Monday, January 21, 2019

The Widows - Jess Montgomery - Review AND Giveaway

Jess Montgomery has just released her debut novel, The Widows, the first book in her Kinship series.

1924. The Appalachian hills of Ohio - coal mining territory. Sheriff Daniel Ross is killed in the line of duty. By whom is not known. His wife Lily is approached to stand in as Sheriff until an election can be held. Marvena Whitcomb is a coal miner's widow and also has a connection with Daniel. It is only upon his death that they both realize Daniel was keeping secrets.

There's much, much more to this story.

The lead characters were so wonderfully portrayed and I was immediately drawn to both of them. Montgomery has taken inspiration for her characters from history. Maude Collins was the first female Sheriff in Ohio. Mary Harris Joneswas the 'most famous female labor activist of the nineteenth century'.

Montgomery's depictions of the land, the times, the people and the issues are rich and full, providing a vivid backdrop for a multi layered tale. Who killed Daniel? Coal miners trying to unionize, the mining company trying to stop that at every turn. Will the two women work together? For their own purposes or for the good of the community?

The Widows was a great read on so many levels - mystery, history, relationships and strong women. I'll be curious to see where Montgomery takes the next book. Read an excerpt of The Widows.

"Jess Montgomery is the Literary Life columnist for the Dayton Daily News and Executive Director of the renowned Antioch Writers’ Workshop in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Based on early chapters of The Widows, Jess was awarded an Ohio Arts Council individual artist’s grant for literary arts and the John E. Nance Writer-in-Residence at Thurber House in Columbus. She lives in her native state of Ohio." You can connect with Jess on her website, like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

See what others on the TLC book tour thought - full schedule can be found here. And if you'd like to read The Widows, enter to win a copy, courtesy of Minotaur Books. Open to US and Canada, ends Feb 2/19.


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13 comments:

  1. skkormanJanuary 21, 2019 at 7:23 AM

    I would love to read this book—thanks for the chance to win a copy!

    Sheila K.
    skkorman@bellsouth.net

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  2. Anita YanceyJanuary 21, 2019 at 10:13 AM

    I love mystery and secrets, it sounds like a wonderful book.

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  3. travelerJanuary 21, 2019 at 11:09 AM

    This novel sounds captivating and memorable. Thanks.

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  4. bermudaonionJanuary 21, 2019 at 11:17 AM

    This sounds fabulous!

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  5. techeditorJanuary 21, 2019 at 12:06 PM

    I've read several good reviews of this book so would like to read and review it myself.

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  6. Marjorie/cenya2January 21, 2019 at 12:08 PM

    Sounds like an interesting read.

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  7. SueJanuary 21, 2019 at 1:39 PM

    History of that area of Ohio interests me so I'd really like to read this book.

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  8. SandraJanuary 21, 2019 at 2:27 PM

    Sounds like a good story to read on a good cold day.

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  9. Amy CJanuary 21, 2019 at 4:06 PM

    Looks like a good book, thanks for the chance to win it.

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  10. holdenjJanuary 21, 2019 at 6:10 PM

    I have been seeing good reviews of this! Thanks for the chance to win!

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  11. DiannaJanuary 21, 2019 at 8:35 PM

    I feel like this book has been showing up everywhere lately! It's definitely on my list.

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  12. Gwendolyn JordanJanuary 22, 2019 at 5:47 PM

    I like the cover

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  13. LisaMMJanuary 24, 2019 at 11:24 AM

    We are so glad you liked it! Thanks for being on the tour!

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Thank you for stopping by - your comments are much appreciated!