A beautifully written, intricately researched window into the lives of women in a world we can scarcely imagine today . . . Sunflower Sisters took me on a journey that swept me up in its pages and left me pondering deeper truths in the end. It s a read filled with sisterhood, risk, reward, and plenty of fodder for book clubs. Entertainment Weekly
Kelly s prose flows beautifully across every page, bringing to life the women impacted by the horrific war that tore apart the country and countless families. . . . Much of Sunflower Sisters is heartbreaking . . . but there is also much hope and joy in the courage, fortitude and victories of those courageous and determined to succeed and survive. Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star
A well-researched, realistic narrative . . . It s the women and their activism that tell the story of the struggle to end slavery. They become the real heroes of the war. Kelly tells this story without either romanticizing or sweeping over the horrors that split the nation in the nineteenth century and continues to do so today. The Spokesman-Review
From Southern spies to nurses on the northern battlefields, Sunflower Sisters weaves an exquisite tapestry of women determined to defy the molds the world has for them. The journeys of Jemma and the Woolsey sisters will have readers celebrating those who came before us, who fought for what they knew was right, and became timeless women ahead of their times. Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends
Sunflower Sisters marks the third installment of Martha Hall Kelly s tales of the formidable Woolsey Women, with this chapter unfolding across the plantations, battlefields, and parlor rooms of one of history s most dramatic moments. The Civil War roils as a sweeping backdrop and an era of both heartbreaking and inspiring humanity. Kelly s vivid prose, stunning historical research, and heartfelt, compelling characters make this a gripping, page-turning read. Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen s Fortune
Vibrant . . . The vivid, impeccably researched saga briskly sweeps across war-torn battlefields, New York City, and Southern plantations, highlighting the struggles endured by her women characters. This page-turning work is sure to please Kelly s fans. Publishers Weekly
Kelly weaves a far-ranging tale of interlocking destinies and moving displays of kindness and bravery. . . . This emotionally satisfying novel will please Kelly s many fans and will be a strong addition to historical fiction collections. Library Journal
As well researched and engaging as Lost Roses and Lilac Girls . . . Drawing on real events and primary sources, Kelly illuminates parts of history infrequently told. Offer it to fans of Marie Benedict, the Civil War era, and readers who enjoy historical fiction starring real people. Booklist
Martha Hall Kelly is the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls and Lost Roses. She lives in Connecticut, where she spends her days filling legal pads with stories and reading World War II books.