The Memory of You

The Memory of You
Catherine West
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)
ISBN: 978-0718078768
March 2017/320 pages/$15.99
Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie Mitchell shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. Natalie intends to close the gates, unless he can convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her.

But finding freedom from the past means facing it.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Catherine West is an award-winning author who writes stories of hope and healing from her island home in Bermuda. Her first novel, Yesterday’s Tomorrow, released in 2011 and won the INSPY for Romance, a Silver Medal in the Reader’s Favorite Awards, and was a finalist in the Grace Awards. Catherine’s second novel, Hidden in the Heart, released in September 2012, was long listed in the 2012 INSPY’s and was a finalist in the 2013 Grace Awards. Catherine’s third novel, Bridge of Faith, is available on Amazon.

When she’s not at the computer working on her next story, you can find her taking her Border Collie for long walks or tending to her roses and orchids. She and her husband have two grown children. Catherine’s latest novel, The Things We Knew, released July 2016, through Harper Collins Christian Publishing. Catherine loves to connect with her readers and can be reached at Catherine@catherinejwest.com.


MY THOUGHTS

Set aside a good chunk of time when you open this book, for you will be engrossed in the story and won't be able tear yourself away. Catherine West has crafted a poignant story that grabs the heart. Natalie's struggles are authentic and heart-wrenching as she battles nightmares and desperately tries to avoid confronting the heinous memories of the night her thierteen-year-old sister died in a tragic accident. Her desperate attempt for unconditional love and acceptance from her father broke my heart. Tanner is a likable and relatable character as well. I particularly like his devotion to his nephew and niece, although West wisely shows his struggles to balance work and family commitments. Multiple threads and themes interweave in this novel including trauma, forgiveness, parental relationships, faith, and more. And don't forget romance! Don't miss The Memory of You.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free from Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson's Fiction Guild. 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.”