Sweet Breath of Memory By Ariella Cohen

Book Description.....

Life is in the telling.

"With its tree-lined streets, vibrant downtown and curbside planters of spring bulbs, Amberley, Massachusetts, seems a good place for Cate Saunders to start over. It's been two years since her husband, John, was killed in Iraq and life has been a struggle. Her new job as a caregiver doesn't pay much, but the locals are welcoming. In fact, Cate has barely unpacked before she's drawn--reluctantly at first--into a circle of friends.

There's diner-owner Gaby, who nourishes her customers' spirits as well as their bodies; feisty Beatrice, who kept the town going when its men marched off to WWII; wise-cracking MaryLou, as formidable as Fort Knox but with the same heart of gold; and, Sheila, whose Italian grocery is the soul of the place. As Amberley reveals itself to be a town shaped by war, Cate encounters another kindred spirit--a Holocaust survivor with whom she feels a deep connection. When revelations about John's death threaten Cate's newfound peace of mind, these sisters-in-arms' stories show her an unexpected way forward. And Cate comes to understand that although we suffer loss alone, we heal by sharing our most treasured memories."

Title:  Sweet Breath of Memory

Author:  Ariella Cohen

Publisher:  Kingsington Books

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five 

Review:

"Sweet Breath of Memory"

My Thoughts....

I will say that this story "Sweet Breath of Memory" was one excellent read that left me saying that was some read that did keep my attention not wanting to put it down until the end.  I loved the way this author wrote so well that it seems to draw you into the story as if you are right there. I found that it reads so 'smoothly, lyrical and even poetically' where one can really find themselves caught up in this amazing read where you will find a story of love, friendship and 'the eternal longing for peace.'   

This author did a wonderful job with sharing with the readers about how Cate Saunders made changes in her life due to being alone after the death of her husband John and moving to the town of Amberly, Massachusetts.  Never would Cate have know that wandering into Sheila's Grocery store, being offered a place to stay, finding a old journal that had belong to a survivor of the Holocaust and meeting new friends would help her start to heal.  

I loved how this author works her story so well around 'Miriam's Journal' as it seemed to give a heart warming inspiration that Cate so desperately needed in her life.  What a story that starts in Amberly, MA. to the Lodz Ghetto, London and then to Jerusalem.   

Now,  all the characters in this novel were truly wonderful where Cate meets Gaby, Sheila, Marylou, Zelda, Helen, Beatrice along with other wonderful charming people where she found a place where everyone seems to know everyone and each one had their own story to tell. As you read this novel you will be drawn into each of their lives as they are 'brimming with depth, compassion, warmth, resiliency and definitely  smarts.'  Who knew at this point that Cate would come involved in her writing 'about women who were touched by the vicissitudes of war.' 

All that is left to say is that this was one of the best reads with such wonderful women with different lives and definitely with wonderful friendships.