Painted Dresses

Title: PAINTED DRESSES
Author: Patricia Hickman
Publisher: Water Brook Press
July 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4000-7199-9
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary women’s fiction

Gaylen has always been the responsible sister, and she found it difficult to deal with her spirited and spontaneous sister, Delia. Yet, the sisters are forever bound by memories, secrets, and an odd group of painted dresses preserved on canvas.

Gaylen’s marriage is falling apart, and she goes home to stay in a cottage previously owned by an aunt. But with her father deceased, Gaylen is burdened with looking after her adult sister, Delia. As Delia collects trouble, Gaylen is forced to go with Delia on a road trip.

Will the sisters be able to work through a trail of family secrets to find that they can be forever close? Or will they be torn apart?

PAINTED DRESSES claims to have been drawn on the author’s own history. I have read other of Ms. Hickman’s books, and PAINTED DRESSES is written in her distinctive style.

Sisters are not always close, and Ms. Hickman bravely takes on family dynamics in this novel. I enjoyed getting to know Gaylen and Delia. The was a bit more telling and backstory in the beginning of the book than I’m fond of, but once you get past that to the meat of the story, it is gripping. Don’t miss PAINTED DRESSES. $13.99. 346 pages.