All for a Sister by Allison Pittman

Overview: In Hollywood during the Roaring Twenties, Celeste DuFrane has it all. Her father’s work with color movie film opens doors that lead to the stardom she’s always aspired to. But after losing her mother, she discovers that half the estate has been left to a woman accused of killing Celeste’s baby sister before Celeste was even born.

Dana Lundgren arrives on the steps of the DuFrane mansion having spent most of her life imprisoned for a crime that never happened. After accusing her of murder so many years ago, why did Marguerite DuFrane leave her a sizeable inheritance?

As Celeste and Dana learn each other’s stories, they come up with more questions than answers. Then a surprising discovery begins to fill in the missing pieces: Marguerite DuFrane’s written confession, penned shortly before her death. Uncovering the treachery and deceit that changed the course of countless lives—most of all, their own—the two women find more than they ever dreamed of.

ISBN-13: 9781414366821

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication date: 6/20/2014

Series: All For Series , #3

Pages: 368

Read my reviews of All for a Song | All for a Story

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I've never read a book quite like this. The story, though told from three different points of view, past and present, flows so smoothly. I give the author immense credit for being able to pull that off, as I don't think a lot of authors could have done it. 

The meat of the story was the characters.  Reading the confession of Marguerite DuFrane made me pity her and I disliked her for her choices up until almost the very end. Celeste DuFrane, while at times child-like and vain, has such a vivacious personality, it keeps her lovable. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dana Lundgren's experience in the world that grew up without her, and I sympathized with her when reading about her experience in prison. These characters come to life on the pages of the book and I could almost, at the end of the book, picture their lives and determine their next moves. I loved connecting with each character!

The message of the book, besides Marguerite's experience in the presence of Sister Aimee and Celeste's prayers with Graciala, lies mostly in the story told from Dana's point of view. Dana has to overcome a lifetime of feeling bitter, abandoned, and alone. How she learns to do that, through the small acts of kindness with some of the people she encounters in jail, is truly a miracle of God. God works in her life to show her that she is not alone, nor was she abandoned, and that while we don't understand everything that goes on in our lives, God has a plan, better than we can imagine!

With a plot full of lies, deceit, and hidden motives, set in the Roaring Twenties, this story will keep you turning pages until the very end!

*I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through the Tyndale Blog Network program in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Award-winning author Allison Pittman has penned more than twelve novels, including her series set in the Roaring Twenties—All for a Song, All For a Story, and All for a Sister. Allison resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Mike, their three sons, and the canine star of the family—Stella.

Connect with Allison: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Crossroads Blog

All for a Story by Allison Pittman

Overview: Monica Bisbaine loves being a modern girl in the Roaring Twenties. Her job as a gossip writer takes her to the best speakeasies in Washington, DC, where she can dance the night away—and find fodder for her next column.

Max Moore may hold the title of editor-in-chief for evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson’s magazine, but Aimee calls all the shots. So when Max inherits his uncle’s tabloid newspaper, he heads to DC, determined to revamp the Capitol Chatter with positive, uplifting stories. His new staff is skeptical, especially one Monica Bisbaine. Max isn’t sure whether he and Monica can work together, but one thing is certain: she’s the most fascinating female he’s ever encountered.

Monica is willing to give Max’s ideas a try. But she’s not prepared for the way Max’s challenges—and his uncomplicated faith—threaten to unravel the very fabric of her life.

ISBN-13: 9781414366814

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication date: 10/1/2013

Series: All For Series , #2

Pages: 384

Read my review of All for a Song

Buy All for a Story: B&N | Amazon | CBD 

My Review: I was a little disappointed with this story. While the plot was interesting and the dialogue was humorous at times, I feel like the ending was kind of rushed. I wished for more time to develop Monica's faith and Max's place in her life. That being said, I did enjoy the story overall. 

Monica Bisbaine is a rare character in the Christian fiction world. Most books I've read, at least lately, focus on the guy being the one that's "loose" and "fast," but not this one. I liked that the author did not try to sugar coat Monica's lifestyle and her choices. I also enjoyed Max Moore's character. He was written with the mind of a real life man. The author didn't try to gloss over his imperfections and his human nature, in favor of making Max a "larger than life" hero, which I truly appreciate. It makes the characters easier to relate to.

The theme, I think, was based on Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." The author does a good job of bringing this point home, especially in Monica's life. We can see, throughout the story, her mind slowly but surely changing. 

Despite the fact that I feel the ending was a little rushed, I appreciate the author not wrapping everything up in a neat little package, but giving us enough of a hint to know what would eventually happen. It gives the story a more realistic feel. Overall, I enjoyed the story and will definitely be reading more by this fabulous author!

About the Author: Award-winning author Allison Pittman has penned more than twelve novels, including her series set in the Roaring Twenties—All for a Song, All For a Story, and All for a Sister. Allison resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Mike, their three sons, and the canine star of the family—Stella.

Connect with Allison: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Crossroads Blog

All for a Song by Allison Pittman

Overview: Dorothy Lynn Dunbar has everything she ever wanted: her family, her church, her community, and plans to marry the young pastor who took over her late father’s pulpit. Time spent in the woods, lifting her heart and voice in worship accompanied by her brother’s old guitar, makes her life complete . . . and yet she longs for something more.

Spending a few days in St. Louis with her sister’s family, Dorothy Lynn discovers a whole new way of life—movies, music, dancing; daring fashions and fancy cars. And a dynamic charismatic evangelist . . . who just happens to be a woman. When Dorothy Lynn is offered a chance to join Aimee Semple McPherson’s crusade team, she finds herself confronted with temptations she never dreamed of. Can Dorothy Lynn embrace all the Roaring Twenties has to offer without losing herself in the process?

ISBN-13: 9781414366807

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers

Publication date: 2/1/2013

Series: All For Series , #1

Edition description: Reprint

Pages: 368

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book when I first started it. I actually started and stopped this book, twice, before picking it up to read it again; not because it was boring, but because I wasn't sure how I would feel about it once I got into the story. I worried for nothing. This is the first book I've read written in this time period (I think), and I wasn't disappointed. From the moment Dorothy Lynn comes running home, I was captured. The story was impeccably written, switching from present day to past seamlessly. The descriptions of the characters and their emotions and feelings swept me away and I felt as if I was actually part of the story. 

Dorothy Lynn Dunbar is an exciting character. She is simple and pure and honest and refreshing all at once. The author does a fantastic job of portraying Dorothy's emotions and feelings throughout the story. So much so that I could sympathize with her and could feel her confusion as she faces things she never dreamed she'd face. Roland Lundi and Brent Logan represent two sides of Dorothy's story. Each are equally intriguing, and provide fantastic secondary characters for Dorothy's interactions.

This story, written as a kind of prodigal son story, has some deep truths imbedded within. I loved the scripture that was quoted at the beginning of each present day Dorothy's parts. As the author states, "All for a Song is ultimately a story of longing, of searching for what you think you lack." Cheering Dorothy on as she faces temptation head on with the Love of Christ at her side, weeping with her as she finds herself and the feeling of God's grace, and longing to return home with her will keep you turning the pages to find out what she does.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, All for a Story, as soon as I can!

About the Author: Award-winning author Allison Pittman has penned more than twelve novels, including her series set in the Roaring Twenties—All for a Song, All For a Story, and All for a Sister. Allison resides in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Mike, their three sons, and the canine star of the family—Stella.

Connect with Allison: Facebook | Twitter | Website | Crossroads Blog