Customer Reviews

The Whittaker Family Reunion

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd book in this series & I really liked both of the books that I've read so far & I can't wait for what's to come. It was really nice to catch up on the entire family & all of their friends in this book.

Many romantic relationships were formed in this book & it was fun to watch them all bloom. There was a stranger in this book that I kept trying to figure out who he was throughout the entire book. I thought I had it figured out but I was a bit off when it was finally revealed. It was nice to have a bit of a mystery in this book.

The ending of this book left us hanging for the most part & I can't wait for the next book in this series. I've become really engrossed with this family & I would recommend this series to all.

If you are a person that didn't like studying history in school, like myself, you will be in for a surprise when you read this book. One would think that a book that was set in the time period of 1881 would be dry and boring however you will find that this is a page turning, highly entertaining and fun book to read in which you learn about the history of the time period.

I couldn't put this book down! I am now a fan of Shirley A. Roe and cannot wait to read more of her works. The characters come alive as does the time period.

The Whittaker family has been through so much already, put the terrible times behind them and are now flourishing. A troublesome, very spoiled girl and a person bent on vengeance wreck havoc for the family. And, then you are left with questions left unanswered and wanting more.

You really do need to read this book!

"I found The Whittaker Family Reunion to be an intense, yet somehow elegant thrill ride from beginning to end. Author Shirley A. Roe so precisely introduces her characters, that one feels in the very moment; on the ship with Zeke, the farm with Isaac, and longing to be the savior to so many with Abraham. As the plot thickens, you find yourself not only excited about the next page to come, but wanting to be a part of the Whittaker family. This was a fantastic edge-of-your-seat read, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next book!"

Randi M. Hull, author

Shirley Roe's sequel to "Of Dreams and Nightmares" is a fascinating read. Purchasing "The Whittaker Family Reunion", I was anxious to renew my relationship to the Whittaker family. The twists and turns taken by such a provocative blended family held my attention from chapter to chapter. Ms. Roe definitely captured that era in the history of America in the 1880's, bringing to life characters and events. Hopefully, there will be another sequel written about this enchanting family.
Janet Nicolet, Author

'The boy stared straight ahead aware of the other's interest. His young mind was reeling. Can I trust this doctor? Will those men find me and possibly kill us both? Can I tell him that the men are after me an why? He watched the doctor through his peripheral vision; the doctor was handsome and older than he was. The clothes were of good quality, but appeared to be several years old; he was a puzzle.'

The Whittakers are having a family reunion for Martha Whittaker's 40th birthday. Martha and her husband Jeremy can't wait for the arrival of their sons.

Isaac, the oldest, lives nearby with his wife and family. When his father Jebediah married Martha he hated her and stood his distance inflicting as much pain through his evil deeds as possible to make her sorry she married his father. But after the death of his father he realized what a blessing Martha actually was. They were now close and he was proud to call her his mother.

Ezekiel lived in England. He took quite well to Martha as she taught him to read. Reading and learning were his passion and he later grown up to become a teacher. He couldn't wait to see his mother.

Abraham was the doctor in the family. His respect for his mother grew when his father beat him and Martha stepped in hoping to stop the brutal beating. Instead, she too was given a beating by his father. After being locked in the barn for hours, their closeness grew and he became the first one to call her mom.

Jeremy was the brother of Jebediah. He had been sent by Martha's father from England to America to rescue Martha from his evil brother. After the death of his brother, Jeremy found himself loving Martha and the boys enough to stay in America just to be with them and eventually marrying Martha. Jeremy and Martha's marriage made the family complete. And with the birth of their daughter Anna, who could ask for more.

After the abuse and beatings Jebediah inflicted on herself and her sons led her to treat her daughter Anna with a soft hand. Most agreed a too soft hand. Anna was spoiled, selfish, self-centered and held no respect for anyone other than herself. She became a constant burden to her parents. After sending her away to boarding school only to have her return unexpectedly, they agreed to give her hand in marriage to Martha's bookkeeper. For Anna, this was exactly what she needed to free her from her mother. She happily agreed to the marriage but had her own plans in mind as to how she would treat the marriage.

