Carol Haskins – Silent Ties
I loved every minute of reading this historical fiction book! I was immediately drawn into the characters, especially Missy and Addie. It was eye-opening and sad; yet warm-hearted and inspirational. The author truly gave me a sense of being right within the midst of the characters, their homes, school, and community. What a wonderful way to convey the feeling of what life must have been like in the Jim Crow South; both good and bad. Good overcomes evil! I strongly recommend reading this book that I couldn’t put down! (Amazon Review)
Karen Caprio – Silent Ties
The author, Dawn Day-Quinn, did an excellent job of captivating her audience with a lovely story of friendship and family. The book’s organization of chapters by year was such a wonderful way to tell the story of a friendship between two lovely girls and the bonds of their families. It was so hard for me to put this book down as I just wanted to keep reading and reading! At times the book surprised me with the plot twists and I was also moved to tears at several moments. Ms. Day-Quinn is a wonderful author and this book is a must-read!! Thank you Dawn for enriching us with this moving story!! (Amazon Review)
Patty Kezmarsky – Silent Ties
A friend bought a copy of the book for me knowing I absolutely love to read and usually tackle one to two books every week. I just had to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed your book. I admit I had trouble putting it down; so the past couple of days I was a bit of a hermit just wanting to stay home and sit on the deck reading.
I also grew up loving books. Every Friday, when we were growing up, our family went to the library after dinner. It was our night out together. I learned very early that reading could take me anywhere I wanted to go; I could solve mysteries, be amused, become scared, and learn about anything and everything. So I really appreciate your 20 year effort and hope I don’t have to wait another 20 years for the next book.
Mrs. D. Reynolds – Silent Ties
An outstanding first novel! The story is sweet in its narrative of childhood friendships and innocence. In this sense, the details of the abundant, simple, pleasures of family, friendships, home and hearth remind me of my beloved Anne of Green Gables. I was thoroughly engaged by the complexity of the characters and with the joyfulness of life that flowed through the authors narratives. The author also did well in bringing to life the charm of the small, simple world of a southern farm community from a bygone time. The fine detail about everything from the making of meals and clothing, working the fields, and joyous childhood games touched and delighted me. But the relationships of the characters and their complexity moved the story forward to be most meaningful.
The story is also laced with the bitterness of ignorance that is racism and that feeds a certain human meanness of hearts. Even before the greatest secret of Silent Ties is exposed, the author illuminates the horrific cruelties and monumental injustices of violent and passive bigotries that dissolve innocence and disfigure or destroy lives. It may even be that Silent Ties’ most significant value (for readers of all age) is the opportunity it presents for reflection and sharing of personal stories about the unfair biases of family and friends and the social constructs that impact relationships, lives, opportunities, and their loss.
I hope the author will continue to write and explore the themes she’s mined in this first novel. Silent Ties will surely spark conversations and prompt the sharing of personal experiences and reflections that can advance understanding and healing in the context of contemporary lives warped by biases and bigotries. I believe the ending of the story is exactly as it should be for leveraging exactly such opportunity.
Nicely done, Dawn Day-Quinn!! Thank you! (Amazon Review)
Ann Levy – Silent Ties
I loved reading Silent Ties, especially the beautifully drawn setting and the authentic historical references. The characters became my friends as I was reading; I already miss them. At first, it seems to be a captivating story of family and friendship, set in Alabama. But soon I discovered it was that, but also much more. It is a thought-provoking novel, catalyst for many conversations! The themes of racism, equality, and social strictures make Silent Ties very relevant to today’s society. As a fan of historical fiction, my favorite books are the ones that, like this one, are relevant as well as accurate. Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it (to paraphrase).
Thank you for writing this, Ms. Day-Quinn! I look forward to reading your next novel. (Amazon Review)
Linda Young, Eagle Eye Editors
Reading Dawn Day-Quinn’s Silent Ties took me back to my teenage years growing up in the South. Her chilling depiction of the socio-political climate in any town Alabama in the 40s and 50s is accurate, poignant, and heart-wrenching. Characters are cleverly and thoroughly developed to provide an authenticity rarely seen for a first-time author. While the subject matter of the book seems autobiographical at times, it is clearly a story of one young woman’s coming of age in a South not yet ready for racial equality, kindness, or justice. A breakthrough novel with twists and turns I never saw coming. Historical fiction at its best. ~ Linda Young, Principal, Eagle Eye Editors, LLC