In 1895 New York, Tobias Rakes returns home after spending the last few years fighting Indians in the Dakotas. He is not the immature youth who left to join the military after his father disowned him. Instead, he returns home to nurse an injured foot and an emotionally battered mind.

Rakes uses his inheritance from his grandmother to buy run down Crowfoot Castle, planning to restore the place to its former glory. This surprises many folks since the two families have been feuding for years. Even more shocking is that he hires Genevieve Crowfoot to serve as his housekeeper. The castle's ghost Granny Crowfoot tries to run Tobias off, but in spite of her efforts, he and Genevieve fall in love. However, an unknown assailant wants to do more than just run Tobias out of the castle, he wants to kill him. If the duo survives the attacker and the disdain of their families, a long-term relationship could blossom.

BITTERSWEET SUMMER is a jocular blending of supernatural elements within an angst-laden historical romance. The witty lead characters are an enchanting duo, but it is the lively ghost who steals the show. With elements of intrigue enhancing the fast-paced, genuine feeling story line, readers will find it impossible not to finish this novel in one setting. Rachel Wilson demonstrates her flair for writing a clever tale with this superb tale.

Harriet Klausner

The Horten family lived nearby. Everyone looked away from the couple and the thirteen year old with them named Clovie. Clovie and Carol became close friends, but Clovie was an abused child and had more dark secrets than anyone would ever have guessed! Secrets that had killed before and would again!

***** I recommend this one for ages 13 and up only! It has mystery, excitement, danger, and many surprises! I believe it especially great for teens! Author, Gail Yilitalo, created a wonderful story that will remain in your memory long after you have finished reading it. *****

The summer of 1965 forever changes the lives of three children, brought together by their common family difficulties. Cousins Carol Lynn and Tom spend the summer on their grandmother's sixty-acre farm. While trespassing at a nearby pond, they meet Clovie, a child only a couple of years older, but wise beyond her years with life experience. At Clovie's request, Carol Lynn undertakes to teach her to read.

Daily they meet at the pond, as Clovie learns to read and write, hungry for a life away from her destitute, horribly abusive conditions. Bruised, filthy, sexually abused, Clovie is a pitiful waif who's burgeoning knowledge brings her hope. Eventually, Carol Lynn takes Clovie to the library, to receive her own library card, for the days when Carol Lynn must return to the city. When Clovie's father discovers the girls on the road back from the library, danger and disaster await.

When the truth is know, neither Carol Lynn or her cousin Tom will retain even a remnant of their childhood innocence. But within that lost innocence is also beauty. Carol Lynn comes to understand the relationship between blacks and whites in her small town. And when she recognizes the strong feelings between her grandmother, and the black man who cares for her property, Carol Lynn exhibits the same loving tolerance and understanding toward that relationship that she exhibited toward Clovie.

Like the wild blackberries of my childhood summers, I found BLACKBERRY SUMMER bittersweet. And as I couldn't stop eating the blackberries in my grandmother's backyard, no matter the scratches, I couldn't stop reading this novel. My teenage son also read this book for review purposes, finding it compelling and thought provoking. We both were impressed with Gail's straightforward handling of violence and abuse, all the while tempering the negative with open-mindedness and compassion.

I can't wait for the next notebook.