And then there is Red who is determined to destroy the Whittaker family. How will he do this? He will start with the women in the family which will bring the men to their knees. Then he will destroy them.

I read Of Dreams and Nightmares and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the characters, following them through their travels from England to Wyoming with death and destruction along the way and their final escape from the evil Jebediah Whittaker. I've also enjoyed The Whittaker Family Reunion which takes their lives and stories into adulthood. Now I'm looking forward to reading Back to Whittakerville in hopes that Anna will realize the hurt she has created for those that love her and straighten out her life. The story, as well as the history written into these books, make them unforgettable.

Shirley Roe has crafted an intricate follow-up story to the introductory Martha Whittaker story. This book has intrigue and conflict that you would never suspect would happen in a family.

Martha's three sons are all grown now and trying live on without the memory of their dead abusive father until a mysterious stranger shows up at a wedding and things turn nasty as they realize their father still has a hold on their lives.

Looking forward to the next installment!

The Whittaker Family Reunion

Author: Shirley A. Roe


America, 1881. The Whittaker's have weathered many storms. Martha, the grand ol dame of the family at age 40, stood fast against an abusive husband in an arranged marriage where terror was her daily repast. Her step sons from this evil man suffered perhaps more than she and each of them carry secrets and wounds no one can see. But that is all in the past. Jebediah Whittaker is long dead and far removed from their lives if not their minds. The Whittakers have prospered with Martha and Jeremy (Jebediah's brother) having married and settled down with kids of their own. The stepsons are prospering as well, adults with lives established in places like England and Louisiana and now all are gathering in St Louis, Missouri for a Whittaker Family reunion.

This is the backdrop for Shirley Roe's second instalment of the Whittaker story. A seemingly idyllic and tight knit family unit despite some of its members being so far away. With Martha's fortieth birthday approaching all her family and closest friends will come together for a time of joy and peace. Yet Jebediah may not be done with them. Even from the grave a man can curse you. Someone is lurking just outside their family group. Stalking them, searching for their weaknesses and exploiting those he can. For young Sissy he is a secret friend, an Indian with intriguing stories. For Martha's headstrong daughter Ann, he is dark and sinister and very exciting, far more than her intended, Hans. Who is he, what does he have to do with the Whittakers and what will he do to shatter their reunion?

Family secrets are always the most interesting; and devastating. Will Jebediah's insanity and evil be a seed that takes root again? Roe has introduced a character rich story that promises to span many novels and generations and gives the reader a flavour of a budding America. The cliff hanger leaves you in anticipation of more and begs more questions than it answers. I look forward to reading the next instalment and many more of the family Whittaker.

The Whittaker Family Reunion is recommended by Allbooks reviewer, Gregory J. Saunders, Allbooks Reviews.

"The Whittaker Family Reunion" is what the title implies, the reunion of the Whittaker family. This takes place in 1881 in St. Louis. I enjoy historical fiction as it takes me back to an era I can never experience and Ms. Roe captures the period splendidly. I have not read the prequel to this story ("Of Dreams and Nightmares") so I became acquainted with the all the family members with this story. There was much to follow and although these people lived in various parts of the country and one in England, you can see that they are a loving family. The various incidents that the characters deal with make this a breathtaking story. I hear that will be another book involving the family Whittaker.

I like historical fiction because it can give me a feel for an era that history books usually can't. This novel about a woman, who after her abusive husband dies, moves to St. Louis and opens what becomes "the" place to get clothes, is full of detail about the fashions of the day.

As the title implies, the characters in the story are all gathering for a family reunion. The year is 1881 and family members gather from England, Mississippi and St. Louis. Unfortunately, an uninvited guest is also present. His relationship to the family is revealed at the end. The book is full of romance, and most are happy at the end of the book, but not all.

The story concept is good. I cared about some of the characters. I enjoyed the historical detail. The cover is attractive, and sets the ominous mood that is maintained throughout the story. Unfortunately, the writing could have been tightened up a lot. There were grammatical errors. The first lines of paragraphs were indented seven spaces; which is more than generally seen in books and which I thought made it more difficult to read.