As covert secrets swirl around her and new clues are revealed, a young woman seeks the truth about the circumstances of her mother’s grievous disappearance.At 21 years old, Sydney Grey returns to her quaint hometown of Stoney Creek and begins renovations on her childhood farm. When she discovers a set of journals written by her mother – presumed to have abandoned her family 20 years ago – a … family 20 years ago – a long-hidden mystery is uncovered, leading Sydney to fear that her mother’s disappearance was the result of foul play.
Set in the Okanagan Valley of southern British Columbia, June V. Bourgo’s Magnolia Tree is a riveting story of strained family dynamics, covert relationships, and murder. Aided by her grandmother who returns to the farm after an accident, Sydney must rely on her instincts to uncover the mysteries of her past – but will the clues be enough to unravel the truth about her mother’s disappearance?
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A Twisted Family Saga
The Magnolia Tree, by June V. Bourgo, contains so many unexpected twists and turns that made this family saga come alive for me. That is, I felt it could happen in any neighborhood, to any family. This is the first story in Bourgo’s new series. I will read them all and have read her first series as well, love her stories, and her story-telling ability.
Bourgo’s stories are true to life, this one especially covers generations of a family as they sort out their secrets. All the mystery is brought to light from an incident at the magnolia tree and takes off non-stop from there.
The Magnolia Tree and how the family sorts out their lives is mysterious and exciting, to say the least. Add in a touch of the June V. Bourgo paranormal style and you have another page turner. The ending was a surprise that came out of nowhere, not at all what I could have predicted. Now I’m eagerly waiting for the next story in this series. I highly recommend Bourgo’s stories. They are easy to relate to, along with the character and events.
Sidney Grey has returned to the farmhouse where she was raised by her grandparents. She has great plans for the old place which includes major renovations as she intends to create a yoga retreat. The house holds a lot of memories for Sidney, but there are also many secrets surrounding her childhood home.
I very much enjoyed this first book of the Crossing Trilogy by June V. Bourgo. One of my favourite parts were reading the excerpts of the journals discovered during the renovations. They belonged to Sidney’s mother who disappeared from Sidney’s life when she was a baby.
The story has many unexpected twists, and it held my attention. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
The Magnola Tree
Sydney returns to her childhood farm home and begins an extensive remodel. This is in the semi-arid part of Canada called the Okanagan Desert. It is still a rural area, but gradually becoming more upscale. Her childhood friend, Jessie, appears and they friendship burgeons again. Sydney was raised by her grandmother Elizabeth Grey after her mother disappeared and her grandfather died of a massive heart attack. Her Nan (as she calls her Grandmother) rented the farm out and moved into town where she could start her own business. Sydney plans to turn the upstairs of the farmhouse into a yoga/meditation studio. People will be able to spend overnight, a week or more taking classes. The renovation will take in some of the out buildings and the barn is to sport a new look. The land remains rented to a neighbor that stares at her and freaks her out. She also believes she is being stalked by a man in town. The man wears dark clothing and drives a dark SUV. Then she is visited by her imaginary childhood friend and realizes this is a ghost. Then she hears slamming doors. She is certain the place is haunted. She falls in love with Jax, the handsome son of the owner of the restoration company. He declares his love and then the foreman of the project is put in charge and Jax goes to another city without a goodbye. A fire breaks out between Canada and the U. S. The command post uses her renovated upstairs as there headquarters, sleeping and shower area, etc. Her grandmother has a fall and breaks her ankle. Once she leaves the hospital, Sydney and Jessie bring her to the renovated farmhouse until the ankle heals enough that a walking cast can be put on. Then they realize the other ghost is Elizabeth’s husband and both are trying to warn them of danger. Worse she learns from her mother’s journals that Jax found that she and Jax could be brother and sister. When she realizes the imaginary childhood friend ghost is her mother’s spirit that has been warning her of danger, she cannot pinpoint the source. Then she finds the Keys that her ghostly grandfather had said to use. What she finds will shock you and her. No spoiler. You need to read to discover the dark secret hidden for so many years.
Creative story. Wonderful characters mystery twist I never saw coming all in a small town setting.
I highly recommend this delightful romantic suspense. The characters are well-developed and relatable. The story hooked me right from the start and kept me guessing throughout. The author had several clever plot twists that I did not see coming. Looking forward to book 2!