Memory House by Bette Lee Crosby

Book Information

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Memory House Collection

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing (March 18, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0996080368
• ISBN-13: 978-0996080361

Synopsis: IS IT POSSIBLE FOR A MEMORY TO OUTLIVE ITS OWNER?

Ophelia Browne knows the answer is yes. She knows because she’s been granted the unique gift of finding and caring for those forgotten memories. But now she’s nearing ninety, and Browne women seldom live beyond ninety. 

Before time runs out Ophelia must find a successor. Someone who can take hold of the gifts and keep the memories from fading. 

When broken-hearted Annie Cross shows up on the doorstep of The Memory House Bed and Breakfast, Ophelia knows she is the one. The two women forge a bond of friendship as they sip magical dandelion tea and share stories. When Annie starts to sense the memories Ophelia is delighted, but then a thread of violence begins to unravel and Ophelia fears things have gone too far.

Review: This is a very different type story for me, but I look forward to reading the rest of the series to see where it leads. Annie and Ophelia are strong female characters and they are both easy to like. The story is set in the present, but we also go back to Ophelia's younger days and learn a great deal about her life.

The idea that objects may still hold the memories of their previous owners is one that I had never considered, and one that I'm still not sure I can accept, but it does make for an interesting story.

This book is full of mystery, suspense, romance and humor. It is my first experience with this author, and I am very impressed with her ability to take us deeply inside the lives of her characters. They all have stories that touch your heart and make you care.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**

Rating: Four stars

About the author

"Storytelling is in my blood," Crosby laughingly admits, "My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write."

It is the wit and wisdom of that Southern Mama Crosby brings to her works of fiction; the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away. Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President's Book Award Gold Medal, Reader's Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer's Choice Award.