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Secrets of a Charmed Life

Written by: Susan Meissner
Narrated by: Alana Kerr Collins
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Publisher's Summary

The author of A Fall of Marigolds journeys from the present day to World War II England, as two sisters are separated by the chaos of wartime.

She stood at a crossroads, half-aware that her choice would send her down a path from which there could be no turning back. But instead of two choices, she saw only one—because it was all she really wanted to see

Current day, Oxford, England. Young American scholar Kendra Van Zant, eager to pursue her vision of a perfect life, interviews Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets about the war that she has kept for decades...beginning with who she really is. What Kendra receives from Isabel is both a gift and a burden--one that will test her convictions and her heart.

1940s, England. As Hitler wages an unprecedented war against London’s civilian population, hundreds of thousands of children are evacuated to foster homes in the rural countryside. But even as fifteen-year-old, Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister, Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage. Emmy’s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia’s profound need for her sister’s presence. Acting at cross purposes just as the Luftwaffe rains down its terrible destruction, the sisters are cruelly separated, and their lives are transformed.

©2015 eChristian (P)2015 eChristian

What listeners say about Secrets of a Charmed Life

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Good story, poor narrator

This is the first Susan Meissner book I've read, and I'd like to read more. But I was confused as to why this story wasn't narrated by an English actor, since the vast majority of the action centres around English girls in England. The narrator's accent was all over the map! It was downright bizarre to hear young girls from Whitechapel portrayed as having the accents of upper class ladies (with a vaguely foreign flavour). She also read so slowly, with such extremely long pauses at commas, that I was going back and forth between 1x and 1.5x speed. So, so frustrating. I liked the novel, but this narrator... no.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Story Line

Beautifully narrated, this story unfolded through various perspectives, slowly weaving a tragic but fascinating tale of two intertwined lives and identity.

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Secrets of a Charmed life

This story was beautifully. Written. There are so many characters and each is is well developed. I found myself relating to the characters. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in two days.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Boring and predictable

If you likening Nicholas sparks you’ll love this. Otherwise don’t go near it. It’s got the hr factor. (Harlequin romance)

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