My Sister’s Prayer

Clark and Gould continue their Cousins of the Dove series (My Brother’s Crown) with this tale of forgiveness, betrayal, and love. In one narrative thread set in contemporary Virginia, Maddee Talbot has agreed to care for her sister, Nicole, after a serious car accident, and soon realizes Nicole needs more than physical healing. Then, jumping back to 18th-century Virginia, Celeste Talbot is considered her parents’ responsible daughter until a promise of love puts her in a difficult position and leaves her younger sister, Berta, in danger. These two relatives, separated by centuries, discover startling truths about their sisters, and also about themselves. Reaching beyond its romance elements, the novel deftly highlights the loving but sometimes difficult relationships between unique pairs of sisters. Maddee and Celeste’s plots mirror each other well without overlapping. Clark and Gould handle the parallel time frames with aplomb, providing a solid sense of setting to keep the reader grounded and expertly intertwining the historical and modern story lines. Maddee’s character arc drags occasionally, and she seems slow to grow, but Nicole’s growth proves an interesting counterbalance. This novel is a satisfying tale for those who enjoy both contemporary and historical fiction. (Sept.)