Temple Secrets by Susan Gabriel (Unabridged Audio Version)

Every family has secrets, but the elite Temple family of Savannah has more than most. To maintain their influence, they've also been documenting the indiscretions of other prestigious southern families, dating as far back as the Civil War. When someone begins leaking these tantalizing tidbits to the newspaper, the entire city of Savannah, Georgia is rocking with secrets. 

The current keeper of the secrets and matriarch of the Temple clan is Iris, a woman of unpredictable gastrointestinal illnesses and an extra streak of meanness that even the ghosts in the Temple mansion avoid. When Iris unexpectedly dies, the consequences are far flung and significant, not only to her family--who get in line to inherit the historic family mansion--but to Savannah itself. 

At the heart of the story is Old Sally, an expert in Gullah folk magic, who some suspect cast a voodoo curse on Iris. At 100 years of age, Old Sally keeps a wise eye over the whole boisterous business of secrets and the settling of Iris's estate. 

 MY THOUGHTS:

This was not my first Susan Gabriel novel.  A few years ago I read and really enjoyed THE SECRET SENSE OF WILDFLOWER, a truly original southern story.  Though I did enjoy TEMPLE SECRETS and getting to know the Temple family members, I wasn't swept away like I'd hoped I would be. I loved the setting of Savannah, the implication of spirits hanging around the old historic Temple home and the deep family history. Gabriel did a great job of making you feel as if you were stepping into the past when entering the home. I did find the characters genuine and most of them likable.  Iris Temple was undoubtedly someone you wouldn't want to cross, therefore most of the other characters tip-toed around her out of fear.  

Though there was a lot of talk about the Book of Secrets, I found myself wondering if any of those secrets would be revealed and how they would affect the story. I was expecting big, earth-shattering secrets but very few ever materialized like I imagined they would. Unfortunately for me, the story never developed into the ghostly secret keeper that I wanted it to. 

The narration was also performed by Susan Gabriel and though she did a great job reading the story, I would have liked to have heard more of a variety of inflections with the characters. 

The bottom line for me is that I liked the charcters and setting but wish the story would have developed further. It's not a long book and I felt that just when it was getting started, it had ended and left me wanting more. 

TEMPLE SECRETS (Unabridged Audio Version)
Author: Susan Gabriel
Publisher: Wild Lily Arts
Published: April 7, 2015
Length: 9 hrs 18 mins
Source: Susan Gabriel, Author

Review: The Secret Sense of Wildflower by Susan Gabriel

Probably one of the best surprises this year almost slipped by me. I was asked several months ago to read Susan Gabriel's THE SECRET SENSE OF WILDFLOWER but unfortunately that request got lost in all the emails I receive and I didn't realize it until much later. Luckily for me, I did finally get the opportunity to read this coming of age story taking place in the mountains of Tennessee in the early 1940's. It turned out to be one of my favorite reads this year. It is a gem, and I am so happy to share it here today.

About The Book: (No Spoilers Included!)

Twelve year-old Louisa May "Wildflower" McAllister, has never gotten over the death of her father who was killed in a work accident the year before. The youngest of four girls, she was truly Daddy's girl. Not only because of their close bond, but she is more like him than the others, a fact that seems to upset her mother, who is also grieving terribly.

On the anniversary of her father's death, something happens that will change Wildflower's life forever. It wasn't her fault, she wasn't looking for trouble, but she is terrified her mother will never see it that way or ever be able to forgive her.

This is a story of family, loyalty, forgiveness and love surrounding a young girl who is simply trying to find her way in a world she doesn't even fully understand at such a tender age. With the help of her sisters and an aunt who shares a special 'sense' with Wildflower, she learns the lessons life is teaching her, no matter how cruel and hard these lessons can sometimes be.

My Thoughts:

This is the type of book that I crave to read. It's beautifully written in lyrical prose that I found myself slowing down to re-read. It has such a deep familial core, yet also has a darkness that makes you keep reading.. All of the characters are so true to the era and Appalachian culture and are all very believable. It is a true Southern tale. There are both great relationships and some very difficult ones that add even more layers to this story. Part of what makes it more complex is how Wildflower, while still coming to terms with her father's death and the changes it brought to the entire family, she is now burdened with even more difficult circumstances that cause her to fight even harder for a better life.

What I really like is that Wildflower is telling the story from her own perspective. It brings such an innocent honesty that grabs your heart and doesn't let go. I'm a sucker for a story told through a child's eye and Ms. Gabriel interprets this protagonist beautifully. Though it has some disturbing moments, the story, as a whole, is wonderful and shouldn't be missed.

This is definitely a story that will stay with me for a long while and recommend it highly. I am thankful to Susan Gabriel for sending me a copy and for forgiving me for not getting back to her sooner. To learn more about this author visit her website and follow her on Twitter @susangabriel   

THE SECRET SENSE OF WILDFLOWER
Author: Susan Gabriel
Publisher: Wild Lily Arts
Published: April 2012
Genre: Coming of Age, Southern Fiction
Length: 224 pp
Rating: 4.5 Stars out of 5