CAN LOVE SAVE A SISTER FROM SELF-DESTRUCTION?
From a USA Today Author of Women’s Fiction Best Sellers comes this true story of mother-daughter relationship problems.
Based on the actual events that took place in her family, Crosby calls this a memoir of sorts. She looks back to a time when the sisters were young enough to feel invincible and foolish enough to believe it would last forever. … would last forever. But, when her runaway sister disappears the family is thrown into a turmoil that ultimately changes everything.
This is a family saga that is both up-front and personal. In it Crosby bares her soul in a heartrending tale of smoking addiction, regrettable decisions and inevitable outcomes.
Blueberry Hill is a sad-but-true story of family matters, love and tragedy. It is one that will touch your heart and stay with you long after you have closed the book.
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My Review
This is a Story about sisters.
Starting at a young age. Donna is definitely the wild one.. prefers Jean’s to the skirts thats not Prim and proper in those days. Also momma didn’t like the the jeans.
Not very lady like.
Donna soon Runs away from home. But after being gone . For 3 months. Once being back home. Things for her are just as she wants. Smoking drinking. Doing her own thing…
Though little sister Donna has always been there when others were picking on her sister..
As life goes on Donna’s still living the fast life marries the the one. she believes is her love..
But things don’t always work out .as you think they might.
Baby’s come but still. Not quite what it should be..
Before you know it, the kids are grown, and everything you know in life has completely taken a different turn…
But no matter what. Sister till the End.
This is part memoir
As memory’s fade Though the years. As the author said.
I Truly Enjoy this Book.
Thank You Bette Lee Crosby
A Poignant Memoir
Beautifully written Bette Lee Crosby shares with us one snapshot of her life: The death of her Sister, Donna and the life they shared. It’s a raw and honest memoir about what a family is and isn’t; filled with quips and sage observations, I found myself taking a few notes for future journal reflections. While Blueberry Hill is a heart-rending read it has just the right amount of humor and good memories shared to balance it into a valuable read. Bravery is as much putting your most personal feelings out in the open for the world to see as it is riding a red bicycle. Reading Blueberry Hill will explain that to you. Thank you to Bette Lee Crosby, Author, for sharing your Sister’s story with us.
Whenever I get ready to read one of Bette’s books, I always have a new box of kleenex handy. Her stories are so rich in emotions I invariably cry with and for her characters, even if I’m smiling through those tears.
Blueberry Hill had that effect on my. But for a new reason.
I connected with Bette and her younger sister, Donna, because I went through the same experience with my older sister.
As far back as I can remember, my sister was a wild one with an endless stubborn streak. She would do what she wanted and to hell with the consequences. The difference in this story is the young sister, Donna, rebels and follows the wrong path, while my story has the older sister choosing it.
As Bette struggled to understand her sister, began to accept there was no changing her, I too felt the frustration and anger, the hopelessness. She realized, as did I, that all you can do is love them, be there for them, go through it with them.
So many times I felt like I was almost reading my own story. Loving an addict, whether with drugs or alcohol, takes from you, wounds your heart. Even though you understand the addiction is behind their actions, it still hurts when they brush aside your offers for help, ignore your advice. All that’s left is the memories of long ago, before the drugs or booze took that sister from you. Happier times to fall back on when the despair tries to settle in.
I may have read this book too soon after the loss of my sister. My heart is still bruised, my grief still lingering. But I found a new strength in knowing everything I felt, good or bad, was okay, and I still loved her.
I didn’t cry while reading Blueberry Hill. I cried afterwards, and the tears flowed freely as I wrote this review.
Two sisters, choices, consequences, acceptance, and love. That’s what this story is about. And the author wrote it honestly, bravely, revealing the bare bones of the relationship. What it gave and what it took.
The author had me at the first sentence. I spent the rest of the book trying to figure it out. Turns out I was wrong. This is a fiction book, based on the recounting of the author’s memories of life with her younger sister. I did not realize it was the author until I saw Bette used as the name of the narrator. What a gripping, page turning book! Having a sister, I completely understood the emotions the author shared with the reader. Donna, the younger sister, was the carefree sister. Bette, the oldest sister, was the careful one. Geri, the youngest sister, moves in and out of this book. Their mother, Mama, is another person who is present throughout the entire book. I have a daughter and so can understand some of Mama’s thoughts and actions.
We have all made decisions that were not in our best interest at one point or another in our lives. Donna, though, seems to have a knack for making those more often than not. She falls in love with Charlie, marries him, has a son, divorces Charlie. She remarries Charlie, has a daughter, divorces Charlie. However, some of her best decisions are showcased in her relationship with her daughter Debi. Debi is an incredible tribute to Donna.
Donna shows strength when the reader may not be expecting it. She makes a decision that seems to be counterproductive but turns out to be the best for her situation. Looking at things through another’s eyes instead of always using our own eyes sometimes leads to miscommunication and misunderstanding. That was almost the case for the two older sisters.
What wonderful memories the author must have and how fortunate I am that I read her book detailing many of them.
This is a story about two sisters growing up in a simpler time. Bette is the oldest and the quiet one. Donna is the daring one and has an “I want to have it all attitude”. Their mama said Bette was the oldest, so it was her responsibility to keep her sister out of trouble. Donna had a knack for living life to the fullest smoking, drinking and men. She would spend every she made, then she gets married and has a baby ends up divorced and remarries the same guy and divorces him a 2nd time. One Donna gets very sick and ends up in the hospital and Bette does everything she can for Donna. In order to know the whole story you will need to read this book. I really loved this book!!