On Hummingbird Wings: A Novel

by Lauraine Snelling

Overview

"But Mother is always dying," is Gillian Ormsby's sarcastic response when her younger, favored sister tells her that she has to go take care of their hypochondriac mother. Much against her will, since she and her mother never have gotten along, Gillian arrives in California to find the garden and yard dead, the blinds all drawn, and her mother indeed in bed—waiting to die. But when Gillian talks with the doctor, he assures her there's no medical reason behind her mother's state.
Now on a mission to restore her mother to health, Gillian insists Mother get out of bed, eat, exercise and hopefully, choose to live. She also sets about reviving the garden to its former glory, enlisting the help of Adam, a handsome man who owns a family gardening business with his father. Gillian is delighted when a pair of hummingbirds appear, and her friendship with Adam grows.
Soon, Mother's health improves, and one day she announces she and her friend Enzio are going on a cruise. Before Gillian has time to turn around, her mother is gone and she is left high and dry again, and wondering, what is she going to do with the rest of her own life?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780446582117
Publisher:	FaithWords
Publication date:	04/11/2011
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	121,337
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Lauraine Snelling has been writing since 1980, with over 65 books published, both fiction and non-fiction, historical and contemporary, for adults and young readers. Her books consistently appear on CBA bestseller lists, and have been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German. A hallmark of her style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Bassett named Chewy. Visit her Web site at www.laurainesnelling.com.

Editorial Reviews

Snelling (One Perfect Day) strikes a blow for family values in a story about a family that is not close either geographically or emotionally. Gillian Ormsby is a New York corporate executive returns to her California home to take care of her mother Dorothy, who appears to be physically healthy but who won't do anything but sleep. Gillian's sister, Allison, the preferred child who stayed close to home, is being less than helpful. When Gillian arrives after crossing the country, she finds her mother's once beautiful garden as wilted as its caretaker. She is aided in her efforts by her mother's dapper friend, Enzio, who brings killer pastries when he visits, and her mother's neighbor Adam, who owns a dog and a garden store and happens to be handsome. The narrative hits some true notes: Dorothy's passive depression will strike those caring for elderly parents as familiar. Off-notes include Allison, who needs more characterization, and Gillian's generic corporate career. The tale is uneven, but Snelling can certainly charm. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"Snelling, a wonderful, talented writer, has brought readers a novel with characters who seem more real than fictional. They want to do the right thing, but face challenges when the people they are there for will not meet them at least half-way. Still, the characters serve as an example to readers when they don't throw in the towel and instead think of creative ways to solve problems."—RT Book Reviews

"Snelling can certainly charm."
—Publishers Weekly

"Snelling writes about the foibles of human nature with keen insight and sweet honesty."—National Church Library Association on One Perfect Day

From the Publisher

"Snelling writes about the foibles of human nature with keen insight and sweet honesty."

National Church Library Association on One Perfect Day

"Snelling, a wonderful, talented writer, has brought readers a novel with characters who seem more real than fictional. They want to do the right thing, but face challenges when the people they are there for will not meet them at least half-way. Still, the characters serve as an example to readers when they don't throw in the towel and instead think of creative ways to solve problems."

RT Book Reviews

Gillian Ormsby's mother, Dorothy, won't do anything but sleep, so Gillian leaves her posh New York job as a corporate executive and returns home to California. There, she finds her sister, Allison, less than helpful. Gillian enlists the aid of her mother's friend Enzio and handsome neighbor Adam to restore not only her mother's spirit, but her ailing garden as well. VERDICT Fans of best-selling author Snelling (One Perfect Day) will anxiously await this latest outing but will be somewhat disappointed. The story is uneven, and several sketchily drawn characters, including Allison and Gillian herself, could have used more fleshing out.

Library Journal