The Sanctuary - Softcover

Siddons, Cassandra R.

3.61

23 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 098553981X ISBN 13: 9780985539818

Publisher: Safari Publishing, 2014

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When Lydia Coble’s husband dies she discovers that she is virtually penniless because her husband recently gave all their money to someone she’s never heard of. When she learns that she is about to lose her home and The Sanctuary, she calls on three childhood friends to help her find this mysterious stranger. What she doesn’t know is that her friends have also been keeping some pretty big secrets. Once all these secrets inevitably come to light, things will never be the same again for any of them. But whatever happens, they must save The Sanctuary... In the tradition of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Siddons spins a well-written and engaging tale of how true friendship must face and somehow survive tough times. Filled with rollicking vignettes, a wild road trip, well-drawn characters, and the intriguing backdrop of a South Carolina island and its mysterious Gullah residents, this entertaining novel is a worthy addition to women’s fiction. –US Review of Books When Lydia’s husband dies, she is stunned to find out that he left her penniless, and in debt. But even worse, is the secret she must unravel with the help of her 3 childhood friends. I loved every minute of this book. When the girls went on their road trip, I enjoyed every tourist stop they did. In fact, I hit those same stops on one of my vacations. This gave my memories of it more value as I also saw it through their eyes, like being there again with them. I could feel the camaraderie of the four friends as if I were one too. It was so easy to relate to each of their personalities, no matter how different they were, and visualize each scene as I read it, whether it was Sonia’s secret, Julia’s fears, or even Lydia and Liz’s arguments. I now feel that all these memories are mine too. I will be reading their continuing story for sure. -Julie Baswell, Goodreads The Sanctuary is about the Carolina Girls Forever group: Lydia Coble, Julia Anastasia Rutledge, Elizabeth Goldberg, Sonya Boyd. They spent every summer and school vacation together on Sanctuary Island, in South Carolina. Then they grew up, had lives of their own. This book is their journey back to each other and how each one has learned what a great life they have because they have each other. This is a book about each CGF’s life, ending with an across country drive in an RV. I loved this story. When Lydia Coble’s husband dies, she realizes the man she married isn’t who she thought. The novel is her journey to find the truth. Along the way, each of the other girls have journeys of their own. From the first page, you are pulled in and you want to see where the journey ends for each of them. They all realize friendship is more important as you get older. They can face anything and get through it together. The end of the book deals with each CGF member going home and wraps up their individual journeys. I loved this part of the book. You weren’t left hanging when the book ended. You know whenever something happens they will be there for each other, no matter what. Everyone needs friends like this! -Sally (Goodreads Review)

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About the Author:

Cassandra R. Siddons was born and raised in the South Carolina Lowcountry. When she's not writing, she spends her time taking care of her husband, an alligator named Reggie (who likes marshmallows), a small fox (who likes catfood), a badelynge of ducks, three dogs, and two cats.

Review:

"I was intrigued by the opening of the book describing the Gullah and the low country. The image of the girls secretly watching the [Gullah] ceremony is absolutely marvelous. It sounds like such a lovely place...When the women are laughing over the hilarious escapades of their youth, the author creates one of those magical moments that's even more special as Liz's daughter has a revelation and begins to see these middle-aged women, and her mother, as they are, inside, stripped of the wrinkles and years. I think the story and characters are marvelous..."
-Reader's Favorite

"The Sanctuary tells the story of a few eventful months in the lives of four women who have been friends for decades...On the surface each one seems to have found fulfillment and achieved what she wanted, but all four are hiding secrets that threaten their happiness and those around them...There are numerous twists and turns in the plot and some very unexpected outcomes...The book is set mainly in the author's homeland, the South Carolina Lowcountry, and I enjoyed her descriptions of the scenery, flora and fauna that she knows so well."
-Online Book Club

"In the tradition of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, Siddons spins a well-written and engaging tale of how true friendship must face and somehow survive tough times. Filled with rollicking vignettes, a wild road trip, well-drawn characters,and the intriguing backdrop of a South Carolina island and its mysterious Gullah residents, this entertaining novel is a worthy addition to women's fiction."
-US Review of Books

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