sisters of Heart and Snow. Though the story of Tomoe is by far the more interesting--stunning and emotional in scope; I also became immersed in rooting for Rachel and Drew. Their childhoods were not easy and because of that they struggle in adulthood. Dilloway writes dramatic, dynamic characters that are likable. She allows them to make mistakes and be less than perfect.  It is easy to empathize with them. Their sister relationship and difficulties are believable as they push each other away and then pull together--simultaneously wounding and strengthening each other.

The legend of Tomoe Gozen is absolutely fascinating and Dilloway pays homage to her in this novel, bringing her story as a Samurai warrior to life. Though fierce in battle, she has a woman's soul and longs for love and children of her own. Dilloway bares her heart and deepest desires on the pages as Tomoe becomes kindred friends with the wife of her lover, Yoshinaka.

Sisters of Heart and Snow is fascinating and emotional and a thoroughly enjoyable novel.

I am giving away a hardcover copy of 

Sisters of Heart and Snow by Margaret Dilloway. 

To enter leave a comment on this post. The contest will be open to comments until Friday, May 29th at 11:59 pm MST. A winner will be chosen from the comments and announced on Saturday, May 30th. US only.

Sisters of Heart and Snow by Margaret Dilloway is published by Putnam and released in April 2015. 

**I received a complimentary copy of Sisters of Heart and Snow. No other compensation was received. All opinion are my own.**