Customer Reviews

Chasing Lilacs: A Novel

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Talk about incredible writing--I was captured by the first paragraph of Carla Stewart's Chasing Lilacs. She brought back to my own childhood as I fell in love with and rooted for Sammie Tucker. Life throws Sammie some mighty big problems and she survives with humor, a sometimes difficult bond with her best friend Tuwana, and the ability to accept the truth--a magnificent lesson for us all.

Chasing Lilacs is a fast paced 1950's coming of age story of an early adolescent girl named Sammie Tucker, who is growing up in a Texas Utility Service camp alive with human strengths, weaknesses and secrets. Sammie is faced with typical adolescent issues of self identity, friendship, religious beliefs, and love, which are complicated by her mother's "nerve" condition and sudden death. Sammie's childhood friend is sure an alienating aunt has come to take Sammie's mother's place. Sammie must choose whom to trust with her deepest fears as she walks through her own deep pain and heartfelt injustice, while uncovering bewildering community secrets.

What I really liked about Chasing Lilacs is when I was done reading about Sammie Tucker, I wished I could call the author up on the telephone and talk about the characters as if they were real people. Stewart skillfully entertained and engaged me with each character's personal pain, coping skills and sometimes unpredictable behavior in a community she brilliantly portrays with the belief that it takes a village to raise a child. Just when I thought I had figured out the next twist, Stewart surprised me with the unexpected, which kept me reading until the very end.

Similar to the writings of J. D. Salinger in the Catcher in the Rye, without the profanity, Stewart's themes and symbolism evoked many questions for future discussion. I found myself returning to read certain passages over and over, only to discover another theme or symbol to mull over. A welcomed benefit is the discussion questions at the end that encouraged me to come up with unlisted questions for further discussion.

Chasing Lilacs is a great read for the high school or college level classroom, as well as the young adult heart.

Reviewed for children's blog Jewel of a Book by Jewel Sample--Award-winning author of Flying Hugs and Kisses. To learn more about Jewel Sample visit her at [...].

In 1958 in Graham Camp, Texas, twelve years old Sammie Tucker's mother Rita suffers from nerves. Sammie hopes to become a writer, but needs a typewriter. She actually has a boyfriend, loose definition, in California teenage transplant Cly MacLemore; though her best friend Tuwana Johnson likes the cool cat more than she does.

Sammie's world collapses when her depressed mom commits suicide. As she nears her thirteenth birthday, Sammie wonders who she can depend on when people you love leave you by yourself. Family members and Cly try to be there for Sammie, but her mom was everything to the depressed grieving child.

This is a strong historical tale as several cast members struggle with personal issues. Sammie cannot move on beyond her mother's death as she wonders if her crazed late mom ever loved her. Cly has parental issues too as his frustrated dad dumps him on relatives hoping the teen straightens out from being a delinquent. Other cast members have problems that haunt them too. Chasing Lilacs is a poignant look at residents of a small Texas town during the Eisenhower era; as everyday people strain to overcome problems; ironically Sammie's mother did just that selfishly leaving behind trauma for her family especially her daughter.

Harriet Klausner

The simplicity of life in the 1950s really wasn't as simple as it may seem to those of us who didn't live during that time. That generation didn't have many of the distractions we deal with now, but people were the same as they are now, each with his own secret that adds to the person that he is. And despite a person's secrets, God is still in control. This is what I learned from seeing Sammie's story unfold through her own eyes.

Written in a voice that spoke to my heart, this novel pulled me in straight away. I so enjoyed learning about what life was like in the 1950s, and the characters instantly became alive in my mind--so much so, in fact, that I wish I could meet them. I felt their smiles, their tears, their frustrations... They became friends that I will definitely revisit. (And I want a sequel so I can find out what happens next in their lives!)

Well done, Miss Carla! May God continue to bless your writing!

I loved this book from the first page. The characters were very unique, and the events of the story kept me guessing what would happen until the end. I will be looking forward to the next book from Carla Stewart.

I wrote the following review following my usual pattern. I like to tell you my strong impressions of a book along with what I thought were its strengths and weaknesses. But what I really wanted to do with Chasing Lilacs is rave about how much I loved it and just urge you all to read it too.

Chasing Lilacs is promoted as a coming of age novel, but it is so much more than that. Sammie Tucker faces the typical problems of a twelve year old girl, brought on by the onset of adolescence. She's entering junior high, her body is changing, her best friend is changing, and a boy is interested in her. But her real problems supersede these issues. When her mother commits suicide, an aunt she doesn't know or like comes to live with her and her father.

Everyone says Aunt Vadine is out to marry Sammie's father and become her new mother. Sammie wonders if her mother loved her, but she does know she doesn't want her aunt around. While she grieves, Aunt Vadine strips away each piece of her mother Sammie has left.

