Review # 260: The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge by Christine Nolfi

Description: (from Amazon)

A savage rape on hallowed ground.

Secrets buried for decades by the town’s most influential family...  

     Now Ourania D’Andre will learn the Great Oak’s secrets as construction begins at the Fagan mansion. She can’t afford to turn down a job that promises to stir up the long-buried guilt—and the passion—she shares with powerful Troy Fagan. 

     She’s already juggling the most important job of her career with her new responsibilities as a foster mother for young Walt and Emma Korchek. And there’s a hard, older man on the construction crew with eyes void of emotion—cold and killing. The secrets of his brutal past will pose a grave threat to the children in her care. Will she find the courage to face him?

Review:

     I was surprised how much I enjoyed reading The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge, a beautifully-written tale of love, heartache, forgiveness, family ties, jealousy, romance and suspense. Family sagas have always interested me - the more powerful the family, the deeper and darker the closets -   so Christine Nolfi's single-book saga intrigued from the first page. The characters were top-notch, especially Ourania and the Fagans. I definitely felt a connection with Ourania's independent and protective nature, particularly her strength and determination. It was refreshing to read about such a  deep and decisive female protagonist - not a girl that needed saving. The dialogue was also well-written and detailed, with a very natural flow. I liked how all the different story-lines came together, and how all the conflicts were resolved; some very difficult topics were discussed, (rape, abuse, etc...), but they were handled in a tasteful and true-to-life manner without being grotesque. The only aspect of the writing that I disliked was the semi-repetitiveness of the text, mainly in the romantic sections, but it was not a deterrent from reading further. Highly recommended to all adult readers.

Rating: On the Run (4.5/5)

*** I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.