What an intriguing premise.  A photo found in a newspaper in the 1940s sparked an idea in author Kristina McMorris who asked herself, “What would compel a mother to sell her children?”  That’s the basis for this novel, about a reporter who sees a sign and takes a picture, one that leads to heartbreaking consequences.

As a college journalism major, reading about the newsrooms during the Great Depression was fascinating.  It reminded me of Renee Rosen’s White Collar Girl, where, again, we quickly see how women were not considered for reporter positions, but rather secretaries to the chief or for a “society” column.  This newsroom is where we meet Lillian Palmer and Ellis Reed, whose photograph of a sign he passes sets off a string of heartbreak.

What I was hoping for in this book was a story of the children for sale.  And, yes, that’s covered.  But it’s really the story of Lillian and Ellis and is seen entirely through their eyes.  We learn their back stories and get bits of a romance.  I will say the last third was a race to finish, as the plot reached a tense conclusion.

Fans of historical fiction will find much to love in this book.  And every parent will be left with that same question, “What would compel a mother to sell her children?”  I just finished reading Rea Frey’s Not Her Daughter and found similarities in how a child could be considered as currency or a bargaining chip rather than a person.  The author for sure did her research.  The dialogue and situations were on point for this time period.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

About the author: Kristina McMorris is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her background includes ten years of directing public relations for an international conglomerate as well as extensive television experience. Inspired by true personal and historical accounts, her novels have garnered twenty national literary awards, and include Letters from Home, Bridge of Scarlet Leaves, The Pieces We Keep, and The Edge of Lost, in addition to novellas in the anthologies A Winter Wonderland and Grand Central. Her forthcoming novel, Sold on a Monday, will be released September 2018. A frequent guest speaker and workshop presenter, she holds a BS in international marketing from Pepperdine. She lives with her husband and two sons in Oregon.

Thanks to the publisher, I have one copy to give away to a lucky reader.  U.S. only, please.  Enter on the Rafflecopter.
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