Sammie tells her story in a first person narrative that draws her readers into her life. As I read Sammie's story, I remembered my adolescence and responded as if I were her best friend. I felt her pain and confusion; I became angry at the injustice she faced and I urged her to take control and do something about it.

Although the book is about a young teen, it's not adolescent lit. And although it reveals her inner life, there is enough happening in her small town to keep the story moving. One of the things I loved about the book is the setting. Sammie says that Graham Camp isn't even a dot on the map. But it's a microcosm of America in the 1950s, where people go to church, gossip about their neighbors, enjoy community picnics, and support each other when they have problems. They also have some outdated attitudes and hide some unpleasant secrets.

The beauty of Chasing Lilacs is that the story had to happen when it did. But one thing it reveals is that people in the `50s weren't so different from people today. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

The original review was posted on Pix-N-Pens

I just finished Chasing Lilacs written by Carla Stewart. This is a WONDERFUL book! It's a bittersweet story about life, death, and growing up in a small town in Texas. It makes you laugh, brings you to tears, and brings back both good and bad memories of life in the 1950's. Highly recommended for Baby Boomer women, but it's a great read for anyone. I can see why this is winning all kinds of awards.

I started reading it yesterday with the intention of reading a little each night before I went to bed, but I just couldn't stop. I read until early in the morning. Today, I'm extremely tired, but it was well worth it!

If you enjoy reading books like The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, you'll love Chasing Lilacs. Both made me feel as if I had met new friends who, for a few hours, became a part of my life. I cared about the characters. I enjoyed visiting the town. And, I was engaged in the plot. These are the kind of books you remember for the feelings they invoke, not just the story line.

I can truly say I'm looking forward to Stewart's next book!

I found this novel very emotional. The main character, Sammie, is a twelve year-old girl who is deep and thoughtful and has adult problems. Problems no kid should have to deal with, yet I think that's why, as a reader, I connected with Sammie.

The very first chapter reeled me into the story. Those first few pages made the book and enticed me with the characters and the plot. Carla set the scenes nicely - I felt like I was back in my own childhood, the same scents and touches that I remember from growing up. The chapters ended with a solid hook, urging me to continue to read. An awesome debut novel!

Set in 1958, in Graham Camp, Texas, a small "town" set up for the workers of the local petroleum company. Life should be good but young Sammie Tucker doesn't understand her mother's "nerve problems" or why her mother rarely gets out of bed or lives in her housecoat. When her mother is sent away for shock treatments this twelve year old life changes forever.

She doesn't know who she can trust, who she can talk to or how to deal with all the feelings she is having. Her best friend "knows" and has an opinion on everything. A new boy moves to town from California but has a lot of his own baggage. The woman next door is always there for Sammie with a hug and there is an older man that is very understanding but he has some secrets of his own. One of Sammie's teachers tries to get her to open up but Sammie doesn't know much she can really share. She does know that her aunt is up to no good and Sammie doesn't not trust her at all.

She questions her mother's love and while dealing with all the normal adolescent growing issues she has to face some very adult things that no child should have to deal with.


When I first started reading this book I thought it was a young adult coming-of age story. Well before the end of the first chapter I knew I was wrong about that. This is a story with a real adult issue, depression, seen through the eyes of a wonderful twelve year old. Back in the 50's it was called "nerve problems" and shock treatments with horrendous side effects were the treatment.

Carla Stewart has written a heart breaking and heart warming novel that will stick with you long past the final word. It is so well written you feel invested in Sammie's life immediately and find yourself wishing you could climb into the pages and help her through the rocky journey she is taking.

This is marketed as Christian Fiction but it has a very subtle Christian references so if that type of fiction is not your genre don't let it keep you from reading this wonderful story. Take some time to stop and smell the lilacs.

This is definitely an author to watch, she has a voice that tells tough stories with passion. I can't wait to read her next novel Broken Wings. Find out more at Carla's web page.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Faith Words, Hachette Book Group, in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are entirely my own. I am stating this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR part 255. "Guides Concerning Use of Endorsement and Testimonials in Advertising"

Carla Stewart nailed it on this book. I finished in 2 days, usually I read a book and put it down and sometimes never pick it back up. Chasing Lilacs kept me well interested all the way through.
Sammie's world was similiar enough to my childhood, that I could relate to her quite well. Her thoughts were well written in this book and the author did a great job of digging into the mind of an adolescent. There is enough suspense in this book to pull you along as you read, wondering all the way if the book will end like you want it to. Can't tell you any more, you must read it for yourself. I will be reading it again, and telling my friends about it.