The Invention of Sarah Cummings

The Invention of Sarah Cummings
(Avenue of Dreams, Book 3)
Olivia Newport
(Revell)
ISBN: 978-0800720407
September 2013/304 pages/$14.99
In a world where everyone is putting on a show, there is a love that is genuine.

Sarah Cummings has one goal in life--to break into Chicago's high society. Desperate to stop serving dinner to members of the wealthy Banning family and to start eating at society tables, Sarah spends her meager free time altering cast-off gowns to create the perfect wardrobe for her future life.

When opportunity knocks at a chance meeting, she presents herself as Serena Cuthbert, weaving a fictitious past to go with her fictitious name. But as she gets closer to her goal--and closer to Simon Tewell, director of St. Andrew's Orphanage--Sarah finds that she must choose between the life she has and the life she dreams of.

Can she piece together the perfect life from scraps? Or will it all come unraveled in the face of true love?


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Olivia Newport is the author of The Pursuit of Lucy Banning and The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow. Her husband and two adult children provide welcome distraction from the people stomping through her head on their way into her books. She chases joy in stunning Colorado at the foot of the Rockies, where daylilies grow as tall as she is.

MY THOUGHTS

I'm not sure how I missed the first two books in this series, but I'm glad this one crossed my path! What a delight! It worked well as a stand-alone, although the characters from the earlier novels were "supporting actresses" in this final part of the trilogy. That simply piqued my curiosity and makes me want to read the books I missed! While the premise of a character taking on a new identity to improve her station in life has been written in a variety of novels, Olivia Newport adds a new twist by having Sarah Cummings move back and forth between her roles as Sarah the housekeeper and Serena the wealthy heiress. Cleverly written and particularly enjoyable scenes include both identities as Sarah's thoughts are revealed and juxtaposed against the words that "Serena" speaks. Newport brings additional depth to this story by avoiding stereotypical characterizations, which not only heightens the enjoyment for the reader but complicates the relationships and contributes to the tension within the story. Lessons of love, faith, and truth are seamlessly and naturally woven into this novel. Grab your copy today!



Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book from Revell Publishing as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”